Designed by Georgy Shpagin, the PPSh (RUS: Пистолет-пулемёт Шпагина / Pistolet-Pulemot Shpagina | English: Shpagin submachine gun) submachine gun series was utilized extensively by the Red Army during the Second World War. In 1940, dissatisfied with the material and labor investment required to manufacture Degtyaryov PPD-40 submachine guns, the People's Commissariat of Arms instructed gunsmiths to submit designs for a submachine gun similar or better in tactical and technical terms to the PPD-40 that could be manufactured quickly and cheaply. In the fall of 1940, G. S. Shpagin and B. G. Shpitalny each submitted weapons, the Shpagin PPSh-40 and Shpitalny PPSh-40 respectively, for consideration. After trials, Shpagin's submachine gun design won and was accepted into service in the Red Army as the Shpagin PPSh-41. Several million PPSh-41s were produced during WWII, and the widespread use of the weapon became lead to its image becoming inseparable from that of the Red Army infantryman. The USSR supplied PPSh submachine guns to many of its allies and vassal states after the Second World War, including Korea, East Germany, and North Vietnam, which led to the submachine gun's later proliferation in other, later conflicts.

In 1942, a competition was announced for a new submachine gun, which was to complement the PPSh. The new submachine gun, described as "special", was to weigh no more than 6.6 lbs (3 kg) and have a theoretical rate of fire of 400-500 rounds/min. A great emphasis was also placed on simplifying production, with it assumed that the gun would be composed mostly of easy-to-manufacture stamped steel and that each gun would require no more than 3.5 man-hours of work. Georgy Shpagin entered the competition, submitting the Shpagin PPSh-42 (also known in the West as the Shpagin PPSh-2, the "second Shpagin model"). However, after tests, it turned out to be worse than its competitors (with the Sudayev PPS winning overall) and only 200-250 copies were produced.

Most of the early pre-production PPSh-41 submachine guns were captured by Germany and designated as the MP 717(r). Some weapons, converted to fire 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition, were designated MP-41(r).

Shpagin PPSh-40

Shpagin PPSh-40, pre-production model - 7.62x25mm Tokarev.

Early PPSh submachine guns produced prior to the weapon's adoption by the Red Army are known as the Shpagin PPSh-40 (RUS: Пистолет-пулемёт Шпагина 1940 года / Pistolet-Pulemot Shpagina 1940 goda | English: Shpagin submachine gun 1940). The first PPSh was assembled on August 26, 1940, and a test batch of 25 units was produced in October 1940. At the end of November 1940, based on the results of field tests and technological evaluation of the PPSh samples submitted for consideration, it was recommended for adoption. On December 21, 1940, the Shpagin submachine gun was adopted by the Red Army under the designation "Shpagin PPSh-41". However, pre-production models were already produced without official consent, and several hundred were produced before official acceptance. These models were taken over by the Germans and put into service under the designation "MP 717(r)". Western media refer to this subtype simply as "Early PPSh-41". It can be distinguished by its adjustable rear sight.

Specifications

(Production: 1940 - 1940)

Type: Submachine Gun
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Caliber: 7.62mm, 7.63mm
Cartridge: 7.62x25mm Tokarev, 7.63x25mm Mauser (MP 717(r))
Weight: 7.1 lbs (3.2 kg)
Length: 31 in (78.8 cm)
Barrel length: 10.7 in (27.3 cm)
Capacity: 71-round drum magazine
Rate of fire: 1000 rpm

The Shpagin PPSh-40 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors:

Television

Title	Actor	Character	Notes / Episode	Date
Liquidation (Likvidatsiya)				2007

Video Games

Title	Appears as	Mods	Notes	Date
Far Cry 6				2021
Enlisted	"MP-717(r)"		Firing 7.63mm ammunition	2021

Animation

Title	Character	Notes	Date
Lupin Zero			2022

Shpagin PPSh-41

Shpagin PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Early type. Drum magazine.

Shpagin PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Early type. Box magazine.

Shpagin PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Late type. Drum magazine.

Shpagin PPSh-41 - 7.62x25mm Tokarev. Late type. Box magazine.

The Shpagin PPSh-41 (Russian: Пистолет-пулемёт Шпагина; Pistolet Pulemyot Shpagina), was a Soviet submachine gun used by the Red Army during World War 2. Designed to be easier to manufacture and more reliable than the Degtyaryov PPD-40 that it replaced, it was a great success in spite of its weight. It was adopted on December 21, 1940, and over 90,000 units were produced by the end of 1941. In 1942, 1.5 million submachine guns were produced. The gun was used with a 71 round drum magazine (matched to the weapon and not necessarily interchangeable with those from other guns). In 1942, box magazines for 35 rounds were introduced, which were not interchangeable with the Sudayev PPS. Modifications were also made to the magazine well to increase its durability and a higher tolerance was introduced so that the interchangeability of magazines between models was not a problem. This model was often called the "Late PPSh-41" and was the basis of production until its discontinuation in 1955. The "disk" (as the Soviets preferred to call it) was heavy and hard to load, but the drum magazine remained the most commonly issued type throughout the war. The PPSh-41 has become completely inseparable from the image of a generic WWII Red Army trooper (quite accurately since entire rifle companies were equipped with them: the fact that two could be produced by sawing a Mosin-Nagant barrel in half certainly helped with this), and thus is found on countless monuments.

The PPSh was designed to fire short bursts and single shots. It used a simple open-bolt design to allow for fully-automatic fire, which simplified manufacturing and design. The system had a few drawbacks, however; it required the use of a massive lock, which increased the total weight of the weapon, and the weapon could inadvertently fire when struck (for example, when dropped), even when the safety was engaged. Its actual burst firing range was approximately 200 m, which is significantly higher than other contemporary submachine guns. The weapon's 7.62x25 mm ammunition and long barrel also provided a high muzzle velocity (500 m/s), especially when compared to other contemporary submachine guns. The high rate of fire, on the one hand, resulted in high ammunition consumption and rapid overheating of the barrel, but on the other hand, it ensured high fire density, which gave an advantage in close combat.

The Sudayev PPS is a partially related successor development that is often incorrectly cited as a derivative or variant of the PPSh-41.

Specifications

(Production: 1941 – 1955)

Type: Submachine Gun
Country of Origin: Soviet Union
Caliber: 7.62mm, 7.63mm, 9mm
Cartridge: 7.62x25mm Tokarev, 7.63x25mm Mauser (MP 717(r)), 9x19mm Parabellum (MP 41(r) and SKL-41 semi-auto clone)
Weight: 8 lbs (3.6 kg) empty, 11.9 lbs (5.4 kg) with fully loaded drum
Length: 33.2 in (84.3 cm)
Barrel length: 10.6 in (26.9 cm)
Capacity: 35-round box magazine, 71-round drum magazine
Rate of fire: 1000 rpm

The Shpagin PPSh-41 and variants can be seen in the following films, television series, video games, and anime used by the following actors: