Video—Red Army Icon: Soviet PPsh-41 Submachine Gun

by
posted on May 30, 2015
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
The Soviet PPsh-41 submachine gun was one of the most iconic firearms of World War II. In the hand of Soviet troops, it was instrumental in the defeat of Hitler’s Nazi Germany. Chambered for the bottle-necked 7.62x25 mm Tokarev cartridge, the PPsh41 fed from a 71-round capacity drum magazine with a cyclic rate of more than 900 rounds per minute. Designed by Georgi Shapgin, the PPsh-41 was the right gun at the right time for the Red Army. Rugged, simple and effective, the straight-blowback operated submachine gun was used in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and more than 6 million were made. For more, watch American Rifleman TV's "I Have This Old Gun" segment above.

Latest

assortment of commemorative products.
assortment of commemorative products.

’Merica! | America 250th Products from the Firearm Industry

From guns to knives to storage and beyond, show how your heart beats true for the red, white and blue as we celebrate 250 years of independence, liberty and patriotism with this assortment of commemorative products.

I Have This Old Gun: Witness to the Revolution

It is likely this Long Land Pattern Brown Bess was surrendered by British troops at Saratoga, then used to arm Americans in their fight for liberty before subsequently falling into private hands. Today, it remains as one of a scant few British muskets with a direct tie to the events of the American Revolution.

Rideout Arsenal Leaves Virginia

Rideout Arsenal recently announced it would be leaving the hostile political environment of Virginia for the Second Amendment-friendly state of Georgia.

The Guns of the American Revolution

Contrary to popular perception, the American Revolution wasn’t all muskets, bayonets and Mel Gibson running around with a tomahawk.

The Pedersoli Kodiak Survivalist: A Gentleman's Survival Rifle

Pedersoli brings the double rifle into both affordable and practical territory with their Kodiak Survivalist Compact Express Rifle chambered in .44 Mag.

The Armed Citizen® June 29, 2026

Read today's "The Armed Citizen" entry for real stories of law-abiding citizens, past and present, who used their firearms to save lives.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.