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

by
posted on May 30, 2015
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

Don Troiana American Revolution Lexington & Concord SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD painting men militiamen british redcoats
Don Troiana American Revolution Lexington & Concord SHOT HEARD ROUND THE WORLD painting men militiamen british redcoats

"The Shot Heard Round The World:" 250 Years Later

On April 19, 1775, simmering tensions between Great Britain and her colonists erupted into warfare with the engagements at the Massachusetts towns of Lexington and Concord.

Watchtower Firearms Re-Organizing

Watchtower Firearms, a veteran-owned firm based in Texas filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in late February 2025 to restructure and re-organize its financial structure.

The Road To Revolution: 250 Years Later

The militiamen who stood in defiance on Lexington Green are the first who fired upon the British regulars, but the road to revolution was paved long before gunfire erupted on that cold April morning in Massachusetts.

SIG Experience Goes Virtual

Featuring SIG replica handsets and VR SIG Electro-Optics, the ACE marksmanship simulator lets enthusiasts experience two of the company’s most popular pistols safely from the comfort of home.

New For 2025: Springfield Armory Kuna

Springfield Armory has entered a new firearm category with the PDW-style Kuna, a large-format pistol chambered for the 9 mm Luger.

Book Review: Bullet Strikes From The First Day Of The American Revolution

Even though 250 years have elapsed since the fateful first shots of the American Revolution—fired on April 19, 1775—there are still pieces of evidence remaining from the day’s fighting.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.