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

1 9Th ID Urft River 2 45
1 9Th ID Urft River 2 45

U.S. Troops Using Captured Small Arms in World War II

American troops took a healthy interest in Axis small arms during World War II. Sometimes they were simply looking to collect a war trophy. On other occasions, GIs and Marines looked to use those firearms against their former owners.

Standing Guard | The Midterms and Freedom

Politics is something most of us only step into because we must. We’d rather smile in the warm autumn sun as we help a son or daughter, or grandson or granddaughter, break their first clay or plink steel with their first .22 rifle.

America’s Retaliation for the Lives Taken by Iraqi Sniper “Juba”

The killing of the Iraqi insurgent sniper known as "Juba" was a collective effort by thousands of Marines, culminating in one single shot.

Why This DOJ Opinion on Handgun Ownership Matters

The DOJ Office of Legal Counsel recently released an opinion concluding that the federal ban on licensed firearms dealers selling handguns to 18-20-year-old U.S. citizens is unconstitutional.

I Have This Old Gun: Czech vz.27

Following World War I, Czechoslovakia needed to equip its new army, and one of its priorities was to select a service sidearm, which ultimately became the vz.27.

Rimfire M1 Refined: The Chiappa Bushranger

Italian manufacturer Chiappa is not afraid to take an original design and give it a modern twist. New for 2026, the company is taking its rimfire M1 carbine design one step further with the Bushranger.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.