SME pistol: the history of creation, application, technical characteristics

The experience of conducting many operations of special services and military units showed that a good result is possible only with careful preparation. Often the task requires imperceptible performance. This condition can be met if there is a special weapon designed for covert use. One of such models, developed specifically for the KGB and the Chief Staff of the GRU of the USSR, was the silent gun of the SME "Groza".

History of weapons

At the end of 1965, engineers from the Tula arms factory and TsNIITOCHMASH in Klimovsk commissioned the State Security Committee to construct a unique SME pistol. According to the order of the USSR Ministry of Defense No. 145 of August 24, 1972, this model (under the TOZ-37M index) was armed with KGB officers.

What is the abbreviation of SMEs?

A Soviet-made gun "Groza" in Western countries received several names. Throughout the world, he is known as the "Russian whisper" and "the perfect killer gun." Such a glory to the weapon got, because its use allows to exclude even the slightest sound at shooting. During the shot, only a barely discernible metal knock is heard, which produces parts of the mechanism. Thanks to this feature, this model in the Soviet Union became known as the SME - a silent, small-sized special pistol.

Application

The gun of SME "Groza" was designed specifically for fighters of the Main Intelligence Directorate and special divisions of the KGB. This model was widely used during the military conflict in Afghanistan. During the Cold War, GRU fighters in Central America also used these weapons.

How is the total absence of sound achieved?

Silent shooting from such weapons as SMEs is achieved through the use of special cartridges. In their design, there is a special piston located between the bullet and the powder charge, which prevents the contact of hot gases with air during combustion. During the shot, the powder charge burns, the gases formed from this pressure are pressed not against the bullet, but onto the piston, from which the energy passes to the bullet. At the moment of the shot, the bullet flies out of the barrel channel, and the piston remains in the trunk. The shape does not allow him to fly out. The body of the piston thus holds the powder gases in the trunk, preventing them from flying after the bullet.

Design

The SMP gun is a compact system that uses two barrels located in one swivel block. The trunks have thickenings, which make it possible to restrain the bursting of the shells from the gases. USM consists of two hammers and helical battle springs of a cylindrical shape. It is located in the handle of the SME.

The gun is brought into combat condition with the help of a special lever - the operator. For each of the barrels is designed its trigger, which is under the influence of direct traction and a fighting spring. To hold the trigger in the platoon position, the system has a spring-loaded sear.

Usm pistol "Thunderstorm" is not self-cocking. The weapon is ready for shooting after a cocking of the lever, which pulls the springs onto the drums. Targeting with PSM is carried out with the help of an unregulated head and fly. Due to the small size of this weapon and the use of the piston, it is not constructive to equip the gun with automatic equipment. In this case, the piston discharging from the barrel would make it more difficult for the SME mechanics to work.

The pistol "Groza" has the following tactical and technical characteristics:

• USM single-acting.
• The weapon is designed for cartridges (SP-3) caliber 7,62h38mm.
• The weight of the pistol without cartridges is 530 g.
• The mass of weapons with a full combat kit is 560 g.
• The whole length is 115 mm.
• The length of the trunk is 66 mm.
• The height of the pistol is 91 mm.
• Sighting range of SMEs does not exceed 50 meters.
• Effective shooting is performed at a distance of up to 15 meters.
• The capacity of the pistol shop is 2 cartridges.
• Rate of fire - 6 rounds per minute.

What is the safety in operation?

The PSM design is equipped with several fuses:

• Manual, or non-automatic refers to the flag type. It performs blocking of the sear. Located behind the trigger guard on the left.
• Automatic is used to block the trigger and trigger pull when the unblocked unit is locked.
• A fuse that keeps the trigger from contact with the jaws prevents accidental shots from dropping the gun.

Advantages of weapons

Compared with some other models of pistols, PSM "Groza" has several advantages:

• The weapon is absolutely noiseless. This is achieved due to the fact that the speed of the emitted bullet is less than the speed of sound.
• The gun is small and light, which makes it possible to carry it unnoticed.
• The use of cartridges SP-3 excludes the formation of a cloud of powder gases: after combustion they do not leave the barrel channel. When firing, no flashes are created that can unmask the shooter.

PSM has a great resource. With a careful attitude, more than 500 shots can be fired from each barrel of this weapon. In some cases, half-grooves occur. This is not a malfunction in the system. The cause of misfires are powder gases, which in 5% of cases have time to slip past the piston. As a result, when shooting a few loud claps.

Most of the combat missions of state security officers perform in urban conditions. Gun "Thunderstorm" for this is ideal, because it does not have a high breakthrough effect. From a distance of 50 meters with SMEs, you can pierce through a board with a thickness of 250 mm. A sheet of steel from this weapon can not be pierced even at close range. Using this gun, you can not be afraid of ricochets and casualties among civilians.

How is the preparation for the shooting carried out?

In order to bring the PSM into combat position, it is necessary to perform the following actions:

• Turn the latch of the barrel blocks to the limit forward. The block itself needs to be pushed aside.
• Insert one cartridge in each barrel.
• Slam the barrel block and secure it with a latch.
• Press the fuse holder.
• Bring the lever to the end and return to the opposite position.
• Remove the fuse from the SMB.

The pistol at the moment is in the arsenal of some power units of the Russian Federation.