PSM pistol

{{Infobox Weapon |name=PSM |image=File:5,45x18 пистолет самозарядный малогабаритный ПСМ 01.jpg |image_size=300px |caption= |origin=Soviet Union |type=Semi-automatic pistol  |is_ranged=yes  |service=1973–present |used_by=See ''Users'' |wars=  |designer= |design_date=1969 |manufacturer= |production_date=1973–Present |number= |variants=IZh-75, Baikal-441  |weight={{convert|460|g|abbr=on}} |length={{convert|155|mm|in|abbr=on}} |part_length={{convert|84.6|mm|abbr=on|1}} |height={{convert|117|mm|abbr=on|1}} |crew=  |cartridge=5.45×18mm |caliber= |action=Blowback |rate= |velocity={{convert|315|m/s|0|abbr=on}} |range=Sights fixed for {{convert|25|m|yd|abbr=on}} |max_range= |feed=8-round detachable box magazine |sights=Rear notch and front post }}

The '''PSM''' (''Pistolet Samozaryadny Malogabaritny'', Russian for "Small self-loading pistol")<ref name="gunspsm">https://web.archive.org/web/20190319122419/https://www.guns.com/news/2011/10/10/putins-pistol-the-psm-semi-automatic-pistol-in-545mm</ref> was designed by the Tula Design Bureau in 1969 as a self-defense firearm for law enforcement and military officers of the USSR. The pistol entered production at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant in 1973.

The pistol was primarily intended for army high command staff. However, owing to its insignificant dimensions, especially its small width ({{convert|21|mm|abbr=on}} across the safety catch), it soon became popular with security (''KGB'') and law enforcement (''militsiya'') personnel. The PSM was also appreciated by higher echelon Communist Party functionaries.<ref name="warfare.be" />

==History== The PSM was designed from 1969 until it was completed in 1973.<ref>https://smallarmsreview.com/unlocking-the-mysteries-of-a-fallen-empire-a-look-at-the-soviet-5-45x18-cartridge/</ref><ref name="gunspsm"/>

==Design== The PSM is a blowback-operated handgun with a double-action trigger and slide-mounted manual safety without a slide stop. The grip panels are made from thin aluminum and new model with hard plastic. The weapon is made from steel.

The pistol as designed around the newly developed 5.45×18mm cartridge, which was developed for the weapon by Precision Mechanical Engineering Central Research Institute. The cartridge is capable of penetrating 55 layers of Kevlar at realistic engagement distances.<ref name="warfare.be">{{cite web |url=http://warfare.be/db/catid/277/linkid/1836/title/psm/ |title=PSM |website=Warfare.be |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226212720/http://warfare.be/db/catid/277/linkid/1836/title/psm/ |archive-date=26 February 2015}}</ref> However, this is purely a consequence of its hard metal core and the bullet wasn't designed to defeat body armor. <ref name="Forgotten weapons youtube channel">{{cite web |url=https://www.forgottenweapons.com/soviet-psm-pistol-history-really-a-kgb-assassination-gun/ |title=Soviet PSM Pistol History: Really a KGB Assassination Gun? |first=Ian |last=McCollum |date=30 June 2017 |website=Forgotten Weapons}}</ref> This cartridge has a bottlenecked case and a spitzer-pointed jacketed bullet. <ref name="Forgotten weapons youtube channel"></ref>

==Other designations== * MPTs (''Malokalibernyj Pistolet Tsentralnogo-boya''; "Small-caliber Pistol, Center-fire")

==Variants== * '''IZh-75''' (''ИЖ-75'') * '''IZh-78''' (''ИЖ-78'') - 7.6mm gas pistol<ref>''2.1. Газовое оружие самообороны... Пистолет ИЖ-78-7,6 кал. 7,6 мм'' Перечень служебного и гражданского оружия и боеприпасов к нему, вносимых в Государственный кадастр служебного и гражданского оружия (утверждён распоряжением Правительства РФ № 1207-р от 3 августа 1996 года) [''2.1. Self-defense gas weapon... Pistol IZH-78-7.6 cal. 7.6 mm'' The list of service and civilian weapons and ammunition for them entered into the state register of service and civilian weapons (approved by the order of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 1207-r of August 3, 1996)]</ref> * '''IZh-78-9T''' (''ИЖ-78-9Т'') - 9mm non-lethal pistol (9mm P.A.K.)

==Users==  * {{flag|Armenia}}<ref name="jones2009">{{cite book |editor-last=Jones |editor-first=Richard D. |date=January 27, 2009 |title=Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010 |edition=35th |publisher=Jane's Information Group |isbn=978-0-7106-2869-5}}</ref> * {{flag|Azerbaijan}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Belarus}}<ref name="jones2009"/> - custom service<ref>Постановление Совета Министров Республики Беларусь № 202 от 19 февраля 2003 г. «Об утверждении перечня специальных средств, видов огнестрельного оружия, боеприпасов и взрывчатых веществ, используемых в таможенных органах Республики Беларусь» [Resolution of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Belarus No. 202 of February 19, 2003 "On approval of the list of special means, types of firearms, ammunition and explosives used in the customs authorities of the Republic of Belarus"]</ref> * {{flag|Bulgaria}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Georgia}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Kazakhstan}}<ref name="jones2009"/> - police<ref>Постановление Правительства Республики Казахстан № 163 от 17 февраля 2003 г. "Об утверждении норм и перечня оружия и специальных средств, которые имеют право применять сотрудники органов финансовой полиции" [Decree of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan No. 163 of February 17, 2003 "On the approval of the norms and the list of weapons and special means that employees of the financial police have the right to use"]</ref> * {{flag|Kyrgyzstan}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Latvia}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Moldova}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Mongolia}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Russia}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Tajikistan}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Turkmenistan}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Ukraine}}<ref name="jones2009"/> * {{flag|Uzbekistan}}<ref name="jones2009"/>

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commonscat|PSM pistol}} *{{cite magazine |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Russia's+enigmatic+and+mysterious+PSM+Pipsqueak%3F+Clandestine+affairs%3F...-a0261731329 |title=Russia's enigmatic and mysterious PSM Pipsqueak? Clandestine affairs? Badge of rank? KGB Pistol? Most of us have seen it pictured, but very few have fired it. Kokalis is one of them, and clears up some misconceptions about this little pocket pistol |first=Peter G. |last=Kokalis |date=1 July 2011 |magazine=Shotgun News |via=thefreelibrary.com}}

Category:5.45×18mm firearms Category:Cold War firearms of the Soviet Union Category:Semi-automatic pistols of the Soviet Union Category:KBP Instrument Design Bureau products Category:Izhevsk Mechanical Plant products Category:Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1973