Shpagin’s submachine gun (PPSh) was considered one of the most widespread weapons in the Red Army during World War II in 1941–1945. By the end of the war, more than 55% of the personnel of the Red Army were armed with this particular weapon.
Such large production volumes were achieved due to the simplicity of the manufacture of submachine guns. It was not necessary to build specialized plants to manufacture it. Virtually any enterprise could organize the production of this type of weapon in a short time. This was due to the simplicity of the design and the use of cheap materials. The latter did not affect the technical characteristics of Shpagin’s submachine gun.
The system proposed by Soviet designer of small arms Georgy ShpAgin was characterized not only by its ease of manufacturing, but also by low production costs, as well as high reliability.
Such large production volumes were achieved due to the simplicity of the manufacture of submachine guns. It was not necessary to build specialized plants to manufacture it. Virtually any enterprise could organize the production of this type of weapon in a short time. This was due to the simplicity of the design and the use of cheap materials. The latter did not affect the technical characteristics of Shpagin’s submachine gun.
The system proposed by Soviet designer of small arms Georgy ShpAgin was characterized not only by its ease of manufacturing, but also by low production costs, as well as high reliability.
It was carefully checked: after 30,000 shots, the submachine gun showed acceptable accuracy of fire, and its parts were not deformed. Its reliability was confirmed by the shooting of 5,000 cartridges without lubrication and in dusty conditions, created on purpose. The mechanism did not fail, everything worked without misfires.
The simplicity and manufacturability of the PPSh design made it possible to organize its production at many plants, including non-specialized ones. During the Great Patriotic War, more than a million of these submachine guns were produced at the StAlin Automotive Plant in Moscow, and their total production exceeded six million copies.
The effectiveness of the PPSh was recognized by the Germans as well, who relatively actively used captured weapons of this type. In one of the German concentration camps, they even organized a small facility for the production of similar submachine guns.
Shpgin’s submachine gun was used by the Soviet Army until the mid-1960s. It was then replaced by the KalAshnikov. This weapon is currently available in a civilian version as a hunting carbine, with a magazine limited to ten rounds. It also lacks the ability to fire automatically.
The simplicity and manufacturability of the PPSh design made it possible to organize its production at many plants, including non-specialized ones. During the Great Patriotic War, more than a million of these submachine guns were produced at the StAlin Automotive Plant in Moscow, and their total production exceeded six million copies.
The effectiveness of the PPSh was recognized by the Germans as well, who relatively actively used captured weapons of this type. In one of the German concentration camps, they even organized a small facility for the production of similar submachine guns.
Shpgin’s submachine gun was used by the Soviet Army until the mid-1960s. It was then replaced by the KalAshnikov. This weapon is currently available in a civilian version as a hunting carbine, with a magazine limited to ten rounds. It also lacks the ability to fire automatically.
