PP-19 Vityaz

The PP-19 Vityaz (also known as the PP-19-01Vityaz-SN”) is a 9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun[1] developed in 2004 by Izhmash (now Kalashnikov). It is based on the AK-74 and offers a high degree of parts commonality with the AK-74. The gun is directly developed from the PP-19 Bizon.[1][2] It is the standard submachine gun for all branches of the Russian military and police forces.[3][4] "Vityaz" (витязь) is Russian for "knight".

PP-19 Vityaz
PP-19 Vityaz equipped with Zenit-made accessories
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of originRussia
Service history
In service2008 – present
Production history
DesignerIzhmash
Designed2004
ManufacturerIzhmash
Produced2008 – present
VariantsVersion 10, Version 20
Specifications
Mass2.9 kg (6.39 lb)
Length705 mm (27.8 in)
stock extended
480 mm (18.9 in)
stock folded
Barrel length237.5 mm (9.4 in)

Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
ActionBlowback, closed bolt
Rate of fire800 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity380 m/s (1,246.7 ft/s)
Maximum firing range200 m (218.7 yd)
Feed system30-round box magazine
SightsAdjustable iron sights and optional Picatinny rail or dove-tail side rail for mounting various optical or collimator sights

Design details

The PP-19 Vityaz at Interpolitex 2013

The PP-19 Vityaz is a selective fire submachine gun that uses a simple closed bolt, straight blowback method of operation. As such, it has no gas system and the internal components have been modified accordingly. The bolt carrier with integral charging handle is similar to AK-family, however the piston rod and rotary bolt were removed and the piston extension was plugged with a steel insert. The return spring and guide rod are almost identical to those of the AK-family.

The PP-19 Vityaz has a four-groove barrel with a 240 mm (1:9 in) right-hand rifling pitch. It is chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge and will also fire the new high-pressure armour-piercing 7N31 round that can penetrate soft body armour. The gun is fed from a 30-round box magazine and comes with a fastening device that joins two magazines together.[2] Its muzzle brake has three small rectangular ports on each side that serve to reduce muzzle rise, however their main purpose is to protect the muzzle from damage. It can be equipped with a detachable sound suppressor.[2]

The PP-19 Vityaz shares the same trigger and safety mechanisms as the AK-74 rifle. The selector lever is placed on the right side of the receiver, above the trigger, and has three settings: the uppermost "safe" setting disables the trigger and physically blocks the charging handle; the middle position (marked "АВ") enables fully automatic fire and the lowest position ("ОД") activates the semi-automatic function of the trigger. It utilises the AKS-74 shoulder stock, which folds to the left side of the receiver. The pistol grip is identical to the grip of the AK-100 series and is made of a black fiberglass-reinforced polyamide. The forearm has attachment points for laser target designator, tactical flashlight and fore grip.[2]

The PP-19 Vityaz is provided with two types of rail system for mounting various optical or collimator sights. A Picatinny rail on top of the receiver or a dove-tail side rail, and it also has the standard AK-type front and rear sights.[2]

Variants

PP-19 Vityaz in standard configuration

Vityaz

The original version of the rifle with a standard side rail and no railed dust cover.

Vityaz-SN

The Vityaz-SN removed the side rail and added the railed dust cover.

PPK-20

PPK-20 is a further modernisation of the PP-19 Vityaz, developed and manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. The PPK-20 uses the AK-19 stock as well as being issued with AK-9 style handguards and a new suppressor.

Saiga-9

The Saiga-9 is a semi-automatic carbine version of the PP-19 Vityaz with 345 mm barrel sold on the Russian civilian market by Kalashnikov.

KR-9

In the United States, Kalashnikov USA (not associated with the Kalashnikov Concern) manufactures an 9.25" barrel clone called the KP-9, and a 16" barrel clone called the KR-9.[5]

Users

  •  Armenia Used by Armenian Special Forces.
  •  Egypt: Used by Egyptian Special police units.
  •  Namibia: Used by Namibian Marines.[6]
  •  Russia: In 2005, it was adopted by the Interior Ministry. Used by various Spetsnaz units of the Interior Ministry, the Federal Security Service and the Federal Guard Service. The 9mm PPK-20 variant with improved ergonomics and ammunition, increased reliability and supplemented with a silencer completed state trials and approved for serial production in July 2020.[7][8]
  •  Uruguay: Used by police forces.[9]

See also

References

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