PP-19 Vityaz
The PP-19 Vityaz (also known as the PP-19-01 “Vityaz-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 | |
Type | Submachine gun |
Place of origin | Russia |
Service history | |
In service | 2008 – present |
Production history | |
Designer | Izhmash |
Designed | 2004 |
Manufacturer | Izhmash |
Produced | 2008 – present |
Variants | Version 10, Version 20 |
Specifications | |
Mass | 2.9 kg (6.39 lb) |
Length | 705 mm (27.8 in) stock extended 480 mm (18.9 in) stock folded |
Barrel length | 237.5 mm (9.4 in) |
Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum |
Action | Blowback, closed bolt |
Rate of fire | 800 rounds/min |
Muzzle velocity | 380 m/s (1,246.7 ft/s) |
Maximum firing range | 200 m (218.7 yd) |
Feed system | 30-round box magazine |
Sights | Adjustable iron sights and optional Picatinny rail or dove-tail side rail for mounting various optical or collimator sights |
Design details
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
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]
Gallery
See also
References
- Gao, Charlie (30 November 2018). "Meet Russia's Worst Military Gun of All Time". The National Interest.
- "Контакты - Группа компаний «Калашников»". kalashnikovgroup.ru.
- "New guns for Russia's cops – so what? - In Moscow's Shadows". In Moscow's Shadows. Retrieved 7 October 2014.
- "Исторические сведения ПП-19-01 «Витязь»/«Витязь-СН» - пистолет-пулемёт". army.lv.
- McCollum, Ian (1 May 2020). "Kalashnikov USA KP-9: A Perfect Copy of the Russian Vityaz SMG". YouTube / Forgotten Weapons.
- "Namibia receives Russian small arms". 1 June 2016.
- Spetsnaz: Russia’s Special Forces. by Mark Galeotti. Osprey Publishing. Jun 20, 2015. page 60
- https://tass.com/defense/1181281
- https://www.180.com.uy/articulo/39071_Las-nuevas-ametralladoras-de-la-policia-uruguaya
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