Experience of carrying out many operations of special services andmilitary units showed that a good result is possible only with careful preparation. Often, the task requires imperceptible execution. This condition can be met with special weapons intended for hidden use. One of these models, designed specifically for the KGB and the General Staff of the GRU of the USSR, was the silent pistol SME Thunderstorm.
The history of the creation of weapons
At the end of 1965, engineers of the Tula Armsof the plant and TsNIITOCHMASH in Klimovsk by order of the State Security Committee a unique SME pistol was designed. According to the order of the Ministry of Defense of the USSR No. 145 of August 24, 1972, this model (under the symbol TOZ-37M) was armed with KGB officers.
What does the abbreviation for SMEs mean?
Soviet-made pistol “Thunderstorm” inWestern countries received several names. Worldwide, it is known as the “Russian whisper” and “the perfect assassin pistol”. Such a glory was given to the weapon, because its use makes it possible to exclude even the slightest sound when firing. During the shot, only a barely perceptible metallic knock is heard, which is produced by parts of the mechanism. Thanks to this feature, this model in the Soviet Union became known as an SME - a silent, small-sized special pistol.
Application
Pistol SME “Thunderstorm” was designed specificallyfor fighters of the Main Intelligence Directorate and special units of the KGB. This model was widely used during the military conflict in Afghanistan. During the Cold War, the GRU fighters in Central America also used these weapons.
How is a complete lack of sound achieved?
Silent shooting of weapons such as SMEs,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 heated gases from contact with air during combustion. During the shot, the powder charge burns, the gases generated from this do not press on the bullet, but on the piston, from which the energy passes to the pool. At the time of the shot the bullet flies out of the barrel channel, and the piston remains in the barrel. Fly out it does not allow the form. The piston body thus holds the powder gases in the barrel, does not allow them to fly out after the bullet.
Design
Pistol SMEs is a compacta system in which two trunks are used, located in a single swivel block. Barrels have thickenings, which allow to restrain the expansion of the sleeves from the gases. USM consists of two hammers and cylindrical helical springs. It is located in the handle of the SME.
The pistol is brought into combat withspecial leverage - a platoon. For each of the trunks has its own trigger, which is under the influence of direct traction and mainspring. To keep the trigger in the platoon position there is a spring-loaded sear in the system.
USM gun "Thunderstorm" is not self-cocking.The weapon is ready to fire after the lever is cocked, which is used to pull the springs onto the firing pin. Aiming with PSM is carried out using unregulated rear sight and front sight. Due to the small size of this weapon and the use of the piston, it is structurally impossible to equip the gun with automatic equipment. At the same time, a piston flying out of the barrel would have hampered the work of the mechanics of an SME.
The Thunderstorm Pistol has the following tactical and technical characteristics:
- USM single action.
- The weapon is designed for ammunition (SP-3) 7.62x38mm caliber.
- Gun weight without cartridges - 530 g.
- The mass of weapons with a full combat kit is 560 g.
- The entire length is 115 mm.
- Barrel length - 66 mm.
- The height of the gun - 91 mm.
- The target 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 magazine is 2 rounds.
- Rate of fire - 6 shots per minute.
What ensures safety during operation?
The design of the PSM is equipped with several fuses:
- Manual, or non-automatic refers to the flag type. Performs blocking of the sear. Located behind the trigger guard on the left.
- Automatic is used to block the trigger and the trigger pull when the receiver unit is not closed.
- The fuse that keeps the trigger from their contact with the strikers prevents accidental shots when the pistol falls.
Weapons virtues
Compared with some other models of pistols, PSM “Thunderstorm” has several advantages:
- The weapon is completely silent. This is achieved due to the fact that the speed of the departing bullet is less than the speed of sound.
- The gun is small-sized and lightweight, which allows you to wear it unnoticed.
- The use of cartridges SP-3 eliminates the formation of a cloud of powder gases: after combustion, they do not leave the receiver channel. When firing, there are no flashes capable of unmasking the shooter.
PSM has a great resource.With careful treatment of each barrel of the weapon can be made over 500 shots. In some cases, poluosechki 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, you get a somewhat loud bang.
Most combat missions are workers.state security perform in urban environments. The “Thunderstorm” pistol is ideal for this, since it does not have a high penetrating effect. From a distance of 50 meters with an SME, you can pierce a 250 mm thick board. A sheet of steel from this weapon cannot be pierced even at close range. Using this gun, you can not be afraid of ricochets and civilian casualties.
How is the preparation for the shooting?
In order to bring the PSM into a combat position, you must perform the following steps:
- Turn the latch of the barrel units to the limit forward. The unit itself must be pushed aside.
- Insert one cartridge into each barrel.
- Slam the receiver and secure it with the latch.
- Unclip the fuse holder.
- Fully tighten the lever and return to the reverse position.
- Remove the fuse from the SME.
The gun is currently in service with some of the security forces of the Russian Federation.
