SHP submachine gun PP-91-SKh "Kedr" 10TK

29.04.2019

PP-91 “Kedr” is a Russian submachine gun, created in the early 90s by order of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs on the basis of earlier, Soviet developments. The basis for the “Cedar” was the design of the PP-71 submachine gun by the talented gunsmith E. F. Dragunov (creator of the famous SVD sniper rifle). His initials are encrypted in the name of the weapon - “Design of Evgeniy Dragunov.”

The PP-91 Kedr submachine gun uses a standard 9x18 mm PM cartridge. The capacity of the box magazine is twenty or thirty rounds.

This submachine gun has excellent tactical and technical characteristics, which has made it highly popular among professionals. Today, the PP-91 is in service with almost all Russian law enforcement agencies: the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation, the Federal Drug Control Service, the Federal Penitentiary Service, the Federal Tax Service, departmental security and courier service. Cash collectors use Kedr with pleasure.

Serial production of these weapons has been established at the Zlatoust Machine-Building Plant. There are several modifications of it.

History of the creation of PP-91 “Kedr”

Back in the early 70s of the last century, work was carried out on the creation of special-purpose weapons by order of the Soviet Ministry of Defense. This program was code-named “Bouquet”. It was within its framework that work was carried out on the development of submachine guns chambered for the 9×18 PM caliber cartridge.

However, the program ended in nothing - not a single one of the developed models was ever put into service.

In the early 90s, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation became interested in developments in the field of creating new submachine guns. At that time, employees of this department had at their disposal only pistols and shortened modifications of the AK.

The attention of customers was attracted by the PP-71 submachine gun, which was developed by Evgeny Dragunov. The weapon began to be finalized at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, and the eldest son of the famous gunsmith supervised the finishing work. The result of the work was the appearance of “Cedar”, prototypes of which were manufactured in 1992. The following year, the PP-91 Kedr submachine gun began to be mass-produced.

Initially, the Kedr was developed for the 9x18 mm PMM cartridge, but already in 1994, the designers created the Klin submachine gun chambered for the more powerful 9x18 mm PMM cartridge. This weapon was first demonstrated to the general public at a weapons exhibition in April 1994. PP-9 “Klin” was mass-produced from 1996 to 2002 for the needs of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Externally and in design, “Kedr” and “Wedge” are practically no different; the use of more powerful 9x18 mm PMM ammunition improved the ballistics of the weapon, but did not lead to a sufficient increase in firing range. Soon the 9x18 mm PMM cartridge was removed from service and replaced with the standard 9x19 mm.

Further development

The “Klin” modification was also produced at the Zlatoust plant. However, her story did not last long. The 9x18 PMM cartridge was soon abandoned, as its use in old weapons is unsafe, and the new 9x19 cartridge has more interesting parameters. Therefore, only the “91 Kedr” submachine gun remained in service. Based on its design, the PKSK “service carbine” was later created for private security structures. It was distinguished by the use of a 9x17 cartridge and a magazine capacity for 10 shells. It would seem, why create a version that differs so slightly from the original? The answer can be found in legislation that does not allow the use of more serious weapons for such purposes.

A traumatic version of the Kedr PP was also produced. The weapon was called PDT-9T, or “Esaul” (photo below). To make it possible to wear PP under outerwear without attracting unnecessary attention, a special pendant was created. It ensured not only reliable fastening of the weapon, but also its instant retrieval. A silencer was also developed for the Kedr, which is similar in design to the model for the ABP pistol.

The design of the PP-91 “Kedr” submachine gun

"Cedar" has a very simple and technological design. The operation of automatic weapons is based on the recoil of the free shutter. "Kedr" is capable of conducting both automatic and single fire. The food comes from a box magazine.

The PP-91 consists of a barrel with a receiver, its cover, sighting devices, a trigger mechanism, a shoulder rest, a bolt and return mechanism, and a box magazine. The safety lever is located on the right side above the trigger. In the “safety” position, the flag extends beyond the edge of the trigger guard, so you can determine when the weapon is not ready for use by touch.

The receiver has a rectangular shape; the barrel, pistol grip, magazine receiver and butt are rigidly attached to it. Front sight and rear sight are open type. The front sight is mounted on the barrel at the front edge of the receiver, the rear sight is located near the shoulder rest mount. The PP-91 is designed for a firing range of up to 50 meters, but fire is most effective at a distance of 25 meters.

The shot is fired from the front position of the bolt, after which the powder gases move it to the rear position. In this case, the spent cartridge case is extracted, the hammer is cocked and the return spring is compressed. She pushes the bolt forward, while another cartridge is sent from the store and the barrel bore is locked.

The PP-91 magazine can have a capacity of twenty or thirty rounds. The receiver provides good magazine retention.

The PP-91 pistol grip is made of impact-resistant plastic. The butt of the submachine gun folds forward and upward. Its latch is located in the butt plate. When the stock is folded, the rear sight rotates. When the rest is folded down, shooting is carried out with the diopter rear sight, and when folded - with the rear sight open.

When developing the Russian small arms PP-91 "Kedr", the main requirement for the model was its compactness - a small weapon had to have modest dimensions and light weight. At the same time, the magazine of the submachine gun had to accommodate a sufficient amount of ammunition. As a result of these requirements for developers, the Kedr software appeared, created based on the design of Evgeny Dragunov.

General description and application

When folded, the length of the “Cedar” is only 30 centimeters. Such modest dimensions of a submachine gun turned out to be in great demand in police transport departments. This type of Russian small arms is used by police in air and water transport. The compact weapon is very convenient for moving in cramped confined spaces: train cars, airplane cabins and ship holds. In addition, a small-sized submachine gun is indispensable when carrying out assault operations on residential premises. Fighters enter premises through narrow doorways or window openings, and a compact weapon is simply necessary in such a situation.

appearance

appearance

The new weapon "Cedar" is versatile. It can be used to perform a wide range of tasks. For example, it is compatible with a silent and flameless shooting device - a silencer that reduces the noise of a shot so that it becomes inaudible from 30-35 meters. Such stealth can be useful for reconnaissance units, especially in a combat zone, if a reconnaissance squad stumbles upon an enemy patrol.

General performance characteristics of weapons:

Note to the table:

the numerator indicates the length of the weapon with the butt folded, the denominator - with the butt unfolded; the numerator shows the mass of a weapon with a magazine for 20 rounds, the denominator - with a magazine for 30 rounds; the trigger mechanism provides for single and continuous types of fire; The safety box is located on the right side of the receiver.

Thanks to its small dimensions, Kedr small arms can be used to equip not only reconnaissance officers, but also soldiers serving as part of the crews of military equipment: tank crews and helicopter pilots. After all, this submachine gun will not get caught on items of equipment and will not interfere with leaving the combat vehicle if necessary.

Ammunition and its advantages

Russian small arms PP "Kedr" have a standard ammunition capacity for a submachine gun - 30 rounds. This amount of ammunition is quite enough for a quick battle. The relevance of a large ammunition capacity is due to the fact that the Kedr can fire in bursts. If the weapon needs to be made even more compact, a shortened magazine with a capacity of 20 rounds is used.

Marking

on the receiver on the right

on the butt, receiver and receiver cover on the left

“Cedar” has another undeniable advantage: reliability and ease of operation. The weapon is quite easy to use and maintain. It uses a blowback system and has no other moving mechanical parts. Powder gases push the bolt, throwing the spent cartridge back. The spring mechanism returns the bolt to its place, simultaneously driving a new cartridge into the barrel. It is this system that makes Kedr software one of the most reliable.

Initially, "Kedr" was developed for the standard Russian pistol cartridge 9x18. However, later a modification appeared for the more powerful 9x19 Parabellum ammunition. This cartridge is good because it has excellent stopping power of a bullet, despite the fact that it is able to penetrate light body armor, which is very much in demand today, when protective equipment has become much more accessible than before.

Marks on the sleeve:

Track: 1 – ejector hook, 2 – striker, 3 – reflector

Additional benefit

Another plus of the 9x19 is its price, ease of manufacture and availability; it is one of the most common pistol ammunition in the world. But that's not all. The Parabellum cartridge has low recoil, combined with the small mass of the “Kedr”, this allows you to shoot from a submachine gun even without resting on the shoulder, moreover, with one hand. This can be useful if a fighter has to work with one hand, from an awkward position when it is not possible to aim with both hands.

In addition, the need to shoot with one hand may arise if the shooting fighter’s hand is occupied. For example, he carries equipment or evacuates a wounded comrade. In addition, the risk of injury can never be ruled out. In this case, the fighter will transfer the PP-91 to his healthy hand and will be able to continue the fight.

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Advantages and disadvantages of PP-91 “Kedr”

Among the obvious advantages of the PP-91 are the compactness, light weight and well-thought-out shape of this weapon. It is perfect for concealed carry; it is not easy to notice under clothing.

It should also be noted that the PP-91 has excellent ergonomics. It is well balanced, has a comfortable handle and a folding shoulder rest. This weapon can be used to conduct single and automatic fire; the Kedr can be equipped with a flashlight, laser designator and silencer.

Shooting from a closed bolt significantly increases accuracy and accuracy. The folding stock increases the stability of the submachine gun.

The shooter will know when the magazine runs out of ammunition by the position of the bolt, which is also very convenient. Experts also call the advantage of the “Cedar” the presence of a shutter stop instead of jerking the shutter. The weapon's sights are also quite convenient. Also worth noting is the successful design of the fuse and magazine release.

The disadvantages of the PP-91 include its high rate of fire, which leads to high ammunition consumption and dispersion when firing. There are also complaints about the low power of the 9x18 PM cartridge, which is used by a submachine gun. When fired, the barrel can burn the fighter’s hands. The silencer disrupts the balance of the weapon, and the clang of the bolt when firing unmasks the fighter.

There were also complaints about the design of the magazine: the magazines of one submachine gun may not fit another.

Performance characteristics of PP-91 “Kedr”

Below are the main characteristics of PP-91.

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