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Makarov PM
Sign in to saveAlso known as Pistolet Makarova, PM Makarov, Makarov pistol
semi-automatic pistol model by Nikolay Fyodorovich Makarov
Key facts
- Type
- Semi-automatic pistol
- Place of origin
- Soviet Union
- In service
- 1951–present
- Used by
- See Users
- Designer
- Nikolay Makarov
- Manufacturer
- Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (USSR/Russia: 1949–2013), Kalashnikov Concern (Russia: 2013–present), Ernst Thaelmann (Germany), Arsenal AD (Bulgaria), Norinco (China), Factory 626 (China)
- Produced
- 1949–present
- Number span no built
- 5,000,000
- Variants
- See Variants
- Mass
- 730 g (26 oz)
- Length
- 161.5 mm (6.36 in)
- Barrel length
- 93.5 mm (3.68 in)
- Width
- 29.4 mm (1.16 in)
- Cartridge
- 9×18mm Makarov .380 Auto 9x18mm 7N16 (PMM variant)
- Action
- Blowback
- Muzzle velocity
- 315 m/s (1,030 ft/s)
- Effective firing range
- 50 m (55 yd)
- Feed system
- 8-round detachable box magazine (10- and 12-round available on the PMM) 80-round drum magazine
via Wikipedia infobox
~17 min read
Encyclopedic overview
The Makarov Pistol (Russian: Пистолет Макарова, romanized: Pistolet Makarova, IPA: [pʲɪstɐˈlʲet mɐˈkarəvə], lit. 'Makarov's Pistol'), commonly known simply as the PM or Makarov, is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by the Russian company Kalashnikov Concern. The PM was designed by Nikolay Makarov to replace the TT pistol, becoming the standard service pistol of the Soviet Armed Forces and the Militsiya in 1951. It is chambered in the 9×18mm Makarov round which is unofficially named for the pistol.
The PM has been manufactured continuously by Izhevsk Mechanical Plant and Kalashnikov Concern in Izhevsk since 1949, while licensed copies have been produced outside of Russia. It is one of the most-produced firearms in the world, with over 5,000,000 manufactured, and is the second most-produced pistol after the Glock. It was adopted in some capacity by most Eastern Bloc and Second World states, and remains in active service in the militaries and police of these states and their successor states.
Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Makarov PM” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.