The last two decades in the history of domestic small arms can rightfully be called the second era of submachine guns (the first was in the Great Patriotic War). Moreover, in this second era, much more samples of automatic weapons were developed for a pistol cartridge than in the first.
A kind of connecting link between both "eras" is the OTs-39 submachine gun, developed in the Tula TsKIB SOO. Work on the new weapon began in 1998. What is in it from the "first era"? Cartridge. The fact is that at that time, a considerable number of cartridges 7, 62x25 TT were still stored in army warehouses, which were used on the PPSh-41, PPS-43, TT and other domestic weapons of the times of Interbellum and the Great Patriotic War. In the mid-90s, the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, taking into account the current criminal situation, was actively working on the issue of weapons for special forces. They needed an automatic weapon, and the existing AKS-74U turned out to be somewhat dangerous for use in urban conditions due to the high tendency of the bullet of the 5, 45x39 mm cartridge to ricochet. It was then that they remembered the good old 7, 62x25 TT. Moreover, they not only remembered, but even sometimes began to offer to re-adopt it for armament along with some submachine gun from the Second World War: for military use they were already outdated, but for a policeman, as it seemed then, they were still suitable. It cannot be said that such actions would make sense: the bullet of the TT cartridge has less stopping effect than that of the PM or Luger, although it retains sufficient energy at much greater distances.
Yes, and the PPSh or PPD, with all their advantages, were no longer suitable for operation in modern conditions. For this reason, the Tula TsKIB SOO in 1998, on its own initiative, began the creation of an OTs-39 submachine gun chambered for TT. The work was supervised by the designer V. V. Zhlobin. It was assumed that the special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense would be interested in the new submachine gun. In addition, the designers suggested using the OTs-39 as a training weapon. In the latter case, novice shooters would not only learn how to handle weapons, but also rationally spend the 7, 62x25 mm TT cartridges accumulated in warehouses.
Outwardly, the OTs-39 turned out to be the most common representative of its class: a stamped metal receiver, plastic pistol grip and forend, as well as a magazine receiver located directly in front of the trigger guard. Automation also does not stand out against the background of other domestic submachine guns and is based on a free shutter. The loading handle is brought out to the left side of the weapon and folds up. The trigger mechanism is made according to the trigger scheme, which, according to the manufacturer, significantly improves the accuracy of single fire. In addition to the single trigger mode, it allows you to fire in bursts. The choice of the mode is carried out using three-position flags of the fire safety-translator, located on both sides of the receiver above the fire control handle, just under the arrow's thumb. In addition to the USM layout, high firing accuracy is provided by a special muzzle. Firstly, it has a relatively large mass, and secondly, the release of powder gases occurs in both directions sideways and upward, which ultimately reduces the barrel toss when fired.
The weapon is fed from a detachable box-shaped "horn" for 20, 30 or 40 rounds, located in two rows. It should be noted that usually double-row magazines for pistol cartridges are made straight box-shaped, however, the Tula engineers came to the conclusion that the sector magazine is more reliable in a number of situations. Approximately the same was decided at the time by Heckler-Koch when developing the MP5.
The Tula designers did not foresee any special tricks in terms of the "body kit". The OTs-39 has a standard metal stock that can be folded to the right (in this case, the shoulder rest can be used as a "tactical" grip). The aiming devices of the submachine gun consist of an adjustable front sight, covered with a front sight, and a diopter sight with adjustment for 100 and 200 meters.
When in the early 2000s talk about a return to the 7.62x25 mm cartridge began to gradually subside, Zlobin and his colleagues modified the OTs-39 to use the 9x19 Luger cartridge, which had much greater prospects. To do this, we changed the design of the store, redesigned the shutter and made some other improvements. In general, the design and principles of its operation remained the same. The modification for the 9-mm cartridge was named OTs-39P.
There is very little information on the test results of the OTs-39 and feedback from potential users. However, the crumbs that are available, as well as the fact that this submachine gun has not yet been adopted for service, allow us to say that the OTs-39 is destined to remain another purely exhibition model. In addition, many other, more successful submachine guns have been developed in our country.
