In the comments under one of the articles, they suggested describing a pistol that, in my opinion, would be ideal. Despite the fact that perfection simply cannot be achieved, I will try to dream up on this topic, or rather to compile those solutions that were used in individual models of weapons, and which seemed to me the most successful. But it's worth making a reservation right away that my opinion is only the opinion of one person, perhaps at some points I will be wrong, therefore an active discussion and proposal of my options is only welcome.
General concept
Usually, a weapon is built on the basis of some kind of separate ammunition, in our case there is no specifics, which to some extent expands the space for the flight of fantasy. Nevertheless, in the article "Modern cartridges for a pistol and submachine gun" I described in general terms how I see modern ammunition for the army and police. Based on this, we can conclude that the weapon should be at least in two versions, for two different cartridges.
At the moment, with the proliferation of body armor, the army needs a cartridge with high armor-piercing properties of a bullet. In the article, I suggested using the experience of the Swedes, who developed a rather interesting ammunition for a submachine gun, as part of the creation of individual protection weapons for soldiers. In short, the bullet of the Swedish ammunition consists of an armor-piercing core wrapped in plastic, which makes it very light, and therefore very fast, and the speed, as you know, has never interfered with armor-piercing. If you refine the idea a little, in particular, wrap the armor-piercing core in an aluminum jacket and make the shell plastic, then you can lose a little in armor-piercing, primarily due to a loss in speed, but get other positive results. If it hits the armor plate, the core of such a bullet will, in theory, pierce it, leaving outside the armor plate and a plastic shell and an aluminum jacket. While hitting unprotected targets, such a bullet will remain intact, showing a higher stopping effect than when penetrating a thin armor-piercing core. Obviously, I do not take into account any nuances in this fantasy, otherwise a cartridge with such a bullet would have been created long ago, but the general idea is this.
For the police, on the other hand, the high armor-piercing properties of the bullet of the cartridge will, on the contrary, be harmful. Since the vast majority of targets on which law enforcement officers are firing are not protected by body armor, it is the high stopping effect that should be put in the first place. That is, the cartridge must be with a heavy bullet of a large caliber.
Since the conditions for the army and the police are mutually exclusive, respectively, you need two options for weapons, at least for two different ammunition. Why not make two different pistols? The answer is simple - it is banal for reasons of economy, and we are talking about an ideal pistol, why do we need two ideal ones, when it is cheaper and easier to make one.
There are a lot of examples of using two or more ammunition in practically identical designs. You can pay attention to at least the same pistols from the Steyr company described in the last article. The transition between ammunition with a different sleeve is carried out by replacing the bolt casing, barrel, return spring and magazine, if required. To switch between cartridges with the same sleeve, you only need to replace the barrel and the return spring.
That is, if the ammunition for the army and the police is created on the basis of one cartridge case, then the pistol for the army and the police will differ only in the barrel and the return spring. This means that the same parts will be stamped during production, and this is, whatever one may say, savings.
The civilian market and weapons for the special forces remain unclosed. In both the first and second cases, there is freedom of choice, and in a fairly wide range. Is it worth trying to make a weapon that would suit athletes from practical pistol-based shooting for the army and the police? Of course it's worth it, but you need to do this without priority, so that it does not negatively affect the weapon. If we talk about special forces, then even within the framework of one class of weapon, such as a pistol, it is very difficult to cover all needs, which will change depending on the task at hand.
Let me give you the simplest example. In one case, there are no requirements for the sound of the shot; you need a simple self-loading pistol with ammunition, the bullet of which is most effective. In the second case, noise requirements are imposed, that is, the pistol should be as quiet as possible, ideally non-self-loading, in order to minimize the noise when using the weapon. From this we can conclude that in some cases, the design of a pistol suitable for the army and the police is not suitable. Of course, it is worth paying attention back to the requirements imposed by specialists, but if the fulfillment of these requirements will harm the design of a police or combined arms pistol, then their implementation will have to be postponed to a distant box for implementation in other models.
You won't be nice to everyone, so you need to prioritize and determine in advance who exactly the weapon is designed for.
Based on this, the following conclusions can be drawn:
Weight and dimensions of the pistol
Repeatedly in the comments to the articles, visitors pointed out that in peacetime, a pistol in the army only needs a paperweight so that the paper would not be blown away by the wind. It is difficult to argue with such a statement, as well as with the fact that in wartime the pistol is not in the first and not even on the sidelines. Despite this, not a single army of the world has yet abandoned this class of weapons, we will not be pioneers in this matter, but we will try to take into account the wishes of the consumer.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the dimensions and weight of the weapon. Without any problems, now you can do something small and light, but then they will start complaining not about the size and weight, but about the recoil when shooting and low accuracy. In general, complaints about the mass, in my opinion, are far-fetched. Even if the weapon weighs a kilogram, it is quite possible to get used to it in a couple of weeks of constant wearing, the lack of this weight will rather cause discomfort than its presence. However, "the customer is always right."
Since we are going to lighten the weapon, it would be quite logical to abandon the steel frame of the pistol, which is already considered an anachronism, but not everything is so simple. The territory of Russia includes a variety of climatic zones, that is, we need weapons that would not feel the difference between -50 degrees Celsius and +50, and ideally in a wider range. It should be borne in mind that the transition from the same -50 degrees to above-zero temperature can be very fast, because weapons are usually fired from, and this process is accompanied by the release of heat. Of course, the frame of the pistol must be strong enough to withstand both the firing process itself and external influences. In addition to all this, it is also necessary to take into account the resistance to prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation, many manufacturers at one time quite sensitively applied their foreheads to this problem. If all these requirements are possible to implement in the polymer version, then just fine, if not, then there are still light metal alloys to find a solution. The main goal is to reduce weight without sacrificing strength and durability, even in adverse conditions. In terms of numbers, we will focus on 550-600 grams without cartridges, with the aim of reaching a mass close to the mass of a Makarov pistol with a full magazine, but taking into account the fact that the capacity of the magazine will be greater.
As for the dimensions of the weapon … The dimensions of the pistol depend entirely on the length of the barrel of the weapon and the capacity of its magazine. Let's start with the length of the barrel. A longer barrel of a pistol means, first of all, a higher muzzle velocity and higher accuracy. Do you need high accuracy for an army pistol? Even when shooting at a shooting range, with a fairly good weapon in terms of its characteristics, not everyone can show at least some kind of performance at a distance of more than 50-75 meters. The main goal is not to create an expensive high-precision sports pistol, but, so to speak, a "workhorse" that will confidently work at real application distances, which are usually very short distances, but we will give everyone the usual 50 meters in reserve.
Conversely, relying on the experience and the result of the work of domestic and foreign designers, we can conclude that such accuracy can be provided by weapons with a barrel length of about 100 millimeters. That is, we are talking about a pistol in the dimensions of the same Makarov pistol.
But this is, let's say, the basic version of the weapon. Absolutely nothing prevents you from making a larger pistol model with a larger magazine. So with an increase in the length of the barrel, the frame of the weapon can remain unchanged, along with the barrel, only the casing-bolt will grow. You can also increase the capacity of the magazine without changing the frame of the weapon, the handle can be lengthened due to the magazine itself, in the lower part of which a plastic part can be placed, making the elongated handle visually more attractive than just a protruding magazine. Although, in my opinion, the capacity of 12-14 rounds is more than enough, and such a capacity can be organized slightly exceeding the dimensions of the handle of the same PM.
We draw conclusions.
Ergonomics of the pistol
Although the mass and dimensions of the weapon are to some extent related to ergonomics, we have considered them separately. In this part of the article, I will try to form a list of parts that would not be superfluous in the pistol and would make it more comfortable to use.
First of all, you need to pay attention to the handle of the weapon. Despite the fact that we widely use the practice of measuring the average temperature in a hospital, it cannot be denied that people have different palm sizes, which means that the weapon should be easily adaptable to the specific size of the shooter's palm. In addition, it cannot be denied that we have a change of seasons and that the handle that fits comfortably in the bare hand will no longer be so comfortable in the hand on which a warm glove was pulled. It seems to be a trifle, but it is from such trifles that the general impression of a weapon is usually formed.
Foreign manufacturers quite often implement the "fit" of the weapon under the shooter's arm using replaceable pads on the back of the handle. As for me, this is a half measure, if you make a fit, then by replacing the entire handle. That is, replaceable should be not just the lining on the back side, but also the side cheeks and the back side. This can be done if the handle pads are U-shaped in cross-section. On the one hand, this will entail additional costs, on the other hand, the requirements for the plastic on the pistol grip are not the highest, so such parts will be inexpensive. But the weapon will be more convenient for the end user.
The second point is the location of the weapon store button. Despite the fact that many are accustomed to the Makarov pistol latch, it will have to be abandoned in favor of the possibility of using extended-capacity magazines. It remains only to decide where exactly the button for ejecting the store will be located. In my opinion, its most appropriate location is at the base of the safety bracket, which will exclude accidental clicks and leave this element convenient enough for quick access. Well, it is also important that this button is located on both sides of the pistol, without the need to disassemble or rearrange anything.
As for the safety clip itself, its dimensions must be sufficient for the normal use of the weapon, all in the same gloves.
Lever shutter delay. First of all, this element should be large enough so that it can be used all in the same gloves, at the same time it should not protrude significantly beyond the weapon, that is, instead of a lever there should be a large button. And if it is duplicated on both sides of the weapon, it will be generally perfect. In addition, I would like to see a not quite standard implementation of the gate delay. So the slide delay should turn off immediately after a new magazine was inserted into the weapon, without pressing the slide delay button, this will slightly speed up the process of changing the magazine, it seems to be a trifle, but a pleasant enough trifle. The question of the cartridge in the chamber after a new magazine is inserted is quite natural. It is for this reason that you do not need to give up the shutter delay button, if you just need to insert the magazine into the weapon, without the possibility of its instant use, then you can first remove the shutter from the delay with a button, and then insert a new magazine, leaving the chamber empty.
Far from the most unnecessary thing is the indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber. This is usually done using an ejector. It is a completely thought-out and well-proven solution, but if there is a light-accumulating insert on such an indicator, then it will not get any worse. As well as if this indicator is transferred to the back of the casing-shutter. In this case, the main thing is its presence and the explicitness of its work, and not its location and implementation.
As for the controls for the safety devices. If you look at the latest models of weapons from various manufacturers, you will notice that they do not have a fuse switch. Recently, preference is given to the so-called "automatic" fuses. Such a solution, of course, has a plus in the form of instant readiness of the weapon for use, immediately after extraction, but the implementation of this disgrace must be approached more carefully than it might seem at first glance. We will analyze this moment in more detail a little below, for now we will dwell only on the location of the controls. Since the choice fell in favor of automatic fuses, we will not invent anything new, but we will leave everything in the form of the now common levers on the trigger and the time-tested key on the back of the handle, what these elements will do, we will analyze in the description of the design of the pistol.
It will not be superfluous to organize the possibility of a smooth descent of the weapon's percussion mechanism. Conversely, how will this question be implemented, it is only important that the control element of this procedure is equally convenient for both left-handers and right-handers and does not require any additional manipulations with the pistol, except for one simple action.
Sights. Since the pistol is clearly not a sporting one, there are no special requirements for sighting devices. For my part, I can note that for faster aiming, the rear sight is subjectively convenient, the slot of which has a triangular or trapezoidal shape, rather than a rectangular one. If the sights are marked with light-accumulating paint, great. If the shape of such markings is not in the form of dots, but in the form of horizontal lines, it is even better. If the sights themselves can be replaced, then the civilian market will say a big thank you.
It is not a bad idea to organize in the weapon and control the consumption of ammunition. The first thing that comes to mind is a small screen that displays the number of cartridges. But, due to my age, it is still too early for me to fall into insanity, therefore it is much easier, safer and cheaper to do everything a little differently. One solution could be a tactile notification that the magazine is running low on cartridges. For example, after, say, three cartridges are left in the store, a small part will protrude a couple of millimeters under the thumb of the holding hand, shifted by the same magazine feeder. If such a detail is placed on the left and right sides of the pistol and signals the imminent emptying of the magazine, without interfering with holding the pistol normally, then everyone will be satisfied. Simple, reliable, cheap and effective.
So, let's continue the list:
Pistol device
As we have already decided, the pistol is not designed for athletes, so there is no need to reinvent the wheel in pursuit of hundredths of fire accuracy. As a basis, you can safely take the automation system proposed by Browning, using the recoil energy with a short stroke of the weapon barrel, with the barrel bore locking when the protrusion above the chamber enters the window to eject spent cartridges. How the vertical displacement of the breech of the barrel will be organized is only a matter of reliability, that is, how simpler and more reliable is, and we do it.
The only thing to pay attention to is the location of the barrel of the weapon. To ensure a more comfortable perception of recoil when firing, the axis of the barrel should be located as low as possible. You can take into account the experience of Czech designers, in particular, their work on the pistol 7, 5FK. In this pistol, the barrel is not only located low enough in relation to the handle of the weapon, but also not quite usually moves during the operation of the weapon. In the structures we are accustomed to, with the normal position of the casing-bolt, the axis of the barrel is parallel to the vector of movement of the casing-bolt. When the shutter casing moves back, the breech of the barrel is lowered, deflecting the axis of the barrel. In a Czech pistol, with the normal position of the shutter casing, the breech of the barrel is raised, that is, the axis of the barrel is not parallel to the movement of the shutter casing, parallel to the axis of the barrel and the movement vector of the shutter casing become when the shutter casing moves backward. As far as I understand, this decision was made in order to reduce the recoil speed of the shutter casing when firing due to the use of relatively powerful ammunition, as well as to ensure the lowest possible location of the barrel of the weapon. If the decisions of Czech gunsmiths are justified and do not affect the reliability and durability of the structure, then they can be fully applied.
As for the firing mechanism of the weapon, it is possible to dwell on the striker, but not on its version with a pre-platoon, which is now widespread, but on the double-action mechanism. Whatever one may say, but if it is necessary to make the first shot immediately after removing the weapon, the force of pressing the trigger will not be as critical as they are trying to present. On the other hand, subsequent shots and shots with preliminary preparation of the weapon should not be affected by the tight stroke of the trigger.
Separately, it should be noted the possibility of assembling the trigger mechanism as a single unit, which could be completely removed from the weapon frame without its disassembly. Such a decision will provide, first of all, room for the subsequent modernization of this unit, as well as its changes in accordance with the requirements for the creation of highly specialized weapons. When repairing, replacing a single block instead of separate worn out parts gives a higher repair speed, plus the mechanism itself is installed completely new without worn out, but still working elements.
It is also worth mentioning in more detail the safety devices. As mentioned above, the fuse switches can be completely abandoned if certain conditions are met. So, the key on the back of the handle should be soft enough so as not to create discomfort when holding the weapon, while, in its normal position, it should not block the sear, the trigger or any other parts of the trigger mechanism. It should act directly on the part that causes the shot, in our case it is the striker. In this case, the interaction of the key on the back of the pistol grip with the striker should not be based on friction or any other interaction, the reliability of which may decrease with the use of parts on the surface. This should be a reliable rigid locking, resistant to long-term operation. As for the trigger, the key on it, like on many other models of modern pistols, can block the trigger itself, but at the same time, a blocking system for the same striker must be introduced into the trigger design until the trigger stroke is selected. fully. In this case, the blocking of the striker by the trigger should be independent of the blocking of the striker by the key on the back of the handle. As a result, we will get a completely safe weapon, which will be such even with a cartridge in the chamber and at the same time such a pistol will be ready for use immediately after extraction.
From all this, we get a few more points:
Conclusion
In the end, first of all, it should be noted that the vision of the question of the ideal pistol is based only on my opinion, and I can be mistaken, and often I am mistaken, therefore an active discussion is only welcomed. In my opinion, such a weapon design will make it possible to create a weapon that is easily adaptable to various ammunition, suitable for use both in the army and the police with the appropriate cartridges. In the design of the pistol, there is room for maneuver in order to assemble a more highly specialized weapon on the base model.
A completely natural question may arise why this dream pistol lacks the ability to conduct automatic fire. This question may arise first of all for those who have not tried to shoot from the same APS, as they say, "in an adult way." At very short distances, the effectiveness is really present and not at all small, but already at 10-15 meters it will be strange to talk about effective automatic fire, without using a stock. No, of course, there are unique people who can hold RMB in each hand and at the same time shoot towards the enemy, but it is clearly not worth taking into account the indicative exoticism.
And finally, the most important point at which this article should end. The weapons described above will never become widespread and will never be accepted into service. There are several reasons for this. Even if you save on everything you can, the design of such a pistol will have a lot of small parts, which, together with the overall savings, will lead to a drop in the reliability of the weapon. If you take high quality materials, carefully monitor the production, then the price tag for such a pistol will be such that not only will it become inaccessible for mass distribution, but even in the foreign civilian market, not everyone will be able to afford such a weapon. Of course, you can combine several functions in one detail, simplify the shape of individual elements as much as possible, and so on, but you don't even want to think about what kind of work this is at the design stage. So the fantasies of a person who are just beginning to delve into the world of firearms should remain fantasies, and work on weapons should be carried out in accordance with the requirements of the direct consumer, by specialists who have been dealing with this issue for several years.
Special thanks to the visitor with the nickname Pischak for the idea for the article.
