In the recent past, the self-loading special PSS "Vul" pistol was widely known, the main feature of which was the minimum noise of the shot. In the design of this weapon, original methods were used to reduce the noise produced when firing, one of which was a special cartridge of a special design. Over time, the original design of the weapon has developed. According to reports, by now, the domestic special services have begun to master the newer PSS-2 pistols.
Recall that the PSS pistol was developed in the early eighties of the last century by the designers of the Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering. This weapon was intended for special forces in need of silent shooting systems. Taking into account the existing experience and using the existing developments, the original appearance of the rifle complex was formed as part of a self-loading pistol and a special cartridge.
General view of the PSS-2 pistol. Photo Modernfirearms.net
It is known that when fired, the main sources of noise are the muzzle flash and the bullet flying at supersonic speed. In the PSS project, these factors were eliminated with the help of a special cartridge, built according to a scheme with a cutoff of powder gases and accelerating the bullet to subsonic speeds. It is not a bullet, but a special pusher piston that is in contact with the powder load inside the sleeve. When powder gases are formed, it moves forward and pushes the bullet out of the weapon. In this case, the pusher itself does not leave the sleeve and locks the hot gases in it, not allowing them to go out and form a sound wave.
One of the tasks of the PSS "Vul" project was to reduce the size of the pistol. Such goals were successfully achieved, thanks to which the silent weapon does not exceed in size most of the modern self-loading pistols. It should be noted that when comparing the PSS and any other pistol with a silent firing device, the advantage in size unconditionally remains with the specialized system.
According to various sources, PSS pistols have been used for a long time by various special units of the armed forces and security forces. Subsequently, there was a proposal to modernize this sample. With all its advantages, "Wool" had some disadvantages, to one degree or another worsened its characteristics and capabilities. Several years ago, a proposal for a deep modernization of the existing pistol led to the emergence of a new weapon model. The updated pistol received the designation PSS-2.
It should be noted that within the framework of the new project, it was again about the creation of a complex in the form of a pistol and a cartridge with special characteristics. Some of the main characteristics were proposed to be improved by using a new cartridge, designated SP-16. According to its scheme, this ammunition repeats the older SP-4 used with the Vul pistol, but it has a number of important differences, with the help of which the required characteristics are achieved.
The cartridge 7, 62x43 mm SP-16 differs from the old 7, 62x40 mm SP-4 in an elongated sleeve. This allowed, to a certain extent, to increase the size of the powder charge, which led to an increase in the initial velocity of the bullet from 200 to 300 m / s. Such a modification of the cartridge led to a noticeable increase in its fighting qualities, but at the same time it allowed maintaining the subsonic speed of the bullet, which excludes the appearance of a shock wave.
PSS pistol "Wool". Photo Wikimedia Commons
The cartridge is equipped with a cylindrical steel bullet with a smaller diameter at the head. On the small cylinder there is a copper guide belt. In order to improve penetration characteristics, the bullet has a pointed head in the form of two converging flat surfaces, like a chisel. Thanks to this, at a distance of 25 m, it is able to penetrate a class 2 body armor. When firing at unprotected enemy manpower, it is possible to obtain an effective range of up to 50 m.
The use of a new cartridge and other requirements led to a noticeable update of the pistol's appearance in comparison with the basic design. The design changes made it possible to use a new cartridge with a larger size and increased power, improve the main characteristics, and also simplify operation due to improved ergonomics and other controls for the firing mechanism.
In terms of overall architecture, the new PSS-2 pistol is similar to its predecessor. Nevertheless, even in the appearance of the two samples, there are noticeable differences. As before, the design is based on a metal frame, in the front of which a medium-length rifled barrel is placed, behind it are located automation mechanisms, including a movable shutter casing. Under the main part of the frame, a trigger bracket and a handle with a shaft for installing the store are attached. With the exception of some original features borrowed from the previous Wool project, the general layout of the new model pistol is in line with modern "traditions".
The weapon uses automation based on a free breechblock, supplemented by a movable chamber. The shutter is connected to the movable casing and has its own return spring placed on the guide rod in the upper part of the casing. The chamber has its own return spring under the barrel. The rear part of the frame accommodates the details of the firing mechanism and the means for feeding cartridges when reloading. The PSS-2 pistol, like its predecessor, does not have a bolt cover extending along the entire length of the weapon. As a result, there is no separate ejection hole for the liners. The firing cartridge case should fly out through the window formed when the casing is pulled back.
Cartridges SP-16. Photo Armory-online.ru
The trigger mechanism of the pistol is built according to the trigger scheme with self-cocking. The back of the swinging hammer extends beyond the weapon. In the original design of the PSS "Vul", the USM design was created on the basis of the corresponding parts of the PM pistol. The modernized special pistol received a trigger mechanism based on the corresponding unit of the SR-1M pistol. The mechanisms are cocked before firing by pressing the trigger. Like the existing serial pistol, the special PSS-2 received only an automatic fuse. The trigger is unlocked by simultaneously pressing the button protruding from the rear surface of the handle and the lever on the trigger.
The self-loading special pistol of the second model uses the ammunition supply system traditional for such weapons. The cartridges are stored in detachable box-type magazines, which are placed in the receiving shaft of the handle. The supply of ammunition to the ramming line is carried out using a spring and a pusher. The magazine is held in the handle by a latch controlled by a movable bottom cover.
For guidance, the PSS-2 pistol received non-adjustable sighting devices. On the front of the movable casing, near the muzzle of the barrel, there is a front sight, which is part of its design. The whole with a slot, located in the rear of the pistol, is also made in one piece with a movable casing. Any means for adjusting the sighting devices are not provided due to the limited firing range. If necessary, the shooter can equip the pistol with the desired additional systems, such as a laser designator or a flashlight. For their installation on the frame under the barrel, an integrated bar of a standard profile is provided.
The new project included some measures aimed at improving ergonomics. The PSS pistol had a specific wide handle of a small height, which caused complaints from shooters due to not too much convenience. Despite the use of a longer cartridge, in the new PSS-2 project, it was possible to develop a more comfortable grip, similar in proportion to the units of other modern pistols. As before, the trigger guard is placed in front of the handle.
Diagram of a special cartridge. Figure Modernfirearms.net
The use of a new cartridge, distinguished by its large size and increased power, led to corresponding consequences in the context of the dimensions of the weapon itself. PSS-2 has a length of 190 mm and a mass (without cartridges) - 1 kg. For comparison, the length of the base "Vula" is only 170 mm, weight - 0.7 kg. At the same time, as can be judged from the available data, from the point of view of ergonomics, the new model of special weapons does not differ too much from the old one.
The PSS-2 pistol received automation based on the design of the PSS product. This led to the preservation of the basic principles of the weapon. It should be noted that the rejection of some of the ideas of the previous project simply would not allow minimizing the noise produced by the weapon when fired.
The process of preparing a pistol of a new model for shooting is standard for such weapons. A loaded magazine with six SP-16 rounds is placed in the shaft of the handle and fixed in place with a latch. Next, the shooter must pull the bolt cover back. Having reached the extreme rear point, the bolt is able to engage the upper cartridge and, returning forward under the action of the return spring, send it into the chamber. The weapon is then ready to fire.
Correct grip of the weapon and pressing the trigger with the required force will unlock the firing mechanism. Pressing the trigger cocks the hammer and then releases it. A shot occurs. Powder gases inside the sleeve begin to act on the pusher piston, which, in turn, knocks out the bullet. Moving forward, the piston rests against the tapering part of the liner and locks the gases inside it. When the bullet enters the barrel and the leading belt interacts with the grooves, the energy of the gases and the piston begins to push the sleeve with the chamber and the bolt back. The bolt and chamber roll back, compressing their own return springs.
After going some distance, the chamber stops. In this case, a gap is formed between its front part and the breech of the barrel through which atmospheric air enters the barrel bore. Due to this, due to the absence of powder gases, when the bullet exits the muzzle, air does not enter the barrel bore, which can cause an additional loud pop. After braking the chamber, the bolt continues to roll back. In this case, the parts interact through a special rod, due to which there is a smooth deceleration of the shutter without impact in the rearmost position. After braking, the bolt, driven by the return spring, goes forward, sends the next cartridge and returns the chamber to the extreme forward position. After that, the weapon is ready for a new shot.
Exhibition sample ПСС-2. Photo Zonwar.ru
According to reports, the main work on the PSS-2 self-loading special pistol was completed at the end of the last decade. The weapon passed all the necessary checks and was able to interest potential customers. In 2011, the pistol was adopted by the special units of the Federal Security Service. The exact list of operators and the tasks they solve, for obvious reasons, are unknown.
The recent modernization of the silent pistol is of interest for a variety of reasons. First, the PSS Vul pistol once became a real sensation, which is why any attempts at its further development, by definition, cannot but attract the attention of specialists and the general public. The second reason for interest lies in the improvement in the main characteristics achieved with the help of an improved cartridge and a modified design of the pistol itself.
The third most interesting feature of the PSS-2 project can be considered a change in its purpose. The existing "Vul", which has been in service since the early eighties, was actually a specialized system for solving special problems. In terms of its main characteristics, the pistol chambered for SP-4 lagged noticeably behind "conventional" weapons, which had understandable consequences from the point of view of operation. The new PSS-2, in terms of its firing characteristics, obtained with the help of a more powerful special cartridge SP-16, came close to other army pistols. Thus, with certain restrictions and reservations, the PSS-2 can be not only a supplement to standard small arms, but also a pistol suitable for independent use in special and "normal" situations. Nevertheless, of course, there is no talk of a complete replacement of the existing samples with new PSS-2.
The idea of cutting off the powder gases in the sleeve, proposed several decades ago and successfully implemented in various small arms projects, has not been forgotten. Not so long ago, she received a new development, as a result of which the PSS-2 pistol appeared. This weapon was created taking into account the experience of the previous Wool product and has a number of important differences. A deep modernization of the existing model, based on interesting ideas, has already led to positive consequences. Special units of power structures received an improved sample of weapons with special capabilities.
