It can be called a coincidence, or another way, but from the beginning of the 90s of the XX century, i.e. from the moment the Russian state declared its declarative rights to independence, sovereignty and self-determination, the work of Russian designers of light weapons on the development of new types of melee weapons. In addition to political events, this is also associated with overcoming authoritarianism, incl. and in the constructor environment. In addition, the Tokarev and Makarov pistols in service with the power structures of the Soviet Union were outdated and did not meet the requirements for melee weapons. Over the next decade, designers from only two design bureaus, Izhevsk and Tula, developed about 15 types of new pistols and submachine guns. One of the paths taken by the Izhevsk gunsmiths was the path of modernization of the Makarov pistol in service in the Soviet Army. The designers took the positive qualities that were inherent in this system and improved those components and mechanisms, the work of which was recognized as insufficiently effective. The self-loading pistols MP-448 "Skif" and MP-448S "Skif-Mini" were such systems that left the workshops of the plant after a serious modernization and replacement of parts of units and mechanisms.
Self-loading pistol MR-448 "Skif"
The self-loading pistol MP-448 "Skif" was being prepared for mass production as the main type of small arms for the units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation. The Makarov pistol was taken as the basic modernization project, from there the trigger was borrowed, which proved its reliability by its reliability during long-term operation. At the end of the 90s of the XX century, the product underwent serious revision in the laboratories and workshops of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant. For all its similarity to the PM. The MP-448 is structurally different from the prototype in the above modernization works. "Skif" might not suit the military command, since there were plenty to choose from, but it could become an excellent wearable option for self-defense for the civilian population of Russia. Unfortunately, at that time our society had not yet "matured" to be allowed to sell weapons to the bulk of the country's population.. As they say, there was no level of civic consciousness that would allow the free sale of weapons in the country..
Design features
The product was created using computer "know-how" technologies. The Skif pistol was originally created on a computer using a 3D modeling program, and then blanks for the mold were prepared. In the MP-448, the shape of the handle and the angle of its inclination have been altered: for the Makarov pistol it was 8 degrees, for the new development it was 15 degrees. The main difference between the Skif and the Makarov pistol is the use of a particularly strong frame made of polymer compounds, whereas the PM used a metal frame. Because of this, the mass of the new product was 150 g less than that of the PM.
The self-loading pistol MP-448 "Skif" for use has double-row clips for 12 rounds, similar to the clips from the PMM, however, the clip of the clip at the "Skif" is more conveniently located on the pistol body. It is made in the form of a large rectangular button, which is located at the base of the trigger guard to the left of the pistol grip, and moves freely with the finger of the hand that fires. As mentioned earlier, the "Skif" trigger is similar to the same device on the PM, which is subject to self-cocking, with an open trigger. The mechanical safety lever is located on the bolt on the left side, and in the “on” position releases the hammer from the cocking, after which it locks the sear, trigger and bolt. A special guide is made on the frame under the barrel part for mounting a laser sight or an illumination - a flashlight. The automation of the product operates due to the free rollback of the bolt mechanism.
Partial disassembly of MR-448 "Skif"
Incomplete disassembly of the MP-448 is slightly different from the incomplete disassembly of the PM - instead of a vertically moving trigger guard, the role of the gate stop is assigned to a special pivoting lever, which is located on the left side, on the pistol frame, above the trigger guard.
Maintenance of MR-448 "Skif"
Maintenance and operation of the MP-448 pistol is extremely simple. The pistol is so constructively assembled that it consists of a small number of parts, of which, together with the clip, there are only 35 units. All types of disassembly of weapons are carried out with one ramrod, which is included in the pistol kit.
Modifications of the pistol MP-448 "Skif"
Modification of the pistol MP-448 "Skif" is available in a single version. This is the MP-448S "Skif-mini" - a variant of the MP-448 "Skif" with a shortened barrel length, except for the linear dimensions and the number of cartridges in the clip, is no different. For comparison, you can see that the bolt and the upper part of the product are almost uniformly similar to the outline of the Makarov pistol. The letter "C" in the abbreviation of the name stands for compact, from the word "compact".
The performance characteristics of the MR-448 "Skif" / MR-448S "Skif-Mini"
Caliber … 9 mm
Cartridge - 9x18 PM (9x17 K) / 9x17K
Product weight - 0, 64/0, 59 kg
Product length -165/145 mm
Barrel (length) 93.5/73.5 mm
The number of cartridges in the clip - 12 (10) / 8
