The PSS silent pistol or MSS "VUL" is the last completedweapon system resulting from the Soviet development of silent pistols operating on a sealed cartridge system. Two previous designs were considered unacceptable for use due to their limitation to two shots. Earlier systems included the MSP and SP-4Mdouble barreled pistols. Developed around 1980, the PSS was first issued to KGB Spetsnaz in 1983. Intended for assassinations and reconnaissance, it is under production in the special weapons foundry at TsNIITochMash. PSS pistols are still in use by elite special forces units of many nations, as well as by some FSB, MVD. The original PSS was succeeded by the PSS-2 in 2011, using the more powerful 7.62×43 mm SP-16 cartridge.
Purpose
The PSS was developed to give Soviet special forces and secret police an almost completely silent option for covert operations such as reconnaissance and assassinations. The weapon uses a unique cartridge with an internal piston to achieve this end. Otherwise, it is a fairly simpledouble-action pistol. Few details are known about the pistol's performance, as only a few have entered Western hands.
Operation
Cartridge
The PSS uses a specially developed 7.62×42mm necked roundSP-4, the same as used for the OTs-38 Stechkin silent revolver. The cartridge contains an internal piston and a propelling charge, with the stem of the piston against the base of the bullet. On firing, the piston delivers enough impulse to project the bullet from the barrel to an effective range of 25 meters. The piston then seals the cartridge neck, preventing noise, smoke, or blast from escaping the barrel. The newer PSS-2 fires the more powerful 7.62×43 mm SP-16 cartridge, incompatible with the 7.62×42 mm cartridges in the older PSS.
Action
The PSS is recoil-operated, and has a slide that is designed to be operated silently. In all other respects, the PSS generally follows traditional conventions except for the slide's guide rod, which is located above the barrel and instead of guide rails on the pistol frame.
Users
– PSS-2 silenced pistol was developed in Russia. It is based on the original PSS, but has some features of the SR-1M pistol and some improvements. It is uses newly developed SP-16 noiseless 7.62x43 mm ammunition. The PSS-2 was adopted by the Russian FSBsecurity agency in 2011.
