Photo: Rosoboronexport
PP-2000 submachine gun was developed by the Instrument Design Bureau in Tula under the direction of V.P. Gryasiev and A.G.Shipunov, and since 2006, has been used by special operations units and law enforcement personnel. Professionals consider PP-2000 to be one of the best in its class. In the international classification, it is referred to as PDW – personal defense weapons.
Compact and light-weight PP-2000 can be also used by fighting vehicle crews and pilots who do not need full-size assault rifles. Hence another name of such class – last-ditch weapons. Recently, the submachine gun made in Tula was delivered to the Russian Aerospace Force pilots for testing, after which a decision will be made whether to include it in the personal survival kit.
For Special Forces and “second line”
Small submachine guns (abbreviated in Russian as PP) has lately become more common in special operations units and law enforcement agencies and are also used by so-called “second line” personnel: fighting vehicle, aircraft and gun crews. Machine pistols have been formerly used for this purpose until their fire power was sufficient to engage targets using personal protective gear. Modern submachine guns have sufficient fire power to cope with second class armor vests and helmets.
PP-2000. Photo: High Precision Systems
Dimensions allowing to act effectively in indoor spaces or fighting vehicles – are the main benefit of this weapon. Unlike full-size rifles and assault rifles, the submachine guns are not designed for long-range firing, their maximum accuracy range being about 200m. However, they are well suited for close-quarter combat, because they have high volume and rate of fire.
Compact and light-weight
In 2000, a fully fledged submachine gun – PP-2000 – designed to use 9x19mm Parabellum rounds was made by the Instrument Design Bureau in Tula under the direction of academicians V.P.Gryasiev and A.G.Shipunov. It was the submachine gun that was especially recognized by anyone who had ever dealt with it. Thanks to it unusual appearance and innovative solutions, it is even named as a weapon of future. So, what fresh ideas have been brought by the Russian designers into a well-established international weapons framework?
The PP-2000 was designed under the Baksanets research and development project, with colleagues from TsNIITochMash, Kovrov Electromechanical Plant and Izhevsk Machinebuilding Plant acting as competitors of the Instrument Design Bureau. A widely used blowback automatic operation system was chosen by the designers in Tula. In general, the submachine gun design is very simple and vivid and, at the same time, the weapon has got a very distinctive appearance. Its outline is formed by a rugged trigger bracket that can be used as a fire control handle.
The PP-2000 housing is made from impact-resistant plastic resulting in a lightweight design with corrosion-resistant properties. Due to comparable light weight (weight without magazine is about 1.4kg), the gun may be used for single-shot fire even with one hand like a common handgun. A spare magazine or a folding stock is used as a shoulder piece. For additional attachments, there are a Picatinny rail on the top and a socket in the front bracket handle where a light can be inserted.
The PP-2000 features pin-point accuracy enabling even a beginner to hit the target. With its rate of fire in the range from 600 to 800 shots per minute, the weapon remains fully controllable. It can use any 9x19mm rounds. But for special cases, i.e. to engage the targets that use personal protective gear, that are in vehicles and behind light barriers, the 7N31 cartridge with an armor-piercing bullet is used. Such bullet penetrates a 8mm steel plate at a distance of 10m with a 100% probability. In this respect, the PP-2000 leaves behind many similar foreign weapons. The PP-2000 assembly and disassembly are also user-friendly and simple, it’s also a big plus for maintenance.
