“Tag: soviet”

The World War II-era PPSh-41 was a symbol of Russian resistance to the Nazi invasion. It's an iconic firearm, well steeped in history—and also a select-fire submachine-gun capable of full-automatic fire. That makes it a Class III firearm, so examples are subject to legal restrictions on sale, ownership and transport—not to mention quite expensive.

Read more for explanations as to why we are seeing more and more contemporary AR-style rifles chambered for the Soviet M43 cartridge.

From American Rifleman TV's "I Have This Old Gun," check out this video of one of the most iconic firearms of World War II.

Watch this "I Have This Old Gun" segment on the Soviet SVT-40 Rifle from a recent episode of American Rifleman TV.

After the Great War, Soviet Russia sought to upgrade its military capability—especially when it came to sniping rifles. The result was the scope-sighted, bolt-action Mosin-Nagant, used with deadly effect against the Nazis on the Eastern Front.

The SKS-45 rifle will never win any beauty contests, nor will it be the basis for a fine sporting rifle. But it represents a seminal moment in firearms design whereby function leads form.

One of the hardest working rifles in history, the Mosin-Nagant is like a lot of Russian firearms: somewhat crude in design, but very well made—and very dependable.

The lesser-known cousin of the famous PPSh 41, the stamped-steel, 7.62x25 mm-chambered PPSh 43 submachine gun was the real hero of WWII for many Soviet troops.

In the chaos following the Armistice ending World War I, Soviet Communist armies moved west, threatening all of Europe.