Notes: This machine pistol is, unbelievably, basically an overgrown Walther PP with a selective fire switch. Design began in 1945 at the same time as the PM Makarov and the then-new 9mm Makarov round that they both were to fire (though Igor Stechkin originally meant the Stechkin pistol to fire the 7.62mm Tokarev round). The Stechkin was meant specifically for use by special operations troops, bodyguards, and certain assault troops; however, the large size and weight, somewhat uncontrollable rate of fire, and the jumpy cycling of the slide and bolt caused by the pure blowback operation meant that production ended earlier than expected, and few Stechkins were actually used in combat. The Stechkin was withdrawn for the most part from active Russian military service in the late 1970s, though it was still being used by the Internal Security police and some special operations units well into the 1990s. The Stechkin was not exported in large numbers, and it is rarely encountered in service use anywhere these days.

The Stechkin can be fired as a normal pistol, or with a shoulder stock that is clipped to the grip and doubles as a holster when not in use. The Stechkin was thought to be too big as a pistol and too small as an automatic weapon; it is just too big and heavy to be carried comfortably as a normal pistol, and it’s to clumsy to carry the Stechkin for long periods like a sort of longarm. It is in fact a very large pistol, with a 6.5-inch barrel, a full length of 8.86 inches (20.64 inches with the shoulder stock attached), and a wide, long grip to accommodate the high-capacity double-stack magazines. The fire selector is located on the slide, apart from the frame-mounted safety. In early prototypes, the cyclic rate of fire was ridiculously high, so a rate reducer was added to the trigger and the bolt and slide made deliberately heavy in order to reduce the cyclic rate to 750 rpm.

In the early 1970s, a new version of the Stechkin, the APB, was developed. The APB used a shorter slide in order to expose part of the barrel; the exposed portion of the barrel was threaded, allowing for the use of a silencer. The shoulder stock/holster was discarded in favor of a collapsible steel stock, and a new, more conventional holster was designed for the APB. The APB was even rarer than the Stechkin in Russian service, generally issued only to Spetsnaz, OMON, and other special operations units. Perhaps the most notorious use of the APB was in the early hours of the Russian invasion of Afghanistan in 1979; Spetsnaz operators used them to quickly and quietly kill almost everyone in what was Afghanistan’s Royal Palace at the time.

In early 1999, a new version of the Stechkin appeared: PMS-1 Stechkin. It is in many ways similar to the APS, but is designed only for semiautomatic firing, using delayed blowback instead of pure blowback operation. It is chambered for a different round, is not slotted for a stock, and is built to a higher quality standard. It is, however, still a large pistol with rather complicated innards.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The Stechkin got some use by Russian special operations units and the KGB, but most were used by Category 3, Mobilization-Only, and home militia forces. The PMS-1 does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes: This weapon showed up often in terrorist hands and in the hands of the Russian Mafia. The PMS-1 was never even designed in the Merc 2000 timeline.

P-9 Gurza

Notes: This pistol is used primarily by Spetsnaz troops. The Gurza (also known as the Gyurza) fires a special 9mm Magnum round with a tungsten core designed to defeat body armor (the SP-10 round; another round used by the Gurza is the SP-11 round, a frangible ball round). The Gyzura has a polymer frame, similar to a Glock, and is of an advanced design. The operation is similar to the Beretta M-92, but greatly updated. The Gurza has a grip safety, but no other manual or external safeties. The Gurza cannot be fired when the hammer is down; to fire the first shot, the hammer must be at least half-cocked. A trigger safety insures that the hammer cannot fall unless the trigger is pulled. The grip and trigger safeties are linked, and both must be actuated before the weapon can be fired. The Gurza is primarily used by the Russian Police (Militsya) and the GRU.

The Gurza has since been replaced by an improved version (improved primarily in the safety mechanisms) called the SR-1 Vektor, but even this version is generally called the Gurza by Russian forces and is even referred to by the name of Gurza in the manufacturer’s catalogs. It is essentially identical to the P-9 for game purposes.

Twilight 2000 Notes: This weapon does not exist.

Notes: Though probably intended for the international market, the slim, easily-concealed, light-polymer frame P-96 has been acquired as a sort of status symbol by many Russian officers and special operations troops. Resembling some of the Glock pistols or the VP-70, the P-96 has a shrouded hammer, rounded edges, and is only 29mm wide. The P-96 is virtually corrosion-proof, and is perhaps one of the most modern Russian pistol designs. Internally, the P-96’s mechanism is strikingly similar to that of the Beretta 8000 Cougar series. Though the P-96 is a 9mm Parabellum-firing weapon, the P-96 is specifically designed to fire a steel-cored AP version of that round, which the Russians call the 7N31 round.

The later GSh-18 is a development of the P-96; it is externally quite similar to the P-96, though wider (34mm) and has no external safeties of any kind. Internally, however, the GSh-18 is more similar to the Glock series, using a striker-fired mechanism instead of the short-recoil system of the P-96. There are more than enough internal passive safeties to make the lack of external safeties not a problem for experienced firearms users. The GSh-18 also has a rail molded into the frame under the barrel for the mounting of the accessories. The GSh-18 is otherwise identical to the P-96 for game purposes.

The P-96S is a compact version of the P-96; in addition to the smaller grip and shorter barrel, the P-96S is also chambered for the .380 ACP cartridge instead of 9mm Parabellum. The P-96S has no manual safety, but does have a slide lock.

Twilight 2000 Notes: These weapons do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline.

Merc 2000 Notes: Economic conditions curtailed production of this pistol, and it is rare.

Notes: The Makarov is a modified Walther PP that appeared in the 1950s and has been the standard Russian sidearm until very recently. As the ammunition is larger than the PP, but the pistol itself is not much larger, the grip is big and the Makarov can be a bit awkward to hold.

The PMM is an updated Makarov used by some Russian forces, originally known as the Grach-3 (the project to replace the Makarov was known by the code name of "Grach.") Though the PMM was ultimately not chosen as the Makarov replacement, it was the first one ready, and was therefore placed into production and widely issued as an "interim replacement." It is strengthened to use the 9mm Makarov High Impulse round used by the Bison submachinegun; the PMM-12’s grip is wider to use a staggered-row box magazine. The chamber is also modified to accommodate the Hi-Impulse ammunition. (It should be noted that the firing of 9mm Makarov Hi-Impulse ammunition out of a weapon not designed for it is extremely dangerous; this is especially true of the standard Makarov!) The PMM may still fire standard 9mm Makarov ammunition. Beginning in the mid-1990s, some polymer-framed versions of the PMM-12 were also produced, primarily for the export market.

A variation on the PMM is the OTs-35; it is essentially identical to a standard PMM, except for the addition of a rather large muzzle brake at the end of the muzzle. This makes the OTs-35 more manageable during firefights where many rapid shots are made. It is a much rarer commodity than the standard PMM, but available in small numbers.

Some Makarovs have been converted to fire .380 ACP ammunition (ballistically quite similar to the 9mm Makarov round) and sold on the international surplus market.

A newer version of the Makarov, the Baikal-442, was designed primarily for export. The Baikal-442 differs from the Makarov in the adjustable rear sight, a slightly wider grip to allow a double-stack magazine (in the case of the 9mm Makarov version), a modified, squared-off trigger guard, a rail able to mount a laser target module, and ergonomic grip plates. The 9mm Makarov version uses standard PM, PMM-8, or PMM-12 magazines, or a 10-round magazine meant primarily for export. The 9mm Parabellum version uses a modified PM magazine.

The IZH-70 is a commercial variant of the Makarov, chambered for three rounds, and available with either fixed or adjustable sights. Improvements have also been made to make the IZH-70 more reliable than the PM Makarov.

Another commercial variant of the Makarov is the IZH-71. Standard versions of the IZH-71 use an 8-round magazine, but a variant has a longer grip for a 10-round magazine, and a further variant has a wider grip for a 12-round double-stack magazine. Magazines are not interchangeable between the three versions. The IZH-71H is designed for by private security forces; it differs primarily in having a rail under the dust cover for tactical lights or laser aiming modules.

The MR-448 Skyph is an updated PM; it features a polymer frame, ergonomic grips and controls, and an extra chambering (mainly to make it more attractive to the export market). The Mini-Skyph is just what it sounds like – a compact version of the Skyph; it is chambered only in .380 ACP.

Twilight 2000 Notes: The PMM is a rare weapon in the Twilight 2000 World. The .380 ACP version does not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline, nor does the IZH-70 in any form; the MR-448 Skyph and Mini-Skyph also do not exist in the Twilight 2000 timeline. Though also rare, many Russian soldiers preferred the Baikal-442 when they could get it, due to the adjustable rear sight. The 9mm Makarov version of the IZH-70 is very rare, and the other chamberings do not exist.

Merc 2000 Notes: Though not as rare as in the Twilight 2000 World, the PMM is still an uncommon weapon in the Merc 2000 World.

PSM

Notes: This small pistol is the standard sidearm of all internal security and police forces in Russia. The cartridge fired by the PSM mean the pistol must have a rather complicated operation, and that performance will be low. However, the round is also said to have remarkable penetrative properties. The operation seems to be a rather strange blend of Makarov and Walther PPK. The small size means concealed carry of the PSM is very easy. Rumors say that even-though the PSM’s barrel is chrome-lined, the service life of the PSM’s barrel may be little more then 3000 rounds; it is, however, a quite inexpensive weapon, both in real life and game terms.

Several civilian versions have also been built since the 1990s, these pistols are known as Baikal 441s. These models generally have more rounded, comfortable outlines, molded plastic grips instead flat grip plates, and better barrels and sights. 5.45mm versions are generally not sold on the civilian market; civilian versions are normally chambered for .22 Long Rifle or .25 ACP, or designed to fire only blanks for use as starter’s pistols.

Twilight 2000 story: The PSM is now found in the hands of Airborne and Spetsnaz soldiers and Russian undercover police. Bulgaria also uses the PSM.

Notes: Designed in response to a 1930 Soviet requirement for a replacement for the Nagant revolver (and a gaggle of other pistols and revolvers used by the Soviet military), the Tokarev’s base design combines the Browning M-1903 and the Colt M-1911, and then tried to simplify the blend. At first, designs both Soviet and foreign were considered, in a variety of calibers; however, the Soviets eventually decided to go with a 7.62mm round, in order to help simplify the production of ammunition (most Soviet weapons of the time used some variant of 7.62mm ammunition), and to go with a domestic design. The Tokarev was the most reliable of the bunch and the most resistant to corrosion and abuse. Soviet authorities felt the design had been oversimplified somewhat, however, and dictated an improvement of the locking system, disconnector, and extractor, as well as a slight redesign for the 7.62mm Tokarev cartridge.

Construction of the Tokarev is largely of stamped steel; in fact, the quality of the steel used is superior to that used by most weapons built before and during World War 2. The 4.5-inch barrel is not chrome-lined, yet can be expected to give a service life of over 6000 rounds. The rounded hammer protrudes above the slide, almost high enough to interfere with the rear sight, and it is ribbed to allow an easy thumb grip. The Tokarev is almost totally dehorned by accident of design, and easy to draw from a pocket or under a coat. Finish varied throughout its lifetime from dull gray to blued, and almost 2 million Tokarevs were produced. An unusual feature of the Tokarev is the total absence of any sort of safety catch, grip safety, firing pin safety, etc., as well as nothing like a slide catch or suchlike. (This means that bumps and dropping can easily lead to accidental discharges.) The Tokarev requires no tools to field strip, and is basically "idiot-proof."

The lack of safety devices are not the only defects of the Tokarev; the Tokarev is a large pistol which is difficult to conceal, and yet a bit light in weight for its ammunition, leading to sharp recoil and barrel climb. Trigger pull of almost all variants is quite heavy. World War 2 examples, as well as those produced in Vietnam during the war, tend to have rather sloppy tolerances and a rather poor finish. Though barrels threaded for a suppressor exist, most Tokarev variants will choke on subsonic ammunition.

After World War 2, Tokarevs were exported to virtually everywhere from Eastern Europe to Cuba to Vietnam; many also showed up in the Middle East, Central and South America, and even in the US (brought home by troops returning from Vietnam). At least five countries were licensed to produce the Tokarev, and they also sold them abroad.

There were a number of variants of the Tokarev; almost every country making them had their own variants of them (whether licensed or not), most of which differ only in minor details not important in game terms. The Egyptian Tokagypt fires 9mm Parabellum (and is found in Egyptian Pistols) and the Yugoslavian M-57 is virtually identical except for a larger magazine (and is found in Yugoslavian Pistols). After the fall of the Iron Curtain, Russia began exporting a high-quality version of the Tokarev called the TT-9MM, firing 9mm Parabellum ammunition and with better production standards. The North Korean version, the Type 68, is also very similar, but uses the Browning Hi-Power locking system and moves the magazine release from the frame to the base of the butt. It also has a smaller grip to allow for the smaller North Korean hand. Polish Tokarevs have a different grip angle allowing for better natural pointing qualities. Vietnam also produced some Tokarevs; these examples are almost uniformly poor in quality.

Notes: Also called the TK TOZ (or simply TK), this small pistol, which has a marked resemblance to the Browning Baby, was used by high-ranking military officers and various police organizations in the Soviet Union between until nearly the end of World War 2, and manufactured between 1926 and 1935. Perhaps the most peculiar thing about this pistol is its round – 6.3mm Tula. Though the round is obviously based upon the .25 ACP round, it actually uses a slightly wider and heavier bullet, along with a much greater powder charge. The round is close enough to the dimensions of the .25 ACP that one can still fire the .25 ACP from the TOZ