Makarov pistol

Makarov pistol
Makarov pistol
	Soviet PM
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Soviet Union
Service history
In service	1951–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	First Indochina War; Vietnam War; Laotian Civil War; Cambodian Civil War; Communist insurgency in Thailand; Nicaraguan Revolution; Salvadoran Civil War; Lebanese Civil War; Soviet–Afghan War; South African Border War; Angolan Civil War; Tuareg rebellion (1990–1995); Burundian Civil War; First Chechen War; Second Chechen War; War in Afghanistan (2001–2021); Russo-Georgian War; Libyan Civil War; Syrian civil war; War in Donbas; Colombian Conflict; Russo-Ukrainian war
Production history
Designer	Nikolay Makarov
Designed	1948
Manufacturer	Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (USSR/Russia: 1949–2013); Kalashnikov Concern (Russia: 2013–present); Ernst Thaelmann (Germany); Arsenal AD (Bulgaria); Norinco (China); Factory 626 (China)
Produced	1949–present
No. built	5,000,000
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Mass	730 g (26 oz)
Length	161.5 mm (6.36 in)
Barrel length	93.5 mm (3.68 in)
Width	29.4 mm (1.16 in)
Cartridge	9×18mm Makarov .380 Auto 9x18mm 7N16 (PMM variant)
Action	Blowback
Muzzle velocity	315 m/s (1,030 ft/s)
Effective firing range	50 m (55 yd)
Feed system	8-round detachable box magazine (10- and 12-round available on the PMM); 80-round drum magazine;
Sights	Blade front, notch rear (drift adjustable)

The Makarov Pistol (Russian: Пистолет Макарова, romanized: Pistolet Makarova, IPA: [pʲɪstɐˈlʲet mɐˈkarəvə], lit. 'Makarov's Pistol'), commonly known simply as the PM or Makarov, is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by the Russian company Kalashnikov Concern. The PM was designed by Nikolay Makarov to replace the TT pistol, becoming the standard service pistol of the Soviet Armed Forces and the Militsiya in 1951. It is chambered in the 9×18mm Makarov round which is unofficially named for the pistol.

The PM has been manufactured continuously by Izhevsk Mechanical Plant and Kalashnikov Concern in Izhevsk since 1949, while licensed copies have been produced outside of Russia. It is one of the most-produced firearms in the world, with over 5,000,000 manufactured, and is the second most-produced pistol after the Glock. It was adopted in some capacity by most Eastern Bloc and Second World states, and remains in active service in the militaries and police of these states and their successor states.