OTs-27 "Berdysh"

Early prototype of OTs-27 pistol

 

current production OTs-27 pistol

Type: Double Action semiautomatic pistol
Calibers: 9x18 PM/PMM and 9x19 Luger/Para
Weight unloaded: 930 g
Length: 200 mm
Barrel length: 125 mm
Capacity: 18 rounds

OTs-27 "Berdysh" (pole-axe; index also sometimes incorrectly spelled as OC-27), also known as the PSA (pistolet Stechkina-Avraamova - Stechkin & Avraamov pistol) has been developed for "Grach" trials, with the goal being the replacement for the venerable Makarov PM as a standard issue sidearm for Russian army. According to the initial specifications, the OTs-27 was produced as a multicaliber pistol, capable of firing the 7.62x25 TT, 9x18 PM and 9x19 Para ammunition with the swap of the barrel, return spring and the magazine. Due to various reasons Ots-27 has been dropped from the Grach trials, but the development continued. Pistol first appeared circa 1994, originally developed by the TSKIB SOO (central design bureau for sporting and hunting arms, Tula, Russia); as the TSKIB SOO was merged with famous KBP design bureau, the latter continued the development and limited production of the pistol. At the present time OTs-27 is offered only in two calibers, 9x18 PM and 9x19 Para, and, apparently, is in limited use with some Russian police units.

The OTs-27 is a blowback-operated pistol with fixed barrel and traditional double action trigger. OTs-27 is made entirely of steel. The barrel has integral feeding ramp and can be easily removed from the frame and replaced by the barrel of another caliber. Disassembly lever is located within the trigger guard, ahead of the trigger. Return spring is located around the barrel, with additional polymer recoil buffer mounted within the slide, below the barrel. Ambidextrous slide mounted safety has three positions - down is for fire, medium is for safe, and up is for safe hammer decocking (safety will return into the middle position after decocking). With the safety applied the firing pin, the hammer and the slide are blocked; safety can be applied with the hammer either cocked or uncocked. Sights are of fixed type, on current production models frame has underbarrel rails for tactical light or laser pointer.