12,3 mm «Udar» and «Udar-S» revolvers

In 1994 the Tula-based KBP Instrument Design Bureau developed its own more powerful version of the 12.3 mm Udar revolver, designated U-94. The revolver featured the same design as the R-92 with a solid streamlined frame, a swing-out cylinder, and a single-action/double-action trigger assembly. A family of various 12.3x50 cartridges was based on the brass 32-gauge shotgun cartridge.

     Cartridges are loaded into the cylinder with the he5p of a cip consisting of two disks with holes for rounds. The clip can also be used for simultaneous extraction of spent cases. Besides the caliber and dimensions, this Udar model differs from the R-92 in the shape of the trigger guard designed for two-handed firing.
 
     There are also the Udar-S (U-94S) "service55 (weaker) model, chambered for the 12,3x22 (PM-32) cartridge, the Udar-TS (U-94TS) training version chambered for 12.3x40 cartridges (KP-32 paintball rounds or rubber baton cartridges), and a non-lethal version available on the market under the name of "Ratnik". 

12,3 mm Udar (TSNIITOCHMASH) revolver

In 1990 the Klimovsk-based TSNIITOCHMASH Institute received the design specification for a new revolver from the iterior Ministry's Research Institute for Special Equipment The new 
revolver was named Udar (not to be confused with the UDAR aerosol dispenser).
 
     The prototype of the new revolver made its appearance in 1993. TSNIITOCHMASH also developed a family of 12.3 mm cartridges. The caliber was not a random choice — the necessity to develop a cartridge on short notice and at minimum costs made designers lake a look at mature metal 32-gauge shotgun cartridges for smoothbore hunting guns (corresponds to the bore diameter of 12,5 ± 0,2 mm). The brass case was filled with a pistol powder charge and fitted with the KV-26 percussion cap of the same type as that of the 9x18 PM pistol cartridge. 

The large caliber enabled the designers to develop the following types of cartridges:
 
     — a cartridge with a high-stopping-power service bullet retaining 49 joules of energy at a range of 25 m;
 
— a cartridge with an armor-piercing bullet. The bullet combines high penetration on hitting a hard obstacle (door, glass, body armor) with stopping power and a Sow probability of ricochet. 
The bullet penetrates a 5 mm steel plate at a range of 25 m;
 
— a short cartridge with steel shots;
 
— a pyroliquid cartridge containing 2,5 cm? of irritant liquid, sealed with a plastic plug. The cartridge is effective at a range of up to five meters. The irritant liquid turns into aerosol already in the air, which reduces the possibility of the shooter being enshrouded in the aerosol cloud, as compared to firing an ordinary gas cartridge;
 
— a flash-and-bang cartridge giving off a flash of 100,000 candelas and a powerful bang, the combination of which is intended to disorient the enemy and disrupt his coordination;
 
— a cartridge with a non-lethal rubber ball bullet;
 
— a cartridge with a paintball.
 
The service bullet seats deeply in the case, which makes the cartridge similar to the Nagant round, although the Ud-ar cylinder does not embrace the barrel, and the protruding cartridge case neck doesn't provide sealing of a clearance between the cylinder chamber and cartridge chamber Such deep seating of the bullet, has imposed tougher requirements on its seating accuracy. The rubber bullet and the paintball cartridges are designed to be fired from the UdarT training revolver.
 
     The revolver itself features quite a traditional design — a solid frame, an external hammer with a thumbpiece, a barrel lug for the locking bolt, and comfortable molded plastic grip plates. The classical shape of the frame is only interrupted by the front edge of the trigger guard, designed for two-handed firing. There are no attachments for any muzzle-mounted devices. The main feature of the revolver is its removable five-round cylinder made integral with the locking bolt. The cylinder is hinged to the frame, with the release catches mounted on both sides of the frame. Once the catch is released, the cylinder can be removed to the left and replaced with a new one. This design feature requires complete cylinder interchangeability The cylinder loaded with ball cartridges weighs 380 g, with non-lethal rounds — slightly less.
 
     The trigger assembly is both double-action and single-action. The iron sights are designed for a range of up to 50 m, but the most effective range of fire is 25 m. The slanted rear edge of the foresight blends into the barrel rib. A recess in the grip bottom accommodates a recessed eye for a safety strap or cord.
 
     The grip and the balance are quite comfortable. However, like with any other powerful revolver, a trained hand is needed to fire the Udar. The Udar boasts a 1.5-fold greater accuracy of ball-cartridge fire than the Makarov PM pistol. A single plastic bullet guarantees a hit on a man-sized target at a range of 15 m, while three plastic bullets will hit the same target at a range of five meters.

     The Udar revolver was intended for equipping various uniformed services, from a sentry up to a special agent. 

Specifications             Udar (TSNIITOCHMASH)

Cartridge.......................................................................12,3 х 35
Sighting range, m...................................................................50
Overall dimensions, mm.........................................173 х 44 х 136
Empty weight, kg................................................................. 0.8
Cylinder capacity, rds................................................................5

9 mm R-92 and R-92KS revolvers

At the Milipol Exhibition held in Moscow in 1992, the KBP instrument Design Bureau, headed by A.G Shipunov. displayed for the first time its revolver chambered for the 9x18 PM cartridge. It demonstrated a new variant, designated R92 as soon as 1993. The new version was significantly improved: the frame became streamlined and more convenient for concealed carry and fast drawing; the extractor and the extractor pin were completely covered by the frame in the combat position. The barrel was also almost completely wrapped around by the frame. The R-92 was positioned as a concealed-carry and a backup weapon. The revolver was put into production at the Kovrov Mechanical Plant in 1994.
 
   The revolver features a swing-out cylinder, which swings out to the left for loading and reloading. The revolver uses a cast frame, which ensures high manufacturability. The cylinder with the extractor is mounted on a pivot Sever (a rocking bar or a rocker') with the help of a locking bolt, it is removed when the revolver is field-stripped. The cylinder lifter (latch) is mounted on the left side. The cylinder lifter of the R-92 is pulled back, thus, it is fitted with a recess rather than a lug for the thumb, as is the case with most revolvers of a similar design. The cylinder is loaded using a special round clip, which makes reloading faster. Spent cases are ejected from the cylinder simultaneously by depressing the extractor head. The cylinder may be loaded one round at a time without the clip, but in this case simultaneous extraction is impossible.
 
    The trigger and firing mechanism comprises a semi-exposed hammer and a cylindrical spiral hammer spring. 11 can operate in single-action and double-action modes. When the hammer is cocked, the cylinder rotates. The trigger moves straight back horizontally, a trigger pull is smooth, with no warning.
 
    The revolver is filled with a solid plastic grip. It is pulled up on a pipe in the lower part of the frame and held in place by a screw. The same screw fixes a spacer with an eye for a strap or a cord.
 
    The front of the frame mounts a small foresight with a slanted rear edge. The rear sight is a rectangular groove along the top of the frame, which is typical of pocket revolvers.
 
    The R-92S "service" model, chambered for the very same 9x18 PM cartridge, is available for the personnel of private security companies and other establishments discharging special tasks. In order to comply with the requirement of the Russian Firearms Law that the muzzle energy of service weapons be reduced, bleed-off of expanding power gases between the cylinder chamber and the breech end of the barrel was increased. However, since 1997 the R-92S has been chambered for the less powerful 9x17 short cartridge (R-92KS revolver). The unloaded R-92KS weighs 0.52 kg, and the loaded revolver weighs 0,6 kg.
 
    The R-92 or the R-92S (R-92KS) can be carried with the help of a set of nylon straps or in a leather open shoulder holster, where the revolver is held in place by a buttoned strap. Loaded cartridge clips can be stored in a special case, included in the revolver equipment set. The R-92S service revolver may be supplied with both metal and plastic clips.

Specifications                   R-92                  R-92KS

Caliber, mm..............................................9........................................9
Cartridge.................................9 x 18mm PM......PBM 9 x 17K (9mm Short)
Overall dimensions, mm..........157 x 120 x 35....................157 x 120 x 35
Empty weight, kg................................ 0.52...................................0.52
Firing mechanism.........................................double action
Cylinder capacity, rds...............................5.........................................5

9 mm AEK-906 «Nosorog» revolvers

Intended to engage the enemy at short ranges.

It features a good balance and a close pattern of fire, which is attained by approximatiing the revolver center of gravity to the bore axis and lowering the fire line relative to the firer’s hand. The revolver whip is decreased at discharge, which facilitates rapid recovery of the weapon position for subsequent aiming and firing.

The revolver can be fitted with a laser target designator which is attached above the barrel.

Specifications AEK-906 «Nosorog»

Cartridge.........................9 x 18mm PM,...........PMM 9 x 19mm Para
Muzzle velocity, m/s......................290...................................365
Sighting range, m...........................50.....................................50
Overall dimensions, mm...........................210 x 37 x 145
Barrel length, mm............................75....................................75
Empty weight, kg...........................0.8.................................. 0.8
Trigger pull, kgf.........................3 - 3.5..................................3.35
Cylinder capacity, rds.........................6......................................6

9 mm RSA revolver (OTs-1, Kobaalt, TKB-0216)

In 1991 the Tula-based Sporting and Hunting Guns Central Research and Design Bureau (TsKIB SOO) received specification requirements from the Russian Ministry of Interior for developing a revolver chambered for the standard 9x18 PM pistol cartridge. The research and development project codenamed Kobalt was fulfilled by renowned designer I.Ya. Stechkin together B.V. Avramov in 1992, The revolver was designated OTs-01 (acronym 'OTs-OI' stands for 'Obrazets TsKIB Pervy' (TsKIB model one)) and TKB-0216, After it had been improved, it received the designation RSA (Revolver Stechkin-Avramov). The first two batches of 100 revolvers each were manufactured directly at TsKIB SOO in 1993-1994. The final version of the revolver was presented in 1995, The RSA revolver was put into production at the Zlatoust Engineering Plant, and the Uralsk Mechanical Plant in Kazakhstan, which received the entire production documentation from TsKIB SOO. in fact, the RSA became the first combat revolver to be launched into series production in Russia after the Nagant revolver had been withdrawn from production.

The revolver features a traditional design with a closed frame and a swing-out cylinder, swinging to the left. The barrel is fitted with a bar, as well as a streamlined lug for the extractor pin, TsKIB models featured polygonal bore rifling, but mass-produced revolvers had right-hand rectangular grooves, maintaining the traditional technology.

The cylinder is loaded using a spring-steel clip of a unique shape. Spent cases are extracted by depressing the extractor head. The loaded clip weighs 65 grams. The correct cylinder position in the frame is ensured by the cylinder lifter (latch). Unlike that of other revolvers, the RSA lifter in the form of a rocking lever is mounted in the upper part of the frame, i.e. considerably closer to the chamber. The location of the lifter became probably the main feature of the Stechkin-Avramov design. A reduced arm length between the lifter's center of thrust and the axis of the chamber significantly decreases the cylinder slackness, ensures better alignment of the chamber and the bore and reduces the load on the trigger assembly.

The revolver is fitted with the external-hammer trigger assembly with a wound-wire cylindrical spiral hammer spring, located inside the grip. The trigger assembly enables the revolver to conduct double-action and single-action fire. There is a hammer stop, and the hammer is blocked from moving forward after a shot is fired When the pistol is fired, the hammer hits the inertial striker (firing pin) mounted in the frame. If the cylinder does not rotate all the way, the hammer block does not allow the hammer to hit the striker. The trigger assembly activates a vertical sliding bar, which presses the cylinder lifter (flock) downwards. The same sliding bar acts as an automatic safely, which protects the rear end of the striker and prevents the hammer from hitting it until the trigger is fully pulled Symmetrical grooved plastic grip plates are screwed to the frame and wrap it all around so that the firing hand does not touch the frame metal. Shooters with small palms may use revolvers with a rounded grip, while those with large hands can be provided with a flared grip. The first batch of revolvers, manufactured by TsKIB, was equipped with wooden grip plates. The shape and the grooves of the trigger guard are designed for two-handed firing. There is a ring in the base of the grip for attaching a safety cord or strap.

A rectangular-groove rear sight is fixed in the lateral notch of the frame and features thick edges for protection against damage. A foresight is pinned to a low base. Its front edge is rounded for convenient carry in a holster, while its rear edge is slanted to rule out glare. The upper surface of the barrel and the frame rib are covered with fine grooves with the same end in view. The location of the iron sights ensures a relatively long sight radius. The bullet dispersion at a range of 25 m is 10 cm. The foresight and the rear sight are fitted with white plastic inserts for aimed low-light firing.

There existed also a prototype revolver with a shortened barrel, and more powerful models chambered for the 9x18 PMM high-power cartridge and 9x19 Luger round. However, these versions did not arouse much interest.

A so-called «service» revolver, designated TKB-0216S and chambered for the 9x17 short round, was developed for private security personnel and private detectives. The TKB-0216T model, manufactured by the Zlatoust Engineering Plant and chambered for the 9 mm RA cartridge with a rubber bullet, is a civilian non-lethal model.

After TsKIB SOO had joined KBP, the latter became the main provider of RSA revolvers.

Revolvers

Revolver - a weapon with a rotating drum chamber which are premises for patrons and the chamber of the barrel. Rigidly mounted in the trunk of his own frame of the chamber has not. Significant advantage drum weapons - the possibility of production of the next shot with flash in the pan without recharging, and relatively simple design and reliable in use. Disadvantages: The duration of recharging, a large transverse dimensions, tight downhill.

In Russia, the guns have established themselves as a personal weapon with the 70-ies. To appoint distinguished military guns (military), civil and sporting targets. Combat revolvers was the personal weapon of officers, sergeants and soldiers of individual specialties. Intended to destroy live targets at distances up to 100 m 7,62 - 11.56 mm, weight from 0,75 to 1,3 kg, the number of chambered in the drum is usually 6-7, at the best rate of the samples did not exceed 6.7 shots in a 15-20 sec. For firing a pistol cartridges are used to blunt bullet has high stopping power (in which the enemy immediately prevented from owning weapons and move). Fuses from accidental gun shots, usually did not. In the Russian army were armed with revolvers of Smith - Wesson mod. 1871, 1874 and 1880, replaced in the late XIX century revolver arr. 1895 of Nagano, the last was in service in the Soviet Army. With the advent of automatic pistols and their development in the 1 st floor. Twentieth century, military guns were gradually decommissioned army, although during the 2-nd World War, they were widely used major warring armies. Civilian gun is a lightweight portable weapon that is convenient for carrying in your pocket. Sports-target pistol designed for sporting purposes, and marksmanship training. The difference, the signs are long sight lines, the high accuracy of the battle, comfortable grip and good balance.

At the end of the twentieth century, Russia has once again raised interest in this seemingly long-forgotten weapon as a revolver. Despite the fact that they are representatives of non-automatic weapons, in recent years, there are many new models of domestic revolvers that were created by recent advances as the construction of the weapons and the technology of its production. Standard revolvers classical structures were calculated using special revolver cartridge having a sleeve with a rim (flange), which ensures their correct position in the chamber drum - a focus rim is tight chamber, and simplifies the extraction of Unloading and spent cartridges. The special features of all modern Russian revolvers is that they are almost without exception, were created under the regular pistol cartridge 9x18 PM with jointless liner (no rim). Therefore, these cartridges require the use of special clips, which are fixed in position after loading of cartridges in the chambers drum. For a number of large-caliber revolvers were designed with new ammunition casings having the rim (flange).