When we remember the Red Army during World War II, it always imagine pensive, sad warrior who came to Berlin.He has - not just thousands and thousands of kilometers, but also roll from overcoat cape, but in the hands - a true PCA.But was the brainchild of legendary Shpagin only automatic weapons in the Red Army?
course, was armed with PPD and PPP, the latter of which many historians and gunsmiths are generally considered the best submachine gun of the war.But almost no one knows that there was also a sub-machine gun Korovin, in many respects in no way inferior to its "big brother".
about him and his inventor, we'll talk in this article.
Background
was terrible in October 1941 when the Red Army was retreating on all fronts.The Germans tried to break through the ring of defense and to leave to Moscow.The main strike weapons were tank groups, the machine that is suitable to the capital from three directions.
Tula defending Army General Boldin, from which after a terrible and fierce battles there are not so many.In order to somehow help the military personnel in the difficult task of defense of the city, the Council adopted a resolution on workers forming a militia regiment of 1,500 people.This is where it started and complexity ... If clothes and food for the volunteers, there was little problem, the provision of weapons quickly became a sore point.
Yes, in extreme cases it may have to make (Tula arms factory, after all!), But it took too much time.This luxury one defender to give not going to.
choice of weapons
However, it was very clear that the required weapons - submachine guns.Only in their early production count it was somehow possible.Do not make the same precision rifle from pieces of pipe and metal!
word, Tula proved to put on the same footing as the British, who are "on the knee" were making their "Stan" literally from scraps of water pipes.Engineers were not aware that in 1930 Sergey Korovin have designed such weapons.It was not only easier English "plumber's dream", but half of reliable and accurate submachine gun.
man challenging fate
Korovin was quite a little-known gunsmith.He has participated in almost all test competitions, but the victory they scored only competitors: Degtyarev, Shpagin Simonov ... Color Soviet weapons culture, to create the best weapons of the USSR.It is still unknown, is it really so great Fedorov loved his students that awards them prizes or have weapons Korovin still had some design flaws.
«His" Korovin was not, that's for sure.He was a disciple of the master of Belgian Browning.The series went only once his pistol caliber 6.35 mm, which up until 1936 was sold freely to all Soviet citizens without any documents.Described as our machine pistol Korovin and all ended up in oblivion.
And because the inventor had to settle for a prototype development on the basis of the initiative.Weapons, which was then on display pylilos Tula gun shop.It was there that the authorities and found a submachine gun, which Sergey once created for participation in the competition, which won the PDP.
Just a few days spent on the initial deployment of production, and in late October the first examples came to light.Near the village Rogozhinsky weapons passed its baptism of fire October 30, 1941.Once again, the Tula Arms Factory proved that he is able to produce an excellent service in all conditions.
first combat use of PEP
the early morning to the factory buildings broke 40 enemy tanks.They were covered with several units gunmen.Guderian's tanks Tula decided to take in a pincer movement, approaching them from both flanks.But they waited for failure: brave soldiers undermined the machine using grenades, threw their firebombs.The German infantrymen had a chance to try on itself submachine gun Korovin.
Archival sources indicate that the hot battle lasted more than four hours.The Nazis tried about five times to take the position of Tula militia.The tanks have been unable to come to them, and mows infantry weapons fire from Korovin.Submachine gun proved himself in that battle with the best hand.
Technical features weapons
Simplicity - that the success of this product, Sergei Alexandrovich.Submachine gun Korovin, who had some fighting near Tula, radically different from the weapon, which was submitted to the contest.So, he was completely absent wooden bed, which was to be long and hard to cut, and there was a barrel shroud.Last demanded special stamping, which in those conditions simply do not have time.
All items submachine gun (except the shutter and the receiver) is made of primitive cold formed.To connect them together to use welding.Samuel receiver box made from ordinary pipe ... (hello, "Stan")!In fact, a couple of days Korovin was able to create a completely new weapon.During the war it could produce any plant (even semi-handicraft shop), which had even the most primitive stamping equipment.
«Body" weapons had a length of 682 mm.The stock (wire, swivel-mounted) is added to it even millimeters 400.
Automation and USM
As you can guess, the principle of automation based on a free gate.Muzzle velocity is 480 m / s.The trunk locked gate of the increased mass and spring back and obturator.Fuse weapons had.His role performed cutout on the right side of the receiver, where it was possible to have a charging handle and lock.Shoot of PPK in such a situation was absolutely impossible, spontaneous loss of the locking handle slot has been excluded.
Trigger allows the shooter to carry weapons only automatic fire."Highlight" was whispered, a forward considerably.This ensured his position accuracy of the first shot.The trigger was a relatively long and smooth running, the force it did not exceed 2.9 kg.Special ejector responsible for the extraction sleeve and shoot for its removal beyond weapons.He cast was attached to the bottom of the receiver.
sighting device is open, simple design had pillar tumbler type (100 and 200 meters) and the front sight, which could be shifted in the horizontal direction.
Other features
Due to the large mass of the bolt group (700 grams), as well as progress in the gate 143 mm shot PPK with a very low rate: only 470 rounds per minute.Unlike the PCA, whose name stands for experienced veterans "eater cartridges Shpagin" Korovin product helps conserve ammunition.Adapt himself without problems arrow made of weapons, even single shots, then by the same military PCA's release it was impossible to achieve.
In general, if we consider all the submachine guns of World War II, the normal firing single bullets could only American "Thompson."That only cost it hundreds of times more expensive than even the "too complicated PPD," not to mention the penny AUC, which can be done from virtually scrap.
on folding wire butt was attached back plate (can rotate).In the pistol grip weapons superimposed wooden cheeks.Since these weapons, "military" version was not the forearm, a fighter held his hand over the store, made by cold pressing.Capacity - 35 rounds, staggered arrangement of ammunition.Like other Soviet weapons in this class, the Russian sub-machine gun used by the standard Soviet patron of that time - 7,62h25.
undeservedly forgotten ...
If we consider that the deployment of production took only two days, the weapon turned out fantastically reliable!Of course there were shortcomings (not very reliable valve, no forearm), but for all the positive qualities of AUC can be easily forgiven.So in the rating of "Sub-machine guns of World" is a weapon confidently takes the first place.
Unfortunately, Korovin has not received due recognition.Sergey still continued to create new samples of weapons, but contests usually do not win prizes.For his heroism and professionalism near Tula, he received only the Badge of Honor and the Order of the Red Star.Just before his death in the USSR still "celebrated" his merits.The designer was awarded a modest medal "For valorous work in the Great Patriotic War."Actually, this is the only award for his invention.
Conclusion
Even if we consider that none of its development did not go into series (except gun), it is impossible to deny the good of his discoveries, which are subsequently used by other Soviet gunsmith.Developments Sergei Alexandrovich allowed them to create a new Soviet weapons with less effort and work.
