| SPP-1 | |
|---|---|
 SPP-1M | |
| Type | Underwaterpistol |
| Place of origin | Soviet Union |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1975–present |
| Used by | Russia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Vladimir Simonov[1] at TsNIITochMash[2] - ЦНИИТочмаш (Central Scientific Institute for Precision Machine Building) |
| Designed | 1960s (Late) |
| Manufacturer | TOZ (Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod) (Тульский Оружейный Завод) Tula Arms Plant[3] |
| Produced | 1971–present[4] |
| Variants | SPP-1M[2] |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 950 grams (34 oz) empty,[2][5] 1,030 grams (36 oz) loaded[6] |
| Length | 244 millimetres (9.6 in)[2][5] |
| Width | 37 millimetres (1.5 in)[5] |
| Height | 136 millimetres (5.4 in)[5] |
| Cartridge | 4.5×40mmR[7] |
| Caliber | 4.5 millimetres (0.18 in)[2] |
| Action | double action[2] |
| Muzzle velocity | 240 to 250 metres per second (790 to 820 ft/s) in air[7] |
| Effective firing range | in air, 15 to 20 metres (49 to 66 ft);[2] in water,[5] |
| Feed system | 4 barrels with a cartridge in each[2] |
TheSPP-1 underwater pistol was made in theSoviet Union for use by Sovietfrogmen as anunderwater firearm.[2] It was developed in the late 1960s and accepted for use in 1975.[8] Under water, standard bullets are inaccurate and have very short range. This pistol instead fires a round-based 4.5 millimetres (0.18 in) caliber steel dart about 115 millimetres (4.5 in) long, weighing 12.8 grams (0.45 oz), which has longer range and more penetrating power than aspeargun. The complete cartridge is 145 millimetres (5.7 in) long and weighs 17.5 grams (0.62 oz).[7]
The SPP-1 has four barrels, each containing one cartridge. Its ammunition comes as a magazine of four cartridges which is inserted into the pistol's breech.[6]
Its barrel is notrifled; the fired projectile is kept in line byhydrodynamic effects. As a result, it is somewhat inaccurate when fired out of water.[1]
A double-action firing mechanism fires one cartridge sequentially for each pull of the trigger. When all four cartridges are spent, the gun can be reloaded above or below water.[2]
The SPP-1M pistol is essentially the same as the SPP-1, with the following differences:[6]
The weapon was designed byVladimir Simonov, the cartridge byPyotr Sazonov andOleg Kravchenko.[1] Simonov also designed theAPS amphibious rifle.[9]
Depth reduces range because the higher pressure closes the cavity sooner. Once the projectile is no longersupercavitating, hydrodynamic drag increases greatly, and the projectile becomes unstable.
Lethal range is defined as the range from which it can easily penetrate a padded underwater suit or a 5 millimetres (0.20 in) thick glass faceplate.[5]
It is manufactured by TOZ (Tulsky Oruzheiny Zavod/ Тульский Оружейный Завод)Tula Arms Plant,[3] and exported byRosoboronexport,[2] the state agency for Russia's export and import of defense-related products.
Georgia - In limited use with special operations forces.[citation needed]
Kazakhstan[10]
Russia[11]
Soviet Union
Ukraine
SerbiaThe SPP-1M has been copied byIran.[12]
