PPS42

The PPS-42, officially known as the Pistolet-Pulemyot Sudaeva Model 1942, was a Soviet submachine gun developed during World War II. Designed by Alexei Ivanovich Sudayev, it was intended to be a simpler, more robust, and cheaper alternative to the earlier PPSh-41. The PPS-42 featured a telescoping bolt and a simpler construction, using stamped metal parts to speed up production.

It was chambered in the 7.62x25mm Tokarev pistol cartridge and fed from a 35-round box magazine. The weapon had a relatively low rate of fire compared to some other submachine guns, which contributed to its controllability. The PPS-42 saw limited production and service during the latter part of the war, with many being used by Soviet partisans and special units.

Following the PPS-42, Sudayev refined the design, leading to the more widely produced PPS-43. While the PPS-42 itself was not mass-produced in the same quantities as the PPSh-41 or the later PPS-43, it represented an important step in Soviet small arms development, emphasizing simplicity and ease of manufacture under wartime conditions. Its design principles influenced subsequent Soviet firearm designs.