Stechkin

Stechkin refers to a family of Soviet and Russian automatic pistols designed by Igor Stechkin. The most well-known is the APS, or Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Stechkina, which entered service in 1951. The APS is a select-fire pistol, capable of both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire. It is chambered in 9x18mm Makarov ammunition and features a relatively large magazine capacity for a pistol of its era, typically 20 rounds. The APS was designed to serve as a sidearm for military personnel, special forces, and law enforcement, offering more firepower than a standard pistol. A notable feature of the APS is its detachable wooden or plastic shoulder stock, which attaches to the pistol's grip and significantly improves controllability during automatic fire.

A simplified, semi-automatic only variant known as the APB (Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Bortnovyy) was developed later. The APB was designed for undercover operatives and personnel who did not require the full-automatic capability of the APS but still benefited from its ergonomics and the option of a stock. The APB also features a modified magazine release to prevent accidental discharge of a loaded chamber and a simplified trigger mechanism. Both the APS and APB have seen widespread use in various Soviet and Russian military and security forces. While less common now due to the proliferation of more modern compact submachine guns and carbines, the Stechkin pistols remain iconic examples of Soviet-era small arms design.