Russian Revolvers

[Nightcrawler]

The Russians have had a few interesting revolver designs over the years.

One obvious example is the Belgian-designed M1895 Nagant Revolver, firing a positively anemic recessed-bullet 7.62mm cartridge. It featured a seven shot cylinder, and a gas-sealing cylinder, which I think is cool. This feature allows it to be effectively suppressed, a rare trait in revolvers.

M1895 Nagant Revolver, caliber 7.62mm

A more recent development that I wish would get produced is the Izmash (I think) MP412 revolver. It's a top break .357 featuring heavy use of polymer and titanium. I don't know the status of its production, however, and in any case thanks to our brilliant and infallible lawmakers, such a weapon couldn't be legally imported to the United States.

MP412 Revolver, caliber .357 Magnum

Another interesting piece I found at this website. It's called the UDAR Revolver complex, which apparently is a multifunction, very big-bore (12.3mm!) revolver that can fire a variety of special-purpose cartridges.

Here's what the website says about the UDAR.

The UDAR Revolver Complex provides the entire range of fighting means to be used by law enforcement agencies for a wide range of missions.

The complex comprises:

12.3 mm revolver;
12.3 mm live cartridge;
12.3 mm cartridge with plastic bullet;
pyroliquid cartridge;
noise cartridge.

The revolver fires different special cartridges produced on the basis of a hunting cartridge case, gauge 32.

The cartridge with a sub-calibre steel bullet is effective for suppression of an enemy wearing body armour. The bullet of this cartridge penetrates a 5mm-thick steel plate from a distance of aimed fire. The cartridge with a rubber bullet is used to stop anti-social behaviour. The colour ink bullet is intended for training exercises and "marking" of offenders.

The enemy wounded with a bullet of a high stopping capability is immediately disabled for active resistance. Shot cartridges are effectively used in conditions of limited visibility and in absence of confirmed information regarding the enemy whereabouts.

The revolver is loaded with a cartridge clip and used cartridge clip. Used cartridge cases are extracted simultaneously. Three filled reserve clips are carried in the box together with the holster.

The striker-and-trigger mechanism permits firing either in the self cocking mode or with the cock being set before firing.

Certainly interesting, if nothing else!

(Thanks to World.Guns.Ru for the pictures of the Nagant and the MP412.)

 

[Standing Wolf]

A top-break .357 magnum? I wonder how soon the Russians will invent a revolver that's reloaded by removing the barrel, taking out the cylinder, and...

 

[WheelMan]

Pyroliquid catridge?

That could be interesting... and dangerous

Shot cartridges are effectively used in conditions of limited visibility and in absence of confirmed information regarding the enemy whereabouts.

wow, must be like a claymore with a pistol grip

Russian Police Officer #1: Where did he go?
Russian Police Officer #2: I don't know
Russian Police Officer #1: Shoot everything!

 

[Nightcrawler]

Yeah, I don't know about how great that buckshot load would be. Probably about the same as a .410 bore...nothing to sneeze at, but not a legendary manstopper, either.

Still, a multifunction revolver is an interesting idea.

 

[badgerrr]

On the subject of Russian Revolvers:

I was wondering....

Have any of the old S&W .44 Russian revolvers (ala 19th Century) made it back to this country in the recent Surplus Market?

 

[Tamara]

I don't know the status of its production, however, and in any case thanks to our brilliant and infallible lawmakers, such a weapon couldn't be legally imported to the United States.

Do tell.

Why not?

 

[Nightcrawler]

We have a trade agreement of some sort with Russia, wherein they don't send us "military" rifles or centerfire handguns.

Notice that while Russian handguns are exported worldwide, you never see anything but the rimfires in the States? The Makarov is still in production and is being imported by Bakail, but you never see new Bakail Maks on the dealer shelves.

This agreement, or statue, or whatever it is is also the reason we can get Saigas and VEPRs, but not Dragunovs, because the Drag is a "military" weapon.

I'm unsure of the exact statute, law, agreement, or whatever.j

Perhaps I misspoke. It could quite possibly be legally imported, but it'd require jumping through a lot of hoops. In any case nobody is importing new Russian made centerfire handguns, to the very best of my knowledge.

 

[JA]

Read 47.52 as it lists what is legal to import from Russia.
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_02/27cfr47_02.html