MW3: The P-90 Review by Charlie Intel

The PP-90M1 submachine gun is the latest development of the Tula-based famous KBP design bureau. It is a completely new development, despite its designation, that could misleadingly suggest that it is a derivative of the PP-90 and PP-90M folding clandestine machine guns. PP-90M1 could be described as a more modern rival to the “Bizon” PP-19 submachine gun,made in Izhevsk. It is intended to provide compact and lightweight police weapon that could lay serious amount of fire, thanks to its large-capacity helical magazine (similar in basic concept and design to “Bizon”and Calico submachine guns magazines). The most interesting part about PP-90M1 is, however, that it also could be fitted with adapter and then use typical box magazines, which are lighter, have slimmer profile and 1/2 capacity of standard helical magazine. It is not yet known if PP-90M1 is in use with any major law enforcement or security force in Russia.
PP-90M1 is a conventional blowback operated, selective fired machine gun. The gun housing is made entirely from plastic, including integral pistol handle and trigger guard. The top-folding buttstock is made from stamped steel. Safety / fire mode selector is located at the left side of the gun, above the trigger. The charging “button” is located just above the muzzle and should be pressed with one finger (not that easy to do so!) to retract the bolt. It is also unsafe, in my opinion, and mounting of silencer will interfere with charging, too. Weird! Another strange, if not weird, thing is the field stripping. To disassemble the PP-90M1, one must screw out the long disassembly screw, located above the magazine. This requires no tools, but can take about 20-30 seconds. When screw is gone, you then can took the barrel, bolt and return spring out of the gun by pulling it forward.


Caliber: 9x19mm 7N21 and 7N31, compatible with all 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum ammo
Weight: ca 1.7 kg less magazine
Length (stock closed/open): 424 / 620 mm
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 32 rounds (box magazine) or 64 rounds (helical magazine)
Effective range: up to 200 meters

Watch the video comparison of a Russian made P-90 & the Israeli made Uzi:

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