Stechkin automatic pistol

The Stechkin Automatic Pistol (Russian: Автоматический Пистолет Стечкина (АПС), romanized: Avtomaticheskiy Pistolet Stechkina (APS)) is a selective fire machine pistol manufacturered by Russian company Vytatsky Polyany Machine-Building Plant. It is chambered in 9×18mm Makarov and 9×19mm Parabellum. The APS was designed by Igor Stechkin for use by artillery and mortar crews, tank crews and aircraft personnel, for whom a cumbersome assault rifle was deemed unnecessary. The APS was introduced into service with the Soviet Armed Forces in 1951 and has been used in various wars including the Vietnam War, Russo-Ukrainian War and Syrian Civil War. It was praised for its innovative concept and good controllability for its size, but a high cost per unit, complex and time-consuming machining, a limited effective range, large size and weight for a pistol, and a fragile buttstock have been mentioned as a reason to phase it out of active service in favour of carbines such as the AKS-74U.