PPS-43

The PPS-43 is a Soviet submachine gun designed during the Siege of Leningrad by Alexei Sudaev, representing a significant evolution in small arms design philosophy by prioritizing manufacturing simplicity and material efficiency. Chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev, it uses a straight blowback action firing from an open bolt with a 770 rpm cyclic rate. The PPS-43 is constructed almost entirely from stamped steel, with a folding stock and a barrel shroud that also serves as a muzzle brake. Weighing just over 3 kg, it was considerably lighter than the PPSh-41 while providing equal firepower. The PPS-43 is considered one of the most efficient and ergonomic submachine guns of World War II and was widely copied and exported after the war.