The MP-443 Grach (Russian: MП-443 Грач, lit. 'rook') or "PYa", for "Pistolet Yarygina" ("Yarygin Pistol") (Russian: ПЯ, Пистолет Ярыгина), is a Russian 9mm semi-automatic pistol.
== Development == The development was headed by the designer Vladimir Alexandrovich Yarygin. It was developed under the designation "Grach" in response to Russian military trials, which began in 1993. In 2003, it was adopted as one of the standard sidearms for all branches of Russian military and law enforcement, alongside the Makarov, GSh-18, and SPS. Mass production of PYa pistols started in 2011.
Design
The PYa is a double-action, short-recoil semi-automatic pistol.
=== Composition === Even though the grips of the pistol are polymer, the weapon is largely made of metal (stainless steel for the barrel, carbon steel for the frame and slide).
=== Operation === Its barrel/slide locking is a simplified Colt–Browning design, similar to that found in many modern pistols (e.g. the SIG Sauer and Glock families of pistols). The breech end of the barrel is rectangular in shape, rather than rounded, and fits into matching locking grooves within the slide, near the ejection port. The slide stop lever can be mounted on either side of the weapon to accommodate both left- and right-handed users.
=== Safety === The manual safety is ambidextrous, with safety catches on both sides of the weapon, where it is manipulated by the thumb. Despite the trigger being double-action/single-action, the safety does not act as a decocker. The safety is mounted on the frame, below the rear slide grooves, and directly behind the slide stop lever. The hammer is partially concealed at the sides to prevent catching on clothes and equipment. The magazine release catch is located in the base of the trigger guard on the left side, where it can be manipulated with the thumb (right-handed users) or index or middle finger (left-handed users).
=== Sights === The front sight is formed as a fixed part of the slide and is non-adjustable. The back sight is drift adjustable for windage (dovetail type), but this requires a tool. Both feature white contrast elements to ease aiming in low-light conditions.
=== Magazine === The standard magazine capacity is 17 rounds, fed from a double-column, two position feed magazine. Magazines with an 18-round capacity were produced after 2004.
=== Ammunition === It is chambered for the 9×19mm 7N21 cartridge, the Russian loading of the ubiquitous 9mm NATO pistol cartridge, which is broadly equivalent to NATO standard loadings, loaded to comparable pressure specifications. The 7N21 features a semi-armour-piercing bullet with a tempered steel core. The weapon can also use standard 9×19mm Parabellum/9mm Luger/9×19mm NATO cartridges, including civilian loads such as hollowpoints for law enforcement (only full metal jacket bullets are permitted for use in military weapons).
Accessories
Variants
MP-446 Viking
Civilian version of the Grach with a magazine capacity of 17 or 18 rounds. 10-round magazines are available for jurisdictions with restrictive magazine capacity laws. It is identical to the Grach, except it is not designed to take high-powered +P and +P+ rounds like the 9×19mm 7N21, and is usually polyamide framed.
==== MP-446C Viking ==== Civilian version designed for competition.
=== MP-353 === Civilian version. Non-lethal pistol which fires only ammunition with rubber bullets.
=== MP-472 === Non-lethal pistol.
== Users == Armenia: used as service pistol in police; since June 10, 2021, the Armenian government authorized the use of MP-443 pistols as firearms for customs service personnel Kazakhstan: Since 2007 used as service pistol in private security companies. Russia: In 2003 it was adopted as a standard sidearm for all branches of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation; fielding continues as of 2021. Since September 2006 used as a pistol in law enforcement, though it never fully replaced the Makarov PM. It is adopted as a standard sidearm for special police units (SOBR) and rapid response units of riot police (OMON). As of 2015, it is the service pistol of the Russian Airborne Troops. Since 2018 it is supplied to the National Guard of Russia. Ukraine: Some reportedly captured by Ukrainian soldiers and are in use.
== See also == List of Russian weaponry Beretta M9 CZ 99 Udav
References
Notes
== Sources == Оружие, которое нам выбирают. // журнал "Мастер-ружьё", № 54, 2001. стр.54-58 Ireneusz Chloupek. Następca Makarowa. // „Komandos”. nr 11 (109), 2001. str. 71-75. Ю. Пономарёв. Новобранец «Ярыгин» // журнал «Калашников. Оружие, боеприпасы, снаряжение» № 6, 2003. стр.6-14
External links
Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (MP-443 Grach) Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (MP-446 Viking) Instruction manual (MP-446 Viking) Modern Firearms (MP-443 Grach) Modern Firearms (MP-446 Viking) Army Recognition Yarygin PYa / Internet Movie Firearms Database
