The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" (Russian: ПП-19-01 «Витязь»; Пистолет-пулемет Модель 19-01, romanized: Pistolet Pulemyet Model' 19-01 "Vityaz", lit. 'Submachine Gun Model 19-01 "Knight"') is a 9×19mm Parabellum submachine gun developed in 2004 by Russian small arms manufacturer Izhmash. The name Vityaz was taken from the 1st Special Purpose Unit of the Spetsnaz, commonly known as "Vityaz".
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" (version 10) is an evolution to the PP-19 Bizon, and is based on the AKS-74U's receiver and has a high degree of parts commonality. A slightly modified variant based on the AK-105's receiver, PP-19-01 "Vityaz-SN" (Russian: ПП-19-01 «Витязь-СН») version 20 was released in 2008. The PPK-20 is the successor of the Vityaz-SN, it differs from its predecessor by its compact size, lower weight, optional quick-detachable sound and flash suppressor, folding telescopic polymer buttstock, ergonomic pistol grip and ambidextrous fire selector switch.
Design details[]
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" is a selective fire submachine gun that uses a simple closed bolt, straight blowback method of operation. As such, it has no gas system and the internal components have been modified accordingly. The bolt carrier with integral charging handle is similar to AK-family, however the piston rod and rotary bolt were removed and the weight on the bolt extends into the previous gas tube. The return spring and guide rod are almost identical to those of the AK-family.
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" is chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge, and is compatible with the Russian military overpressure variants such as, the 57-N-181SM and 7N31 armour-piercing round. It features a four-groove barrel with a 240 mm (1:9 in) right-hand rifling pitch. It is fed from a 30-round box magazine and comes with a fastening device that joins two magazines together. Its muzzle brake has three small rectangular ports on each side that serve to reduce muzzle rise, however their main purpose is to protect the muzzle from damage. It can be equipped with a detachable sound suppressor.
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" shares the same trigger and safety mechanisms as the AK-74. The selector lever is placed on the right side of the receiver, above the trigger, and has three settings: the uppermost "safe" setting disables the trigger and physically blocks the charging handle; the middle position (marked "АВ") enables fully automatic fire and the lowest position ("ОД") activates the semi-automatic function of the trigger.
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" utilises the AKS-74 shoulder stock, which folds to the left side of the receiver. The pistol grip is identical to the grip of the AK-100 series and is made of a black fiberglass-reinforced polyamide 6. The handguard has attachment points for laser target designator, tactical flashlight and fore grip.
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" features the standard AK-type front and rear sights and dove-tail side rail for mounting various optical or collimator sights. Whilst, the PP-19-01 "Vityaz-SN" features a Picatinny rail on top of the receiver.
Variants[]
PP-19-01 "Vityaz"[]
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz" (version 10) is a further development of the PP-19 Bizon. Early models were based on the AKS-74U's receiver. It uses the Warsaw Pact rail for mounting optics.
PP-19-01 "Vityaz-SN"[]
The PP-19-01 "Vityaz-SN" (version 20) is a slightly modified variant of the Vityaz. It was slightly redesigned to fit the AK-105's receiver, and features a railed dust cover for mounting optics which replaced the Dovetail side-rail mount.
Saiga-9[]
The Saiga-9 is a semi-automatic only variant of the PP-19-01 "Vityaz-SN" with 345 mm barrel sold on the Russian civilian market by Kalashnikov.[1]
Saiga-9 LOT Yarovit[]
Saiga-9 LOT Yarovit is a competition variant of the Saiga-9 with a 367 mm barrel and 10-round magazine.
TR9 "Paradox"[]
The TR9 "Paradox" is a variant of the Saiga-9 chambered in the .345 TK smoothbore cartridge with a rifled part of the barrel no more than 14 cm and features an AK-EVO length-adjustable buttstock. Before the changes in the Russian gun law, which came into force on the 29th of June 2022. This firearm is now considered as a rifled firearm in Russia.
Kalashnikov USA clone[]
KR-9[]
Kalashnikov USA (not associated with the Kalashnikov Concern) manufactures a semi-automatic pistol-caliber carbine clone of the PP-19-01 "Vityaz-SN" for the American civilian market. Available in a 16.25 in (413 mm) barrel (known as the KR-9), also available in a faux suppressor with the same barrel length (known as the KR-9S), and a 9.25 in (235 mm) barrel (known as the KR-9 SBR).[2]
KP-9[]
A pistol configuration (without a buttstock) of the KR-9 SBR, known as the KP-9.[2]
KALI 9[]
A California compliant rifle configuration of the KR-9, known as the KALI 9.
PPK-20[]
The PPK-20 (Russian: ППК-20; Пистолет-Пулемет Калашникова образца 2020 года, romanized: Pistolet-Pulemot Kalashnikova obraztsa 2020 goda , lit. 'Kalashnikov Submachine gun model 2020') is a successor to the PP-19-01 "Vityaz-SN", developed and manufactured by Kalashnikov Concern. It is named after Victor Kalashnikov, the son of Mikhail Kalashnikov. Who was the head designer of the Vityaz family of submachine guns which was based on his earlier designs – the Bizon family of submachine guns. The model designation was suggested by the trials committee as a tribute to Victor Kalashnikov who passed away in March of 2018.[3]
The PPK-20 was previously known as the Vityaz-MO during its developmental phase and was independently designed as a part of “Vityaz-MO” R&D project. It is also available for export.
The PPK-20 features a Picatinny rail dust cover, a quick-detachable sound and flash suppressor, a folding telescopic polymer buttstock similar to the AK-19, an ergonomic pistol grip and ambidextrous fire selector switch. The handguard features Picatinny rails on top and bottom, as well as an M-LOK interface on the right and left sides. The 2020 version features a 237.5 mm barrel. However in 2021, it was significantly modified to make it more compact and the barrel length was shortened to 181.5 mm. It has a cyclic rate of 800 rounds per minute.
Gallery[]
