Early in the 1990s an attempt had been made to develop a new Army pistol similar to that of the PM pistol primarily through the improvement of the high impulse 9×18 PMM (57H181SM) cartridge. Its bullet weighs 5.54 (against former 6.0 g) somewhat increased penetration capability and stopping effect. According to different assessments its consis¬tency of fire increased 1.2 or 2-2.5 times. Thus, in 1994 the new updated Makarov pistol (PMM) was developed by B.M. Pletsky and Shigapov chambered for the new cartridge. The PMM pistol was adopted for service in the same 1994 year. The new pistol can be recognised due to its more larger size plastic grip of more convenient form and a 12-round dual-row magazine with cartridges rearrangement in one row in its upper part. It is possible to use the old 8-round one-row magazine.
In the cartridge chamber appeared three helical grooves. The power gases exert pres¬sure on the cartridge through these grooves, thereby increasing its resistance to move backward. Since the standard cartridge gen¬erates lesser pressure in the bore and in the cartridge chamber, thus the grooves do not hamper the use of standard cartridges.
At the TsKIB SOO Tula-based Central Design Bureau designer A.B. Adov has devel¬oped another variant of the updated PM pistol chambered for the new 9×18 PMM cartridge. The experimental pistol designated the OTs-35 has an extended barrel-slide and a barrel break-compensator of 18 mm long, enhanced accuracy of fire, especially with the use of a high impulse cartridge. The pistol is 185 mm long and weighs without cartridges 0.76 kg.
Specifications
Caliber………………………….9mm
Cartridge ………………9×18 MP, 9×18 PMM
Weight w/o cartridges……………….0.76 kg
Length…………………………169 m
Length of barrel………………….93.5 mm
Bullet muzzle velocity … .3l5(PM),430(PMM)m/sec
Effective rate of fire ………………30 rds/min
Sighting range……………………..50 m
Magazine capacity………………….12 rds
