The Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun is most distinctive for its very high rate of fire - approximately 1250 rounds/minute - and large drum magazine. What may come as a surprise to those who have not tried it is how this very high rate of fire does not actually make the weapon difficult to control or hold on target. In fact, the PPSh-41 is an easier SMG to shoot effectively than the later PPS-43, at leas tin my opinion.

The Soviets and the Germans make quite different choices in magazines and rate of fire with the PPSh and the MP40, but both turned out to be very good submachine guns. The glaring weak point of the PPSh are its magazines, and the difficulty in finding a drum that would run reliably in this particular example is why today's shooting session is done with one of the 35-round stick magazines instead.

Thanks to Marstar for letting me examine and shoot their PPSh-41!