Of Stechkins and bailout guns
In 2015, Russian state media detailed that aircrew operating in Syria were carrying AK pattern rifles, and Stechkin APS machine pistols with several 20-round magazines to use should they have to eject.
Well it looks like one got a bit of use last week when the pilot of a shot down Russian Aerospace Force Su-25SM attack aircraft, when cornered by insurgents reportedly resorted to his personal weapons and was not taken alive.
(Photo: CIT)
Among the items reportedly recovered from the downed pilot was a 9x18mm Stechkin APS pistol with three partially loaded mags, one of which appears empty.
More in my column at Guns.com.