FET R&D: Making an Airsoft PPS-43, Part 1

PPS-43s, having seen conflict at the last years of WWII, were stamped steel submachine guns that were cheaper and easier to produce than their PPSh-41 predecessor, and even cut the production time by more than half. The PPS-43 was designed using less materials, lighter, and can be made more compact with its top folding stock reminiscent of the MP-40’s.

PPS-43 (Left) alongside PPSh-41s in Korea (Pinterest)

North Korean combat medics with PPS-43 submachine guns in 2013. (wwiiafterwwii)

Soviet Russian production ceased post war due to a surplus of PPShs and the introduction of the AK-47 shortly after, diminishing the need to produce more of these simple subguns. Other nations made their own copies or purchased these guns, such as Albania or North Vietnam. Despite falling out of use with its original country of origin, the economic to produce and portable PPS-43s found new homes with Combloc nations or Soviet allies, with an impressive track record as today it sees use in Ukraine, often in the hands of Russian separatists.

A soldier of the People 's Republic of China receives instruction in the 7-62mm Type 54 sub-machine gun. Type 54 was the Chinese designation given for their domestic copy, as they started its licensed production in 1954. (bevfitchett)

Because of how popular this SMG is for a variety of Asian kits, it seems natural to try to produce an airsoft version using readily available parts kits. Viet Cong to the PVA, and of course non-Asian kits such as Dombass separatists or WWII era Soviet soldiers are only some of the kits this gun is usable with.

We purchased our parts kit from a local and within a week, brought the parts to a friend to weld together. The muzzle brake was chopped as well as the top receiver in 3 pieces, as well as having the barrel cut for legal reasons. Within that week we hashed out ideas about its feeding system, whether to use Sten or Sterling AEG internals, or in a pinch make into an HPA tapped weapon. Progress will be covered in subsequent blogs.

Our friend Bryan, who has experience as a welder, quickly put together the receiver earlier today. He decided to forego welding the muzzle brake and barrel together as we plan to bore the barrel to make way for an airsoft inner barrel. Otherwise, the receiver is neatly put back together, and we have plans to gut the inside for the airsoft mechanism to go into.