OTs-01 Kobalt
Russian double-action revolver with a unique Y-shaped moon clip system.
The OTs-01 Kobalt, meaning "Cobalt," is a Russian 9 mm revolver with a double-action trigger. It was created by designers Igor Stechkin and Boris Avraamov. The TsKIB SOO design bureau worked on it between 1991 and 1992, aiming to sell it to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and other law enforcement bodies. In 1992, the Ministry of the Interior of the Russian Federation adopted it as a service firearm, calling it the RSA, short for Revolver Stechkina-Avraamova.
The revolver looks like a Smith & Wesson "J"-frame model, featuring a compact frame, a "bird's head" grip, and an external hammer. A safety catch sits on the left side of the grip, locking both the cylinder and hammer to prevent accidental firing. Because it uses rimless cartridges, the six-shot cylinder is machined to accept "moon clips"—sheet-metal holders that grip the cartridge bases for easy extraction. A unique Y-shaped moon clip loads every other chamber and locks into a second clip. This setup lets the user load two different ammunition types, such as hollow point and armor-piercing rounds, into the same cylinder, keeping one type in reserve. The revolver can fire without moon clips, but spent cases then must be pushed out from the front of the cylinder using a rod-like object, like a pen.
Several variants exist. The RSA, chambered for 9×18mm Makarov, was produced from 1992 to 2002. The OTs-01, the original variant also in 9×18mm Makarov, was made in Tula by the parent company KBP and features polygonal rifling. The TKB-0216, a second variant in 9×18mm Makarov, has been manufactured since 1994 by the Zlatoust Machine-Building Plant and the Uralsk Machine-Building Plant; its barrel has four grooves with a right-hand twist. The OTs-01S, chambered for 9x17mm Short, appeared in 1996 as a sidearm for private security or as a concealed backup pistol for bodyguards and VIPs. The TKB-0216T "Agent" is a non-lethal version chambered for the .380 ME GUM cartridge with a rubber bullet, made by the Zlatoust Machine-Building Plant.
Users include Russian police as a service firearm. Since 2005, it has also been adopted by the customs service. Additionally, it is used by prison guards, security guards for the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, and other law enforcement personnel.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1992-present
- Used By
- Russia
- Designer
- Igor Stechkin, Boris Avraamov
- Design Date
- 1991-1992
- Manufacturer
- KBP Instrument Design Bureau
- Production Date
- 1992-2002 (OTs-01) / 1996-present (OTs-01S)
- Weight
- 790 g (small wooden grips) / 820 g (large plastic grips)
- Length
- 200 mm
- Part Length
- 75 mm
- Height
- 136 mm
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The OTs-01 Kobalt resembles a Smith & Wesson "J"-frame revolver, featuring a small frame, "bird's head" grip, and an external hammer. A safety on the left-hand side of the grip locks the cylinder and hammer to prevent accidental discharge. Because it fires rimless cartridges, the six-shot revolver is cut for "moon clips"—sheet-metal holders that grasp the rounds by the base for easy extraction. The revolver uses a special Y-shaped moon clip that loads alternate chambers and locks into the other moon clip, allowing alternating types of ammunition (such as hollow point or armor-piercing) to be loaded into the same cylinder. It can also be used without moon clips, but spent cases would then need to be pushed out from the front of the cylinder with a rod-like object.
Variants include the RSA chambered for 9×18mm Makarov (manufactured 1992–2002), the OTs-01 original variant with polygonal rifling (manufactured in Tula by KBP), the TKB-0216 with 4-groove right-hand twist rifling (manufactured since 1994), the OTs-01S chambered for 9x17 mm Short (produced since 1996 for private security or as a backup pistol), and the TKB-0216T "Agent" non-lethal revolver chambered for .380 ME GUM cartridge with rubber bullet.
Reader's Guide
The OTs-01 Kobalt represents a notable attempt by Russian designers to produce a modern service revolver for law enforcement and internal security forces. Its development by TsKIB SOO from 1991 to 1992 and subsequent adoption by the Ministry of the Interior in 1992 gave it official status as a service weapon under the RSA designation. The revolver's distinctive Y-shaped moon clip system, which allows alternating ammunition types in the same cylinder, is a unique feature not commonly found on other revolvers. This design choice addressed the need for flexibility in ammunition selection, such as alternating between hollow point and armor-piercing rounds. The revolver saw use as a service firearm in police, and from 2005 was adopted for customs service, as well as by prison guards, security guards of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, and law enforcement. Its production by multiple plants (Zlatoust and Uralsk Machine-Building Plants) from 1994 onward, along with variants for different calibers and non-lethal applications, indicates a sustained role in Russian service. The OTs-01 Kobalt thus occupies a specific niche as a domestically produced revolver designed to meet the operational requirements of Russian state security agencies.
Did You Know?
- The OTs-01 Kobalt was designed by Igor Stechkin and Boris Avraamov.
- It uses a special Y-shaped moon clip that allows alternating types of ammunition in the same cylinder.
- The revolver can be used without moon clips, but spent cases must then be pushed out from the front with a rod-like object.
- A non-lethal variant, the TKB-0216T 'Agent', fires .380 ME GUM cartridges with rubber bullets.
More in Revolvers, Part 4 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced