PP-91 Kedr
Compact blowback SMG designed by Yevgeny Dragunov.
The PP-91 Kedr is a 9mm machine pistol that entered service with Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1994, evolving from a 1970s prototype. Designed by Yevgeny Dragunov—also responsible for the SVD sniper rifle—this submachine gun is straightforward to build and operate. It uses blowback operation and fires from a closed bolt, which improves accuracy over open-bolt designs. A double-column box magazine feeds the ammunition, and a folding shoulder stock is included. Though its cartridge is small, the weapon’s main strengths are its compact size and light weight of 1.5 kg, making it easy to carry and effective when fired one-handed. A safety and selector lever on the right side offers semi-automatic or fully automatic fire at 800 rounds per minute. Effective range falls between 50 and 100 meters. The PP-91 is equipped with a diopter sight and can accept a laser sight and suppressor.
Several variants exist. The PP-71 was a prototype tested from 1969 to 1972 for the Ministry of Defense under the “Bouquet” program but never mass-produced. The PP-91-01 “Kedr-B” integrates a silencer and uses 9×18mm Makarov ammunition. The PP-9 “Klin,” made from 1996 to 2002 for the Interior Ministry, fires a more powerful 9×18mm Makarov round, with a heavier bolt and helical grooves in the chamber. The PP-919 “Kedr-2,” developed between 1994 and 1996 for the Federal Tax Police Service, is chambered for 9×19mm Parabellum; only three were built. A 2009 prototype, the PP-2011 “KEDR-PARA,” also uses 9×19mm 7N21 ammunition. The PKSK is a semi-automatic carbine for private security, chambered in 9×17mm K with a 10-round magazine, produced in small batches since April 1998. The KMO-9 “Korsak” is a prototype semi-automatic version with a long barrel for 9×21mm, intended as civilian sporting or training arms. The PST “Corporal” is a semi-automatic model for private security, using a 10×23mm T cartridge and a 10-round magazine. The PDT-9T “Yesaul,” available since 2005, is a semi-automatic version for non-lethal 9mm P.A. rounds, also with a 10-round magazine. “Yesaul-2” is a prototype full-automatic variant firing non-lethal 9mm P.A. from a 20-round magazine. The PDT-13T “Yesaul-3,” designed in 2009, is a semi-automatic model for non-lethal .45 Rubber, with a 10-round magazine.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Soviet Union
- Is Ranged
- yes
- Service
- 1994–present
- Used By
- MVD / FSKN / FSIN
- Designer
- Yevgeny Dragunov
- Design Date
- 1970s
- Manufacturer
- Izhmash / Zlatoust Machine-Building Plant (PP-91 KEDR)
- Weight
- 1.57 kg (PP-91 KEDR) / 1.54 kg (PP-9 Klin)
- Length
- 530 mm stock extended / 305 mm stock folded (PP-91 KEDR) / 539 mm stock extended / 305 mm stock folded (PP-9 Klin) / 671 mm (KEDR-B)
- Part Length
- 120 mm
- Cartridge
- 9×18mm Makarov
- Action
- Straight blowback (PP-91 KEDR) / Delayed blowback (PP-9 Klin)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The PP-91 Kedr is a blowback-operated submachine gun that fires from a closed bolt, allowing for more accurate shooting than an open bolt design. Ammunition is fed from a double column box magazine, and it is supplied with a folding shoulder stock. Despite the small caliber of the round it uses, its notable advantages are its compact size and weight of only 1.5 kg, making it very easy to carry and effective when fired with one hand. The safety/selector lever is located on the right hand side and allows for semi-automatic single shots and fully automatic fire at 800 rounds per minute. The effective range is between 50 and 100 meters. The weapon uses a diopter sight and allows for the use of a laser sight and a suppressor.
The PP-91 was developed from a prototype from the 1970s and has been adopted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs since 1994. It has numerous variants, including the PP-91-01 'Kedr-B' with an integrated silencer, the PP-9 'Klin' with improved ballistics, and the PP-919 'Kedr-2' chambered for 9×19mm Parabellum. Other variants include semi-automatic versions for private security and civilian use, such as the PKSK, KMO-9 'Korsak', PST 'Corporal', and PDT-9T 'Yesaul'. A blank-firing version, the 'Kedr-MD', was made for the film concern Mosfilm in 2006, with only five produced.
Reader's Guide
The PP-91 Kedr represents a compact and lightweight submachine gun designed for close-quarters use by Russian internal security forces. Its design by Yevgeny Dragunov, known for the SVD sniper rifle, underscores its engineering pedigree. The weapon's closed-bolt operation and diopter sight contribute to its accuracy, while its folding stock and low weight enhance portability. The Kedr has been adopted by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, including police and OMON units, and is also used by security guards. Its extensive family of variants, ranging from suppressed models to civilian semi-automatic carbines and non-lethal versions, demonstrates its adaptability to various roles. The development of prototypes for different calibers, such as 9×19mm Parabellum and 9×21mm, indicates ongoing interest in expanding its utility. Despite limited production of some variants, the Kedr remains a notable example of a modern Russian machine pistol, with its legacy tied to its compact form factor and Dragunov's design influence.
Did You Know?
- The PP-91 Kedr was designed by Yevgeny Dragunov, who also designed the SVD sniper rifle.
- The weapon weighs only 1.5 kg and can be fired effectively with one hand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the PP-91 Kedr?
The PP-91 Kedr was created by Yevgeny Dragunov, the same Russian firearms engineer behind the famous SVD sniper rifle. He developed it as a compact machine pistol intended for close-quarters use.
What are the PP-91 Kedr's main specifications?
It fires 9mm ammunition at a cyclic rate of 800 rounds per minute with an effective range of 50 to 100 meters. The weapon weighs just 1.5 kg and is fed by a double-column box magazine.
How does the PP-91 Kedr's action work?
It employs a blowback operating system but fires from a closed bolt, which gives it noticeably better accuracy than typical open-bolt submachine guns. A folding shoulder stock is included to help the shooter manage recoil during sustained fire.
When did the PP-91 Kedr enter service and where did it come from?
The weapon was adopted by Russia's Ministry of Internal Affairs in 1994, though its design lineage stretches back to a prototype developed in the 1970s. It was deliberately kept simple to manufacture and easy to operate in the field.
Why is the PP-91 Kedr considered notable among submachine guns?
Despite its modest 9mm cartridge, its primary strengths are its extremely compact profile and light 1.5 kg weight, making it easy to carry and deploy quickly. It also stands out as a rare example of Dragunov excelling in a short-range platform after his long-range legacy.
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