MP443

Yarygin PYa, MR-443 Grach (Russian: Пистолет Ярыгина, ПЯ, МР-443 "Грач") is the latest Russian standard military-issue side arm. It was developed in response to Russian military trials, which began in 1993. In 2003, it was adopted as a standard sidearm for all branches of Russian military and law enforcement, alongside GSh-18 and SPS. It is a semi-automatic pistol chambered in the Russian version of 9 mm Luger Parabellum or 9mm NATO, 7N21, which generates significantly more pressure than standard NATO 9mm ammunition, thus providing significantly higher kinetic power to the bullets (600 J relative to 450 J for the standard Luger). The weapon can also use standard 9mm NATO or 9mm Parabellum cartridges. The 7N21 features an armour-piercing bullet with a tempered steel core.

firing mode and design
PYa is a double-action, short-recoil semi-automatic pistol. Locking is performed by engaging a rectangular breech with the ejection port in a simplified Colt-Browning design, similar to that found in many modern pistols (for example the SIG-Sauer and Glock families of pistols). The slide stop can be mounted on either side by the user. The manual safety is ambidextrous and is located below the slide, above the grip. The hammer is partially concealed at the sides to prevent catching on clothes and equipment. The magazine release is located in the base of the trigger guard. The front sight is formed as a fixed part of the slide and is non-adjustable. The back sight is adjustable for windage (dovetail type). Both feature white contrast elements. Magazine capacity of PYa is 17 rounds, fed from a double-column, single feed magazine.

Though the grips of the pistol are polymer, the weapon is largely made of metal (stainless steel for the barrel, carbon steel for the frame and slide).

reason of name
The pistol is named after its designer, Vladimir Yarygin, who had earlier specialized in designing sport pistols. The Yarygin PYa employs a simplified version of the century-old Browning short recoil system. As of 2008, it is supplied in small numbers to selected units, presumably those in the North Caucasus.