Did You Know Soviet Cosmonauts Carried a Bear-Killing Shotgun into Space?

universetoday.com ^ | Nancy Atkinson

[BenLurkin]

“Having a gun inside a thin-walled spacecraft filled with oxygen sounds crazy,” writes Simpson, “but the Soviets had their reasons. Much of Russia is desolate wilderness. A single mishap during descent could strand cosmonauts in the middle of nowhere.”

[BenLurkin]

A TP-82 pistol depicted in a Russian manual. Via Wikimedia.

[Billthedrill]

It works on aliens, too. Just sayin’.

[BenLurkin]

Everyone should have one.

[dead]

It was war.

[jttpwalsh]

Makes me think we shoulda had a harpoon gun, on the space capsules that landed in the ocean . . . .

[gundog]

Looks like a bear pisser-offer, to me.

[Liaison]

I guess that was for personal defense. the Salyut was supposed to have a machine gun to protect them from unwanted guests; likely Americans flying the black flag, arrggh.

[BenLurkin]

Awesome

[tet68]

Definitely would qualify as a Curio and Relic...

[blackdog]

Stow-Away Bears hitch rides all the time. The low oxygen environment just makes em a little sleepy.

[Snickering Hound]

[RandallFlagg]

[moovova]

MOM’S Against Cosmonaut Gun Violence will be making a statement shortly...

[shibumi]

Bear Killing Shotgun

More effective than an
Illudium Q36 Space Modulator!

[mountn man]

We have the right to keep and bear arms.

The Russians have the right to keep bear arms.

[Brother Cracker]

[oblomov]

I thought Russians took pencil.

[BenLurkin]

Pencils? Using one properly takes special training....

[yarddog]

I remember reading that German bombers had as standard equipment, JP Sauer drillings. The idea was they could be used to hunt game if the bomber was shot down in wild areas.

I wonder if any were ever used for that purpose?

[GeronL]

yes

but I read a lot