[BenLurkin]

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

[Billthedrill]

It works on aliens, too. Just sayin’.

[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.

[tet68]

Definitely would qualify as a Curio and Relic...

[Snickering Hound]

[RandallFlagg]

[moovova]

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

[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.

[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

[cripplecreek]

Always prepared is a good motto.

Space bears are unlikely but you never know.

[cripplecreek]

[Lovingly] I call her Vera.

[Uncle Miltie]

I hear they kept it loaded with the safety off just in case.

[Don Corleone]

Much of Russia is desolate wilderness

Sort of like the west wing of the 1/2 white house.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I always read that the gun was to be used as a defense against wolves. I haven’t read anything about this but truly believe that they had a bad experience with wolves at least once on a landing and the gun wasn’t just provided as a what if. Remember they will never disclose the real numbers on how many cosmonauts they lost.

[Sasparilla]

I think I would prefer a shot barrel Saiga 12 with a big maga,fine filled with slugs rather than that single shot. But, that one pictured might be a good under the coat backup in South and West side Chicago with some 00.