OTs-23 Dartik Pistol: Russian Submachine Gun

The OTs-23 "Drotik" is a unique Russian automatic pistol developed in the early 1990s at the Tula TsKIB SOO under the supervision of Igor Stechkin. Created for the 5,45x18 mm MPC cartridge, this pistol was conceived as a replacement for the Stechkin automatic pistol (APS) for special forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, offering compactness and the ability to fire in three-round bursts. The OTs-23 stands out from competitors such as the APS and Beretta 93R due to its unusual automatic mechanism with a moving barrel and a high rate of fire, making it a "pocket machine gun". The history of the OTs-23 Dartik, its design features, technical parameters and areas of application explain why it has remained a rare but interesting example that attracts the attention of collectors in 2025.

History of the OTs-23 Dart pistol

The history of the OTs-23 "Drotik" begins in 1993, when the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs initiated the development of a new automatic pistol to replace the outdated APS, which was removed from service due to its bulkiness and complexity of operation. The task was assigned to the Tula Central Design and Research Bureau of Sporting and Hunting Weapons (TsKIB SOO), where the project was headed by Igor Stechkin, the creator of the APS, together with engineers Alexander Baltzer and Alexey Zinchenko. During the development stage, the pistol received the working name AP SBZ (automatic pistol of Stechkin, Baltzer, Zinchenko), and later - OTs-23 "Drotik", reflecting its compactness and speed.

Development was carried out from 1993 to 1996, and testing was completed in 1996. The pistol was designed for the 5,45x18 mm MPC cartridge, developed for the PSM pistol, with an emphasis on high penetration and low recoil. To compensate for the weak stopping effect of the cartridge, the designers implemented a fixed-burst firing mode of three shots at a rate of up to 1800 rounds per minute. Despite technical advances, the OTs-23 was not widely used due to the limited effectiveness of the cartridge at range and high cost. Production was limited - less than 1000 units were released at the Tula Arms Plant. In 2025, the OTs-23 remains a rarity, with a price on the secondary market from $1500 to $4000 for copies in good condition.

The design of the pistol OTs-23 Dart

The design of the OTs-23 "Drotik" is based on a free-bolt action, supplemented by an original system of a movable barrel to soften the recoil. The 125 mm long barrel is made of forged steel with rifling, has limited mobility and is equipped with its own return spring. When firing, the bolt rolls back 42 mm, then hits the barrel stand, and the last 5 mm they move together, which slows down the recoil and reduces the toss. The muzzle brake-compensator with holes in the barrel and bolt diverts gases upward, improving stability when firing bursts. The frame and bolt-casing are made of steel with a phosphated coating that protects against corrosion.

The trigger mechanism is a hammer, double action (DA/SA), allowing for self-cocking (approximately 6 kg) or pre-cocked trigger (approximately 2,5 kg). The mode switch (safe, single, three-shot bursts) is located on the bolt, with flags on both sides for the convenience of left-handers and right-handers. The double-row magazine holds 24 rounds, and the external indicator on the body shows the remaining ammunition. The textured plastic handle provides a secure grip, and the trigger guard with a finger rest is convenient for shooting with both hands. Fixed sights (front sight and rear sight), with the ability to install a laser pointer on special grooves.

Characteristics of the pistol OTs-23 Dartik

The OTs-23 "Drotik" is 195 mm long, 143 mm high and 35 mm wide, making it compact for an automatic weapon, but larger than standard pistols. Weight without a magazine is 850 grams, with a full magazine - about 1050 grams, which ensures stability when firing bursts. The initial bullet velocity for the 5,45x18 mm MPC (40 grains) is about 320 m/s with a muzzle energy of about 200 J, which is lower than that of the 9x19 mm Parabellum, but sufficient to penetrate light armor at close range. Sighting range is 50 meters, effective range is 10-25 meters in single mode and 5-15 meters in automatic mode.

Below are the main characteristics of the OTs-23 "Drotik" in table form:

These parameters emphasize the compactness and rate of fire of the OTs-23, but the weak stopping power of the cartridge limited its effectiveness.

Application of the OC-23 Dart pistol

The OTs-23 "Drotik" was created for special forces of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, such as SOBR and OMON, to provide high firepower in close combat and self-defense at short distances. A small number of pistols entered service in the mid-1990s, but exact data on combat use is limited. It was assumed that the OTs-23 would replace the PSM in operations that required penetrating action and compactness, but its automatic mode turned out to be excessive for most tasks, and the 5,45x18 mm MPC cartridge did not provide sufficient stopping power even when firing in bursts. As a result, the pistol was not adopted en masse and was produced in limited series.

The OTs-23 was never sold on the civilian market due to strict Russian laws, but individual examples have appeared in private collections since the demilitarization of the country. Its durability—up to 2000 rounds with proper care—and unique design attract enthusiasts, although 15x000mm MPC rounds are rare in 5,45, costing around $18 each. In real-world use, the OTs-2025 likely saw counter-terrorism use in the North Caucasus in the 1s, where its high rate of fire could have been useful in assaults at 23–1990 meters, but confirmed cases are few. In popular culture, the OTs-5 has appeared in Russian video games such as the STALKER series and documentaries about weapons, highlighting its unusual design.

Users note the accuracy of the OTs-23 in single-shot mode, low recoil, and a large magazine, but criticize it for its weak cartridge, difficulty managing bursts, and the lack of a buttstock, which reduces stability. In 2025, the OTs-23 remains a rare artifact of interest to collectors and weapons historians. The OTs-23 Dart is a Russian submachine gun designed for special operations. Its history is associated with an attempt to modernize the arsenal of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and its use was limited to experimental use. In 2025, it symbolizes the bold ideas of Tula gunsmiths, but emphasizes the importance of a balance between innovation and practicality.