The rise of modern assault rifles and carbines killed the submachine gun. We can really see this first occurring in Soviet Russia with the development of the AK-47 and AKM series of rifles. After the AK’s adoption, Russian SMGs were on a steep decline, with a few made here and there for special purposes. One of the most famous and longest-lasting SMGs produced by modern Russian forces is the PP-19 series of submachine guns.
Internally it’s a very simple weapon. It’s a closed bolt gun that uses a direct blowback system of operation. It is identical to the AK-74S in terms of ergonomics and controls. The PP-19 series mimic the AK series in controls and design to limit the training required to shift from one weapon to the other. If you can use an AK, you can likely use a PP-19.
The PP-19 Bizon — The First
The original PP-19 Bizon was produced in 1996 at the request of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Victor Kalashnikov and Alexei Dragunov, both sons of famed Soviet Arms designers, worked with the team to produce the PP-19. The intent of the weapon was for counter-terrorism and law enforcement units that needed a very small weapon for close-range firepower.
While guns like the AKS-74U existed, they tended to have excessive concussion and recoil due to their rifle calibers and ultra-short barrels. The PP-19 would fire the 9mm Makarov round and provide a very compact source of immediate firepower that could be easily deployed from vehicles and suppressed if need be. What made the PP-19 Bizon model stand out was the massive 64-round helical magazine.
The idea of the helical mag was fairly simple. The magazine installs into the weapon horizontally, with the front attaching right behind the end of the barrel and the rear into the magazine well. This design made the weapon more compact vertically. The capacity of 64 rounds was chosen because it is a multiple of 16 and 9mm Makarov came in 16-round boxes.
The weapon had three variants, with the standard Russian model being the Bizon-1. The Bizon-2 implemented a side rail for optics, AK-style iron sights, and a flash hider that can quickly attach a suppressor. It came in eight variations in various calibers, including 9mm Luger, Makarov, .380 ACP, and 7.62 Tok. The final Bizon-3 featured redesigned sights, a top folding stock, and various muzzle devices.
The PP-19 Vityaz
In 2004 the Bizon underwent a facelift and became the PP-19 Vityaz. The PP-19 Vityaz is dang near identical to the Bizon in operation. It’s also a direct blowback gun that is selective fire and fires from a closed bolt. Where it changes is caliber and magazine design. This is a 9mm Luger model, and it uses a more traditional stick magazine.
The helical magazine predictably had some reliability issues. Helical magazines are notoriously finicky and likely maintenance-heavy. A stick magazine is cheaper, faster to reload with, and much more reliable. There is a couple of variants worth mentioning.
The Vityaz-SN replaces the side rail for optics for a railed dust cover. The PPK-20 takes some pages out of the AK-12 book for a more modern design. It’s the same weapon but features a refined series of furniture to make it identical to the AK-12. This includes a new stock, a railed handguard, and railed dust cover.
The Russian Interior Ministry adopted the weapon, as did some Spetsnaz units, the Federal Security Service, and the Federal Gaurd Service. It’s also packed into the survival kit of Russian military pilots.
There is also the semi-auto Saiga-9. This was designed to be a civilian legal weapon that was released to the Russian civilian market and was reportedly going to be released to the United States before the Russian weaponry import ban.
The Saiga-9 We Have At Home
PCC and subgun nerds like me have always wanted an AK-style PCC. For a great many years, we had no options for such a weapon. The Saiga 9 was to be our savior, but it didn’t happen. Luckily, in 2023 we are awash in PCCs that resemble the PP-19 series. Sadly, there are no Bizon clones with 64-round helical magazines.
Luckily, we have a few stands ins. The most accurate reproduction comes from Kalashnikov USA with the KP9 and KR9 series. The KP is the pistol version, and the KR is the rifle version with a 16-inch barrel. These guns are quite expensive, and so are the magazines.
If you are looking for something a little more affordable than the Kalashnikov USA series of pistols and rifles, look no further than PSA. PSA produces the AK-V series of rifles and pistols. These guns are fairly close to the PP-19 series and feature a variety of furniture and accessory options.
PSA wisely used CZ Scorpion pattern magazines that are affordable and plentiful and give the gun that AK curve we all know and love. The PSA series of the AK-V are my personal favorite 9mm AK PCC series due to the easy ability to add a brace, the various configurations, and the not-too-expensive price point.
Century Arms also produces their famed Draco guns in various magazine designs. The original NAK 9 used Glock mags, but the latest Draco 9S uses Scorpion pattern magazines. While the Dracos are fine firearms, they are not the easiest to add a brace to, although who knows if that matters anymore.
The First and Ugliest
I can’t forget to mention the made-in-Romania PAK-9. This gun was imported by both Chiappa and Charles Daly at different points. It’s the ugliest gun I’ve ever seen, but I can’t help but like it. It is ultra-small for an AK clone and comes with a modular magwell, and I know mag wells exist for both Glock and Beretta 92 magazines. It’s covered in rails and butt-ugly but fairly cheap.
Oddly this was the first time I ever saw a 9mm AK variant in the States. At the time, it cost a mere $399. I wish I had bought two of them at that price.
The demand for a 9mm AK is mostly met these days. Sadly, our chances of getting a Bizon or Vityaz are as close to zero as you can get. For now, the PSA AK-V keeps me satisfied. What about you? Which AK 9mm is your jam? Let us know below!
