Borz
Encyclopedia
The Borz submachine gun
is one of a number of low cost weapons produced in Chechnya
. It was produced in small numbers from 1992 to 1999. It was used primarily by Chechen separatists. It is named after the wolf because that is Chechnya's national animal.
The Borz was initially a near-copy of the Armenia
n K6-92, which itself was loosely based on the Soviet PPS submachine gun
. However, individual models can vary greatly, since the Borz is neither a single model of weapon, nor made by a particular weapon manufacturer, but a common name for all Chechen hand-made submachine guns with some similarity in design and appearance. Some of the Borz models from late 1990s don't follow the original design and have a Uzi-like telescoping bolt
and magazine in the pistol grip. These are often referred to as the "second generation Borz"—some of these also featured silencers and 40-round magazines.
Production of the first models started in 1992 at the "Krasniy Molot" plant in Grozny
, Chechnya. However, very shortly production at this plant was stopped by the First Chechen War
, and moved into underground workshops. According to the witnesses, only a few hundred Borzes were actually crafted at the "Krasniy Molot" plant.
The Borz was very simple and inexpensive to produce, costing about $100 in Chechnya. The receiver could be square steel tubing with a stamped steel dustcover on top and trunnions in the front and rear, although some versions have a round receiver. The bolt design closely mimicked that of the Soviet PPS, and the magazine was based on the magazine used in the German MP 40. The trigger mechanism has features in common with the Madsen M-50
, and enables both fully automatic and single fire. The ejector and barrel locking nut also resemble those of the Madsen.
The Borz had a number of advantages, being small, lightweight and easy to produce in home workshops. However, the quality of these submachine guns was usually poor, and they were very inaccurate since most had poor or nonexistent sights, no stock and barrels of poor quality metal.
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
is one of a number of low cost weapons produced in Chechnya
Chechnya
The Chechen Republic , commonly referred to as Chechnya , also spelled Chechnia or Chechenia, sometimes referred to as Ichkeria , is a federal subject of Russia . It is located in the southeastern part of Europe in the Northern Caucasus mountains. The capital of the republic is the city of Grozny...
. It was produced in small numbers from 1992 to 1999. It was used primarily by Chechen separatists. It is named after the wolf because that is Chechnya's national animal.
Design details
Armenia
Armenia , officially the Republic of Armenia , is a landlocked mountainous country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia...
n K6-92, which itself was loosely based on the Soviet PPS submachine gun
PPS submachine gun
The PPS was a family of Soviet submachine guns chambered in 7.62x25mm Tokarev, developed by Alexei Sudayev as a low-cost personal defense weapon for reconnaissance units, vehicle crews and support service personnel.The PPS and its variants were used extensively by the Red...
. However, individual models can vary greatly, since the Borz is neither a single model of weapon, nor made by a particular weapon manufacturer, but a common name for all Chechen hand-made submachine guns with some similarity in design and appearance. Some of the Borz models from late 1990s don't follow the original design and have a Uzi-like telescoping bolt
Telescoping bolt
A weapon with a telescoping bolt is one with a bolt which telescopes over, that is, wraps around and past, the breech end of the barrel...
and magazine in the pistol grip. These are often referred to as the "second generation Borz"—some of these also featured silencers and 40-round magazines.
Production of the first models started in 1992 at the "Krasniy Molot" plant in Grozny
Grozny
Grozny is the capital city of the Chechen Republic, Russia. The city lies on the Sunzha River. According to the preliminary results of the 2010 Census, the city had a population of 271,596; up from 210,720 recorded in the 2002 Census. but still only about two-thirds of 399,688 recorded in the 1989...
, Chechnya. However, very shortly production at this plant was stopped by the First Chechen War
First Chechen War
The First Chechen War, also known as the War in Chechnya, was a conflict between the Russian Federation and the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria, fought from December 1994 to August 1996...
, and moved into underground workshops. According to the witnesses, only a few hundred Borzes were actually crafted at the "Krasniy Molot" plant.
The Borz was very simple and inexpensive to produce, costing about $100 in Chechnya. The receiver could be square steel tubing with a stamped steel dustcover on top and trunnions in the front and rear, although some versions have a round receiver. The bolt design closely mimicked that of the Soviet PPS, and the magazine was based on the magazine used in the German MP 40. The trigger mechanism has features in common with the Madsen M-50
Madsen M-50
The Madsen M-50 or M/50 is a submachine gun introduced in 1950. It was produced by the Danish company Dansk Industri Syndikat of Copenhagen, Denmark. The company was otherwise known as Madsen after its founder Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen-Overview:...
, and enables both fully automatic and single fire. The ejector and barrel locking nut also resemble those of the Madsen.
Deployment
The Borz submachine gun is considered an ideal weapon for sudden surprise attacks. It is a small and compact gun, whose lightness and ease of use makes up for its poor technical quality. Usually the Borz was used once and discarded, due to its cheap construction.The Borz had a number of advantages, being small, lightweight and easy to produce in home workshops. However, the quality of these submachine guns was usually poor, and they were very inaccurate since most had poor or nonexistent sights, no stock and barrels of poor quality metal.