Max Popenker on Russian Pistols and Ammunition: 7N21, 9x21mm, 9x18mm, and more

Note: If you have trouble understanding Max, turn on the subtitles (thanks to Stephen for transcribing them!).
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Today I am again joined by Max Popenker, Russian small arms historian and researcher. Max is explaining the basic history of Russian handguns and ammunition, starting with the adoption of the 7.62x25mm Tokarev cartridge to replace the Nagant revolver. This was satisfactory until the end of World War Two (the Great Patriotic War), when the Kalashnikov in 7.62x39mm supplanted the submachine gun in military service, this removing the need for a powerful handgun cartridge. Alongside this change, the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge was adopted to provide a 9mm diameter bullet, but at a low enough velocity to be used in a compact and simple blowback handgun.
Security service interest in armor piercing handgun ammunition grew as body armor became more widespread, however. This led at first to development of an AP 9x18mm cartridge - which was both quite unpleasant to shoot and also very rough on the Makarov pistol. A new 9x21mm cartridge was then developed, and armor piercing projectiles used. in both it and 9x19mm ammunition as debates over the importance of military vs police vs export requirements took place. We will take a look at the 7N21, 7N30, and 7N31 9x19mm loadings, as well as a few of the pistols (like the GSh-18) developed to use them.
Oh, and also a quick look at the PSM and it's unique 5.45x18mm cartridge!
Thanks to Max for taking time to chat with me today! I apologize for the video an audio quality; I hope to have a chance to meet up with Max this year in person, so we can record some much better footage.
If you are interested in Russian and Soviet small arms, make sure to sign up for our email list at Headstamp Publishing, to get notifications when we are ready to release Max's book, "The Story of the Russian Avtomat": www.headstamppublishing.com/a...
Contact:
Forgotten Weapons
6281 N. Oracle #36270
Tucson, AZ 85740

[@vetsplay7899]

I love it when Ian and Max chat. Or rather Max tells Ian about russian firearms and Ian nods eagerly.

[@ForgottenWeapons]

I look forward to having more of a two-way conversation, but it's ready hard to do via Skype.

[@theofficialsikris]

@@ForgottenWeapons Understandable, it seems you may also have to ask Gun God to give you a better frame rate; Skype was chopping like the high seas.

[@CW-yp9jo]

@@theofficialsikris Skype is extremely outdated, discord has far higher quality probably the best tbh

[@vetsplay7899]

I'm not complaining looking at the capabilities of 7N21 let alone 7N31 is just mind boggling. Russian pistols truly do have the special sauce. I could listen to either man for hours.

[@CW-yp9jo]

@@vetsplay7899 Anyone would listen to gun Jesus speak for hours

[@goodfriday692]

"Nagant, only good for suicides." I already like this guy.

[@karisvenner3892]

Let's play roulette

[@WaltherGenacht]

Old Russian joke. It’s another one (machine translated): tactical reload of Nagant in fight situation needed: 1. Open the latch of the special loading window located on the right side of the revolver frame; 2. Turn the head of the ramrod located under the barrel of the revolver, release its latch and turn the ramrod so that it stands opposite the opening of the drum charging chamber; 3. With a sharp blow of the cleaning rod, knock the empty cartridge out of the drum; 4. Rotating the drum, align the next charging chamber with the ramrod; 5. Knock out the next sleeve and repeat these steps until all chambers are empty; 6. Return the cleaning rod to its original position under the barrel of the revolver and fix it; 7. Insert seven new new cartridges into the empty charging chambers, one after the other, through the loading window; 8. Close the boot window; 9. Pay attention to the division of the German infantry, which has been watching your actions with interest all this time; 10. Boldly take the lead in the chest from the German infantry squad.

[@kmech3rd]

"Dark humor is like food- not everyone gets it"- J. Stalin

[@WaltherGenacht]

@Daniel Olivas fixed, i hates type and copying on phone.

[@goodfriday692]

@@karisvenner3892 you sir, you are a legend.

[@N3003Q]

This guy is a legend from the early 2000s. Before wikipedia, I used to give my parents' PC aids by going to his russian gun website.

[@andersbendsen5931]

PC aids. I laughed so hard my gf came in from the other room and asked if I was ok. Thanks man. 👍🏾😂🤣

[@Crawdaddly]

Ah, the memories of browsing world.guns.ru for hours as an 8 year old, sprung my interest into firearms and gave the family PC many Windows XP “antivirus” programs along the way.

[@dphalanx7465]

Yeah, Max P. is/was/always will be the Man when it comes to international small arms. I remember world.guns.ru too! Pioneer days out in the interwebs, heh.

[@100radsbar]

The old website was a doozy. Nice to see Max got out of the armory at the Freedom base......:)

[@KOTYAR0]

Wait. THIS is the guy from GUNS.RU website? This is THE GUY? He did that amazing website? Holy shit, I had no idea!

[@joshtipping942]

Max Popenker is so engrossing to listen to. Love when Ian brings him on the channel!

[@killerpanda27]

Why no tokerev gas system on the kalash?

[@GreenHellTube]

@@ASS_ault So what? That makes him a worse firearm historican how?

[@johnm3907]

Is he the guy on kalashikov vids?

[@konstantin.v]

@@GreenHellTube , it looks like someone's just got shadow-banned 😎

[@Ethan-iv8fs]

Ya its greatly appreciated

[@SpartanB88]

Ian is clearly a superior interviewer. Getting out of the way of the interviewee is HUGE and this was a great video.

[@TiglathPileser3]

Interviewing is a great art. Knowing when to pull information out, when to let it run without interruption, and when to cut it off. Ian and Max work good together.

[@NiklasKing87]

Max is the Orthodox Gun Jesus.

[@robgoodsight6216]

🤔...❤👍🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@vetsplay7899]

Love it 😆

[@PaulVerhoeven2]

More like Gun Moses. ;)

[@davidlacoste]

Pfff... doesn't even have a goatee.

[@vaclav_fejt]

@@PaulVerhoeven2 I guess that would be an Israeli weapons expert...that would be rad.

[@SCOTTIEBEAUTIFUL]

Quick correction to the subtitles: “Grach” is Russian for “rook,” as in the bird/chess piece, not “brook.” I absolutely love these deep dives with Max!

[@andersbendsen5931]

Max to the max. So looking forward to his book. It's gonna get read to pieces. 👍🏾

[@ryanpeck3377]

Its only incorrect in the auto generated subtitles. Its correctly translated as Rook in the other version

[@docmoreau7540]

Said chess piece have different name in russian.

[@JohnSmith-hd2tl]

rook mine

[@choppergunner8650]

Imagine Ian doing a review on the OTs-23 Drotik and OTs-33 Pernach machine pistols. Extremely rare guns, as hard to find as a needle in hay.

[@flankerchan]

Yeah, would be interesting.

[@eliasrudnitsky3884]

As a Russian speaking firearm enthusiast living in the US, I really enjoyed watching this video. Thank you both for making this eye opening and very educational video happen.

[@circle7studios]

Freaks me out that I' was on Max's site a decade before there was even Forgotten Weapons, back when you'd get browser warnings (since it was hosted out of Russia)

[@TheMCD1989]

Yep, never would've even thought back then that some day I would be watching the guy who made that site speak on a video streaming service. That was all unthinkable to me back then 🤣🤣

[@strenggeheim5793]

"Browser warnings" is an understatement. Every single antivirus and antimalware software went berserk; it was like the Nostromo countdown.

[@LAHFaust]

I think Max's website is what initially got me into guns. I remember browsing through his site, looking at all the different models and then using it as a launching pad for more in depth searching.

[@TheSpekkel1]

@@LAHFaust It sure was for me. I still remember 13yo me having a question of why real steel guns look so different from eachother, when airsoft guns have more or less the same internals no matter the model. So I found the site from Max, read through everything, checked it weekly for new outings and here we are years later and close to 20k€ put into firearms... :D

[@russbilzing5348]

Now, THAT was quite a monologue. As informative as it was, I thought a time or two that Ian managed to stifle himself before speaking, as eager as he seemed, to give full rein to the speaker. That was truly a fine display of self control, the mark of a real gentleman.

[@andersjjensen]

The Skype delay is real. If you start verbally agreeing it's going to come so late to the recipient that they think you want to interrupt what they're currently saying.

[@russbilzing5348]

@@andersjjensen Thanx, never used Skype.

[@-Seeker-]

@@russbilzing5348 Yea Skype has quite a delay and factor in the extra 150-250ms (depending on net speed) delay between Russia and the US on top of that.

[@mcarey58]

"This gun [Nagant revolver] is only good for suicide!" Best line 🤣

[@828enigma6]

I wouldn't say that. It's sealed barrel/cylinder allowes it to be suppressed.

[@dustronyt4565]

that's what lotta ppl say here about Makarov lol First time hearing this about Nagant

[@regnarecaps]

It’s been a while since you last collaborated with him but I really enjoy this gentleman!

[@blackcorp0001]

He really knows his stuff...exudes expertise

[@johnathansaegal3156]

I own one of the rare export Makarovs chambered for .380acp at the Izhmash factory. I purchased it back in 1994 and have never seen another. When I bought it I paid the same as a 9x18 Makarov for $127 our the door. A few years ago I was using it for my CCW renewal and the range master at the shooting range saw it, realized I was buying .380acp ammo and she questioned me about using that ammo out of a Makarov. I explained the pistol was factory chambered for the .380 and not the 9x18 and her eyes got HUGE. Even though the finish had been worn nearly off due to two decades of me carrying the pistol for my EDC, she offered me $800 on the spot. She explained that in her 30 years of being a range master she had only heard about the factory, Russian-made .380 Makarov. I still have the pistol ;)

[@glynwelshkarelian3489]

"..you can cheat on tax laws: you can cheat on traffic laws: but there's no ways you can cheat on Newton's laws... but unfortunately most military's think that they can do, cheat on Newton's laws." The most truthful thing I've heard for a while.

[@malcolmannells916]

Max helped me out with manuals for sg43 when I was in Afghan, great guy

[@seanrosenau2088]

I'd love to see a video about the Russian shotgun KS-23

[@communistdoggo7419]

It's actually designed to fire 23 mm grenades, but they quickly realised it doubles very vell as a shotgun. In Russian classification it's considered a "carbine"

[@houghwhite411]

@@communistdoggo7419 carbine sized hand cannon

[@britishbeef4890]

@@AdotLOM the ks23 is in the game Escape From Tarkov and it includes different ammo types and their calibers etc. Might be worth a look if your looking for more info

[@britishbeef4890]

@@AdotLOM fair enough

[@AA-zv6yo]

Bfg 1! Hell yeah

[@Chiller01]

I enjoy Max’s perspective on firearms in Russia. Plus his accent is just so cool.

[@communistdoggo7419]

It's ironic how many Slavic people take years of hard work to get rid of the accent only to find out the whole world considers it cool.

[@konstantin.v]

I don't know. I think, my ears hurt 😊

[@konstantin.v]

@@sakosniper4433 , that shouldn't come as a big surprise: a lot of Russians did. Even more amongst those with relation to the military 🤷‍♂️

[@Chiller01]

@@sakosniper4433 No, I know nothing about his politics. I personally support Ukrainian’s right to self determination and believe Russia’s invasion was an act of international thuggery.

[@konstantin.v]

@@sakosniper4433 , what makes you think that Ian cares? 🤗

[@Mrgunsngear]

thanks

[@KirillTheBeast]

Two things to say about this vid: 1.- Interviews with Max are ALWAYS a treat. Seriously, I need more of these. 2.- Am I the only one who imagines Ian saying his signature "Okay" every time he nods? On a general note, this was a great video. I personally find Ian's interviews very interesting. He always manages to find very key people for specific topics or at least individuals with a farily uncommon perspective and experience on the matter (such as Neophytou).

[@pevtsovy]

I would actually like to hear more about the internal politics about Soviet weapons designers like Degtyarev, Simonov, Kalashnikov, their rivalries, supporters, detractors, etc.

[@JamesBTurner93]

I think C&Rsenal will get there someday!!

[@alasdaresineaeris2772]

2 words: Leg Meta Jokes aside, great content as always, and shout out to Stephen for making this accessible to especially people who are not native speakers of English.

[@spiderjerusalem8284]

9x21 seems such a badass round.

[@baatezu8324]

Max: "Unfortunately, it seems that most militaries still think they can do it - cheat Newton`s Laws." Militaries: "The value of the sine in wartime can reach four!" ;)

[@vsevolodtokarev]

Why, with complex number argument, sine becomes an exponent. sin(1.57-2i) = 4

[@PassiveDestroyer]

I don't understand the sine humor, but having been a soldier, I've seen some leaps in logic that are astounding.

[@ineednochannelyoutube5384]

@@PassiveDestroyer The highest the sine of a real angle can be is pi, 3.14. If your sine is 4, you are dealing with fucky maths. And in wartime a military will gladly employ fucky maths if it suits some end.

[@AA-zv6yo]

Its how innovation works.

[@PaulVerhoeven2]

@@ineednochannelyoutube5384 " The highest the sine of a real angle can be is pi, 3.14." Values of sine are from -1 to 1 (on real arguments). You probably mistook it for arcsine.

[@jonminer9891]

Hi, Isn. An interesting look into Soviet and Russian pistol history. I appreciate your world wide connections to knowledgable people. Thanks for your efforts.

[@nirvana19931]

Highest respect to Ian’s skills of knowing when to smile, say yeah, nod and laugh as if you know what the other person is saying

[@matthayward7889]

Max always looks a decade younger than I think he does. Great interview!

[@HircineDaWolf]

russian gun daddy uwu

[@universalrandomizer405]

His hair is the only clue he actually might be in his late 40's

[@davidhemsath4262]

It’s not just militaries willfully ignoring physics; I used to dread writing responses to commercial and government RFPs that were written by committee, full of mutually exclusive requirements.

[@PSUQDPICHQIEIWC]

When I got out of uni, applying for entry-level engineering positions, I'd say about 20-30% of the applications were burdened with similar impossibilities. I'm not certain that it's purely incompetence either. Requiring applicants to tell at least one marginal lie just to submit the application guarantees that all new hires are fireable for having put false information on their applications.

[@davidhemsath4262]

@@PSUQDPICHQIEIWC You're right. I retired a few years ago, after more than 40 years in IT. Over the years I'd check the relevant job openings. They became more and more ludicrous, expecting universities to be magical, unicorn trade schools with graduates knowing every bloody discipline, tool-of-the-hour, etc. Fortunately, my employer figured my BSci in Computer Engineering showed I'd mastered the fundamentals and was capable of LEARNING specific stuff as needed.

[@koehlerrk1]

Max is an amazing source of information... thank you Ian for inviting him to your channel, and thank you Max for sharing your wealth of information.

[@bami2]

As far as accents go Max is really well understandable even to non-native english speaker. Really interesting video, excellent information!

[@juhomaki-petaja]

As a finn, I agree you. Easy to follow. Not as easy as Ian of course. And he appears to be very pleasant guy for russian.

[@tafino]

I’ll never forget Swarzenegger’s character describing the 9.2mm Podbyrin pistol in Red Heat. Really left an impression on this former kid!

[@KevinHallSurfing]

Pistol 20 metres "Very optimistic" Yep that's me 😄

[@762gunr]

Better to be a shitty pistolman than a shitty rifleman. That's what I always say.............

[@julianpetkov8320]

Makarov does fine at 50 - 100. He needs to talk to Bulgarian police.

[@ThePolish2107]

@@julianpetkov8320 Can do fine. If you train with a pistol for a extensive amount of time, it makes sense that you'd be able to do things like that. But putting it into context, this isn't about target shooting, it's about real combat scenarios where, while again possible with enough training, it's hard to achieve.

[@julianpetkov8320]

@@ThePolish2107 Well yes, it is assumed you will practice at least once a week and be used to your gun. I just don't get his hyperbole. And the 7.62 Tokarev was a more powerful cartridge than Makarov. Definitely not "for suicides only".

[@PaulVerhoeven2]

@@julianpetkov8320 It is not a hyperbole. In a real combat situation, when you are tired and full of adrenaline at the same time, you can miss a vital part of a human even from 5m from a pistol. Lack of 2nd and 3rd points of support really kills stability and precision.

[@toxicityD]

Episodes with Max are always great! Tons of new stuff I've never heard of before.

[@TotalRookie_LV]

Got to rewind a 28:10 to get how the new pistol is called, it's "Удав" (Udav or Udaff), which means a "boa snake".

[@subbystyle]

That is the correct translation as it is a snake but it also means "Choke".

[@TotalRookie_LV]

@@subbystyle No, "to choke" would be "душить", while it's "work in progress" or "удушить" if that's a completed action, like "to choke one out".

[@subbystyle]

You are correct but I meant to say that udav can also be referred to удав kak удавить...

[@TotalRookie_LV]

@@subbystyle no, it's not just that they are not the same, one is a noun, the other a verb. Are they related? Yes! But that's irreverent here. Common, I've been speakingRussian since childhood! XD

[@drpepperoverdose]

I see you're a fan of korn. Salute

[@kristiangustafson4130]

Ian, could you take a picture of your gun wall in high res so we can use it for Zoom/Teams backgrounds? Please?

[@stefanmolnapor910]

I just want a pic to mark out to!

[@brianreddeman951]

I would love a monthly Max-Ian cast

[@dose_nive3985]

Americans and Russians talking about ammunition at the same table. 80 years ago my grandparents had to fight against russia ( as I am german) and today I call several russians my best friends I think it is great how globalization and internet lets us get in contact, even become friends and let the past be passed. Work together, grow together, hopefully solve the energy problem together so that there will be a time without war - just sport shooting left ;) Cheers mates

[@c32amgftw]

I am Russian and I approve this message, nothing beats drinking beer while watching a soccer game and arguing over history with a German lol.

[@kavky]

Poles sweating while reading this

[@c32amgftw]

@@kavky bring some pirogies and you can hang out with us

[@ericschumacher5189]

The problems / wars you speak of are both created by governments......very few people want a fight, nor have the time to meddle in other people’s business. The world powers wants and has time for both, while doing it on our dime, and convincing the masses we should die for there cause.

[@jintsuubest9331]

Eh. We will find new shit to fight over when the old issue finally got sort out, that's assuming we can sort out the old issue.

[@graemeforbes535]

"It was decided lead was too expensive, so they replaced it with some steel" Ah yes makes sense

[@dbmail545]

Still very much as true today as in WWII. So the American military's response? "It ain't our money so let's go to TUNGSTEN!"

[@loochan325]

@@dbmail545 Wolfram. Tungsten is the russian name.

[@mrb692]

@@loochan325 It’s definitely called Tungsten in America too. It seems that it’s called Wolfram mostly in Europe (aside from France and the UK)

[@user-qc3il8ru7l]

@@loochan325 We call it wolfram actually :) And if we want to be more accurate, we call it wolfram carbide, cause core of ap made not from pure wolfram

[@dbmail545]

@@user-qc3il8ru7l "wolfram" is a term that I have never heard in the US and I believe the powdered tungsten used in fragmenting projectiles is elemental tungsten.

[@sappho114]

Max is very knowledgeable and all, but his excitement on the topic that keeps him talking for 30 straight minutes is honestly very fun to listen to. Love it when someone is passionate about their interests to that degree.

[@sabertoothray]

These are always an absolute joy to watch(listen to) while doing many other things. Please keep them coming!

[@valstutz2628]

Maxim Popenker, one of my all-time favorite firearms experts. I spent so much time on his Modern Firearms website when I first really got into guns. To see him and Ian collaborate on videos like these is truly a match made in gun heaven.

[@groovinlikerasputin4007]

as many videos with Max as possible please, always my favorite, he's a real fountain of knowledge. can't wait for the book

[@henrybrown8624]

Ian, you and Max are both extremely well versed in your knowledge of firearms and ammunition. You both are also extremely nice people to deal with. It is a real joy to just sit and learn from your videos. Please keep up the good work!

[@danglinbolas5547]

Popenker's sense of humor is absolutely adorable. "5.45x18 Suicide Special". There's no way I'm calling that any other way now.

[@emperorspock3506]

Been wondering lately if there'd be more videos with Max, and voila, a 36-minute treat! Looking forward to more!

[@Happymrsnowman]

Max, I have been reading Modern Firearms since 2006. You are a hero of mine and I am super happy to see that you are still passionate about the subject and that it has become your life's work. Ian, thank you very much for hosting this video and giving a great look into a very interesting topic.

[@HSkelter]

Thank you, Stephen, for the excellent transcription.

[@mikewerden4056]

Really enjoy Max's perspective and his immense knowledge that he shares. 10 stars.

[@SNOUPS4]

I love it when Max Popenker is on the channel; looking forwards to reading his future Headstamps book!

[@UnixSysV]

Very nice, another video with Max Popenker!

[@AsbestosMuffins]

you have to ask yourself how much ammo was the ussr making that they decided they needed to save lead on pistol ammo

[@randomnobodovsky3692]

Just enough for about two more world wars. You know, to guarantee the victory in the fourth one, against the enemy using stones and sharpened sticks.

[@TheOriginalFaxon]

They were making boatloads, and while these numbers are only production numbers, and not available easily mined strategic resources or sitting reserves, Russia makes roughly 60% the amount the US does annually, and only 8% the amount that china (currently their closest ally, but they need it just as much to arm their military). Countries that make more lead than Russia also include Mexico, Peru, and Australia, who make more than the US by a considerable amount as well. People forget that most of Russia's territory, though fast, is just frozen tundra and mountains, and even if there were large reserves of natural resources in the arctic, the cost to mine there would be substantially higher due to the increased energy or fuel consumption to heat the mine and the above ground facilities, as well as increased food costs for anyone working in colder conditions as they burn more calories staying warm from increased metabolism. Those areas are also so far from the western border, that many are closer to Canada and America than they are to the main body of populated areas in western Russia, making them extremely vulnerable to attack from long range bombing should war break out. They'd have to spend even more resources basically strip mining any available ores (be they lead or otherwise) as quickly as possible and just stockpile them until needed. It may in fact be cheaper to just buy lead from China at that point and stockpile it that way instead, which is what I'd do if I were leading Russia and they weren't fucking broke as shit

[@andersbendsen5931]

Billions. 😉

[@kavky]

@Ignacio Muñoz Diaz I wonder how many are past expiration date.

[@hailexiao2770]

If the US had to rely entirely on its domestic lead production, they would have gone with steel too.

[@tctc0nsulting]

Great History lesson. Thank you both for this frank and informative talk... Ian for the presentation of Mr. Max Popenker and Max for the insights on Soviet armament thought.

[@peterbenson2185]

It makes me smile to see that Ian is every bit as fascinated with the amount of detail Max brings to a conversation, as the rest of us.

[@middleclassthrash]

This was great. I'm looking forward to more collaborations in the future.

[@fatttelmundo]

Always a treat when Max is on

[@chrisspencer6502]

Good to see Max back on the channel!

[@fattywithafirearm]

I'd love to get my hands on a GSH-18. Those look cool as hell

[@YourGrandMomy]

Shoots like trash, worse than the glock

[@5chr4pn3ll]

These are always very interesting to watch. So interesting to have a different angle and experience sharing knowledge.

[@txm100]

Thank you for the subtitles!!

[@Roope00]

I love Max, looking forward to seeing him more on the channel!

[@Mikey1951ful]

Very educational. Thanks, Ian and Max.

[@libraeotequever3pointoh95]

Interesting information. Good presentation by the guest speaker. My compliments.

[@Mrgoodnyt]

Always love when Ian has Max on the channel, such a wealth of knowledge on Russian firearm design that is often underappreciated or underrepresented in the west. Max is a great long form speaker and I find his talks very interesting and informative with some nice black humor thrown in. Well done to Max also on his English skills. Thanks to you both for making these videos happen they are such a fantastic resource for those interested in Russian firearm's. Cheers.

[@robertos4172]

Popenker is always fascinating and educational. Best episodes on the channel.

[@SomaticApparition]

What a great overview from Max!

[@joostprins3381]

Great team work!

[@user-hl2do4kh3l]

Наконец то ГШ-18! Thx a lot.

[@logancurl9526]

Awesome info! Love when Max comes on!

[@LifeisGood762]

I always like to see and hear this man. I learn something every time. His perspective is valuable. Of course I loved his website when I first became interested in guns.

[@sibasishdey6345]

I had correspondence with max way back in 2008 when I was doing a college project on ammunitions.. Great guy.. Helped me a lot then..

[@leoneldiaz78]

I remember browsing Max's catalog for hours when I found out about it a decade ago.

[@biggerbehindthetrigger2814]

Wonderful video. I have wanted a PPSH-43C for a few years now. I stopped buying fírearms and ammunition Reloading components and it turns out I can save a lot of money in a short time period. So now im looking to buy one and they are getting harder to find. I bought a M-57 a few years ago and fell in love with it. I put it in my CCW lineup of fírearms I carry. I'm very impressed with the ballistics of the 7.62x25 round. I love the 30 carbine round and this is the closest round to it. I'm trying to get a pistol or revolver and the SMG from each country from WW2 for my friend the WW2HISTORYHUNTER. I like to showcase the fírearm that he talks about in his videos. I am very fortunate enough to have him make a video on a video I made about a 4th generation fírearm that has been passed down and is going to my nephew he is 17 and I already gave it to him. I just store it for him because he doesn't have his FOID card yet. He helped me get 110 subs in one day. Im not into it for the subs or trying to get rich. I do it because I love firearms. The history, the craftsmanship and the opportunity to own a piece 9f history that I can still use. I'm lucky that I bought up 5 of each milsurp firearms and 8n the last. 2 years they have all doubled and a few trippled in price. I got 5 M-57's and 5 Star BM's w few years ago for $149 for the Star BM and $179 each for the M-57'S. Now they both shoot really well. Way better then I thought they would. I trust either of the models to carry. They are the only 2 old milsurp firearms I will trust my life on. I normally carry a Para Ordnance 1911 5" or a Glock 21. Sometimes I carry a J frame .357in a pocket holster when I wear sweatpants. 9k way off topic. I do that when I'm passionate about something. Happy Safe Shooting🇺🇸💪

[@ukaszbiernat4305]

Good to see Max again on the show!

[@DB.KOOPER]

I love these "chats with Max". So cool to hear/learn about the Russian/ComBloc concepts and how they designed things. Amazing content Mate. Thanks for all the awesome material and information you provide. Best to you and yours.

[@berzerkinglemur6534]

Very nice material :-) Lots of information is of course on the modern firearms website, but Max developed the topic in an interesting way. Max also mentioned the conversation together, not just the monologue. This is definitely a good idea!

[@konnigkratz]

Cool stuff, and some very funky points to the bullets

[@Bamdd5]

So excited for Max’s book!

[@andersbendsen5931]

Yes! Can hardly wait.

[@somecoder3054]

Looking forward to his next book. Already own his Assault Rifle book.

[@cugalord4975]

Would be really cool to see some footage of the 7N31 firing. Really interesing round!

[@westofreaches]

This is great. I recently just got back to playing STALKER and a lot of the ammo types talked about here are in the game. Nice to finally know the story behind what I've been shooting even if they're only digital bullets.

[@pandaking6247]

Good hunting, stalker :D

[@Azure217]

Love these videos. Most of the stuff learned from Max can't really be found easily if you don't read/speak Russian, so it's fantastic having him present all this info!

[@girthbrooks39]

More Max ! Thank you!

[@FunWithGuns]

Very cool. I tried to do research recently on this subject and appreciate the clarification!

[@philips.5563]

This is some peak slow morning viewing. Thanks, gentlemen.

[@feuerfrei7070]

I love the Max Popenker episodes!

[@Kugelschreiber333]

More Max the better! Very good as always

[@awgmax]

Ah yes, many a Tarkov fans will enjoy this one.

[@RockeyDAproductions]

Makes me kind of sad they don't use Tokarev at all anymore. they need to make a new Tokarev gun so I have future supplies of surplus ammunition!

[@houghwhite411]

@@RockeyDAproductions TT with overmolded grip, looks crisp

[@totallytoads8447]

@@houghwhite411 suprising how much you can mod that gun

[@hackerbot809]

@@RockeyDAproductions zastava still makes the m57, its literally a tt33 with a slightly longer grip and 1 more round

[@RockeyDAproductions]

@@hackerbot809 but is it still in military service? I know it's imported... and if my gun didn't have matching serial numbers I would buy one of the newer imports and have the safety on the slide and put my slide on that one's receiver. I every day carry M57 and I keep it on half cock. I don't use the safety lever and my holster has minor fitment issues because of it.

[@tylerbeeecher]

This is exactly the kind of thing I'm interested in. Awesome vid!

[@bhoward9378]

VERY interesting! Please have Max on again. I didn't know any of this.

[@michaelguerin56]

Another Max Popenker book! Count me in! I have read my copy of the assault rifle book numerous times.

[@tbthegr81]

Ah, 7N31, all I know about that is it's worth looting, selling for 1800Rub a pop on the flea market

[@sugandesenuds6663]

and skkkkring it with a vector or MP9

[@Jinx1337x]

Discussion time, please! Both Max and Ian are so interesting to hear stories from.

[@sdgardner1954]

Very Interesting Discussion...Well Done Max

[@Neeso97]

Tarkov fanboys are at the edge of their seats watching this video.

[@wernher8242]

Over here wishing for jams so the 9mm vector can be balanced

[@GeorgeousOP]

Yeah 7N31 needs to kill guns much quicker given this info

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

@@GeorgeousOP Every gun except the Vityaz because it was made for the ammo.

[@osscar-nh2vm]

Wishing for SR-2 to come in so that 9x21 rounds can get a bit more use. Most pistol rounds have their SMG counterpart so why not this one?

[@dsheshin]

@@osscar-nh2vm yes, a very capable kind of ammo

[@Ngutovi]

Looking forward for more of stuff like this

[@The808andrew808]

Very cool Ian and max

[@as2ds]

holy shit Ian, thank you so much. This is gold

[@unclesamuk8687]

Hey its Max Popenker! good to see this man again.

[@pauldiaco3817]

Excellent! Very informative.

[@mrkeogh]

Great to see Max back on with Ian :)