| OTs-21 Malysh | |
|---|---|
 ОЦ-21 pistol | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin | Russia |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2006 |
| Used by | Russia |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Y. I. Berezin[1] = KBP Instrument Design Bureau |
| Designed | 1994[1] |
| Manufacturer | Izhmash |
| Variants | OTs-21S |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 565 g (19.9 oz) (OTs-21) 550 g (19 oz) (OTs-21S) |
| Length | 126 mm (5.0 in) |
| Width | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Height | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Cartridge | 9×18mm Makarov (OTs-21) .380 ACP (9x17mm Short) (OTs-21S) |
| Action | Straight blowback |
| Effective firing range | 10 m (10.9 yd) |
| Maximum firing range | 25 m (27.3 yd) |
| Feed system | 5-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Single groove on the slide |
The OTs-21 Malysh (Russian: ОЦ-21 «Малыш», meaning "kid") is a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol designed by the KBP Instrument Design Bureau for special applications where concealment is a key priority.
The Malysh operates on the simple blowback principle; it is a double action only design with the ammunition capacity limited to five 9×18mm Makarov rounds (can use only 57-N-181S cartridges) in a box magazine with a base extension for more comfortable holding and firing. It features an internal hammer and there are no protrusions to hinder rapid withdrawal from a pocket or holster. The pistol has no safety other than the need for a definite pressure on the trigger. There are also no sights other than a groove along the top of the slide, emphasizing the intention that the OTs-21 Malysh is limited to very short-range engagements.
