Gepard, a 9mm gun that is a little bit Soviet and a little bit American

What could sound more Soviet than a submachine gun based on an AK-74U receiver, with a Bakelite pistol grip stock, cone-shaped flash hider and two-piece handguard in pure Kalashnikov style? Sure, we are indeed talking about the legendary Russian Gepard submachine gun, which was born in the mid-1990s and has become an instant classic for its incredible features that have stimulated the imagination of videogames creators and comics authors. Designed by Gennady Sitov and Aleksandr Shevchenko, this submachine gun can fire cartridges in .380 ACP, 9x18 Makarov, 9x19 Parabellum, 9x19 7N31, 9x21 SP-10 and 9x30 Grom (and probably others such as the 7.62 Tokarev, .30 M1 and .45 ACP) with no or few component replacements and operates in three different modes: simple blowback, delayed blowback and gas-operated. The gun's design was strongly characterised by the AK47's typical sheet metal receiver cover and the unusual wood-colored Bakelite pistol grip housing the long double-stack magazine. Never officially adopted and made in a limited number of examples, the Gepard appears to have remained at the prototype stage, at least in its omnivorous and versatile original version.

The Gepard in 9mm Luger from Stuff and Things

Now enters the field the American company Stuff and Things which in recent times has made itself known for its penchant for guns of former Soviet origin. We met it recently when we talked about the Matador braced pistol, for which it manufactures a Bizon-style (another typically Soviet SMG) helical magazine .

The Gepard is based on the mechanics of the Romanian-made Nova Modul Drako Nak9 pistol, the same as the Italian Chiappa PAK-9 pistol with a simple but blowback system. Thus, there is no possibility of adapting the gun's operating system to the ammunition used. As far as caliber is concerned, there is also only one option, namely the 9mm Luger, and the gun is fed from double-stack Glock-compatible magazines. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as the Nak9 has a reputation for being a rustic and very reliable firearm. The most original part of the Gepard is undoubtedly the faux Bakelite or, rather, "Fakelite" grip which is certainly made with a 3D printer that reproduces the aesthetics and very austere hue of the original material. The aesthetic effect is convincing and adds a touch of decadence to a gun that certainly does not rely on refined looks to attract the eye. From an operational point of view, the Gepard replicates the classic AK-74 controls, with the characteristic sheet metal safety lever on the right side of the receiver, equipped with a notch that allows the charging handle to be engaged. This can be of the conventional type, or oversized with a cylindrical, knurled knob. Since the magazine is inserted into the Fakelite grip, this is equipped with a release button similar to that of any pistol, located in front of the trigger guard.

This is perhaps the most marked difference, on an operational level, from the original weapon. The sights consist of the classic combination of an adjustable rear notch and a post front sight protected by an open tunnel, to which the now indispensable Picatinny rail for red dot optics et similia has been added, welded onto the receiver cover. An AK-74-style flash hider in 4140 stainless steel is attached to the muzzle using a 1/2×28 thread.

If its appearance still does not seem unusual enough, we would like to remind you that a Galil-style crutch stock can be mounted on it using an adapter.

To conclude, the Gepard may not be the world's most elegant gun, but it has its character and that irresistible autarchic charm of many firearms from the former USSR. The fact that it is in fact a historical forgery does not detract from the curiosity it inspires. By the way: the price, still to be defined, should be between $1,100 and $1,120. For now, it is only possible to pre-order the Gepard (for those who live in the USA) through the manufacturer's website.

Stuff and Things Gepard technical specifications