The Makarov Pistol, officially known as the PM (Pistolet Makarova), is a semi-automatic handgun developed in the Soviet Union in the late 1940s. It was designed by Georgy Makarov and became the standard sidearm for Soviet military and police forces. The pistol is chambered for the 9x18mm Makarov cartridge, offering a balance of power and manageable recoil. The Makarov features a simple blowback operation and a double-action trigger mechanism. Its compact size and reliability made it popular among military and law enforcement agencies in various countries. The design has influenced many other firearms and remains in use today.