The Shipka is a compact weapon originally intended for use by drivers, pilots, special operations forces, and other military personnel who might benefit from a close-quarter weapon that still had considerably greater range and fire rate than a typical sidearm. The prototype and pre-production versions of the Shipka were chambered in
9×25mm Mauser and used a 30-round box
magazine. Production versions were chambered in
9×18mm Makarov with a 32-round magazine. After Bulgaria's entry into NATO, a version chambered in
9×19mm Parabellum with a 25-round magazine was introduced. The design is a straightforward blowback operation firing from an open bolt. The lower receiver along with the pistol grip and trigger guard is made from polymer, while the upper receiver is made from steel. The simple buttstock is made from steel wire and folds to the left side of gun. ==See also==