MOSCOW, August 16. /TASS/. Preliminary trials of a new pistol for the Russian Defense Ministry have been completed and mass-produced supplies may start in 2017, CEO of the Central Research Institute of Precision Machine-Building (TsNIITochMash) Dmitry Semizorov announced on Tuesday.

Currently, the Makarov is the most popular pistol in the Russian Armed Forces. Special security units and other law-enforcement agencies use the 9x18 caliber Stechkin automatic pistol.

Russian special forces are currently being rearmed with a more powerful 9x21 caliber Serdyukov (SR-1) pistol. The Russian defense industry has been assigned the task of mass producing the 9x21 caliber firearm so it could replace the Makarov.

"Now preliminary trials have come to an end. In autumn, we’ll start running state tests, which we should complete by the end of this year and mass production will start next year, if the Defense Ministry makes the relevant decision," the CEO explained.

"The new firearm selected has a highly powerful 9x21 caliber cartridge. We have the respective experience - that is the Serdyukov pistol. However, the firearm being developed today incorporates new technical solutions so that it can be mass produced and can replace outdated versions," he noted.

The head of the firearm developer earlier told TASS that the Institute had invited industrial designers as part of this effort to focus on ergonomic requirements for the weapon: the pistol should stay easily in the hand, be convenient in aiming and so forth.

The Institute has also carried out work on the pistol’s materials, the arrangement of the trigger and striking mechanism and the safety lock, he added.