[2] The PSS was developed to give Soviet special forces and secret police an almost completely silent option for covert operations such as reconnaissance and assassinations.

[3] The PSS uses a specially-developed 7.62×41 mm necked round SP-4 (СП-4), also used by the OTs-38 Stechkin silent revolver.

[4] The cartridge contains a propelling charge which drives an internal piston in contact with the base of the bullet.

On firing, the piston propels the bullet out of the barrel with enough energy to achieve an effective range of 25 meters.

At the end of its travel, the piston seals the cartridge neck, preventing noise, smoke, or blast from escaping.