POTD: Revolver That Fires Rubber Balls Using Blank Cartridges

Handguns are banned from civilian ownership in Russia.

The only firearms a Russian civilian may own legally are long guns that are at least 80 cm (31.5") long in the firing configuration. This means that if a long gun has a folding or collapsing stock that makes it shorter, it has to be equipped with a disconnector that prevents it from firing with the stock folded or collapsed.

Additionally, one may obtain a license for centerfire or rimfire rifled-bore long guns only after being licensed for owning shotguns for at least five years "without incident".

That's the main reason why odd calibers like .366 TKK exist in Russia: they're essentially smoothbore calibers to be used in rifles modified to mount a smoothbore barrel, so to circumvent the "minimum five years waiting time" to buy a rifle or carbine.

As things stand today, even security guards can not own handguns in Russia. Their handguns are owned by the company that employs them, must be retrieved from the company armory as they start their shift and returned at the end of the day, all under the watchful eye of an officer from the Rosgvardia, the Russian National Guard dependent directly from the Office of the President of the Russian Federation (essentially Putin's private army), which took over all administrative and regulatory duties concerning firearms in Russia from the Police a few years ago.

There are only two categories of individuals who can legally own handguns in Russia today.

Those who served in the military, law enforcement or government in any capacity for over twentyfive years, upon retirement may (note the conditional) be entitled to receiver a "presentational" handgun for their service. This comes in a decorative box, is wholly engraved, and comes with a certain stock of ammunition. The individual may do whatever he/she wants with that handgun, but the ammunition can not be refilled, so once it's gone... it's gone.

Those, instead, who compete in IPSC and reach the rank of Master, can be licensed to purchase and own one pistol. They can't keep it at home, it must be stored in the safe room of the gun club they're a member of, and can be removed from said gun club only when traveling for competitions.

If you're wondering how they're supposed to reach the rank of Master in IPSC if handguns are banned... they use "traumatic pistols" with rubber bullets, such as this one or others, that can be owned under a specific license in a number not higher than five.

Originally conceived for personal protection, these "traumatic pistols" have become increasingly unpopular among Russians because the low charge that propels the rubber bullet prevents them from developing any serious power. It won't even knock the attacker down, it's only guaranteed to piss them off unless you use irritant cartridges that explode upon impact bathing the attacker in MPK (a Russian tear gas similar to CS), giving you enough time to escape. Russians call them "condom guns", nowadays, and they're essentially only good for plinking.