The Gyurza (venomous snake) was a Russian development by designer Petr Serdyukov during the early-90’s, with the idea to find a replacement for the 9mm Makarov. The Gyurza however lost out to the PY or Pistolet Yarygina which was designed by Vladimir Yarygin at the IZHMECH state-owned plant. The PY used conventional 9mm Parabellum ammo but also the Russian 9x19mm 7N21 high-powered armor-piercing round with hardened steel core that is not interchangeable with NATO 9mm’s because of the excessive pressure. The Gyurza was adopted by certain Russian LE services, notably the FSB and is known as the SR-1 Vektor.