Welcome back to the Zone. Today we’re focusing on a specific caliber of weapons in Zero Sievert—the 7.62x25mm guns. There are only two of them in the entire game: the BBSh and the Kokarev, both inspired by real-life World War II Russian firearms (the PPSh and the Tokarev TT, respectively). While limited in number, these weapons carve out a unique niche, and depending on your approach to early-game combat, they might just surprise you.

Let’s break them down—stats, mod options, use cases, ammo comparisons, and where they shine (or fall short).

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Ammo Types for 7.62x25mm: The Real MVP

You’ve only got two ammo choices here:

• FMJ – 13 Penetration
• PST – 25 Penetration with no damage loss

That last detail is crucial. Usually, more penetration equals less damage to balance things out. But PST breaks the rule—you get solid pen without sacrificing raw output, making it the go-to choice for this caliber. Especially in early and mid-game, PST gives these guns serious bite against unarmored and lightly armored foes.

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BBSh – The Drum Machine of the Forest

• Damage: 12
• Accuracy: 54
• Recoil: 68
• Ergonomics: 21
• Fire Rate: 900 RPM
• Mag Size: 35

Price: 13,600 Rubles from the Barman, available right at the start on Rookie difficulty.

The BBSh is an oddball. On paper, it looks underwhelming. But put some PST rounds in it, and it becomes a spray-and-pray machine that shreds through Bandits like paper. With its high fire rate and low initial price, it’s the kind of weapon that performs beautifully in the Forest zone, especially when dealing with wolves or low-tier human enemies (brown and green Bandits with armor classes 1–2).

Class 3 or higher? That’s where things get sketchy. Hunters and Green Army soldiers will soak up your shots, and Crimson enemies even more so. PST can only carry you so far, and BBSh starts to feel like you’re throwing pebbles at a tank.

Modding Options: Pretty limited.

• Only one mod: a 71-round drum mag.
  • +20 Ergonomics
  • -40 Reload Speed

Honestly? Worth it. You stay in the fight longer, unload entire groups of creatures or Bandits, and make the most of PST’s high pen and no damage loss. Just don’t expect finesse.

Muzzle slot is open… but sadly, no muzzle attachments exist for this weapon right now.

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Kokarev – The Early-Game Handgun King

• Damage: 16
• Accuracy: 50
• Recoil: 80
• Ergonomics: 70
• Fire Rate: 300 RPM
• Mag Size: 10

Price: 4,500 Rubles from the Green Army, available immediately upon unlocking them.

If you’re more of a handgun user, this is the one to grab. It shares the same stats as the PN Poov (another early pistol), but the Kokarev gets one extra point of damage, pushing it slightly ahead. That minor edge makes a difference when you’re limited to 10 shots per mag.

Modding Capabilities: Far better than the BBSh.

• Accepts any scope except the CU and TSU (usually for bolt-actions).
• Supports flashlights and lasers.
• Can use the only 7.62×25 suppressor in the game:
  • +10 Accuracy
  • Reduced Recoil
  • -6 Ergonomics, -7 Damage

Important: The suppressor only works with the Kokarev, not the BBSh. Keep that in mind.

There’s no extended mag for the Kokarev, which is unfortunate—but expected. With only 10 rounds, this isn’t a gun for messy firefights. It’s for tactical hits, tight encounters, or low-threat areas where every shot counts.

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Where These Guns Fit in Your Loadout

• BBSh: Great for early raids, especially in the Forest. Perfect for farming Bandits and creatures. Pair with a backup weapon if you’re venturing near Crimson, Green Army, or Hunters.
• Kokarev: Best used as a sidearm or budget option. Lightweight, affordable, and punchy with PST. If you like pistols, this is your early-game best friend.

Neither of these are top-tier against higher-class armor. But that’s not their role. Use them strategically—don’t expect them to brute-force high-tier enemies.

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Final Thoughts

The 7.62×25 lineup is small, but it delivers value where it counts. PST ammo makes both guns viable well into the early-to-mid game, and with the BBSh’s drum mag and the Kokarev’s mod support, you’ve got two versatile tools for different playstyles.

• BBSh = crowd control, pressure, volume of fire.
• Kokarev = accuracy, stealth, utility.

They’re not built for boss fights or faction warfare. But if you respect their limits, they’ll pull their weight—and then some.

That wraps it up for this gun spotlight. See you in the next guide, and remember: mod smart, shoot smarter, and keep those PST rounds stocked.