Welcome to our third series on World of guns. Here we look at handguns from Isreal, Jordan, Spain, Italy, Canada and China.
UZI pistol (Israel)
9mm UZI pistol, right side.
9mm UZI pistol, left side.
Characteristics
| Type | Single Action semiautomatic |
| Caliber(s) | 9x19 Luger/Parabellum, .45ACP |
| Weight unloaded | 1,7 kg / 3.7 lbs |
| Length | 240 mm / 9.5" |
| Barrel length | 115 mm / 4.5" |
| Magazine capacity | 20, 25 or 32 rounds |
UZI pistol was developed by Israel Military Industries (now IWI Ltd) during early 1980s from the famous Micro-UZI submachine gun. Intended users for the UZI pistol were various security agencies and services which wanted a high-capacity semi-automatic pistol, and civilian shooters (mostly in USA) which also wanted such gun with "cool Uzi style". Despite somewhat rough appearance UZI pistols were reliable and quite accurate. It also must be noted that 'original' UZI pistols should not be confused with full-size weapons based on semi-automatic only full-size Uzi carbines but without the shoulder stock.
UZI pistol is blowback-operated semi-automatic weapon which fires from closed bolt. It has a stamped steel receiver and the bolt is fully enclosed inside. Bolt is of 'telescoped' design, that is, it is hollow in the front and encloses the rear part of the barrel when in battery. Uzi pistol has a single action trigger and utilizes an internal sliding striker (firing pin). manual safety of of sliding type, and is located above the grip on the left side of the gun. Magazines are of double stack design, interchangeable with other guns of Uzi family (in 9mm caliber). Sights are of open type, with flip-up rear sight, adjustable for windage
IMI / IWI Jericho 941 / Baby Desert Eagle pistol (Israel)
Full-size Jericho 941 pistol with slide-mounted safety/decocker.
Full-size Jericho 941 pistol with frame mounted safety, marked as "Uzi Eagle"
Compact Jericho 941 pistol with polymer frame
Characteristics
| Jericho 941 standard | Jericho 941 semi-compact | Jericho 941 compact | |
| Type | Double / Single Action | ||
| Caliber | 9x19 Luger / Parabellum, .40S&W, .41AE (obsolete), .45ACP | ||
| Weight, w. empty magazine | 1092 g | 1060 g (steel frame) 830 g (polymer frame) | 961 g (steel frame) 734 g (polymer frame) |
| Length | 210 mm | 197 mm | 184 mm |
| Barrel length | 115 mm | 100 mm | 92 mm |
| Magazine capacity | 15 (9mm) or 12 (.40) rounds | 15 (9mm) or 12 (.40) or 10 (.45) rounds | 10 rounds (9mm and .40) |
During the early nineties, the state-owned Israel Military Industries (IMI) company developed a conventional combat pistol, the Jericho 941. This was actually an international effort, since the design of the pistol was based on the Italian Tanfoglio system, itself a well-made clone of the Czechoslovak Cz-75 pistol. The original model index, the ‘941’, came from the two calibers initially available in this pistol, the ubiquitous 9mm Luger (9x19) and the new .41AE, which was developed in 1986 by the American company Action Arms. This cartridge, which was ballistically similar to more ‘modern’ .40 S&W, was designed to be used in 9mm pistols with minimal modifications (new barrel and return spring, and possibly new magazine), and thus had a rebated rim of the same diameter as the 9mm cartridge. Early Jericho pistols were often shipped with two sets of barrels and springs, one in 9mm and another in .41AE. The .41 was good cartridge, by no means inferior to the rival .40 S&W, but it lacked one essential feature – strong marketing support. Because of the failure to sell this caliber to the public, the .41AE has been dropped from Jericho line and replaced by more successful .40 S&W chambering, and, later on, complemented with .45ACP. Jericho pistols are widely exported from Israel, and also used by Israeli private security and police forces.
Manufacture of the Jericho pistols has been commenced with the great help (and probably certain parts) from famous Tanfoglio company of Italy; not surprisingly, design of Jericho pistols is similar to that of Tanfoglio pistols and based on famous Czechoslovak CZ-75.
One specific aspect of the Jericho pistols is that it has been imported in various countries (most notably the USA) under a variety of names, other than its original one. Its main US importer, the Magnum Research Co imported these pistols under trade marks like "Baby Eagle", "Baby Desert Eagle" and even "Desert Eagle", trying to capitalize on the commercial success of the much bigger and entirely different "Desert Eagle" pistol, also made in Israel by IMI and marketed by Magnum Research. It must be noted that unlike the original Desert Eagle, which is more of a hunting weapon, the Jericho is a true combat / self-defence weapon, comfortable to handle, carry and fire, as well as reliable and accurate.
It must be noted that recently the small arms business of IMI has been privatized, and Jericho pistols are currently made by IWI (Israeli Weapon Industries) Ltd.
Jericho 941 are locked breech, short recoil operated pistols, which are available with either a steel (all models) or polymer frame (only compact and semi-compact models). Locking is of the conventional Browning type, with cam-controlled barrel tilting and dual locking lugs located on the barrel just ahead of the chamber area. The slide rails are located inside the frame, as in all pistols patterned after the CZ-75. There are three basic configurations of pistol: standard, semi-compact (standard frame and short slide and barrel), and compact (short slide and barrel, short grip). Triggers are double-action, with an exposed hammer. Typical safety arrangements may include either a frame mounted safety (left side of frame only) which may lock the hammer cocked or not, or a slide-mounted ambidextrous safety which decocks the hammer automatically when engaged. Barrels have polygonal rifling. Sights are fixed, both front and rear sights being dovetailed to the slide. Magazines are double-stack; the capacity varies with caliber.
How to field-strip (disassemble) Jericho / Baby Eagle pistol: 1) remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release button; 2) check that the chamber is empty; 3) Put your left thumb through the trigger guard and with the other fingers grasp the top of the front part of the slide firmly. Retract the slide slightly back until the two vertical notches on the rear part of the frame and slide are aligned with each other; 4) while holding the slide in position as described above, push the slide stop pin inwards from the right side of the frame, then pull the slide stop out of the frame from the left side; 5) push the slide and barrel assembly forward and out of the frame; 6) Remove the return spring from below the barrel; 7) pull the barrel out of the slide.
Reassemble in reverse order.
IMI / Magnum Research Desert Eagle pistol (USA - Israel)
Desert Eagle mark VII pistol, caliber .44 Magnum.
Same Desert Eagle mark VII pistol, caliber .44 Magnum, with slide locked open to show its multi-lug rotary bolt.
Current production Desert Eagle Mark XIX, caliber .50AE.
Characteristics - data for Mark XIX pistols
Type: Single Action
Chambering: .357 Magnum, .41 Magnum (obsolete), .44 Magnum, .440 Cor-bon, .50 AE
Length overall: 10.24 in. - 260mm
Weight: 62 oz. - 1,715 g empty
Barrel length: 6 in. - 152 mm (also 10" - 254 mm)
Magazine: 9 (.357), 8 (.44) or 7 (.50) rounds
The Desert Eagle Pistol was conceived in 1979, when three people with an idea for creating a gas- operated, semi-automatic, magnum-caliber pistol founded Magnum Research, Inc. in St. Paul, Minnesota (USA). Early pistols, then known as Eagle 357, were announced in 1982
Magnum Research, Inc. patented the basic design of the Desert Eagle in 1980, and the first working prototype of the pistol was completed in 1981. It was about 80% functional, with a rotating bolt, full gas operation and excellent shooting characteristics. The final refinements to the pistol were made by Israel Military Industries (IMI), under contract to Magnum Research, Inc. After research that included thousands of rounds of test-firing, a fully functional .357 Magnum production model was produced in an edition of just over 1,000 pistols. These pistols, collector's items today, have traditional land-and-grove rifling, and they will not accept extended barrels or caliber conversion kits. The serial numbers for these pistols start at #3001.
Development of the Desert Eagle was not yet complete, however, in 1985, the barrel was changed to incorporate polygonal rifling, to help enhance the pistol's accuracy. In 1986, a .44 Magnum version of the pistol was perfected; it was the very first semi-automatic .44 Magnum pistol successfully brought to market.
Further enhancements to the Desert Eagle line continued. In 1987, the .41 Magnum Desert Eagle Pistol (not currently in production) was introduced to fill a specific market niche. In 1989, the Mark VII model of the Desert Eagle became standard. All Desert Eagle Pistols manufactured since 1989 have Mark VII features: enlarged safety levers, an enlarged slide release and an improved, two-stage trigger.
In around 1996, Magnum Research, Inc. successfully introduced the .50 Action Express Desert Eagle Pistol to fill an unmet need in the sporting/hunting market. Since Magnum Research introduced the caliber - once considered impossible to build - several other manufacturers have begun to produce .50 Magnum (a.k.a. .50 Action Express) firearms, but only one semiautomatic pistol design survived to date, and it is the Desert Eagle (there are few semi-custom or limited production revolvers and rifles made in this caliber as well). During the same period the basic design was upgraded to current Mark XIX specifications. Key improvement was the adoption of one frame size for all calibers (before that, mark I and Mark VII pistols had different frame sizes for different calibers). This unification allowed to use different barrels on same frame, permitting easy change of caliber with switch of only few components - barrel, magazine, and bolt (there are two nomenclatures of bolts used in Mark XIX pistols, one for smaller .357 Magnum ammo, and another for larger .44 Magnum and .50AE ammo; this is possible because .50AE case has rebated rim of the same diameter as .44 Magnum).
Today Desert eagle pistols are used for competition shooting (in disciplines like Silhouette shooting) as well as for hunting and general plinking (although the cost of gun and its ammunition makes it rather expensive fun gun). General belief of the Desert Eagle being used by various Special Operation forces so far found absolutely NO proofs. Indeed, for the price and weight of this empty gun one can easily have two pistols like Glock 17 or SIG-Sauer P228 plus good supply of ammunition; furthermore, these pistols will be much more reliable in severe combat conditions, and provide much bigger magazine capacity. Add to it severe recoil in its larger calibers (especially .50AE), huge muzzle blast and super-loud sound, and you'll see why only Hollywood warriors use this monster as a combat weapon. In real life, if you need a weapon more potent than a typical combat pistol (such as Glock or SIG-Sauer or Beretta or any other respectable model chambered for caliber between 9mm and .45ACP), you shall get either a rifle or submachine gun, period.
One last note - Magnum Research company, trying to capitalize on the fame of this pistol, also used Desert Eagle moniker to sell entirely different sidearm, the Jericho 941 pistol, also made in Israel by IMI. While Jericho looked like scaled-down Desert Eagle, in fact it is entirely different weapon inside, and, unlike its bigger brother, a truly useful combat weapon in its own right.
Desert Eagle is a gas operated, locked breech weapon that uses stationary (but removable) barrel. Locking is achieved using the separate rotating bolt with four radial lugs that enter the breech of the barrel for engagement with respective cuts. Bolt is inserted into open-topped slide, which is operated using gas, which is bled from the bore through the small port drilled close to the chamber. Short stroke gas piston is located below the barrel closer to the muzzle, and gas chamber is linked to the gas port with long channel, bored below the barrel. Trigger is of single action type, with exposed hammer and ambidextrous safety, located at either side of the slide. Magazines are single stack, with different configuration for each major caliber. Sights are either fixed or adjustable, both front and rear being dovetailed into the barrel and slide respectively. Recently made pistols also had top of the barrel shaped to accept scope rings directly.
Bul Cherokee pistol (Israel)
Bul Cherokee full-size pistol, current production.
Bul G. Cherokee "Tactical" full-size pistol, with optional shoulder stock and fore-grip.
Bul G. Cherokee "Spec-Ops" full-size pistol, with optional shoulder stock, silencer, red-dot sight and tactical light.
Characteristics
| Bul Cherokee | Bul Cherokee Compact | |
| Type | Double Action semiautomatic | |
| Caliber(s) | 9x19 Luger / Parabellum | |
| Weight unloaded | 705 g | 705 g |
| Length | 205 mm (215 mm G. Cherokee) | 190 mm (205 mm G. Cherokee) |
| Barrel length | 108 mm | 93 mm |
| Magazine capacity | 17 rounds | |
In around 1999 private Israeli company Bul Ltd developed a new polymer-framed pistol, intended for security, civilian self-defense and sport markets. Designated as Bul Impact, this pistol was based on Italian Tanfoglio line of pistols, itself being a modification over popular Cz-75 pistols. During early 2000s Bul replaced the Impact pistol with more modern Cherokee pistol, which retains same basic Cz-75 type action but has a polymer frame of improved shape, and is also available in several modifications, and in 2005 Bul company further improved Cherokee line with introduction of the new frame design. These pistols are widely used by Israeli security agencies, as well as by several foreign police and military special operation services.
Bul Cherokee pistols are short-recoil operated, locked breech pistols that use modified Browning-type locking. Barrel is cammed in and out its locking recesses in slide by a cam track, cut in the barrel extension located below the breech. Frame is made from polymer, with slide rails being on inner side of the frame / outer side of the slide. Recent production Cherokee pistols have two types of frames - standard and G. type, the latter having wider grip, which better suites shooters with large hands. Additional benefit of G. Cherokee pistols is that these can accept optional detachable shoulder stocks which are installed using a hollow cavity in the bottom back of the (wider) grip. Frames of all current production Cherokee pistols are provided with integral Picatinny type rail. Triggers are of double action type, with exposed hammers and frame-mounted safeties. Safety mechanism permits for "cocked and locked" carry. Magazines are of double stack design.
Bul Cherokee pistols produced in two sizes - standard (full-size) and compact, which feature same frame but shorter barrels and slides and thus are better suited for concealed carry.
Viper JAWS pistol (Jordan / USA)
Viper pistol
Viper JAWS pistol with shorter barrel
Viper pistol field stripped. Note the curved track on underside of the slide, and removed side plate which exposed the trigger system.
Characteristics
Type: Double Action
Calibers: 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum; .40SW; .45ACP
Weight unloaded: n/a
Length: n/a
Barrel length: n/a
Capacity: ? rounds
The Viper pistol is a recent joint development between the American Wildey Guns company and the Jordan King Abdullah Design and Development Bureau (KADDB). Pistol was designed by the American citizen Wildey Moore (designer of the famous Wildey pistol), and is now produced in Jordan. Apparently this pistol will become the standard issue pistol for Jordan Armed forces, hence the another designation - JAWS, or Jordan Arms & Weapons System. Viper JAWS is a solid and well made pistol with several interesting features, such as simple and robust design and modular construction. VIPER pistol can be easily reconfigured for several pistol calibers simply by replacing the barrel, breech face insert, the extractor and the magazine. This reconfiguration, as well as a standard field-stripping procedure, requires no tools. Grip panels also can be easily replaced with another unit with different shape or dimensions.
Viper is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol with rotating barrel. On recoil, barrel rotates to unlock from the slide, by following the curved track on the frame. The double action trigger with its linkage is easily accessible for maintenance and cleaning via removable side plate, inserted into the cut cat the right side of the frame from the top. The ambidextrous safety lever is located on both sides of the slide and also acts as a decocker when safety is engaged. Both front and rear sight are dovetailed into the slide and can be easily changed if required.
Astra A-80, A-90, A-100 (Spain)
Astra A-80 in .45ACP.
Astra A-90.
Characteristics
| A-80 | A-90 | A-100 | |
| Type: | Double Action | Double Action | Double Action |
| Chamber: | 9x19 Luger/Parabellum; 9x23mm Largo; .38 Super; .45ACP | 9x19 mm Luger/Parabellum or .45ACP | 9x19 mm Luger/Parabellum, .40SW or .45ACP |
| Weight unloaded: | 985 g | 985 g | 985 g |
| Length: | 180 mm | 180 mm | 180 mm |
| Barrel length: | 95 mm | 95 mm | 95 mm |
| Capacity: | 15 rounds (9 mm) | 17 rounds (9 mm) or 9 rounds (.45) | 15 rounds (9 mm), 13 rounds (.40) or 9 rounds (.45) |
The Astra A-80, A-90 and A-100 pistols were developed by Spanish company Astra-Unceta y Cia SA, in 1982, 1985 and 1990, respectively, and are very similar in appearance and general design, differing mostly in safety features.
The Astra A-80 had been patterned after famous Swiss-Germany designed pistol SIG-Sauer P-220. A-80 features wery similar frame and slide shape, similar recoil-operated, locked breech design with improved Browning-style linkless locking and one large lug that locks into the ejection port in the slide. The double action trigger with frame mounted decocker on the left side of the grip is also patterned after the P-220. The A-80 also features firing pin safety, that locks the firing pin away from the cartridge primer untill the trigger is pressed. Another feature that is different from the SIG-Sauer P220 is that A-80 had double stack, high capacity magazines.
The Astra A-90 pistol appeared in 1985 as an improvement over the A-80 in terms of safety. Being very similar to A-80 in all other aspects, the A-90 featured two-piece firing pin with firing pin safety that locks frontal part of the pin, plus ambidextrous, slide mounted manual safety, that, when engaged, removed the rear part of the firing pin from the hammer path, regardless the position of the hammer. Accompanied with the frame mounted decocker, inherited from A-80, this resulted in very safe, but also very complicated design.
The Astra A-100 (first appeared in 1990) was an attempt to simplify the A-90 design while retaining the high level of operational safety. The manual safety had been removed and the operational procedures are similar to those of the A-80 pistol.
Star Megastar (Spain)
Characteristics
Type: Double Action
Chamber: 10mm Auto or .45ACP
Weight unloaded: 1400 g
Length: 212 mm
Barrel length: 116 mm
Capacity: 14 (10mm) or 12 (.45) rounds
The Megastar pistol is a heavy, powerful pistol, which appeared on the markets in 1993. It was designed and manufactured by the Spanish company Star Bonifacio Echeverria SA, and its design is based on the previous guns by the same manufacturer, such as Star 30M. Production of the Megastar was completed in the late 1990s.
Megastar is a recoil operated, locked breech semi-automatic pistol. It uses a Browning High-Power type locking system with tilting barrel. Megastar is a hammer fired pistol, with double action trigger and ambidextrous, slide mounted safety-decocker lever. The safety lever has three positions: upper one for "fire" mode, red dot is shown; medium one for "safe" mode, this withdraws and locks the firing pin; and the lower one for safe decocking (after decocking safety lever springs back to the "safe" position). Megastar also features a magazine disconnect safety which does not allow to fire the gun withouth magazine in the place. Megastar slide and frame are made from the steel, and like other latest Star pistols, Megastar has internal slide rails, instead of more usual external rails. This pistol features non-ajustable sights. Magazine capacity is quite impressive, especially when speaking about the period of the early 1990s, and is 12 rounds of .45ACP or 14 rounds of 10mm Auto.
Overall, Megastar represents one of the strongest designs in auto-pistols, heavy but powerful and built to last forewer. Heavy weight also helps to control the recoil of the powerful cartridges used.
Beretta APX pistol (Italy)
Beretta APX pistol
Beretta APX pistol field-stripped
Trigger type
|
Double action with pre-cocked striker
|
Caliber
|
9x19 and .40SW
|
Weight, empty
|
760 g
|
Length
|
192 mm
|
Barrel length
|
108 mm
|
Capacity
|
17 (9mm) or 15 (.40) rounds
|
APX pistol was introduced early in 2015 at the IDEX-2015 exhibition. Apparently it is intended to compete for a future service pistol (Modular Handgun System) with US military, which wants to replace its ageing M9 (Beretta 92FS) pistols with more modern, modular and multi-caliber design. As of moment of this writing (March, 2015) Beretta APX pistol was still in prototype form, and not yet in production.
Beretta APX pistol is a modular service-type handgun with polymer frame and removable grip panels available in different sizes. It uses Browning-type short recoil action with tilting barrel, and a striker-fired trigger system. In basic configuration, APX pistol has no manual safeties; automated trigger safety and an ambidextrous manual safety levers are optional. Special firing pin disconnector is provided to safely disassemble the gun without ever touching the trigger. Beretta APX pistol features three-dot fixed sights and a MIL-STD 1913 (Picatinny) accessory rail below the barrel.
Glisenti M1910, Brixia M1913 pistol (Italy)
Glisenti M1910 pistol
Brixia M1913 pistol
Data for Glisenti M1910 pistol
Trigger type
|
Single action
|
Caliber
|
9x19 Glisenti
|
Weight, empty
|
0.8 kg
|
Length
|
206 mm
|
Barrel length
|
95 mm
|
Capacity
|
7 rounds
|
The Glisenti M1910 pistol (official name Pistola Automatica Modello 910) was designed by Italian army officer Bethel Abiel Revelli in around 1905 for Italian gun-making company Fabbrica d’Armi Glisenti. In 1907 the design and tooling for this gun were sold to Metallurgica Bresciana gia Tempini (MBT). Originally produced in 7.65mm caliber, this pistol was tested by Italian Army, and, after certain modifications (including the caliber increase to 9mm) it was formally adopted by Italian army. A total of about 33,000 Glisenti M1910 pistols were produced by MBT. Thee pistols were used by Italian army during World War 1 and were mostly phased out of service by the start of the WW2.
The Brixia M1913 (official name Pistola Automatica Modello 913 tipo Regia Marina) evolved from the Glisenti M1910, but it had numerous small changes so not a single part of M1913 is compatible with M1910 pistol, and vice versa. The Brixia M1913 pistol is slightly more streamlined in appearance, and many parts were simplified and strengthened. Developed for Italian Navy (Regia Marina), few Brixia M1913 pistols were also produced for civilian market. About 5,000 of the Brixia M1913 pistols were delivered to Navy in 1913-14.
An important note about ammunition for Glisenti M1910 and Brixia M1913 pistols: their 9mm Glisenti ammunition was dimensionally similar to ubiquitous 9x19 Luger / Parabellum ammunition, but it was loaded to lower pressures due to relatively weak design of the M1910 pistol. Loading and firing any 9x19 Luger ammunition in these pistols could result in serious problems, including physical damage to the gun and to the shooter. From a pistol, 9mm Glisenti round developed muzzle velocity of about 320m/s with 8gram bullet.
The Glisenti M1910 pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It has a separate bolt (breechblock) of rectangular cross-section which moves inside square-shaped receiver (barrel extension) and protrudes at the rear. Barrel locking is achieved by a vertical lever, positioned on the frame which interacts with the barrel extension and the bolt. Pistol is striker-fired, with unusual “turn-key” manual safety located at the rear of the bolt. Automated manual safety was built into the front strap of the pistol grip (Brixia M1913 pistols had no grip safety). An unusual feature of the gun was than entire left side plate of the frame could be easily removed by unscrewing the retaining screw at in front and above the trigger guard. This simplified disassembly and maintenance but also noticeably weakened the design. Gun was fed from detachable single stack magazines holding 7 rounds of ammunition each.
Sosso pistol (Italy)
Sosso pistol
Sosso pistol with shoulder stock/holster
Trigger type
|
Single action
|
Caliber
|
9x19 Luger / Parabellum
|
Weight empty, g
|
1510
|
Length, mm
|
220
|
Barrel length, mm
|
150
|
Capacity, rounds
|
21
|
The Sosso pistol was designed between 1933 and 1939 by Giulio Sosso, an Italian gun designer. After several improvements, it was produced in very small numbers by F.N.A. Brescia factory in 1941-42. Apparently, two slightly different models were produced, one with lanyard ring and slotted frame for detachable shoulder stock / holster, and another without these features. All in all, probably only around 100 or so of these pistols were made, as Sosso handgun turned to be very heavy, bulky and expensive to make, despite its unusually large magazine capacity.
Sosso pistol used unusual locking system utilizing short-recoiling barrel and vertically sliding pin; Single action trigger system featured exposed hammer and manual safety on the frame. Most unusual and unique feature of the Sosso pistol was its patented “endless conveyor” type magazine. Instad of the usual “box with spring and follower”, Sosso magazine contained endless belt or conveyor with 21 slots for individual cartridges, plus two spindles 9at the top and at the bottom) and associated framework. The conveyor was operated by the cycling slide via ratchet-type system that advanced cartridge belt one step during each rearward movement of the slide. Further features of the military-type Sosso pistol include adjustable sight (marked, rather optimistically, to 200 meters), and a detachable shoulder stock-holster.
Para Ordnance P14-45 and LDA pistol (Canada)
Para-Ordnance P18-9 pistol, caliber 9mm Luger / Parabellum.
Basic Para-Ordnance P14-45 LDA pistol, caliber .45ACP, with DAO-type LDA trigger.
Compact P10-45 pistol, caliber .45ACP.
Characteristics
Type: Single Action (Double action only in LDA model)
Chamber: .45ACP, also available in .40SW, .38 Super and 9x19mm
Weight: ca. 1100 g
Length: 216 mm
Barrel length: 127 mm
Capacity: 45ACP: 14 rounds (P14-45), 12 rounds (P12-45), 10 rounds (P10-45); 40SW: 16 rounds (P16-40), 10 rounds (P10-40); 9mm: 18 rounds
In the late 1980s, a small Canadian company called Para Ordnance introduced a “high capacity conversion kit” for US M1911A1 type pistols. This kit consisted of an updated frame with thicker grip, which accommodated a double-stack magazine (also supplied with the kit), effectively doubling the available round count for 1911 shooters. The kit also included a new trigger assembly with suitable dimensional changes to fit into the widened grip frame. With the initial success of these kits, Para Ordnance soon introduced a line of complete M1911A1-type pistols with high capacity magazines, available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP calibers. Compact and semi-compact models followed, and Para Ordnance pistols found buyers among both civilian and police shooters. In 1999, Para Ordnance introduced the new line of LDA (Lightweight Double Action) pistols, which combined the established 1911-type general design with the double-action-only type of trigger, for improved safety. At the present time, Para Ordnance offers its pistols with either standard single action or patented LDA triggers, with single or double-stack magazines, and in a variety of sizes and finishes. It is believed that Para Ordnance LDA pistols have already found some customers among the police agencies of the USA and Canada.
Early Para-Ordnance pistols were almost exact copies of the Colt M1911A1 pistol, except for the wide-body frames; in fact, these early Para-Ordnance frames accepted standard M1911A1 slides and barrels without any major modifications. However, with time, Para Ordnance design team, led by Ted Szabo, introduced several new features, other than different sizes of frame and barrel. First came the LDA modification, which was designed to allow the gun to be safely carried with a round in the chamber and the hammer down, and to avoid a heavy double-action trigger pull when bringing the gun into action in fast-pacing defensive scenarios. First appearing in 1999, the Para-Ordnance line of LDA pistols now includes all sorts of guns – full-sized and compact, with single and double-stack magazines. Another step forward from the basic M1911 design was the patented “Power Extractor”, or PXT in short. Since 2004, all Para Ordnance pistols are manufactured with PXT-type extractors, which are said to improve extraction reliability.
All Para Ordnance pistols are short-recoil operated, locked-breech weapons. The classic Browning locking system consists of two lugs at the top of the barrel, which engage the cuts on inside of the slide. The unlocking action on recoil is caused by the swinging link, which connects the barrel breech with the frame. Most Para Ordnance pistols are made with steel frames; however, there were certain versions with aluminium alloy frames. Standard Para Ordnance pistols have a single action trigger with an exposed hammer and a manual safety on the frame. There is also a typical M1911-style automatic grip safety and a disconnector, which does not permit the gun to be fired unless the slide is fully closed and barrel is locked.
However, the LDA models have an entirely different trigger setup. The key for the “Lightweight Double Action” (hence the LDA acronym) is the hammer cam, which is interposed between the main spring and the hammer. During the cocking cycle the hammer is pulled back; this movement causes the cam to rotate and to compress the main spring. Once spring is compressed, the hammer cam is held cocked by the main sear. The hammer, which is not directly connected to the main spring, is then returned forward by its own, relatively soft hammer spring. When the trigger is pulled, it raises the hammer until it connects to the cocked hammer cam; at this moment, the sear is depressed and hammer cam, powered by the main spring, forces the hammer forward and toward the firing pin; at the same moment, the automatic firing pin safety is released to allow the firing pin to hit the primer. This system, which is obviously based on the FN’s “Fast Action” trigger of the early 1980s, allows for a very light and smooth trigger pull, since the hammer spring is very light, and the stronger main spring is cocked only during the reload. However, LDA could not be considered as a “true Double Action Only” design, as it does not permit a fast second strike in the case of misfire; in this case, the shooter must manually recock the main-spring and hammer cam by pulling the hammer back manually (however, the Para Ordnance manual does not recommend that; instead, it is advised to cycle the slide and eject the failed round; this will also recock the main spring automatically). Another issue is that while the gun looks uncocked at all times except when trigger is being pressed, the main spring may still be cocked and under tension. There’s no way to safely release the main spring and hammer cam, except by a trigger pull; so, after unloading and before storage, the shooter must point the pistol in a safe direction and dry-fire it once (pull the trigger completely and then release it). Otherwise, the hammer cam will remain cocked and main spring will be under tension, and this could impair pistol reliability in the long term. Another unusual feature of the LDA is that the automated grip safety locks the slide when not disengaged properly by the shooting hand.
Para Ordnance pistols are available in a variety of magazine capacities; the maximum magazine capacity and calibre is usually indicated by the model designation, i.e. P14-45 is a .45 calibre pistol with 14-round capacity, and P16-40 is a .40 S&W calibre pistol with 16-round capacity. Para Ordnance pistols can be fitted with either fixed or adjustable sights, with the rear sight dovetailed into the slide.
Manual safety: A lever, located at the side of the frame above the grip panel (ambidextrous levers on the “Limited” series pistols). Push the lever up to set on “safe”, pull the lever down to set on “fire”. Note: on the single action pistols, the safety will engage only when the hammer is cocked; on the LDA series of pistols, the hammer is always uncocked and the safety is applied with hammer down. It is not advised by the factory manual to directly cock the hammer on the LDA pistols
How to disassemble (field-strip) Para-Ordnance pistol: (relevant only for full-size single action and LDA pistols of all calibres; for compact and semi-compact models, please refer to the Owner’s manual): 1) remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release button; 2) check that the chamber is empty; 3) with the slide in the forward position, pull the trigger once to drop the hammer; 4) put the pistol on the table with the muzzle up, with the grip safety resting on the table; 5) press inward the recoil spring plug (located just below the muzzle), and rotate the barrel bushing clockwise for about a quarter of a turn (use special bushing wrench if available); 6) gently allow the recoil spring plug to extend out of the slide; 7) push the slide back until the disassembly notch on the slide is aligned with the slide stop lug. Note that the grip safety must be depressed to do so on LDA pistols; 8) push the rounded end of the slide stop pin inward, then completely remove the slide stop pulling to the left and out of the frame; 9) push the slide forward and out of the frame; 10) lift the return spring guide out of the slide; 11) remove the barrel out of the slide.
Reassemble in reverse order.
Type 67 silenced pistol (People Republic of China)
Type 67 silenced pistol, bolt is locked open, the return spring guide rod is exposed above the barrel level.
Type: Single Action
Caliber: 7.65x17 Type 64 ball
Weight unloaded: 1050 g
Length: 226 mm
Barrel length: 95 mm
Capacity: 9 rounds
Caliber: 7.65x17 Type 64 ball
Weight unloaded: 1050 g
Length: 226 mm
Barrel length: 95 mm
Capacity: 9 rounds
The Type 67 silenced pistol is a further development of a Type 64 pistol. It provides the users with the same combat characteristics, but at the about 2/3 of the weight of the earlier pistol. Apparently, the Type 67 pistol replaced the Type 64 pistol in Chinese service.
Type 67 pistol is a blowback operated, integrally silenced pistol, with the slide lock mechanism, inherited from the Type 64 pistol. It also fires the same Type 64 7.65mm ball cartridge.
Type 92 / QSZ-92, NORINCO CF-98, NP-42 pistol (PR China)
5.8mm Type 92 / QSZ-92-5.8 military pistol for PLA
9mm NORINCO CF-98 pistol, an export version of the police-type 9mm QSZ-92-9 handgun
9mm pistol NORINCO NP-42
QSZ-92-5.8
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QSZ-92-9 / CF-98 / NP-42
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Trigger type
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Double action
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Caliber
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5.8x21
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9x19, also 7.62x25 in CF-98
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Weight, empty
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760 g
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760 g
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Length
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188 mm
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190 mm
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Barrel length
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115 mm
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111 mm
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Capacity
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20 rounds
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10 or 15 rounds
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The Type 92 / QSZ-92 is a modern military pistol which is now a standard sidearm of Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and many police organizations inside China. Designed during early 1990s and currently manufactured by state-owned ordnance organizations, it is now available in two externally similar, but internally different versions. The first one, intended for military use inside China, is the QSZ92-5.8. It is chambered for indigenous 5.8x42 DAP-5.8 ammunition, which is loaded with pointed, steel-core bullets. Second version, known as QSZ92-9, is primarily intended for police use, and is chambered for ubiquitous 9x19 Luger ammunition, which is known in Chinese service as DAP92-9. The latter version is also manufactured for commercial, export sales as NORINCO NP-42 and CF-98, with slight variations in markings and external appearance. The CF-98 is also available chambered for 7.62x25 Tokarev ammunition.
Type 92 / QSZ-92 pistol is a semi-automatic pistol with polymer frame and long removable frame insert made of steel, which hosts slide rails and entire trigger / hammer unit. Trigger is of conventional double action type, with exposed hammer and ambidextrous frame-mounted safety levers. Type of action differs between two versions. The QSZ-92-5.8 features delayed blowback action with non-recoiling rotary barrel, similar to that used in old US-made Savage pistols. The QSZ-92-9 pistol and its commercial siblings use locked breech, short recoil action with rotary barrel locking. Pistol is loaded using double stack, double feed 20-round box magazines in 5.8mm versions, and 10- or 15-round magazines in 9mm versions.
Type 06 / QSW 06 sound suppressed (silenced) pistol (PR China)
Type 06 / QSW 06 sound suppressed (silenced) pistol
Type 06 / QSW 06 sound suppressed (silenced) pistol, disassembled
Trigger type
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Double action
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Caliber
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5.8x21
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Weight, empty
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1.05 kg with sound suppressor
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Length
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195 mm (373 mm with suppressor attached)
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Barrel length
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?
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Capacity
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20 rounds
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The Type 06 / QSW 06 sound suppressed (silenced) pistol is a joint product of the China Ordnance Industry 208 Research Institute and the state-owned No. 236 Factory. It was developed between 2001 and 2005, and formally adopted by PLA in 2006, to replace obsolete and mostly worn-out 7.62mm Type 67 integrally suppressed pistols. Type 06 suppressed (micro-sound in Chinese parlance) pistol is based on the standard issue 5.8mm Type 92 (QSZ 92) pistol, and uses about 60% of parts common with Type 92 (polymer frame with steel insert, trigger system, magazine). The type 06 pistol is designed to fire special 5.8x21 DCV05 ammunition with subsonic bullets (bullet weight about 4 gram, MV 290 m/s), but it also can fire standard issue, 5.8x21 DAP92 ammunition with supersonic bullets. DCV05 ammunition has steel-core bullets that can penetrate a typical steel military helmet at ranges of up to 50 meters. Type 06 / QSW 06 sound suppressed (silenced) pistols are issued to Scout and Special Forces elements of the PLA.
Type 06 / QSW 06 sound suppressed (silenced) pistol is a semi-automatic pistol with polymer frame and removable frame insert which hosts slide rails and entire trigger / hammer unit. Trigger is of conventional double action type, with exposed hammer and ambidextrous frame-mounted safety levers. The system of operation is unclear from Chinese sources, but it appears that this pistol features simple blowback action with stationary (but easily removable) barrel, unlike its Type 92 predecessor that has a rotary barrel. Type 06 pistol features raised iron sights (to clear an attached suppressor), and an extended threaded barrel. Sound suppressor is about 30mm in diameter and 200 mm long, and is of relatively complicated multi-baffle, multi-channel design. Sound signature of the suppressed gun is reported as 129 dB. Pistol is loaded using double stack, double feed 20-round box magazines.
NORINCO QX4 pistol (PR China)
NORINCO QX4 pistol in .45ACP; insert also shows replacement barrel, slide insert (breech block) and magazine for 9mm ammunition
Trigger type
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Double action
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Caliber
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7.62x25, 9x19, .40SW and .45ACP
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Weight, empty
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930 g
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Length
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195 mm
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Barrel length
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? mm
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Capacity
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12 rounds (.45), 13 rounds (.40), 15 rounds (9mm and 7.62mm)
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QX4 pistol is a relatively new full-size, service type handgun which is manufactured in Chinafor commercial export sales. It is designed to accept .45ACP (11.43x25mm) ammunition, which is most popular in USA, but also can be converted to several other popular calibers, such as .40SW (10x22mm), 9x19mm Luger, and, surprisingly, 7.62x25mm Tokarev.
QX4 pistol is a semi-automatic pistol with polymer frame and double action trigger with exposed hammer. It features delayed blowback action with non-recoiling rotating barrel, broadly based on the concept of the US Savage pistols from early XX century. However, in QX45 spiral grooves are relocated from the slide to the barrel, and made through its entire length, providing additional braking force. Braking grooves have different spiral pitch for each caliber. Due to different diameters of the various cartridges, QX4 pistol features removable breechblock system; therefore, caliber change involves disassembly of the gun, and replacement of the barrel, breechblock and use of appropriate magazines. Manual safety is located on both sides of the frame. Gun is fed using double-stack magazines with 12 rounds capacity in .45ACP, and bigger capacities in smaller calibers.
