World of Guns - Hand Guns (Series 4)

Welcome to our fourth and final series series on hand guns in the world of guns. In this segment we are going to write on hand guns made in Russia, the USA, Ukraine, Czech Republic, Switzerland and South Africa.

Tokarev TT pistol (USSR / Russia)

Tokarev TT mod.1933

Tokarev TT-33, post-WW2 manufacture (with smaller slide serrations)

TT-33, cutaway diagram

Chambering: 7.62x25mm TT (7.63 mm Mauser)

Type: Single action

Weight: 910 g

Length: 116 mm

Capacity: 8 rounds

The Tokarev TT ("Tula, Tokarev") pistol was developed as a result of continuous trials, held by the Red Army in the mid- and late 1920s. Red Army looked for a new, modern semiautomatic pistol to replace obsolete Nagant M1895 revolvers and a variety of foreign semi-automatic pistols. One of the most popular foreign handguns, purchased in numbers during 1920s, was the famous Mauser C96, and the Red Army really liked its powerful 7.63mm cartridge, which, in slightly modified form ,selected for its future pistol of domestic design. Red Army tested several pistols of various designers, and in 1930 eventually selected the design of the famous Russian arms designer, Fedor Tokarev. During 1930 - 1932 Red Army procured several thousands of new pistol, and after initial field testing requested several improvements, which resulted in the adoption of the model 1933 Tokarev pistol early in 1934. This pistol was manufactured in increased numbers prior to the Great Patriotic War. Before July 22, 1941, about 600 000 TT-33 pistols were delivered to Red Army. During war pistols were made in increasing numbers. In 1946 the TT was slightly modified to cut production costs, and its manufacture in USSR finally ceased circa 1952, with the adoption of the more modern 9mm Makarov PM pistol. However, TT served with the Soviet Army well until 1960s, and with the Soviet Militia (Police) - until 1970s. During late 1940s and 1950s USSR also supplied some of its new allies from Warsaw pact with licenses to manufacture TT, and it was produced in China, Hungary, North Korea, Poland, Romania and Yugoslavia, in more or less original forms. Most military TT pistols of non-Soviet manufacture were also in 7.62mm, with some commercial export versions available in 9x19mm Luger, and fitted with some sorts of manual safety.

For its time Tokarev TT was a formidable weapon, with good penetration and effective range. It was of good reliability and easy to maintain. What it lacked most was the manual safety, and its grip shape was not too comfortable.

The Tokarev TT is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It uses Browning swinging link system, borrowed from the Colt M1911 pistol, modified to simplify production. The single action trigger had no safeties, other than disconnector to prevent out-of-battery fire, and a half-cock notch on the hammer. The only safe way to carry TT was to always have an empty chamber. The hammer unit was made as a single unit, easily detachable for cleaning and maintenance. Some years later Swiss designer Charles Petter developed similar system for the French Mle. 1935 pistol. Steel magazine held 8 cartridges. Fixed sights were factory zeroed for 25 meters. Grip panels were usually made of plastic or wood (wartime production).

Makarov PM / PMM / Izh-70 / Izh-71 pistol (USSR/Russia)

Makarov PM pistol, heavily engraved presentation 'Russian government' version, current manufacture

IJ70-17AS pistol, a commercial export-only version of Makarov PM pistol, caliber 9x17 (.380ACP); note adjustable rear sight necessary to pass US qualification for import.

Experimantal TKB-023 pistol with polymer frame, a prototype based on Makarov PM pistol (circa 1965)

Pistolet Makarova (PM) cut out drawing

Caliber 9x18mm PM; 9x18mm improved (PMM)

Type: Double action

Overall length 161mm (165mm PMM)

Weight unloaded 730g (760g PMM)

Barrel length 93,5 mm

Magazine capacity 8 rounds (12 rounds PMM)

The Red Army fought the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45 with both the semi-automatic Tokarev TT pistols and the obsolete Nagant M1895 revolvers. Despite the fact that more potent pistols were designed just before and during the war, the TT remained the mainstream weapon. Wartime experience, which included a close (and sometimes very personal) familiarity with German pistols, resulted in a major change of thinking about the role and necessary features of a military pistol for the Soviet army. Another factor that played a major role in the development of new requirements for the next military pistol, was the realistic prospect of a Third World War, with massive nuclear bombing and other such large-scale actions; as a result, pistols played a very minor role in both strategic and tactical doctrines of the Soviet Army. Furthermore, Tokarev pistols, despite being relatively simple and powerful, showed significant deficiencies, some of them quite serious, such as the lack of positive safety, so almost immediately after the war the GAU (Glavnoye Artillerijskoe Upravlenie – General Artillery Department of General Staff) issued a new set of requirements for a military and police pistol.

These requirements asked for a compact, double action pistol of the “Walther PP type”. New pistols were to be submitted in three calibres – 7.65x17SR Browning (proposed police round), 9x17 Browning, and a new 9x18. The last of these had been initially developed just prior to the war and refined after the war by the designer Syomin. Apparently, this round was inspired by the German 9x18 Ultra, which was designed in the mid-1930s to provide “acceptable maximum power” in simple, pocket-sized blowback pistols. The key reason for the increase in calibre when compared with the West 9mm rounds is unknown (the 9x18 Soviet has bullet diameter of 9.2mm, while most Western 9mm rounds have a bullet diameter of 9.02mm; Note that use of 9x18 Ultra / Police ammunition in any Makarov pistol is unsafe!). 

Also, while the Soviet Army was ahead of many others in the request for a double action pistol, it regressed somewhat in adopting an only marginally powerful round in a weapon that in essence was a pocket-type pistol. At the same period of time, many other armies, looking for an increase in power, starting to change their “weak” 7.65x17 Browning, 9x17 Browning or 7.65x20 Longue pistols to the more potent 9x19 Luger/Parabellum/NATO weapons. The explanation for this fact, however, is rather simple – while most Western countries relied on full-power rifles (bolt action or semi-automatic) and a sub-machine guns as a primary individual armament for the infantry, the new Soviet concept had no place for sub-machine guns, as the only primary arm of the infantry was the newly developed assault rifle. Most Western pistols were required to fire 9mm NATO ammunition just to have commonality in ammunition with the standard issue sub-machine guns; Soviet designers had no such requirements, and by the late forties 9x18 looked as if it was good enough for a military pistol.

Trials for a new pistol started in 1947. Many designs were submitted and tested, such as pistols by Baryshev, Rakov, Voevodin, Simonov, and Makarov. Some designs were submitted in only one of the desired calibres, some, such as the Makarov design, in two, and a few in all three. In 1948, the trials resulted in a selection of the Makarov pistol in 9x18 as a next military sidearm for Soviet armed forces. However, it took three more years to refine its design, before it was officially adopted in 1951 as the “9mm Pistolet Makarova” or PM in short.

The following decades saw the gradual evolution of Makarov pistols, in continuing attempts to produce new pistols with fewer rejects and at lower cost. Most efforts concentrated on production technologies, and by the eighties many parts which were initially made with machining and hand-fitting, became precision-castings that required minimal, if any, fitting. The early sixties also saw attempts to make PM pistols lighter by the introduction of an aluminium/titanium alloy or polymer frames. The lightweight alloy frames turned to be excessively expensive, but polymer-framed pistol, developed in Tula as TKB-023, has passed most of the trials with flying colors. Despite that fact, it was rejected by the military on the grounds of unknown stability of the polymer frame during the long-term (10-20 years) storage and use.

During the last decades of 20th century there were numerous attempts o improve some of deficiencies of PM, most specifically its relatively low stopping power and lethality, and low magazine capacity. First, an improved version of the cartridge, with lighter bullet and hotter powder charge, was developed as 9x18 PMM. This cartridge developed muzzle velocity of 430 meters per second as compared to 315 meters per second of original 9x18mm ammo. Large capacity version of the PM was developed along with the new ammo, which included a slight grip frame redesign to accommodate thicker magazine. Grip panels also were improved. The PMM was offered for both military and law enforcement buyers, and eventually at least few were ordered by Russian police forces, although in standard 9x18 chambering. The 9x18 PMM ammunition was not issued on any significant scale due to the danger of loading the new ammunition into the old guns, which may result in damage to the old and worn-out guns. Instead, Russian Army finally went for a new, more promising pistol, developed at the same state-owned Izhevsk Mechanical Plant, the Yarygin PYa. 

The Makarov PM is a simple and sound design, which is considered to be one of the best compact self-defense pistols of its time. While not extremely accurate and lethal at ranges beyond 15-20 meters, it is still a formidable and reliable self-defense weapon. 

Several versions of the PM were developed for export market and domestic security use, including IZh-70 and IZh-71 pistols in 9x17mm Browning Short (.380ACP), available in both standard and high capacity variations, as well as Baikal-442, a commercial PM in 9x18mm, also available in standard and high capacity versions, with fixed or adjustable sights.

The Makarov PM is a blowback operated, double action pistol of all-steel construction. Manual safety is located on the left side of the slide, and, when engaged, safely brings hammer down from cocked position, and then locks the hammer, sear and slide. External hammer can be cocked manually for the accurate first shot in Single action mode, or can be cocked automatically by the longer and heavier trigger pull in Double action mode. All-steel magazine holds 8 rounds (12 rounds for PMM pistols), and when last shot is fired, slide remains in the open position, thanks to the slide stop. To disengage slide stop, one must pull the lever on the left side of the frame down. Magazine catch is located at the bottom of the grip, but some export versions of Baikal-442 are available with button magazine release at the base of the triggerguard. PM is fitted with fixed open sights as a standard, with click-adjustable open sights available as an option on export models.

How to disassemble / field-strip Makarov PM pistol: 1) remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release at the base of the grip and pulling the magazine out; 2) check that the chamber is empty; 3) pull the trigger-guard downwards, then swing it to one side to lock in the open position; 4) pull the slide all the way back, then raise the rear of the slide to the top, and off the frame rails; 5) carefully ease the slide forward and off the barrel; 6) remove the return spring from the barrel.

Reassemble in reverse order.

PSS-2 silent / noiseless pistol (Russia)

PSS-2 silent / noiseless  pistol

patented 7.62mm SP-16 "internally suppressed" cartridge with internal piston that pushes the bullet out and then captures powder gases inside the case;

sectioned diagram (left) and live ammunition and packaging (right)

Trigger type	Double action
Caliber	7.62x43 SP-16
Weight, empty	1 kg
Length	195 mm
Barrel length	? mm
Capacity	6 rounds

The PSS-2 silent (noiseless) pistol is a second generation of unique self-loading pistols that fire internally suppressed, captive piston ammunition. Designed and manufactured by Russian state owned organization TsNII TochMash (Central Scientific & Research Institute for Precision Machine building), this pistol was adopted in 2011 by Russian FSB (Federal Security service) and is now in use by elite Spetsnaz and counter-terrorism units.

This pistol is an evolution of the soviet-era PSS “Vul” pistol, utilizing same concept of captive piston, internally suppressed ammunition but firing slightly larger and more powerful 7.62x43mm SP-16 ammunition. Compared to its preceding 7.62x40 SP-4 cartridge, the SP-16 cartridge features case of larger volume, and an all-steel projectile with separate driving band and chisel-shaped nose for improved penetration. Muzzle velocity of SP-16 bullet is also higher than of the predecessor at about 300 m/s. Basic design of the cartridge is the same, with short sliding piston placed above the small powder charge. Upon discharge, this piston pushes the bullet out of the case, and then jams itself shut at the bottlenecked case mouth, capturing hot powder gases inside to achieve near-noiseless firing.

The PSS-2 pistol is a blowback operated semi-automatic handgun with separate sliding chamber, similar in design to PSS “Vul” pistol. PSS-2 features double action trigger with exposed hammer and dual external automatic safeties (grip safety and trigger safety). No manual safety levers are present on the gun, and it is intended to be carried into action with hammer set on half-cock, ready to be fired immediately through double action trigger pull or with prior manual hammer cocking. Ammunition is fed using detachable single stack magazine with 6 round capacity. Sights are fixed, and the frame below the barrel is provided with integral  Picatinny rail that can be used to install flashlights and/or laser sights.

Browning BDM (USA)

Browning BDM

Browning BDM, view on DA / DAO ( P / R ) trigger mode selector

Type: Double Action or Double Action Only manually selective

Chamber: 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum

Weight unloaded: 870 g

Length:

Barrel length: 120 mm

Capacity: 15 rounds

The Browning BDM pistol is an interesting development, that first appeared in 1991 and was in production until late 1990s (maybe 1998 or 1999, not sure). While most of pistols that carry the John Browning name usually were originated from Belgium (models 1910, 1922, "Baby", "High Power", etc), some pistols were made in other countries. Not to mention Colt pistols, designed by Browning, the Browning Arms company of USA imported german-made SIG-Sauer P220 pistols under the name of Browning DA in 1970s. Then came the Browning Buckmark pistol, made in USA. And, finally - the Browning BDM. This gun was designed and produced in the USA by FN manufacturing Inc., an US subsidiary of the Belgian company FN Herstal, who also owned the Browning trade mark, and Browning name is linked to the Belgium (as well as to the USA) for ever, so i voluntary assign the BDM to both countries, with the USA first.

BDM stands for the Browning Double Mode (or Dual Mode), and it's mean that the pistol can be had in either traditional Double Action mode or in Double Action Only Mode ... in the same gun, and the change of mode can take a split a second, not more. It is done via the small slotted switch in the left side of the slide. The switch has two positions, marked "P" and "R". P stands for Pistol, or DA mode, R stands for revolver, or DAO mode. The switch can be turned from one position to another by any sharp-tipped tool such a knife, skrewdriver or even a coin. BDM is equipped with ambidextrous, frame-mounted safety / decocker levers. To engage safety (and decock the hammer in DA mode) one must pull the lever down, and the lever will stay in this position. To disengage safety the lever must be pulled up, so a red dot will show on the frame.

While being quite similar to the Browning BDA pistol, the BDM differs from it in the number of ways. First, being a recoil operated, locked breech pistol with Browning High-Power type (surprise, surprise) tipping barrel, the BDM has SIG-Sauer-like locking system, when barrel engages with single large lug into the ejection port on the slide. Another change from traditional "Browning" style is a disassembly lever on the left side of the frame, that must be turned down for removal of the slide and barrel, instead of the traditional HiPower method where you remove the slide catch lever. The slide stop is also of different pattern, without the usual Browning-ish long lever, and with only small lip protruding from inside the frame. Sights and grip panels are similar to Browning BDA or Browning High Power Mark III.

The BDM is one of the thinnest full-size, high capacity combat pistols. It is also reported as reliable and comfortable to carry and shoot, but unusual safety operations require some shooters' adaptation.

special thanks to James Richardson for pictures and other input

Colt "Python" (USA)

Colt 'Python' with 4 in (102mm) barrel

Colt 'Python' with 2.5 in barrel

Colt 'Python Elite' with 6 in barrel

Type: Double Action

Chamber: .357 Magnum

Weight unloaded: ca. 1100 g (with 4 in barrel)

Length: 240 mm (with 4 in barrel)

Barrel length: 2.5, 4, 6 or 8 inches (64, 102, 153 or 203 mm)

Capacity: 6 rounds

The "Python" revolver was introduced by Colt company (USA) in 1955. It was awailable in different barrel lenghts, suitable for self-defence (2.5 and 4 in barels), service (4 and 6 in barrels), hunting and target shooting (4 - 8 in variants). Early "Pythons", especailly those without letters in the serial numbers (made from 1955 until mid-1960's) were indeed very accurate guns, often compared to Manurhin MR-73's or SIG P210's. Some time ago Colt discontinued the "Python" series in favor of the more modern "Kingcobra" revolver, but it is (probably) still available through Colt Custom Shop.

All Pythons were double-action, swing-out cylinder revolvers. Sights: blade post fron sight with polymer insert; rear sights with removable sight blade are screw ajustable for both windage and elevation. Barrel is screwed into the frame and featured vented upper rib and full-lenght bottom rib that houses full lenght extractor rod. Internal safety consist of Colt's patented transfer bar and cylinder stop (fixes cylinder when hammer is cocked).

Colt Government / M1911 and clones (USA)

U.S. Pistol M1911 made by Colt

Colt Combat Commander .45ACP

Colt Officers' model .45ACP

Customized Colt Government model Series 80 .45ACP

Custom M1911 clone, made on STI frame and Colt slide .45ACP

Data: M1911A1

Action: Single

Caliber: .45 ACP

Capacity: 7 Rounds

Barrel Length: 125 mm

Weight: 1080 g

Overall Length: 216 mm

 

The history of the Colt Gov't / M1911 Pistol began in early 1900s, when famous designer John M. Browning began to develop semi-automatic pistols for Colt company. In the 1906-1907 U.S. Army announced trials to replace its service revolvers with new, semi-automatic pistol. Army required the new pistol to have the caliber of .45 inch, so Browning designed its own cartridge that fired 230 grains (14.9 gram) bullet, and then, designed a new pistol. In 1911, after extensive testings, the new pistol and its cartridge, designed by Browning and manufactured by Colt, were adopted for U.S. military service as M1911. Prior to and during World War One, more than one million of these guns were manufactured, mostly by Colt and Springfield Armoury, as well as by Remington-UMC, Burroughs, Savage and some other companies. The rights to manufacture Colt/Browning design were also sold to some foreign countries, such as Norway or Argentine.

In 1926, original design was improved, following the recommendations of the US Army Ordnanve Dept. These changes incorporate the following items (see picture above):

1. Wider front sight

2. Longer hammer spur

3. Shorter trigger

4. Curved spring housing

5. Simplified grip panels checkering

6. Index finger reliefs behind the trigger

7. Longer grip-safety spur

The improved design was adopted by US Military as M1911A1 pistol, and served with distinction until the mid-1980s, when it was officially replaced in service with M9 pistol (US-made Beretta 92FS).

The commercial Colts of this design are known as Government models. In 1929, Colt introduced the Government pistol in its new chambering, the .38 Super Automatic, a hotter version of the earlier .38 Automatic cartridge. New pistol had bigger magazine capacity (9 rounds) and sold well on the police market. The .38 Super versions are still manufactured and used mostly as competition guns due to extreme accuracy.

During the 1970 - 1983, Colt manufactured Mk.IV series 70 Government model pistols, which closely resembled original M1911A1s, but with accurized barrel bushings. Since 1983, Colt manufactured Mk.IV Series 80 Government model pistols, that featured added firing pin safety. Latest Colt product, M1991A1, also featured Series 80 slide with firing pin safety.

Colt also developed some more compact versions of its full-size commercial guns. So called "Commander" versions (available as Combat Commanders, Lightweight Commanders with alloy frames etc) have shortened barrels and slides (barrel lenght 108 mm, or 4.25 inch), with the standart size frame and grip, and standart magazine capacity of 7 rounds in .45ACP. These guns were also available in .38 Super and 9mm Luger chamberings. In the year 1972, US Army adopted the M15 General Officers Model Pistol, developed by Rock Island Arsenal, wery similar to Combat Commander, as a selfdefence weapon for high level army officers. These guns had a brass plate insert in the left grip panel, where tha name of the owner should be engraved.

Even more compact version, the Colt Defender, had also the shorter grip that limits magazine capacity to 6 rounds of .45ACP. The barrel of Defender is of 76 mm lenght (3 inch). Commercial Colt Officers' pistols were also very similar to Defenders.

Along with Colt, countless numbers of companie in the USA and other countries manufactured more or less exact copies of the M1911. Some millions of guns were manufactured in the USA during the WW2 by numerous companies under US Government contracts, and probably even more were manufactured for commercial sales. Most common M1911 clones are manufactured by: Springfield armoury, Les Baer, Kimber, Wilson, STI, Para Ordnance and many, many others. Also, many M1911-partterned pistols are still custom built for service duty, sport shooting and self defence.

Technically, the M1911 is a recoil operated, locked breech semi-auto pistol. It has single action trigger with frame mounted safety that locks the hammer

and the slide. Hammer could be locked either in cocked or in lowered position, allowing the gun to be carried in "cocked and locked" state, with safety on, hammer cocked and round chambered. Additional automated safety incorporated into rear of the grip and locks the action when gun not held in the hand properly.

Barrel and slide are interlocked via massive lugs onthe upper part of the barrel, just ahead of the chamber. After the shot is fired, the barrel and the slide go back for the short distance, then rear part of the barrel is lovered by tilting link, and barrel unlocks the slide. The slide goes all the way back, extracting and ejecting spent case and chambering the new round on the way back. When magazine is empty, the magazine follower activates slide stop that locks the slide in the open (rear) position. The gun is fed from the single stack, seven round magazine. The magazine release button is located on the left side of the frame, just behind the triggerguard.

Modern Gov't/1911 clones may differ, more or less, from this description: i.e, those guns may have widebody frames that can accept dual stack, high capacity magazines; frames could be made from steel, alluminium alloys or polymer; some could have Double Action or even Double Action Only triggers, ambidextrous satety switches and slide stops etc.

In the end, i must say that this article is very incomplete, since the Colt Gov't / M1911 is probably the most popular pistol in the world. It is known for its reliability, serviceability, simplicity. Custom made M1911s capable of outstanding accuracy, and many of M1911-patterned guns are still in service with different military and law enforcement agencies in the USA.

Colt Double Eagle pistol (USA)

Colt Double Eagle pistol

Colt Double Eagle Commander pistol

Type	Double Action semiautomatic
Caliber	.45ACP, also .40S&W and 10mm Auto
Weight unloaded	1205 g
Length	216 mm
Barrel length	127 mm
Magazine capacity	8 rounds

Colt Double Eagle pistol has been manufactured between 1990 and 1997. Unfortunately for company that brought it, Double Eagle came to market way too late, and was looked at as an outdated design with its heavy, all-steel construction and single-stack magazine. It was available in standard full-size, as well as in more compact Commander and Officers versions, in several calibers, but neither version succeed. One ironic aspect of this otherwise unremarkable design is that it became quite popular as a pattern for making tear-gas and blank-firing copies in Germany and Italy, as well as airsoft copies (toy air guns that fired 6mm plastic BB bullets) in South-East Asia.

Colt Double Eagle is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It uses the Browning-type locking system, copied from Colt M1911 pistol, with its swinging link. Trigger is of double action type, with exposed hammer and a frame-mounted decocker lever. Additional safety is provided by the automatic firing pin block. Magazines are single stack, magazine release button is located at the base of triggerguard. Sights are either fixed or adjustable, dovetailed to the slide.

Colt SOCOM OHWS pistol (USA)

Type	Double Action semiautomatic
Caliber	.45ACP
Weight unloaded	1510 g
Length	249 mm
Barrel length	121 mm
Magazine capacity	10 rounds

his prototype pistol has been developed during early nineties under the US SOCOM OHWS - Offensive Handgun Weapon System program. It combined features from several other Colt designs, such as M1911 (manual safety), Double Eagle (double action trigger with decocker) and All American 2000 (rotating barrel locking). There also were few indigenous features, but overall weapon was heavy and bulky, and it eventually lost to the other OHWS candidate, from the German company Heckler & Koch (see HK Mk.23 mod.0).

One interesting feature of Colt OHWS was the usage of various muzzle attachments (including the silencer, as required by OHWS documents, and muzzle compensator) through the frame mountings. As the rotating barrel action is quite sensitive to the weight of the moving parts, Colt engineers decided to attach heavy parts like silencer to the frame instead of the moving barrel. For this reason the frame under the barrel has been fitted with special rails, which could accept a special mount for muzzle compensator of silencer; in turn, the bottom of this mount has been provided with its own mounting points to attach tactical lights or laser aiming modules.

Colt OHWS is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol made almost entirely from stainless steel. It uses the rotating barrel locking, similar to that found in All American 2000 pistol described above. Trigger is of double action type, with exposed hammer and separate manual safety and decoking levers. Sights were fixed, with the rear sight dovetailed into the slide and front sight mounted on the muzzle device, which was attached to the frame. Magazines were single stack, and as required minimum magazine capacity was 10 rounds, the grip length was significant to say the least. Magazine release button was located at the base of the triggerguard.

Smith&Wesson Sigma Series (USA)

Action: Single Action *

Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para in Sigma 9; .40S&W in Sigma 40; 9x17mm (.380ACP) in Sigma 380

Overall Length: 184 mm

Barrel Length: 114 mm (4.5in) in pre-1999 Sigmas; 101.6 mm (4 in) in current versions

Weight: ca. 690 g empty

Capacity: 16 rounds (9 mm); 15 rounds (.40SW)

The Sigma series of pistols was introduced in 1994 by its first model, Sigma 40F in .40SW, following with 9x19mm version. Sigma pistols bear so much similirality to Glocks, that the lawsuit was rised against the S&W, so Smith & Wesson finally paid undisclosed sum (some millions of $$$) to Glock for violation of their patents, and then S&W received the rights to continue the production of Sigma line.

technically, Sigma pistols are recoil operated, locked breech semi-auto pistols, built on modified Browning-style linkless locking principle. All Sigmas feature Glock-type single action-type trigger with automatical half-cock and manual striker cocking during trigger pull. Sigma pistols had no external (manual) safeties. Gun frame is made from polymer, the slide and the barrel can be manufactured from the stainless steel or from the carbon steel (in so called "Value" models).

In 1999 S&W improved the Sigma series. Main change was shortening the barrel and the slide by .5 inch (12.7 mm). Other improvements included more comfortable grip checkering, slightly enlarged ejection port and addition of the acessory rail at the front of the frame (under the barrel).

Smith & Wesson Military and Police semiautomatic pistol (USA)

Type	Double Action Only semiautomatic
Caliber(s)	9x19mm Luger/Parabellum, .357SIG, .40S&W
Weight unloaded	700 g (24.25 oz) empty
Length	190 mm (7.5")
Barrel length	114 mm (4.5")
Magazine capacity	17 (9mm) or 15 (.357 and .40) rounds

The "Military and Police" pistol is the latest offering from the legendary American Smith & Wesson company. First appeared in the summer of 2005, this pistol is obviously intended for police and military sales, but also will be offered for civilian markets. The "Military & Police" name was the trade mark of S&W for some 80 or so years, being permanently linked to the most successful double action revolver from this company, currently known as S&W Model 10. It is yet to be seen if the new M&P will have any success, like original had.

S&W Military and Police pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol that uses Browning-type locking. Frame is made from high strength polymer, all steel components (incl. barrel and slide) are made from stainless steel. Pistol is striker fired, with double action only trigger. Since most of striker-fired pistols require the trigger to be pulled during disassembly, the S&W has a neat sear release lever which can be used to safely release the striker without pulling the trigger, and with the slide locked back open. The sear release lever is accessible only through the ejection port opening. S&W Military and Police pistol is a fully ambidextrous, with slide release levers located on either side of frame, and reversible magazine release button. For improved ergonomics, the rear part of the grip is easily replaceable, and gun comes with three grip panels of different size and shape. Front part of the frame, under the barrel, is shaped to form the Picatinny rail for accessories. Both front and rear sights are dovetailed to the slide and can be easily adjusted or replaced by optional tritium night sights.

Smith & Wesson SD9 SD40 Self Defense pistol (USA)

Type	Double Action Only semiautomatic
Caliber(s)	9x19 Luger, .40SW
Weight unloaded	643 g / 22.7 oz
Length	183 mm / 7.2"
Barrel length	102 mm / 4"
Magazine capacity	16 (9mm) or 14 (.40) rounds

The Self Defense / SD series of pistols is one of the new product lines from famous American handgun makers, Smith & Wesson. Introdused in 2010, these pistols are specially designed as affordable, yet efefctive and reliable weapons for civilian users and security use. Smith & Wesson SD9 and SD40 Self Defense pistols are based on the already proven design of the Smith & Wesson Military & Police / M&P pistols, with certain cost-saving measures which, however, do not affect the practical utility of new pistiols.

Smith & Wesson SD9 and SD40 Self Defense pistols are similar in design and differ only in caliber used. S&W SD pistols are short recoil operated, locked breech weapons that use Browning-type locking system with tilting barrel. The trigger is of double-action only type, striker fired, with pre-cocked striker system. No manual safeties are provided, but guns are fitted with automated trigger and firing pin safeties. Pistol frames are made from impact-resistant polymer, barrels and slides are manufactured from stainless steel. Double stack magazines hold 16 rounds of 9mm ammo or 14 rounds of .40SW ammo; 10-round magazines are offred as well. Magazine release button is located at the base of the trigger guard. Smith & Wesson SD9 and SD40 Self Defense pistols are shipped from factory with fixed three-dot sights - front sight is provided with luminous tritium dot, and the rear sight is provided with white dots. An integral Picatinny rail on the frame, below the barrel, allows for easy installation of useful add-ons, such as laser-aiming module or tactical flashlight.

Ruger American pistol (USA)

Ruger American pistol, 9mm version

Ruger American pistol, .45ACP version

	American 9mm	American .45
Trigger type	Pre-tensioned striker (no double action capability)
Caliber	9x19		.45ACP
Weight, empty	850 g		893 g
Length	190 mm		203 mm
Barrel length	107 mm		114 mm
Capacity	10 or 17 rounds		10 rounds

  

Ruger American pistol was officially introduced early in 2016. It is a full-size, service- or defensive-type pistol of modern design. Like most other Ruger products, it is affordable, yet strong and reliable weapon. As of 2016, Ruger American pistols are available in two major calibers (9x19 and .45), with slightly different dimensions.

Ruger American pistol is a semi-automatic pistol with polymer frame and pre-tensioned striker system. Unlike many earlier striker-fired pistols, it does not require a trigger to be pressed during disassembly, as striker is automatically disengaged when disassembly lever is rotated. Pistol uses traditional Browning-type short recoil operated action; barrel engages the slide with single lug that enters ejection window; locking and unlocking is controlled by a cam system below the barrel. Polymer frame features steel chassis that hosts firing mechanism and slide rails; modular grip panels come in three sizes, from Small to Large (.45 version has only 2 sizes, Medium and Large).  Magazine release buttons and slide release levers are duplicated on either side of the gun. Ammunition is fed from detachable, double stack magazines with capacity of 10 or 17 rounds. Fixed sights are dovetailed to the frame; standard sights are Novak low-profile with three white dots.

Fort 17 pistol (Ukraine)

Type	Double Action semiautomatic
Caliber(s)	9x18 PM / Makarov
Weight unloaded	700 g
Length	180 mm
Barrel length	95 mm
Magazine capacity	12 rounds

Fort 17 pistol is the latest development of the Ukrainian state-owned FORT factory. Basically, it is a polymer-framed modification of the earlier Fort 12 pistol, and all the mechanisms and properties are almost the same between these two pistols. However, the Fort 17 is lighter than its predecessor, and features a removable grip backstrap, which can be had in various sizes, to adopt the pistol for a particular shooter. For description of mechanisms, the pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech pistol which uses Browning HP-type locking. It features polymer frame double action trigger with exposed hammer and frame-mounted manual safety.

Shevchenko PSh-4 pistol (Ukraine)

Type	Double Action semiautomatic
Caliber(s)	9x18 Makarov
Weight unloaded	900 g
Length	172 mm
Barrel length	142 mm
Magazine capacity	15 rounds

The most intriguing small arms “producer” in Ukraine was the KB-ST (Design Bureau for Special Techniques). This highly controversial organization was established in 1993 and during the late nineties announced a series of a “revolutionary” small arms designs, such as sub-machine guns and sniper rifles of outstanding, if not unbelievable, characteristics. However, no foreign experts ever were able to test these “wonder weapons”, and by now it seems that KB-ST has folded and gone out of business. One of such wonder weapons widely advertised in Ukrainian literature as “unique” and “superior” was the Pistolet Shevchenko, or PSh in short. This overly complicated and strange-looking weapon was also an amalgam of previously known ideas, some of which were tried and rejected 50 or even 100 years ago. To start with, the PSh used a two-stage feed system, borrowed from the 1900-period Gabbet-Fairfax “Mars” pistol of British origin. This system, in which the cartridge is first pulled back from the magazine and placed on a lifter, then raised inline with the barrel and fed forward and into the chamber, was necessary because of the elongated barrel, which protruded back into the action. To further complicate the construction, its designer Shevchenko used a very rare gas-operated locking system first (and probably last) used in a WW2-era prototype Horn assault rifle from Germany. This system employs two small gas pistons that are forced by gas pressure sideways from the frame and into locking recesses in the slide. Another strange feature was a hand-cocking device, probably taken from HK P7 pistol, but in a twist – instead of full-hand cocking lever PSh employed some form of a second trigger, located below the “primary” trigger and used to cock the striker when pressed by one middle finger. If you still not have enough of this design, it also had a ribbed, aluminium jacket on the barrel, and a very special sort of slide stop, that locked slide open once there was ONE cartridge left in the gun. The claimed purpose of this arrangement was to allow shooter to make its “deliberate last shot” – in its own head, probably. Not surprisingly, this weapon, “available” in 9x18 PM, 9x19 and .45 ACP, never went past magazine pages, and probably, a handful of prototypes. Nevertheless, the author decided to include it, if just for the amusement of the readers.

Gerasimenko VAG-72 VAG-73 pistols (Ukraine)

Gerasimenko VAG-72  pistol

Gerasimenko VAG-73 pistol. Note the dandem (dual compartment) magazine with 48-round capacity

7.62mm round of ammunition, designed by Gerasimenko. Projectile is all-steel, except for screw-in base made of brass, and is hollow at the rear (where propellant  is stored)

Data for VAG-73 select-fire pistol

Trigger type	Double action
Caliber	7.62mm Gerasmenko “caseless”
Weight, empty	1.2 kg
Length	235 mm
Barrel length	?
Capacity	48 rounds

Those very unusual experimental pistols were developed during early 1970s by Vladimir Gerasimenko. He worked at one of industrial factories in the city of Kiev (USSR, now Ukraine), and designed small arms in his spare time, which in itself was not a typical hobby during Soviet times, but he somehow found an approval from local KGB authorities. The VAG-72 pistol, produced around 1972, was a semi-automatic weapon firing unusual “caseless” ammunition similar in concept to Italian 9mm AUPO cartridges (or much earlier “Volcanic volition ball” ammunition from 19th century). 7.62mm ammunition, designed by Gerasimenko, featured machines steel projectiles with ogive nose and hollow cylindrical body open at the rear. Hollow cavity inside the projectile contained propellant charge of smokeless powder; it was closed at the rear by a screw-in brass base that served as a driving band to engage rifling and also contained a combustible primer. Upon discharge, primer burned through to ignite the powder charge, and powder gases emerged rearwards to push the bullet out of the bore through the large primer hole in the base. In 1973, Gerasimenko designed another, larger pistol to fire same type of ammunition. Known as VAG-73, it featured high capacity, tandem type magazine, and had select-fire capabilities. It is believed that only one of each type of Gerasimenko pistol, and a handful of 7.62mm rounds survived to this day in the collection of Artillery museum in St.Petersburg, Russia. Obviously, the entire concept of the cartridge with propellant container (case) integral to the projectile (bullet) was generally flawed and offered no practical benefits over conventional ammunition, while adding additional problems of obturation, reliable headspacing and excessive fouling of the gun internals. Therefore, these pistols are no more than a historical curiosity and oddity in Soviet history of small arms development, dominated by huge, state-owned factories and scientific R&D institutions.

Gerasimenko VAG-73 pistol is a select-fire weapon that utilizes simple blowback action and a pneumatic slide buffer to decrease cyclic rate of fire. The barrel chamber is noticeably deeper than the cartridge itself, and the breech face of the bolt inside the slide is round to enter the rear part of the chamber, thus achieving necessary obturation (gas seal), mandated by a “caseless” cartridge with opening at the rear. Dual stack, dual compartment tandem magazine holds 48 rounds in total; when firing, special projections at the bottom of the slide force topmost cartridges in each magazine compartment forward; top cartridge from the forward compartment goes into the barrel, and the top cartridge in the rear compartment moves forward into the front compartment, taking place of the chambered round. Therefore, rear compartment of the magazine is expended first; once the rear compartment is ready, cartridges from the front compartment are fed into the barrel in the usual way. Being an experimental weapon, VAG-73 pistol has no manual safeties; an ambidextrous fire mode selector switch is located at both sides of the frame, roughly above the trigger. VAG-72 semi-automatic pistol was more or less similar design, but it featured single-compartment, double stack magazine with 24-round capacity, no pneumatic buffer and no fire mode selector.

Alfa Proj Steel and Holek revolvers (Czech

 Republic)

Alfa Steel revolver with 4" barrel

Alfa Steel revolver with 6" barrel

Alfa Holek revolver with 2" barrel

	Alfa Steel	Alfa Holek
Trigger type	Double / single action
Caliber	.32 SW, .38 Spl, .357 Magnum	.32 SW, .38 Spl
Weight, empty	850 – 1150 g	710 – 930 g
Length	192 – 293 mm	176 – 287 mm
Barrel length	51 – 152 mm / 2 – 6 in	51 – 152 mm / 2 – 6 in
Capacity	6 rounds	6 rounds

Alpha Steel and Holek model revolvers are manufactured in Czech republicby Alpha Proj company. Major differences between Steel and Holek models are frame material and chamberings – Steel models feature more robust, but heavier steel frames, while Holek models feature lightweight aluminum alloy frames. Otherwise both model lines are mechanically similar, and both are offered in similar variety of barrel lengths, ranging between 2 and 6 inches (51 to 152 millimeters). Alfa Proj revolvers are intended for security, personal defense and sport. These revolvers combine affordable price with traditional Czech quality and accuracy in details.

Alfa revolvers are traditional double / single action guns with exposed hammers and frame-mounted firing pins. 6-shot cylinder swings out to the left for ejection and reloading. Cylinder latch is located at the rear of the frame. Depending on the model, Alfa revolvers can be produced with fixed or adjustable rear sights.

CZ 75 P-07 and P-09 Duty pistol (Czech Republic)

CZ 75 P-07 Duty pistol in basic version, with decocker levers installed

CZ 75 P-07 Duty pistolwith manual safety levers installed

CZ 75 P-09 Duty pistol

	CZ 75 P-07	CZ 75 P-09
Trigger type	DA / SA, hammer
Caliber	9x19, 9x21, .40SW	9x19
Weight, empty, g	770	840
Length, mm	185	205
Barrel length, mm	95	115
Capacity, rounds	16 (9mm), 12 (.40)	19

CZ 75 P-07 Duty pistol is a next generation member of the famous CZ 75 family of pistols, produced in Czech Republic by CZ-UB factory since 2009. P-07 is a versatile medium-sized pistol suitable for most purposes like police duty use and concealed carry. The P-09 Duty pistol, introduced in 2013, is a larger, service-type version of the P-07. It is mechanically similar to P-07 but features longer barrel and grip that host large 19-round magazine.

By opinion of this blogger, CZ P-07 Duty pistol could be considered as a separate development because it differs from the original CZ 75 in almost every respect, but it seems that CZ-UB prefers to keep the legacy of its flagship CZ 75 pistol, which is understandable.

CZ 75 P-07 Duty handgun is short recoil operated, locked breech weapon that uses modified Browning locking with tilting barrel. Frame of the gun is made from high strength polymer. Gun is fed from double stack, single feed magazines. Pistol is equipped with indigenous DA/SA “Omega” trigger system with exposed hammer and convertible ambidextrous controls. Each P-07 pistol is supplied with decocker levers installed, which suggest carry with hammer lowered over loaded chamber and firing first shots in Double Action mode. However, for those who prefer “Cocked & Locked” carry each gun is supplied from the factory with alternate manual safety levers, which any user can install in minutes instead of decocker levers. Magazine release is of traditional button type, and can be installed on either side of the grip, slide release lever is located only on the left side. Standard sights are of fixed, three-dot type. Picatinny rail for accessories is provided on the frame below the barrel.  CZ P-09 handguns (as well as CZ P-07 made since 2014) also feature replacement grip backstraps of three different sizes.

FK Brno Defense Field Tactical pistol (Czech Republic)

FK Brno Defense Field Tactical pistol

FK Brno Defense Field Tactical pistol with detachable shoulder stock


7.5x27mm FK ammunition

Trigger type	Double action
Caliber	7.5x27 FK
Weight, empty	1.2 kg
Length	240 mm
Barrel length	150 mm
Capacity	14 rounds

The Field Tactical pistol was first introduced during IWA 2015 exhibition in Nuremberg, Germany. Designed by the small company Brno Defense from CzechRepublic(originally known as FK Brno Engineering SRO), a year later (spring of 2016) it still remains in the prototype stage. It is advertised as an extremely powerful and accurate “100-meter pistol”, that fires proprietary 7.5x27 FK ammunition, propelling 6.5 gram projectiles to muzzle velocities of about 610 meters per second, and generating about 1200 Joules of muzzle energy (about twice of the typical modern 9mm service pistol). It seems that the only field where this large and powerful weapon can achieve any degree of the commercial success is the same niche as already occupied with famous Desert Eagle pistol – that is, handgun hunting and fun shooting. This pistol is way too heavy and large for a modern service sidearm, and its theoretical “100-meter” effectiveness can be achieved only in ideal range conditions; in fact, if range to your target during combat is any longer than, say, 15-20 meters, you need a LONG GUN (rifle or submachine gun, or a shotgun firing slugs). The FK Field pistol tries to offset inherent limitations of practical handgun accuracy with introduction of a detachable shoulder stock, but it’s still a solution more suitable for plinkers or hunters than for police or military operators. The proprietary ammunition also somehow limits the usefulness of the gun in question.

The FK Field Tactical pistol is an all-steel double action handgun broadly based on a venerable CZ-75 design. It uses hammer-fired double action trigger, and Browning-type short recoil operation with vertically tilting barrel. To alleviate excessive recoil of powerful proprietary ammunition, pistol is equipped with special recoil buffer, located inside the frame below the barrel. It is fed using detachable double stack, single feed magazines with 14-round capacity. Folding detachable shoulder stock is available as an accessory.

Sphinx 3000 pistol (Switzerland)

Sphinx 3000 Standard pistol (full size model with adjustable sights)

Sphinx 3000T pistol (short-barreled Tactical / Police version with flashlight installed on integral rail)

	3000 Standard	3000 Tactical
Calibers	9x19mm Luger/Para; 9x21mm IMI; .40S&W
Weight unloaded	~ 1040 g	~ 950 g
Length	215 mm	195 mm
Barrel length	115 mm	95 mm
Capacity	16 rounds (9mm) or 12 rounds (.40)

Sphinx pistols are made in Switzerland, by the Sphinx Systems Ltd company. The Sphinx 3000 pistols are direct descendants of the already famous Sphinx AT 2000 pistols. The Sphinx 3000 pistols were introduced in 2003, and are available in various versions and calibers, for sport (IPSC and IDPA), self-defense and security / police services. Sphinx 3000 pistols offer extremely high workmanship and reliability, top class accuracy and reliability, almost indestructible all-steel design. These pistols are by no means cheap, but offer probably the best "out of the box" quality money can buy. More models of this pistol is available for sport shooters, including models specially adapted for various IPSC and IDPA classes. These models can be factory fitted with extended magazines, red-dot scope mounts, sport-tuned single action triggers and other options. According to the sources at Sphinx company, the .45ACP version of the Sphinx 3000 is now in development (as of March 2004).

Sphinx 3000 is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. The barrel is operated using a Browning cam system, and is locked to slide by single lug via large ejection port. Frame and slide are made from steel for maximum rigidity. The frame is completely machined from two steel blocks and then permanently assembled. Trigger guard is shaped for comfortable two-hand hold. Frame on all Sphinx 3000 pistols has an integral accessory rail under the barrel. Sphinx 3000 pistols feature a Double Action trigger with external hammer, but can be fitted (on request) with Single action trigger systems. Various models can be fitted with standard safety which can lock the hammer either in cocked or uncocked position, or with the decock-only lever. The safety or decocker levers are ambidextrous and provided on both sides of the frame. The slide stop lever is also installed on both sides of the frame. Tactical models are similar in design but have shortened slide and barrel, and can be ordered with SA, DA or DAO triggers. Tactical models are fitted with fixed sights with white inserts; Other models are usually fitted with adjustable sights. In any case, both front and rear sight are dovetailed into the slide, and can be easily replaced if required.

SIG-Sauer P320 pistol (USA / Germany)

SIG-Sauer P320 pistol, version Full-size

SIG-Sauer P320 pistol, version Carry

SIG-Sauer P320 pistol, version Sub-compact

SIG-Sauer P320 pistol, version Sub-compact

	P320 full-size	P320 carry	P320 compact	P320 subcompact
Trigger type	Double action with pre-tensioned striker
Caliber	9x19, .357SIG, .40SW, .45ACP	9x19, .357SIG, .40SW	9x19, .357SIG, .40SW, .45ACP	9x19
Weight, empty	0.83 kg	0.74 kg	0.73 kg	0.70 kg
Length	203 mm	183 mm	183 mm	170 mm
Barrel length	119 mm	99 mm	99 mm	91 mm
Capacity, rounds	17 (9mm), 14 (.357, .40), 10 (.45)	17 (9mm), 14 (.357, .40)	15 (9mm), 13 (.357, .40), 9 (.45)	12

The P320 pistol is produced by US-based branch of international SIG-Sauer company for civilian, military and law enforcement use. First introduced in 2014, it is now available in four different sizes, each having three grip frame sizes (S, M and L) and ranging from full-size model (intended for duty use or dynamic shooting sports) to compact and sub-compact models, intended for concealed carry for self-defense. It’s a modular, multi-caliber system that is built around single unified steel frame that hosts trigger system and slide rails. This serially numbered steel frame is inserted into the polymer grip frame (receiver), and appropriate barrel, slide and magazine(s) are added to complete the desired configuration of the gun.

The SIG-Sauer P320 modular pistol is short recoil operated, locked breech handgun that uses Browning-type locking system with cam-operated vertically tilting barrel. It’s a striker-fired weapon, with pre-tensioned striker spring and no manual safeties. Automated trigger safety is optional for all models. Gun is designed to be as “fool-proof” during maintenance as possible, requiring no tools and no trigger manipulations during disassembly and reassembly.

B+T USW Universal Service Weapon pistol carbine / stocked handgun (Switzerland)

B+T USW (Universal Service Weapon) pistol carbine with shoulder stock folded

B+T USW (Universal Service Weapon) pistol carbine with shoulder stock unfolded

B+T USW (Universal Service Weapon) pistol carbine with shoulder stock folded

B+T USW (Universal Service Weapon) pistol carbine with shoulder stock folded, carried in a special plastic holster also made by B+T

Trigger type	Double action
Caliber	9x19
Weight, empty	1.16 kg
Length	253 mm stock folded, 486 mm stock opened
Barrel length	105 mm
Capacity

The B&T USW (Universal Service Weapon) is an interesting new sidearm, designed by Swiss company B+T AG and first introduced in 2016. This handgun brings an old concept of the stocked pistol to the wole new level, making it really comfortable to carry much like a conventional pistol, fast to deploy as a hand- or shoulder-fired weapon, and much more accurate than a conventional handgun thanks to the integral shoulder stock and red-dot sight.

It is a well known fact that pistols are notoriously hard weapons to master, and usually shooter is capable of much worse accuracy than a typical modern pistol can exhibit in ideal condition. One known solution for this is to fit some sort of shoulder stock to the pistol, turning it into some sort of a carbine that is much more stable and thus easier to aim and fire accurately. However, until recently stocked pistols were usually clumsy to carry with their combination shoulder stocks/holsters (guns like Mauser C96 or Stechkin APS come to mind first), and almost always slow to deploy in “carbine” mode. The B+T USW solves this problem by providing an integral side-folding shoulder stock which folds along the gun when it is carried in special holster or fired off-hand, and can be unfolded in a second when tactical situation calls for accurate “long range” fire (any distance beyond 20-25 meters is a long range by typical pistol combat shooting). Combined with integrated Aimpoint “Nano” red dot sight this makes the USW a formidable duty gun for police, security and other law enforcement services that require compact service sidearm with practical accuracy capabilities beyond most typical  pistols on the market. It also might serve as a platform for military PDW (Personal Defense Weapon), although most military services prefer select-fire guns for this role, and the USW, at least for now, is a semi-auto only weapon.

The B+T USW is a short-recoil operated, semi-automatic handgun that uses Browning-type action with tilting barrel. The USW-A1 is based on the famous CZ-75 pistol, actually using some parts purchased from now-defunct Sphinx company. B+T USW-A1 features conventional hammer-fired DA/SA action with frame mounted ambidextrous safety (a striker-fired, polymer-framed USW  version will come in 2017). The frame of USW-A1 is made from aluminum alloy, and features unusual rear extension that wraps around the rear part of the slide, providing stable platform for integrated red dot sight and protecting shooter’s palm from any sort of hammer or slide-bite. The rear of extended frame contains a hinge for the shoulder stock that folds forward and to the right when not required. Accessory MIL-STD rail is provided on the frame in front of the trigger guard which can be used to install flashlights and / or laser pointers. Barrel is threaded from the factory and can accept quick-detach sound suppressors also made by B+T. A special duty holster, made from polymer, is designed by B+T to comfortably carry both USW versions with stock folded and red-dot sight protected from external damage, yet ready to deploy in a critical situation.

Vector CP1 pistol (South Africa)

Characteristics

Type: Double Action

Chamber: 9x19 Luger/Para

Weight w. empty magazine: 720 g

Length: 177 mm

Barrel length: 100 mm

Capacity: 13 (standard magazine) or 12 (compact magazine) rounds

9mm Vektor СР1 pistol was intended as a concealed carry weapon for police and civilian public. Designed and manufactured by the Vektor, a small-arms division of the South African military DENEL Corporation, it has an unusual, streamlined design with a polymer frame and an even more unusual safety, located at the front of the trigger-guard. Introduced during the late nineties, it is still manufactured in limited numbers, mostly for export.

The CP1 uses a gas- delayed blowback action with gas cylinder located below the barrel, design probably borrowed from the German HK P7 pistol. Trigger is double action, striker fired. Manual safety is located at the front of the trigger guard. To set on Safe, the button must be pressed rearward from the front; to set on Fire, button must be pressed forward from inside the triggerguard. Pistol also fitted with automated trigger safety. Magazines are double stack; 12-round magazines are flush fit with the bottom of the grip, 13-round magazines have extended finger rests at the bottom.

RAP-401 and RAP-440 pistols (South Africa)

Type	Double Action semiautomatic
Caliber(s)	9x19 Luger / Parabellum and .40SW
Weight unloaded	915 g
Length	165 mm
Barrel length	89 mm
Magazine capacity	8 (9mm) or 7 (.40) rounds

In the late nineties, the South African police issued a requirement for a compact, concealable pistol chambered for 9x19 ammunition. In 1997, the contract for a new police pistol went to the Republic Arms Company, which had developed the RAP-401 pistol, a relatively compact sidearm suitable for concealed carry. Later on, Republic Arms also produced a .40 calibre version of the same pistol, intended for export. This was designated RAP-440. It seems that RAP pistols were influenced by the Spanish Astra A-75. RAP pistols are favored for their reliability and mild recoil; on the other hand, these pistols are somewhat heavy for their pocket size.

The RAP-401 is a short-recoil operated, locked-breech pistol of all-steel construction. It uses a modified Browning type locking system, as the barrel engages the slide with a single lug that enters the ejection window. Unlocking is controlled by a cam-shaped lug below the barrel. The trigger is double-action, with an exposed hammer and frame-mounted safety, which also doubles as a decocker. Sights are fixed. Magazines are single-stack; the magazine release button is located at the base of the trigger-guard.

Truvelo ADP / Wilson Combat ADP / Heritage 'Stealth' pistol (South African republic)

Characteristics

Type	Double Action Only with pre-cocked striker
Caliber	9x19 Luger / Parabellum (also .40SW)
Weight	560 g (19.5oz) empty
Length	160 mm (6.3")
Barrel length	95 mm (3.75")
Magazine capacity	10 rounds

The ADP (Advanced Defensive Pistol) has been developed by South African gun designer Alex Du Plessis in about 1991. ADP pistol was intended for concealed carry by various police and security services, as well as by civilian users. First production guns appeared in 1994 from South African company Aserma. At about the same time, rights for ADP design were sold to Italian company Tanfoglio, that briefly manufactured ADP as Tanfoglio P-25. Same pistol also was sold in USA trough second half of 1990s as Heritage Stealth. In the year 1995, an improved version of the basic design was introduced, the ADP mark II pistol. In about 1998, the noted South African arms making company Truvelo Armory took over production of ADP pistols, chambered for 9mm and .40SW ammunition. A new .45ADP (based on shortened .45ACP case, basically similar in concept to current .45GAP) round also was advertised in this pistol, but apparently it was never made in quantity. In the year 2004 it was announced that Truvelo will cease production of ADP pistols because of "insufficient market demand", but early in 2006 US-based company Wilson Combat announced that it will import newly made ADP Mark II pistols into United sates under its own name, so it seems that production of this gun will be resumed.

ADP pistol uses gas-delayed blowback action with stationery barrel. Gas piston is located below the barrel, and hot powder gases are fed there from the bore via small port near the chamber. Gas piston is inserted into the cylinder from the front, and is connected to the slide, in the same manner as in famous HK P7 pistol. The frame is made from impact-resistant polymer, with removable steel insert that hosts slide rails and barrel. Trigger is striker-fired, double-action only with pre-cocking (therefore second strike on misfired round is impossible without at least a partial slide retraction). Manual safety is somewhat unusual in its placement, as its levers are located just behind the trigger, at either side of the frame. Sights are fixed, with the rear sight blade dovetailed to the slide.