Short-bore handguns are called pistols. Modern pistols of the world are distinguished by a variety of models. Each country adopts weapons of its own power structures that best meet its needs. The world is constantly fighting for small arms sales markets. The work on its improvement does not stop. Reliable, convenient small arms for close combat are in constant demand both as weapons for state and security departments, and in terms of personal defense for civilians.
Story
The very first samples were made in the fifteenth century. The wick lock with a short barrel was mounted on a wooden deck. The wheel lock (wound with a key) for the pistol was invented by Leonardo da Vinci.
After a couple of centuries, it was replaced by a flintlock. Although it misfired, it was easier when loading weapons, was not afraid of dirt and was much cheaper than a wheeled one. In the first half of the nineteenth century a capsule (piston) lock appeared.
This made it possible to abandon single-shot pistols. At the end of the nineteenth century, they were completely replaced by revolvers. But a multi-charge automatic weapon was required. Pistols of the brand Roth-Krnka M.7 (Austria) were the first to be adopted by the state forces. It was used by the Austrian cavalry on the fronts of the First World War.
Until the 40s of the twentieth century, automatic weapons completely replaced the revolvers in the armament of the power structures of almost all countries of the world. Revolvers remain in the use of the civilian population (where permitted by law) for personal self-defense.
Almost all modern pistols in the world are self-loading. Of these, you can conduct automatic fire or shoot bursts with a constant length. In practice, they rarely shoot like this, since a small mass of weapons leads to wide dispersion of bullets. Models of pistols with increased mass and dimensions are classified as submachine guns.
Austria: Glock 17 and Glock 19
A distinctive feature of this weapon is that it shoots under water. Another important indicator is the low weight of the weapon (620 grams). The specialists of the Austrian company Glock were able to develop and apply polymer parts to the design of the gun. Brief description of Glock 17:
- total length - 186 mm;
- barrel - 149 mm;
- cartridges for the gun - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
- magazine with modifications of 10.15 or 17 rounds;
- range - 50 meters.
The model was created in 1980 and replaced the outdated Walther P38 at that time. The popularity of Glock 17 is confirmed by the fact that it is used by the military, special services, security agencies, and police in almost 60 countries of the world.
The Glock 19 is even lighter - just 595 grams. Its characteristics:
- total length - 177 mm;
- trunk - 102 mm;
- cartridges - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
- magazine at 15 (maybe 17, 19 or 33 rounds).
The reliability of the gun is ensured by the simplicity of design: all types of Glock pistols consist of only 34 parts.
It is used in the gendarmerie of France, in Israel for the general security service, in the police of Hong Kong, New Zealand.
America: Colt M1911
It is impossible to describe the pistols of the world without mentioning the legendary American Colts. Their story began in the nineteenth century. Countless Westerns filmed and books written about the conquest of America have made Colt famous around the world.
The automatic model Colt M-1911 caliber 45 - it was called colt-browning (John Browning's design findings were used in the development of the model) - was adopted by the U.S. Army in the early twentieth century and was used for more than 80 years.
Features Colt M191:
- weight - 1075 grams;
- total length - 216 mm;
- barrel - 127 mm;
- the store is designed for 7 rounds;
- caliber - 45;
- range - 50 meters.
Reliability, lethal force, convenience and ease of maintenance still attract connoisseurs to the legend of weapons. For Americans, the Colt remains a cult weapon.
Belgium: Five-seveN USG
To provide military personnel not directly involved in military operations, a light, reliable and powerful pistol was required. In 1996, the Belgian company FN introduced the FN Five-seveN IOM (personal officer model) to the market, a little later a model appeared specifically for the United States with the designation USG (United States Government).
Five-seveN USG Feature:
- weight - 590 grams;
- total length - 208 mm;
- barrel - 123 mm;
- width - 31 mm;
- height - 144 mm;
- caliber - 5.7 x 28 FN;
- magazine for 20 rounds;
- combat range - up to 200 meters.
Adopted by the special forces of Poland, France, USA.
Germany: USP (P8)
German gunsmiths have always been famous for the quality of their products. In the early 2000s, Heckler & Koch became a supplier of weapons to the Universal Selbstlade Pistole (USP) brand - a universal self-loading pistol.
Its distinctive feature is a store made of translucent plastic. This makes it easier to control ammunition consumption. Initially, the USP (P8) was conceived as a .40 S&W caliber cartridge. Therefore, the adopted USP (P8) with a 9th caliber proved to be very reliable pistols. USP Features (P8):
- weight - 770 grams;
- the weight of the infected pistol is 985 grams;
- total length - 194 mm;
- trunk - 108 mm;
- width 32 mm;
- height - 136 mm;
- cartridge - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
- the magazine is designed for 15 rounds of transparent polyamide with a steel frame;
- range - 50 meters.
The company hoped to enter the American market. At this time, the Beretta 92S pistol had another problem, and there was a question about replacing it. But the US military limited themselves to a transition to a more advanced model. USP (P8) is in service only in Germany. Army modification received the marking "P8".
Israel: UZI
The Israeli company Israel Military Industries at the end of the twentieth century developed a powerful and inexpensive weapon for the security forces. They needed a small melee weapon with a fairly capacious magazine.
Israeli law prohibits the use of submachine guns. The UZI model has the following characteristics:
- weight - 1700 grams;
- caliber - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum / Luger ;
- total length - 240 mm;
- trunk - 115 mm;
- magazine for 20, 25 or 32 rounds.
In addition to Israel, the list of countries that purchased UZI includes Haiti, Guatemala, Germany, Estonia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras.
Italy: Beretta 92S
When the US military decided to abandon the 45-caliber Colt M1911, which has been in service for over 80 years, a competition was announced among manufacturers of weapons for supply. The reason was the introduction of a uniform standard in all NATO armies. The main cartridge was recognized 9x19 mm Parabellum. It was on the basis of these parameters that the gun was chosen.
The Italians won the competition by offering their weapons. Pistols model Beretta 92S in fierce competition identified Sig Sauer P226 Swiss-German company.
Features Beretta 92S:
- weight - 950 grams;
- cartridge - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
- total length - 217 mm;
- trunk - 125 mm;
- sighting range - 50 meters.
Weapons manufactured in America and marked “M9” are delivered to US Army units. Over the past few years, despite some problems with weapons (failing reliability), the Americans did not change the Beretta brand, but switched to modernized versions.
Today, these weapons are in service with the United States, Spain, Italy, South Africa, France, Algeria, and Peru.
China: QSZ-92-9
We continue the review of the pistols with the brand of Chinese weapons QSZ-92-9. Norinco Corporation produces two types of this gun. One chambered for 9 x 19 mm Parabellum, the second - 5.8 x 21 mm. It was developed at the end of the last century specifically for arming the Chinese army.
The frame is made of impact-resistant plastic. Dual-charge store provides firing 15 rounds. On the frame under the barrel there is a guide for attaching a laser sight or flashlight. It is possible to equip the pistol with equipment for silently flameless shooting.
It is convenient to shoot from a weapon with both left and right hands, as well as with both hands. The small size is designed for a small, by European standards, the average hand of a Chinese soldier.
Features of QSZ-92-9:
- weight - 760 grams;
- caliber 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
- total length - 190 mm;
- trunk - 111 mm;
- width 35 mm;
- height - 135 mm;
- The store is designed for 15 rounds.
Adopted by the PRC for police units.
Russia: Makarov pistol
Perhaps the most famous Russian model of small arms is this gun. Makarov developed a combat self-loading pistol in 1948. He replaced the TT, which was in service with the Soviet army.
Over the years, several PM modifications have been created. The reliability of the design and the excellent price-quality ratio to this day provide demand for the Makarov lineup.
It is popular not only in the countries of the post-Soviet space, but also throughout the world. High reliability, simplicity of design and the ability to choose the right model allow the PM to withstand competition with more modern and powerful weapons.
The performance characteristics, weight and linear characteristics of the Makarov pistol:
- with a magazine without cartridges - 730 grams;
- with eight cartridges of 9 mm - 810 grams;
- total length - 161 mm;
- trunk - 93 mm;
- height - 127 mm;
- width –30.5 mm;
- caliber - 9 x 18 mm;
- rate of fire - 30 rounds per minute;
- Muzzle velocity - 315 m / s;
- effective at a distance of 50 meters, but lethal force remains up to 350 meters;
- magazine for 8 rounds;
- the gun can only shoot single shots.
To date, the production of PM is established not only in Russia, but also in Bulgaria, Germany. Weapons produced before 1990 by the Izhevsk factory are considered collection weapons.
Ukraine: Fort 17
One of the latest developments of Ukrainian specialists - the Fort-17 model - was created on the basis of the Fort-12 design. Its main advantages are light weight, power, ease of care, accuracy of shooting, safety in handling.
Characteristics "Fort-17":
- weight - 680 mm;
- caliber - 9 x 18 PM (fit 9 mm Short);
- total length - 180 mm;
- trunk - 95 mm;
- height - 130 mm;
- width - 32 mm;
- magazine for 13 rounds.
Used in the security departments of Ukraine, SBU, Ministry of Internal Affairs.
All the pistols of the world, no matter how perfect they are, eventually become obsolete. The constant struggle (forced) between manufacturers of small arms and developers of means of protection against the same weapons does not stop. More and more perfect and unified types of pistols are being created that meet the requirements of the time.
Progress does not stand still, and the latest technologies are used in the development of modern small arms for close combat. This applies to both the pistols themselves and their ammunition.