Pistols of the world. Modern small arms of the world

A short-barreled handgun is called a pistol. Modern pistols of the world differ in the variety of models. Each country takes on weapons of its power structures weapons that most meet its needs. In the world there is a constant struggle for the markets for the sale of small arms. Work does not stop on its improvement. Reliable, convenient small arms for close combat are in constant demand and as weapons for state and security agencies, and in terms of personal defense for the civilian population.

History

The very first samples were made in the fifteenth century. The wicked lock with a short trunk was fixed on a wooden deck. The wheel lock (keyed) for the gun was invented by Leonardo da Vinci.

In a couple of centuries it was replaced by a shock-flint lock. He even misfired, but it was easier when charging weapons, not afraid of dirt and was much cheaper than a wheel. In the first half of the nineteenth century a capsule (piston) lock appeared.

This made it possible to abandon singly-charged pistols. In the late nineteenth century, they were completely replaced by revolvers. But they needed multi-shot automatic weapons. Pistols brand Roth-Krnka M.7 (Austria) were the first to be adopted in the state army. It was used by the Austrian cavalry on the fronts of the First World War.

Until the 1940s, automatic weapons completely replaced revolvers in the armament of power structures of virtually all countries of the world. Revolvers remain in the use of the civilian population (where permitted by law) for personal self-defense.

Practically all modern pistols of the world are self-loading. Of these, you can fire automatically or fire bursts with a constant length. In practice, so rarely shoot, because the small mass of weapons leads to a wide dispersion of bullets. Models of pistols with increased mass and dimensions are classed as a submachine gun.

Austria: Glock 17 and Glock 19

A distinctive feature of this weapon is that it shoots underwater. Another important indicator is the low weight of the weapon (620 grams). Specialists of the Austrian company Glock managed to develop and apply parts of the polymer material in the design of the gun. Brief description Glock 17:

• Overall length - 186 mm;
• The trunk is 149 mm;
• Cartridges for the pistol - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
• Store with modifications of 10.15 or 17 rounds;
• Range - 50 meters.

The model was created in 1980 and replaced the obsolete Walther P38. The popularity of Glock 17 confirms the fact that it is used by military, security services, security agencies, police in almost 60 countries around the world.

The Glock 19 is even lighter - only 595 grams. Its characteristics:

• Total length - 177 mm;
• The trunk is 102 mm;
• Cartridges - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
• Store for 15 (maybe 17, 19 or 33 cartridges).

The reliability of the gun ensures the simplicity of the design: all types of Glock pistols consist of only 34 parts.

It is used in the gendarmerie of France, in Israel for the common 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 history began in the nineteenth century. The countless number of Westerns and American books written about the conquest of America made Colt known throughout 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 US Army in the early twentieth century and was used for more than 80 years.

Specifications Colt M191:

• Weight - 1075 grams;
• Length overall - 216 mm;
• The trunk is 127 mm;
• The store is designed for 7 cartridges;
• Caliber - 45;
• Range - 50 meters.

Reliability, lethal force, convenience and ease of maintenance still attract connoisseurs to the legend of armament. For Americans, the Colt remains a cult weapon.

Belgium: Five-seveN USG

To provide military personnel not directly involved in combat operations, an easy, reliable and powerful pistol was required. In 1996, the Belgian company FN offered FN Five-seveN IOM (personal officer model) to the market, a model later appeared for the USA with the designation USG (the government of the United States).

Feature Five-seveN USG:

• Weight - 590 grams;
• Total length - 208 mm;
• The trunk is 123 mm;
• Width - 31 mm;
• Height - 144 mm;
• Caliber - 5.7 x 28 FN;
• Store for 20 cartridges;
• Range of combat - up to 200 meters.

Adopted in service in special units of Poland, France, USA.

Germany: USP (P8)

German gunsmiths have always been famous for the quality of their products. At the beginning of the 2000s, Heckler & Koch became a supplier of Universal Selbstlade Pistole (USP) weapons - a universal self-loading pistol.

Its distinctive feature is a store made of translucent plastic. This makes it easier to control ammunition consumption. Initially, USP (P8) was conceived for a .40 S & W cartridge. Therefore, the USP (P8) with the 9th caliber appeared to be very reliable pistols. Characteristics of USP (P8):

• Weight - 770 grams;
• The weight of the infected pistol is 985 grams;
• Overall length - 194 mm;
• The trunk is 108 mm;
• Width 32 mm;
• Height - 136 mm;
• Cartridge - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
• The store is designed for 15 rounds of transparent polyamide with a steel frame;
• Range - 50 meters.

The firm expected to enter the American market. At this time, with the Beretta 92S pistol, another problem arose, and the question of its replacement was. But the US military confined itself to the transition to a more perfect model. USP (P8) is in service only in Germany. The army modification received the marking "Р8".

Israel: UZI

The Israeli company Israel Military Industries in the late twentieth century developed a powerful and inexpensive weapon for the security forces. They needed a small melee weapon with a fairly capacious store.

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 ;
• Overall length - 240 mm;
• The trunk is 115 mm;
• Store for 20, 25 or 32 cartridges.

In addition to Israel, the list of countries that have purchased UZI includes Haiti, Guatemala, Germany, Estonia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Honduras.

Italy: Beretta 92S

When the US military decided to abandon the Colt M1911 45-caliber, which was in service for more than 80 years, a tender was announced among arms manufacturers for supply. The reason was the introduction of a single standard in all armies of the NATO bloc . The main was recognized as the cartridge 9x19 mm Parabellum. It was on the basis of these parameters that the pistol was selected.

The competition was won by the Italians, offering their weapons. Pistols model Beretta 92S in a fierce competition determined Sig Sauer P226 Swiss-German company.

Characteristics Beretta 92S:

• Weight - 950 grams;
• Cartridge - 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
• Overall length - 217 mm;
• The trunk is 125 mm;
• Aiming range is 50 meters.

In the US military units supply weapons manufactured in the US and labeled "M9". Over the past few years, despite some problems with the weapon (failing reliability), the Americans did not change the brand of Beretta, but switched to modernized versions.

Today, these weapons are in service with the United States, Spain, Italy, South Africa, France, Algeria, Peru.

China: QSZ-92-9

Review pistols continue the brand of Chinese weapons QSZ-92-9. Norinco Corporation produces two types of this pistol. One for the cartridge 9 x 19 mm Parabellum, the second - 5.8 x 21 mm. It was developed at the end of the last century specifically for the arming of the Chinese army.

The frame is made of shock-resistant plastic. The double-charge magazine provides 15 rounds of ammunition. On the frame under the barrel there is a guide for fixing the laser sight or the lantern. It is possible to equip the pistol with equipment for silently-flameless shooting.

From the weapon it is convenient to shoot both left, and right hand, and also with both hands. The small size is designed for a small, by European standards, average hand of a Chinese soldier.

Features QSZ-92-9:

• Weight - 760 grams;
• Caliber 9 x 19 mm Parabellum;
• Overall length - 190 mm;
• Trunk - 111 mm;
• Width 35 mm;
• Height - 135 mm;
• The store is designed for 15 rounds.

Adopted in service in the PRC for police units.

Russia: Makarov's pistol

Perhaps the most famous Russian model of small arms is a given pistol. Makarov combat self-loading pistol developed in 1948. He came to replace the TT, which was in service with the Soviet army.

During the years of production, several modifications of the PM were created. The reliability of the construction and the excellent "price-quality" ratio to this day provide demand for the Makarov lineup.

It is popular not only in the post-Soviet countries, but throughout the world. High reliability, simplicity of construction and the choice of a suitable model allow PM to compete with more modern and powerful weapons.

Tactico-technical, weight and linear characteristics of the Makarov pistol:

• the weight:

- with a magazine without cartridges - 730 grams;

- with eight cartridges 9 mm - 810 grams;

• Total length - 161 mm;
• The trunk is 93 mm;
• Height - 127 mm;
• Width -30.5 mm;
• Caliber - 9 x 18 mm;
• Rate of fire - 30 rounds per minute;
• The initial speed of the bullet is 315 m / s;
• Is effective at a distance of 50 meters, but the lethal force persists to 350 meters;
• Store for 8 cartridges;
• The gun can fire only single shots.

To date, PM production has been established not only in Russia, but also in Bulgaria and Germany. The weapons produced before 1990 by the Izhevsk plant are considered collectible.

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 low weight, power, ease of maintenance, accuracy of shooting, safety in circulation.

Features of Fort-17:

• Weight - 680 mm;
• Caliber - 9 x 18 PM (suitable 9mm Short);
• Total length - 180 mm;
• Trunk - 95 mm;
• Height - 130 mm;
• Width - 32 mm;
• Store for 13 rounds.

Used in security agencies of Ukraine, SBU, Ministry of Internal Affairs.

All 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 weapon does not stop. There are created more and more perfect and unified types of pistols that meet the requirements of the time.

Progress does not stand still, and in the development of modern small arms for melee use the latest technology. This applies to both the pistols themselves and their ammunition.