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PA-15


PAP F-1


Overview

PA-15

Left side view of the standard PA-15 pistol.
Source: www.unblinkingeye.com - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
France
Type
Pistol
Entered service
Late 1960's
Status
Limited service
Development
Early 1960's
Developer
France - MAB
Production
1966 - 1968 (P-8)
1966 - 1982 (PA-15)
Producer
France - MAB
Number produced
About 100.000
Designations
PA-15 / Pistolet Automatique 15 (French for "automatic pistol 15")
PAP F-1 / Pistolet Automatique de Précision F-1 (PA-15 Target in French service)
P-15 F1

Description

Introduction

The PA-15 is a late Cold War era pistol of French origin. It was developed by MAB in the 1960's as a private venture. The name PA-15 stands for "Pistolet Automatique 15", which translates to automatic pistol and the number 15 refers to the magazine size. It was the first pistol to have a 15 round magazine within the pistol grip, improving the 13 round record set by the famous Browning High Power. Despite its capabilities sales were limited.

Design


The PA-15 is a delayed blowback operated single action pistol with rotating barrel. The PA-15 is an all metal pistol with exception of the plastic grip plates. It has both a frame mounted and magazine safety. The double stack magazine makes the grip rather bulky and the weapon is quite heavy compared to other pistols with similar characteristics.

Firepower

The PA-15 is a semi-automatic pistol which fires the 9x19mm round from a 15 round magazine. Extended 20 round magazines were produced in limited quantities. The effective range is a few dozen meters. The target pistol with longer barrel is capable of better accuracy.

Users

Since a 9x19mm pistol could not be sold to French civilians and domestic military purchases were limited the PA-15 was produced predominantly for export sales, including civilian, law enforcement and military sales.

Variants

PA-15

Right side view of the French single action MAB PA-15 pistol.
Source: www.world.guns.ru - © copyright lies with original owner

Variants of the PA-15

PA-15
Standard PA-15 pistol with 15 round magazine. Also known as P-15S or PA-15 Standard.
P-8
Variant of the PA-15 pistol with single stack 8 round magazine. Introduced in 1966 alongside the PA-15 and produced in limited quantities.
PA-15 Competition
PA-15 target pistol with 150mm long barrel and longer slide. Adopted in limited numbers by the French forces as the "Pistolet Automatique de Précision Modèle F1" or PAP F-1 for short.

Details

Facts PA-15 PA-15 Competition
General
Origin
France
Type
Pistol
Caliber
Caliber
9x19mm Parabellum
Feed system
15 round detachable box
20 round magazine reportedly exists
Barrel length
114 mm
Rifling
6 grooves, right hand twist
Muzzle velocity
350 m/s
Operation
Action
Delayed blowback
Locking
Rotating barrel
Fire selector
0 - 1
Rate of fire
Semi-automatic
Dimensions
Length
203 mm
Weight
1.09 kg empty
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, blade front and notch rear

Media