Ballester-Molina

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0.45 Ballester Molina
Ballester Molina .45 Pistol
Type	pistol
Place of origin	Argentina
Service history
Wars	World War II, Falklands War, Present Day
Production history
Produced	1927-1955
Specifications
Weight	1,130 g (2 lb.8 oz.)
Length	288 mm (9 in.)
Barrel length	127 mm (5 in.)

Cartridge	.45 ACP
Caliber	.45 mm (1.772 in.)
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Feed system	7 rounds (standard-capacity magazine), +1 in chamber

1 History
2 Use
3 References
4 External Links

[edit] History

The Ballester-Molina was designed and built by an Argentine company named Hispano Argentina de Automotives SA (HAFDASA). The Ballester was originally called the Ballester-Riguad (which is what it was named in the first years of manufacture, c. 1938–1940.) The Ballester was created to give the Argentinian police and military a less-expensive alternative to the Colt Modelo pistol circa 1927. production of the Ballester-Molina began in 1938 and ceased in the early 1950s. The Ballester-Molina bears an uncanny resemblance to the Colt M1911, perhaps because Colt technicians took part in the weapon's development. The Ballester-Molina and the M1911 share an identical magazine. The Ballester-Molina, while it had its similarities to the Colt, also had its differences, like the safety and the trigger. The Ballester is also known as the "Hafdasa" after the initials of the company that made it.

[edit] Use

The Ballester-Molina was used by the Argentinian police force, and it was sold to the British to be issued to the British Special Operations Executives agents, to be used behind enemy lines. The molina is a recoil-operated short semi-automatic lock-breech pistol. The locking system bears a resemblance to the Colt M1911A1, with the swinging lock that is used to unlock the barrel from the side. The trigger is single action that is pivoted on its axis, and the hammer is locked by the frame-mounted manual safety.

[edit] References

Hogg, Ian; Gander, Terry Jane's Guns: Recognition Guide London and New York City: HarperCollins Publishers. Fourth Edition, 2005. ISBN 0-00-718328-3. http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg158-e.htm/