MAB PA-15
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| MAB PA-15 | |
|---|---|
 PA-15 Pistol |
|
| Type | Pistol |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| Used by | France |
| Wars | Iraq War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1975 |
| Specifications | |
| Cartridge | 9x19mm |
| Caliber | 9x19mm |
| Action | Recoil-operated |
| Rate of fire | Semi-automatic |
| Feed system | 15 rounds (standard-capacity magazine), +1 in chamber, 20 rounds (extended magazine) |
The MAB PA-15 pistol had been developed by Manufacture d'Armes Automatiques de Bayonne (MAB), France, in the late 1970, and replaced the MAS mle. 1950 pistol as a standard sidearm of the French Army. Like the Browning Hi-Power, It was also known as the 'King of Nines' since it was accurate, extremely reliable, and took a 15 round magazine. The reason is unknown but the production of the MAB PA15 had been ceased in the late 1980s, and currenty it is being replaced in the French service by the licence-built Beretta 92G pistol, See GIAT BM92-G1 (PAMAS-G1).
[edit] Use
MAB PA15 is a delayed blowback operated, semi-automatic pistol. It featured Savage-type, rotating, but not reciprocating, barrel, which has two lugs: one under the chambers is engaged in the frame and allows to the barrel to rotate byt not to move back or forward. The other lug, on the upper surface of the barrel, is engaged in the curved-shaped notch inside the slide. When pistol is fired, the barrel inertia and the bullet torque acted against the blowback force of the slide wia the slope-shaped part of the notch. When bullet leaves the barrel, the slide rotates barrel and retracts to cycle the action. MAB PA15 has a frame mounted safety, on the left side of the frame, and also internal magazine safety, which does not allow the gun to be fired with magazine removed.
