The Steyr M series pistols were first announced in 1999. Steyr M pistols, along with compact version, Steyr S, which were made in Austria by the Steyr-Mannlicher GmbH & Co, are not made any more. Since the January 1st, 2004, the Steyr M and Steyr S pistols have been replaced in production by the slightly redesigned Steyr M-1A pistols. Steyr M1-A pistols feature redesigned grip and frame shape, and Picatinny rail (instead of the proprietary rail) under the barrel. Another change from original M series pistols is that M-1A pistols are now available in two variants, with or without manual safety. There are probably some more minor differences.

The Steyr M and M-1A pistols have probably the most ergonomic grip since the Luger’s “Parabellum” pistol. The ideal 111 degrees grip angle, combined with low barrel axis, results in minimum muzzle jump and felt recoil, as well as in good “pointability”. The unusual “trapezoid” sights, while uncommon in shape, provide good accuracy and acquisition speed, once shooter gets used to it. Reliability is also very good.

The Steyr M-1A pistols are short recoil operated, locked breech firearms. The barrel is operated by Browning cam system. Barrel locks into slide via large ejection window. The frame is made from high impact-resistant polymer, with integral Picatinny rail under the barrel. The slide stop lever and magazine release button are located on the left side of the frame. The Double Action trigger controls the internal striker. The unusual safety system consists of several separate safeties, including the automatic trigger and firing pin safeties, as well as unusual manual safety and internal lock. When the lock is engaged, it completely blocks the operation of pistol. The safety is controlled with dual buttons, which are located just above the trigger guard on both sides of the frame. When buttons are depressed simultaneously, the safety button springs down from the frame, and the trigger is blocked. To turn the safety off for fire, a shooter must push the safety button up with its index finger. There also is a version of the M-1A pistol which doesn’t have a manual safety. The standard sights feature a trapezoid rear sight and a triangle front. Both sights are dovetailed into the slide and can be replaced with variety of the factory or aftermarket sights in various configurations.

Steyr M, the original version, which is no longer in production

Steyr M-1A in .40SW caliber, version without manual safety

Steyr M-1A in 9mm caliber, version with manual safety. Safety is in “ON” position (push-button with white dot immediately ahead of the trigger)

Steyr M-1A in 9mm caliber, version with manual safety. Safety is in “OFF” position (ready to fire; push-button is depressed up and into the frame). The pistol is also fitted with laser pointer.

Type: Double Action (Reset Action System)
Chamber: .40 S&W, 9×19mm Para, .357 SIG
Weight unloaded: 780g
Length: 180 mm
Barrel Length: 101 mm
Capacity: 12 (.40 & .357) or 15 (9mm) rounds

In the late 1980s, a small Canadian company called Para Ordnance introduced a “high capacity conversion kit” for US M1911A1 type pistols. This kit consisted of an updated frame with thicker grip, which accommodated a double-stack magazine (also supplied with the kit), effectively doubling the available round count for 1911 shooters. The kit also included a new trigger assembly with suitable dimensional changes to fit into the widened grip frame. With the initial success of these kits, Para Ordnance soon introduced a line of complete M1911A1-type pistols with high capacity magazines, available in 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP calibers. Compact and semi-compact models followed, and Para Ordnance pistols found buyers among both civilian and police shooters. In 1999, Para Ordnance introduced the new line of LDA (Lightweight Double Action) pistols, which combined the established 1911-type general design with the double-action-only type of trigger, for improved safety. At the present time, Para Ordnance offers its pistols with either standard single action or patented LDA triggers, with single or double-stack magazines, and in a variety of sizes and finishes. It is believed that Para Ordnance LDA pistols have already found some customers among the police agencies of the USA and Canada.

Early Para-Ordnance pistols were almost exact copies of the Colt M1911A1 pistol, except for the wide-body frames; in fact, these early Para-Ordnance frames accepted standard M1911A1 slides and barrels without any major modifications. However, with time, Para Ordnance design team, led by Ted Szabo, introduced several new features, other than different sizes of frame and barrel. First came the LDA modification, which was designed to allow the gun to be safely carried with a round in the chamber and the hammer down, and to avoid a heavy double-action trigger pull when bringing the gun into action in fast-pacing defensive scenarios. First appearing in 1999, the Para-Ordnance line of LDA pistols now includes all sorts of guns – full-sized and compact, with single and double-stack magazines. Another step forward from the basic M1911 design was the patented “Power Extractor”, or PXT in short. Since 2004, all Para Ordnance pistols are manufactured with PXT-type extractors, which are said to improve extraction reliability.

All Para Ordnance pistols are short-recoil operated, locked-breech weapons. The classic Browning locking system consists of two lugs at the top of the barrel, which engage the cuts on inside of the slide. The unlocking action on recoil is caused by the swinging link, which connects the barrel breech with the frame. Most Para Ordnance pistols are made with steel frames; however, there were certain versions with aluminium alloy frames. Standard Para Ordnance pistols have a single action trigger with an exposed hammer and a manual safety on the frame. There is also a typical M1911-style automatic grip safety and a disconnector, which does not permit the gun to be fired unless the slide is fully closed and barrel is locked.
However, the LDA models have an entirely different trigger setup. The key for the “Lightweight Double Action” (hence the LDA acronym) is the hammer cam, which is interposed between the main spring and the hammer. During the cocking cycle the hammer is pulled back; this movement causes the cam to rotate and to compress the main spring. Once spring is compressed, the hammer cam is held cocked by the main sear. The hammer, which is not directly connected to the main spring, is then returned forward by its own, relatively soft hammer spring. When the trigger is pulled, it raises the hammer until it connects to the cocked hammer cam; at this moment, the sear is depressed and hammer cam, powered by the main spring, forces the hammer forward and toward the firing pin; at the same moment, the automatic firing pin safety is released to allow the firing pin to hit the primer. This system, which is obviously based on the FN’s “Fast Action” trigger of the early 1980s, allows for a very light and smooth trigger pull, since the hammer spring is very light, and the stronger main spring is cocked only during the reload. However, LDA could not be considered as a “true Double Action Only” design, as it does not permit a fast second strike in the case of misfire; in this case, the shooter must manually recock the main-spring and hammer cam by pulling the hammer back manually (however, the Para Ordnance manual does not recommend that; instead, it is advised to cycle the slide and eject the failed round; this will also recock the main spring automatically). Another issue is that while the gun looks uncocked at all times except when trigger is being pressed, the main spring may still be cocked and under tension. There’s no way to safely release the main spring and hammer cam, except by a trigger pull; so, after unloading and before storage, the shooter must point the pistol in a safe direction and dry-fire it once (pull the trigger completely and then release it). Otherwise, the hammer cam will remain cocked and main spring will be under tension, and this could impair pistol reliability in the long term. Another unusual feature of the LDA is that the automated grip safety locks the slide when not disengaged properly by the shooting hand.
Para Ordnance pistols are available in a variety of magazine capacities; the maximum magazine capacity and calibre is usually indicated by the model designation, i.e. P14-45 is a .45 calibre pistol with 14-round capacity, and P16-40 is a .40 S&W calibre pistol with 16-round capacity. Para Ordnance pistols can be fitted with either fixed or adjustable sights, with the rear sight dovetailed into the slide.

Manual safety: A lever, located at the side of the frame above the grip panel (ambidextrous levers on the “Limited” series pistols). Push the lever up to set on “safe”, pull the lever down to set on “fire”. Note: on the single action pistols, the safety will engage only when the hammer is cocked; on the LDA series of pistols, the hammer is always uncocked and the safety is applied with hammer down. It is not advised by the factory manual to directly cock the hammer on the LDA pistols
How to disassemble (field-strip) Para-Ordnance pistol: (relevant only for full-size single action and LDA pistols of all calibres; for compact and semi-compact models, please refer to the Owner’s manual): 1) remove the magazine by pressing the magazine release button; 2) check that the chamber is empty; 3) with the slide in the forward position, pull the trigger once to drop the hammer; 4) put the pistol on the table with the muzzle up, with the grip safety resting on the table; 5) press inward the recoil spring plug (located just below the muzzle), and rotate the barrel bushing clockwise for about a quarter of a turn (use special bushing wrench if available); 6) gently allow the recoil spring plug to extend out of the slide; 7) push the slide back until the disassembly notch on the slide is aligned with the slide stop lug. Note that the grip safety must be depressed to do so on LDA pistols; push the rounded end of the slide stop pin inward, then completely remove the slide stop pulling to the left and out of the frame; 9) push the slide forward and out of the frame; 10) lift the return spring guide out of the slide; 11) remove the barrel out of the slide.
Reassemble in reverse order.

Basic Para-Ordnance P14-45 pistol, caliber .45ACP

Para-Ordnance P18-9 pistol, caliber 9mm Luger / Parabellum

Basic Para-Ordnance P14-45 LDA pistol, caliber .45ACP, with DAO-type LDA trigger

Compact P10-45 pistol, caliber .45ACP

Type: Single Action (Double action only in LDA model)
Chamber: 45ACP, also available in .40SW, .38 Super and 9×19mm
Weight: ca. 1100 g
Length: 216 mm
Barrel length: 127 mm
Capacity: 45ACP: 14 rounds (P14-45), 12 rounds (P12-45), 10 rounds (P10-45); 40SW: 16 rounds (P16-40), 10 rounds (P10-40); 9mm: 18 rounds

The CZ-75 pistol was developed by the Koucky brothers, who worked at the state-owned arms factory Ceska Zbrojovka in the city of Uhersky Brod (Czechoslovakia, now Czech republic). This full-size semiautomatic pistol first appeared in the 1975, and the production began circa 1976. CZ-75 was obviously intended for the export market. The CZ-75 accumulated best features from many preceding designs. Resulting pistol was aesthetically attractive, comfortable to handle and shoot, quite accurate and reliable in operation. Made by CZ in various versions and modifications, CZ-75 was also widely copied and cloned. Most popular of CZ-75 copies are (or were) made by: IMI (Jericho-941, Israel), Tanfoglio (TZ-75, TZ-90, T-95, Italy), Sarsilmaz (M2000, Turkey), ITM (AT-88, Swiss), Sphinx (mod.2000, Swiss), Norinco (NZ-75, China), Springfield (P9, USA).

CZ-75 is now in service with Czech police (in the form of compact CZ-75 P-01). It is also used by Turkish police, and by several police departments in USA. By opinions of most experts, CZ-75 is one of the best combat pistols in its class.

CZ-75 is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It uses a fairy standard Browning locking system, with cam-shaped cut below the barrel, which lowers the barrel on recoil stroke. Barrel locks into slide with two locking lugs, located just ahead of the ejection port. The slide rides on the internal rails, machined on inside of the frame. This system, originated by the Swiss SIG P210 pistol, provides more smooth cycle and better tolerances, resulting in greater accuracy. In basic models, the double action trigger system with exposed hammer has a frame mounted manual safety, which allows for “cocked and locked” carry. Since the late 1980s, all CZ-75 type pistols are fitted with internal firing pin safety. Models with firing pin safety are indicated with “B” index, for example CZ-75B, CZ-75BD. All full-size CZ-75 have all-steel construction; several compact models, including CZ-75 P-01, have aluminum frames with steel slides.

There are several variations of the trigger system, available in various models. First is decock-only system (frame-mounted decocker lever, with no manual safety, in models CZ-75BD, CZ-75 BD Compact, CZ-75 P-01). Second is the Double action only system, with no manual safety and spur-less hammer (models CZ-75DAO). Third is the Single action system, with manual frame mounted safety, intended mostly for sport shooting under IPSC rules (CZ-75SA). In all versions, manual safety or decocking lever is located only at the left side of the frame, as well as the slide stop. The completely ambidextrous version of the CZ-75 is the CZ-85, described in the separate article.

Standard models of CZ-75 are fitted with fixed sights, with the rear sight being dovetailed into the slide. “Combat” and IPSC models are fitted with adjustable rear sights.

The Semi-compact models of CZ-75 have the same frame as basic guns, but have slide and barrel shortened by 20mm (.78 inch); Compact models also have shorter grip frame, which holds only 13 rounds of ammunition (standard magazines will also fit, but will protrude from the bottom of the grip).

The CZ-75 P-01, which is a standard gun for Czech police since 2001, is based on the Cz-75BD Compact, but also featured an accessory rail under the barrel, which is usually fitted with tactical flashlight.

Probably most rare version of the CZ-75 is the CZ-75 Automatic, a selective-fire version of the basic pistol, which can fire either in semi-auto or in full auto, with rate of fire about 1,000 rounds per minute. The CZ-75 Automatic first appeared circa 1992, and is intended for special police and military forces. To help control the gun, a spare magazine can be fitted upside down into special holder under the barrel; it then serve as a front grip. Early models of CZ-75 Automatic were fitted with longer barrels with integral compensators; latest models have standard barrels.

Early models of CZ-75 were offered with 15-round double stack magazines; present models are offered with 16-rounds magazines (9 mm full-size models), 12-rounds magazines (.40SW models) or with 13-rounds magazines (9mm Compact models). For US market, those guns are offered with 10-round magazines.

Original version of the CZ 75 pistol, easily distinguishable by the curved triggerguard and spurred hammer

CZ 75B pistol, with reshaped triggerguard, hammer with circular head, and internal firing pin safety

CZ 75BD pistol, with decocker lever instead of the safety

CZ 75DAO, with double action only trigger

CZ 75 Automatic, a selective fire version of the CZ 75B; note the spare magazine, attached as a front grip, and a lengthened barrel with muzzle compensator, which indicates the early model

CZ 75B Compact, with shortened barrel, slide and grip

CZ 75 P-01, one of the most recent versions of the CZ 75, adopted by the Czech Police. Note the accessory rail under the barrel, compact frame, and a decoking lever instead of the safety.

CZ-75B diagram

Type: Double Action (75B) or Double Action Only (75DAO)
Chamber: 9×19 Luger/Para, 9×21mm IMI, .40SW
Weight with empty magazine: 1000 g
Length: 206 mm
Barrel length: 120 mm
Capacity: 16 (9mm) or 12 (.40SW) rounds

The Arcus pistol was developed by the Bulgarian company Arcus in 1994. It is another FN / Browning “High Power” (GP-35) clone, very well made and with slight cosmetic improvements. Four years later, Arcus developed a derivative of the model 94, called Arcus 98 DA. This model is identical to the 94, but has a Double Action trigger instead of a Single Action, and additional automated firing pin safety. Arcus 94 is made for civilian market and is widely exported. The Arcus 98 DA was adopted by the Bulgarian Army and Police as a standard sidearm, and also sold for export.

Both Arcus 94 and 98 are recoil operated, locked breech pistols that use tipping barrel with two lugs that lock into recesses on the underside of the slide. To lock and unlock from the slide, barrel uses a cam under the chamber, that interacts with the frame. The axis of the slide stop is also used as a takedown pin, and when the slide stop is removed, slide, barrel and recoil spring can be removed from the frame.

Arcus 94 features High-Power style, single action trigger with external hammer, manual safety, mounted on the left side of the frame, magazine disconnect safety, and a slide disconnect, that does not allow gun to fire when slide is not closed completely. The frame and the slide of the Arcus pistols are made from the steel, and different finishes are available, as well as polymer or wooden grip panels. Sights ususally are of fixed type, dovetailed into the slide, with three white dots for better target aquisition.

Arcus 98 is very similar to the Arcus 94, except for trigger and magazine capacity. Arcus 98DA has a double action trigger with external hammer. It features same frame mounted safety, with optional ambidextrous safety levers, and additional firing pin safety. Magazine capacity of Arcus 98 is increased by 2 rounds and is 15 rounds plus one in the chamber.

All Arcus pistols are reported as a comfortable to use, very reliable and durable. They may look a little bit conservative in the ages of the light alloys,polymers and other hi-tech gizmos, but reasonable amount of conservatism will never hurt, in my opinion.

Arcus 94, right side

Arcus 94, left side

Arcus 98 DA

Arcus 94 Arcus 98
Type: Single Action Double Action
Chamber: 9×19mm Luger / Parabellum 9×19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight unloaded: 970 g 950 g
Length: 203 mm 203 mm
Barrel length: 118.5 mm 118.5 mm
Capacity: 13 rounds 15 rounds

Model 1910 pistol had been developed by John M. Browning for Belgian company Fabrique Nationale (FN), Herstal. Model 1910 had been developed around two cartridges, also designed by Browning – the 7.65mm Browning, also known as .32ACP, which had been developed around 1900 for FN / Browning model 1900 pistol, and the 9mm Browning Short (9×17mm), also known as .380ACP, which, in turn, had been developed about 1908 for Colt / Browning model 1908 pistol.

In 1922, Browning modified the original pistol to suit requirements of the Jugoslavian military – he lenghtened barrel, enlarged the grip and magazine capacity by two rounds. The slide was lenghtened by adding removable frontal portion to the model 1910 slide. Both models 1910 and 1922 were manufactured in large quantities until 1983 or so, when these guns were replaced by FN model 140DA / Browning BDA380 pistols. In the USA both model 1910 and model 1922 were imported under the name of “Browning 380 pistol”, chambered in .380ACP. After the 1971, these guns have had ajustable target-type sights and slightly enlarged grips to suit new US gun laws. Between two World Wars these pistols became very popular across Europe as a police, military and self-defence guns. It is well-known also that the First World War was started by the Browning m1910 pistos, which had been used in 1914 to assasinate the Archduke Ferdinand.

Technically, both m 1910 and m 1922 (also known as model 1910/22), are blowback operated semi-automatic pistols. The recoil spring is located around the barrel, the trigger is of single action type and the gun is striker-fired. Both models featured three safeties – magazine safety (which blocks the firing when magazine is removed), automatic grip safety and manual, frame mounted safety.

Browning model 1910

Browning model 1922

Browning model 380 “Renaissance”-grade factory engraved
(post-1971 manufactured model 1922 derivative, made for USA)

Browning model 1922, cut-out view

Type: Single Action
Chamber: 7.65×17mm Browning (.32ACP) and 9×17mm Browning (.380ACP)
Weight unloaded: model 1910 – ca. 590 g; model 1922 – ca. 700 g
Length: model 1910 – 153 mm; model 1922 – 178 mm
Barrel length: model 1910 – 88 mm; model 1922 – 113 mm
Capacity: model 1910 – 7 (7.65mm) or 6 (9mm) rounds; model 1922 – 9 (7.65mm) or 8 (9mm) rounds

The Ballester-Molina pistol, originally known as Ballester-Rigaud (so marked during first years of manufacture, circa 1938 to 1940), were made in Argentine by Hispano Argentina de Automotives SA (HAFDASA) company. Manufacture started in 1938 in attempt to provide Argentinean police and military with less expensive alternative to the Colt modelo 1927 pistol, domestically made licensed copy of the American Colt M1911A1 pistol. Production of the Ballester-Molina ceased in the early 1950s. While Ballester-Molina pistol is externally very similar to Colt, it has significant differences, especially in the safety and trigger unit arrangements. Actually, the only parts exchangeable between Ballester-Molina and M1911A1 are the barrel with link and the magazine. The trigger and safety arrangements were more or less copied from the Spanish Star pistols, with the pivoting trigger, single trigger to sear link, and no grip safety. Ballester-Molina pistols were used by Argentinean military and police, as well as supplied to the Britain during Second World war. Britain issued these pistols to their Special Operations Executives agents, which usually operated behind enemy lines. The Ballester-Molina pistol is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol. the locking system is similar to that of Colt M1911A1, with the swinging link used to unlock the barrel from the slide. The single action trigger is pivoted on the axis, the frame-mounted manual safety locks the slide and the hammer.

Ballester-Molina pistol, left side

Ballester-Molina pistol, right side

Type: Single Action
Calibers: .45ACP
Weight unloaded: 1075 gram
Length: 216 mm
Barrel length: 127 mm (5″)
Capacity: 7 rounds

Quiet Special Purpose Revolver (QSPR; also known as ‘tunnel revolver’ or ‘tunnel gun’) evolved from 1967 US Army requirements for a silenced, multi-projectile hand weapon for use by ‘tunnel exploration personnel’ (so called ‘tunnel rats’), which operated against Vietnamese communist forces in the numerous tunnels dug by NVA and VC personnel. The weapon concept was developed at US Army Land Warfare Laboratory at Aberdeen Proving Ground, in collaboration with AAI corporation, which was responsible for creation of the internally silenced ammunition, based on the “gas seal piston” concept (similar concept at the time was employed in a number of Soviet Spetsnaz weapons, firing PZ type internally silenced ammunition). The whole concept of the internally silenced ammunition is rather old and starts in the pre-WW1 era, but practical results were achieved only during 1950s and 1960s, when chemical and metallurgical technologies finally permitted manufacture of actual ammunition. Quiet Special Purpose Revolvers (QSPR) were based on commercially available Smith & Wesson Model 29 .44 Magnum revolvers, rebuilt by AAI to handle their special integrally silenced ammunition. Earliest prototypes featured new, very short smoothbore barrels with .40″ / 10mm bore, and with cylinder chambers reamed to accept QSPR ammunition which externally represented metal cased .410 gauge shotgun shells. Internally, however, the QSPR ammunition was quite different; it had a machined steel case with screw-in base. Primers were secured deeply in the cartridge base by screw-in bushing and additional anvil, which transferred the blow of the hammer to the primer (cartridges produced for tests in 1971 had no intermediate anvils). The small charge of gun powder was enclosed at the front and sides by the cup-shaped steel piston, which, upon discharge, was securely jammed at the mouth of the case by the internal thread. The QSPR ammunition fired fifteen tungsten balls (loaded into plastic sabot), each weighting about 7.5 grain / 0.5 gram, at muzzle velocity of about 730 fps / 222 m/s, which resulted in total muzzle energy of about 135 ft-lbs / 185 Joules. Due to the nature of the round (tungsten shot), the practical lethal range was estimated at about 30 feet / 10 meters, which was sufficient for extremely cramped tunnels of Vietnam war. The sound signature of QSPR round fired from QSPR revolver was about 110 dB, or similar to that of traditionally silenced .22LR pistol. It must be noted that QSPR revolvers had no sights, as these were intended for use at point-blank ranges and in very low visibility conditions of tunnels. The basic mechanism (double action trigger and swung-out cylinedr) were retained from standard S&W revolvers, although there were some modifications done to the hammer, and new short smoothbore barrel was installed.

First ten specimen of QSPR revolvers were delivered for field testing in Vietnam in mid-1969. Testing continued until late 1969, with several live fire encounters with NVA / VC personnel. It is interesting that most of these encounters were actually not in the tunnels but during the ambushes made by US special operation forces on NVA or VC trails. The field testing proved extreme usefulness of the QSPR revolver but also identified a number of issues which required further improvement of both the gun and the ammunition. QSPR improvement and testing program was initiated in 1970, and lasted through 1971. However, withdrawal of US forces in Vietnam caused the decline of interest in this and some other developments, and the QSPR program was quietly terminated in around 1972. Total number of QSPR revolvers built is not known, and various sources estimate that number between 25 and 250 guns in total.
Compared to the contemporary Soviet equipment of the similar nature, such as S4M silent pistol, the QSPR most probably provided somewhat more firepower at point-blank ranges (because of the higher muzzle velocity and bigger ammunition capacity), but it was also significantly heavier and bulkier. This is not surprising, as these guns filled different niches, the S4M being primarily a concealed-carry “spy gun”, while QSPR was a holster-carry “short range ambush” weapon.

Smith & Wesson Model 29 revolver modified by AAI corporation into Quiet Special Purpose Revolver (QSPR)
Image is a photoshopped modification of the original S&W M29 revolver photo to closely represent extremely rare QSPR weapon, © 2008 Maxim Popenker

Cross-sectional drawing of the early version of AAI Corp Quiet Special Purpose Round, from 1971 US Army document

Type	Double Action revolver
Caliber(s)	.40 smoothbore (.40 QSPR silenced ammunition)
Weight unloaded	n/a
Length	~ 170 mm / 6.7″
Barrel length	35 mm / 1.375″
Cylinder capacity	6 rounds

]]> http://fire-arms.info/archives/smith-wesson-aai-quiet-special-purpose-revolver-qspr-tunnel-revolver/feed 0 http://fire-arms.info/archives/taurus-pt-92-pt-99-pt-100-pt-101 http://fire-arms.info/archives/taurus-pt-92-pt-99-pt-100-pt-101#comments Fri, 17 Jul 2009 19:09:57 +0000 Megan http://fire-arms.info/?p=34

The Taurus pistols are manufactured by Brazilian company Forjas Taurus SA. The original PT92 pistol was exact copy of the original Beretta 92 pistol, and PT92 still carries some of the original Beretta features, such as frame mounted safety, but, since its introduction, Taurus PT92 had been significantly improved, and currently represents affordable pistol of high quality.
Technically, PT92 is a recoil operated, locked brech pistol, that uses shor recoiling barrel with underbarrel locking piece that tilts down to unlock slide from the barrel (Walther P38 / Beretta 92 type locking). The trigger is of Double Action type, with ambidextrous frame mounted manual safety. On models marked AF-D safety also acts as a decocker when pressed all the way down (below the “fire” position). When safety is in “safe” position, it locks the slide and disconnects the trigger and sear. Current PT92 and its derivatives also featured automatic firing pin safety. The frame and slide could be made either from carbon steel with blue finish or from stainless steel wit polished finish. Sights are of fixed type.Apart from PT92 itself, Taurus makes some derivatives of its basic model:

PT 92 C – compact model, with shortened grip, slide and barrel. Accepts standard PT92 magazines.
PT 99 – similar for PT 92 except that the rear sights are micrometer click ajustable.
PT 100 – similar to PT 92 but chambered for .40SW cartridge
PT 101 – similar to PT 99 (ajustable sights) but chambered for .40SW cartridge

Taurus PT 92

Taurus PT 99

Taurus PT 92 C (compact)

Taurus PT 100

Type: Double Action (DA with Decocker in models AF-D)
Chamber: PT 92/99 – 9×19mm Luger/Parabellum; PT 100/101 – .40S&W
Weight unloaded: ca. 960 g empty (ca. 900 g empty model 92C)
Length: 216 mm (203 mm mod 92C)
Barrel length: 127 mm (108 mm mod 92C)
Capacity: 15 rounds (10 rounds for US civilian market)

All Glocks (except for ones chambered in 9×17 – .380ACP) are recoil operated, locked breech pistols. Glocks feature Browning-type linkless locking system with barrel interlocking with slide via ejection port. All Glocks feature patented “Safe action” striker-fired trigger mechanism. After the each cycle of the slide the striker is set to half-cock position and is safely blocked by internal safety. When shooter pulls the trigger, he disengades the trigger safety first, then cocks the striker to the full-cock and then fires the gun. This results in constant trigger pull (ajustable from 2 to 5.5 kg) and, unlike the traditional DA or DAO pistols, unavailability of the “second strike” option in case of the misfire. All Glocks has no external controls except the trigger and the slide stop (the only different is Glock 18, which has slide mounted fire mode selector).

The .380ACP / 9×17mm Short chambered Glocks (models 25 and 28) differs from the rest of the Glock family by operating by simple blowback principle. These pistols targeted for civilian markets where ownership of the firearms chambered in “military” calibers is prohibited, or for those shooters who can’t withstand more severe recoil of the “bigger” calibers.

All Glocks feature polymer frame, steel slides made by precision moulding process and had Tenifer heat-threatment to increase rust and wear risistance. early Glocks had plain grips with slight serrations. Modern variants has finger grooves on the front strap of the grip, and ambidextrous thumb rests. Also, modern versions featured underbarrel acessory rails. Barrels has hexagonal rifling in all calibers. Both front and rear sights are dovetailed and usually had white or luminous inserts. Ajustable sights are available for competition models.

Almost all models had modifications with factory-ported barrels. These models are marked with suffix “C” after the model number, i.e. Glock 17C.

The Glock 17 (and only model 17) could be modified with “amphibious kit” that allows underwater firing (in wery shallow depths, thought). Basically, the underwater shooting itself has wery little effect in real combat, since the effective range is extermely short. The real purpose of that feature is to show the strenght of the gun and to allow safe shoting in severe weather conditions, with possible water in the barrel (in many guns this may result in blown barrel).

The select-fire version of the Glock, called Glock 18, available only in 9mm Luger and only for Military / Law enforcement sales. Glock 18 could fire single shots or three-shot bursts. Glock 18 may be equipped with 31-rounds extended magazines and after-market folding stocks. For security reasons, some parts of the Glock 18 ARE NOT interchangeable with Glock 17/19 pistols. The theoretical rate of fire in full-auto mode is 1200 rounds per minute.

9×19mm Glock family basic data (.40SW and .357SIG models has the same dimensions, but weight slightly more)

Glock 17 – basic model (9mm); Modern version with finger grooves on the grip and underbarrel acessory rail.

Glock 18 – select-fire model (9mm). Early version with extended barrel and integral compensator.
Note fire mode selector switch on the slide

Glock 19 – semi-compact model (9mm)

Glock 26 – compact model (9mm)

Glock parts diagram