The Russian Kalashnikov concern will soon organize a new production site at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant to prepare for mass production of the Lebedev pistol (PL-15, PL-15K).

Surely many remember when general public a working sample of Lebedev’s pistol was shown for the first time and what a stir it caused in 2015. It was simply impossible to see the pistol, as well as the designer, near the Kalashnikov stand then - they were constantly at closed presentations. And yet, few who managed to hold the PL-14 in their hands noted that the pistol fits perfectly in the hand and... has a fairly rigid trigger.

The pistol was originally hammer-fired firing mechanism double action with a trigger pull of 45H and a trigger travel of 7 mm. Such requirements were initially made by the military regarding the safety of the product.

Over the next two years, the PL-14 was modified many times, and new news in this regard appeared all the time. And finally, at the Army-2017 forum, “Kalashnikov », demonstrated a new version of the PL-15 with a single-action trigger mechanism, a trigger pull of 25H and a trigger travel of 4 mm. The concern also presented a compact version of the Lebedev pistol - PL-15K. The compact version had a length reduced to 180 mm, a fourteen-round magazine and the ability to be produced with two versions of the trigger mechanism, like the full-size PL-15.

The PL-15 pistol was created by designer Dmitry Lebedev, who at one time was a student of the legendary designer of sporting weapons Efim Khaidurov. Lebedev has been developing experimental pistols for many years. The pistol itself was assembled with the active support of the famous Russian shooter Andrei Kirisenko, a multiple champion of the country in practical shooting.

Optimal ergonomics, safety in use, high reliability with any 9x19 cartridges, full “double-sidedness”, long service life (about 10,000 rounds using reinforced, armor-piercing 7N21 cartridges; with “regular” cartridges, the resource accordingly should be much longer).

The creator of the pistol, Dmitry Lebedev, said that the PL-15 is the result of many years of work. The idea to create such a weapon came to him during his work in research group famous designer of sporting weapons Efim Leontievich Khaidurov.

The submarine was developed based on an analysis of foreign-made weapons. The combat experience of the FSB special forces, the security service of the President of Russia and other special forces of the law enforcement agencies of the Russian Federation was also taken into account.

So, the PL-15 uses automation using the recoil of the bolt coupled to the barrel, with short course trunk The reduction of the breech of the barrel when unlocking is carried out by a figured tide under the breech of the barrel. The barrel bore is locked by engaging the protrusion at the top of the barrel with the window for ejecting cartridges in the bolt.

The pistol frame is made of aluminum alloy; in the future it is planned to use a frame made of impact-resistant polymer. The shape of the weapon's handle provides a comfortable and natural grip on the weapon, while the maximum thickness of the handle is only 28mm.

The trigger mechanism in the basic version is hammer-operated, with a hidden trigger and an inertial firing pin. Shooting is carried out in self-cocking mode for each shot (double-action trigger only), with a trigger force of 4 kg, and the full travel of the trigger is only 7 mm. Additionally, a manual safety has been introduced into the design, which, when turned on, disconnects the trigger from the hammer and has two flat, conveniently located levers on both sides of the weapon. A version of the PL-15-01 pistol has also been developed, which has a single-action striker trigger, with a significantly reduced trigger pull and trigger travel.

The design also includes a cartridge indicator in the chamber, made in the form of a pin protruding from the rear end of the bolt when there is a cartridge in the barrel. The bolt stop levers are also double-sided, as is the magazine release lever.

The cartridges are fed from detachable double-row magazines with cartridges exiting in one row. The sights are open, non-adjustable, installed in dovetail-type grooves. The frame under the barrel has a Picatinny-type guide for installation additional equipment(LCC, flashlight). The PL-15 pistol can be equipped with an elongated barrel with a thread for installing a quick-detachable shot silencer.

PL-15k

Right choice firearms involves selecting a model not only according to personal preferences, but also according to technical characteristics. For example, pistols domestic production have earned a positive assessment not only in Russia, but also abroad, because they are distinguished by their convenience, high combat performance and ergonomics.

One of the most successful models is considered to be the PL-15k, which was developed by the design team of the Kalashnikov arms concern. In this article we will consider not only the history of the creation and scope of use of the pistol, but also its detailed technical characteristics, and a description of the pros and cons of the model will help you make your choice.

PL-15k

The abbreviation PL 15k means “Lebedev pistol”, because it was the famous designer Dmitry Lebedev who led its development. The first work on creating a new type of weapon began back in 2014, but a year later the developers were only able to present its prototype, and the latest, improved version was released only in 2016 (Figure 1).

Picture 1. External characteristics models

Picking up firearms, many are interested in the history of its creation, because for many models it is quite rich and interesting. We will also look at how the Lebedev 15k pistol was created, in what areas it is used, and what technical characteristics it has.

History of creation and purpose of the pistol

Initially, this model of firearms was created for the needs of the army, police and units special purpose. However, in the near future it is planned to release another version, which can be used for practical shooting.

The first public demonstration of the prototype took place in the summer of 2015, and the model itself received the designation PL-14. It was this that formed the basis of the modern pistol.

In 2016, at the Army-2016 exhibition, an improved model was presented, which was called PL-15, and the next year another modification appeared - the Lebedev pistol (PL) 15k. In fact, the operating principle and design of the trigger mechanism remained the same, but the developers significantly reduced the size and weight of the weapon. This is due to the fact that the fighters special units, for whom the product was intended, often carry firearms only nominally and extremely rarely use them for their intended purpose. That is why the creators decided that new model It has a lightweight design and is perfect for constant wear.

By the way, the improved model can be used not only by the army or police, but also by security personnel or the Ministry of Emergency Situations, who almost never resort to weapons.

Technical characteristics of the Lebedev PL 15k pistol

Since the PL 15k was designed based on the PL 15 model, they have a lot in common (Figure 2).

The main technical characteristics of the pistol are as follows:

1. The weapon is a classic self-loading unit that has proven itself in training and combat conditions.
2. Reloading occurs using the movable barrel, which moves backward along with the bolt under the influence of recoil.
3. The barrel stroke during a shot is short, that is, much less than the bolt stroke. It was this feature that made it possible to make the weapon small and convenient for constant wear.
4. The design features of the weapon also allow you to additionally install a longer barrel and various models front sight and rear sight.
5. If we talk about traditional technical parameters, then its length is 180 mm, height 130 mm, and weight 720 grams. The magazine holds 14 rounds of 9*19 mm caliber.

During development, special attention was paid to its ergonomics. Thanks to this, the weapon fits perfectly in the hand, and its low weight makes it easy to return it to the original sighting trajectory after the first shot.

The developers deliberately made the trigger travel large. At the same time, the pressing force is significantly higher than that of analogues and amounts to 4 kg. Thanks to this, it is almost impossible to fire a spontaneous shot, even if the gun falls to the floor from a height of human height.

The controls are located on the sides of the body. In addition, the design of the model involves the installation of additional equipment: a flashlight, a target indicator and a muffler.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Lebedev PL 15k pistol

The PL 15k has quite a lot of advantages, but its compactness is considered the main one. If we compare the Lebedev pistol with the Makarov model, we can say with confidence that this lightweight model is absolutely not inferior to its competitor in terms of combat characteristics (Figure 3).

This spring I shot more combat pistols than ever before. various designs- from the legendary to the Yarygin pistol, from the Serdyukov pistol to the Makarov pistol. In June, at the Army-2019 exhibition, I came across a new product from the Kalashnikov concern - the Lebedev PL-15 pistol.

The weapon is new, and I didn’t expect any miracles from it. But, after shooting several magazines, I was speechless: I had never held anything more comfortable from combat pistols in my hands and had never hit targets with such ease. After shooting a couple more magazines, I began asking about the designer. “Dmitry Lebedev,” the specialist at the shooting range told me. The name seemed familiar to me. And I remembered: the same Lebedev, the beloved student of the legendary Efim Khaidurov! Which, apparently, managed to realize the ideas of the great master, who all his life dreamed of making a combat pistol.

Legend

Many experts deservedly place Efim Khaidurov right behind the great John Browning, who came up with the classic design of a large-caliber pistol with a skewed barrel locking. Khaidurov’s phenomenon lay in the fact that he was the only specialist in the world who combined the talents of a world-class shooter, a brilliant trainer-methodologist and a wonderful engineer. Under his leadership, the USSR national team in the 1960s won all possible world awards, shooting from pistols and revolvers of his own design. In 2009 I managed to take last interview this great man, and Dmitry Lebedev actively participated in the conversation. Efim Khaidurov, who has reached almost all heights in his creativity, said that he regrets only one thing - that he was not able to develop a combat pistol for our army. A couple of months after our conversation he passed away, and I believed that I would never know what the great master was going to create.

Master's Apprentice

It was no coincidence that Lebedev became a weapons designer: he worked towards his pistol all his life. As a child, he used a construction set to make pistols with moving parts; later, in a four-volume collection of cartoons by Herluf Bidstrup, he carefully examined the skillfully drawn weapons. At school I became interested in modeling - I built models of ships, especially submarines, which attracted attention with their laconicism and completeness of forms. But by the age of 13 I wanted to work with real weapons.

It was possible to access it in one place - at the city DOSAAF shooting and sports club. There were many shooters there, but few gunsmiths. And Dima began to be allowed to work on repairing and debugging weapons. After the army, he returned to shooting again, but he shot a little, focusing more and more on the iron. His pistols were especially fascinating. “In small arms, the content of engineering is higher per gram of weight than in the aerospace field,” Lebedev once quoted with delight. - And the quintessence of small arms is pistols. If in machine guns and machine guns there is space and you can place a lot of things, then in pistols the packing density has been brought to the absolute. Designing pistols is the highest level of engineering."

For someone so enthusiastic young specialist Efim Khaidurov could not help but pay attention and invited Dmitry in 1987 to his design and research group of five people, based in the Central Shooting and Sports Club DOSAAF USSR. A paradise for people who are passionate about small arms. Content armory SSK DOSAAF was unique - a huge number of exotic things. The club had very good connections in the world of not only sports, but also military weapons. Within the structure of the GRU General Staff there was an unofficial school of special shooting skills with a collection of small arms from all over the world. The richest flow came from Afghanistan and other hot spots. From all this there was an opportunity to shoot. It is clear that Khaidurov discussed with his students what an ideal combat pistol could be. Both the Makarov pistol and the Stechkin pistol, adopted for service in 1951, were hopelessly outdated by that time.

War games

Khaidurov had a chance in the 1990s, when our army athletes began to participate in the Military World Games - CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire), in which about 135 teams took part. Especially for these competitions, a good rifle, the Record-CISM, was developed, which later became the sniper SV-98. The CISM was also shot from a large-caliber sporting pistol. But in Russia there were only two revolvers of suitable calibers: TOZ-36 and TOZ-49. They are good for slow shooting, but for fast shooting you need a pistol. The army asked for a suitable weapon, and through the GRAU the topic of a large-caliber pistol was opened. It was understood that Khaidurov’s group would construct it. But it turned out that GRAU could not order the development from Khaidurov, but only from an authorized enterprise. As a result, the work was issued by TsKIB SOO. They made the MTs-440, which in fact turned out to be an enlarged MTs-57. The athletes tried to shoot with it and gave up: nothing good happened.

But Khaidurov has already begun to come up with his new pistol, which has nothing to do with combat weapons - the HL-2002 sports car. It was originally put in integrated circuit, that is, on the same carrier base it was possible to obtain vehicles of both caliber 22LR and caliber 32S&W, or 4ELP.

However, this dream was never realized, but some of the ideas were included in Khaidurov’s last car - sports pistol for high-speed shooting SP-08 "Khaidurov".

The group constantly discussed the creation of a combat pistol. It was clear that it was necessary to bring into its design as much as possible all the ergonomic benefits that have been developed in sporting weapons over the past fifty years. First of all, this is the handle configuration, balance, quality sighting devices and quality of descent. And all this had to be put on the basis of reliably working automation. But things didn’t go beyond ideas and sketches, and the group broke up with the death of Khaidurov. But the dream of combat pistol Dmitry Lebedev still has it.

From a notebook sheet

In 2013, there was another surge of interest in Russia traumatic pistols, and one Nizhny Novgorod arms company offered Dmitry a good project. The project involved the creation of a subcompact pistol, first in a traumatic version, and then in a combat version. This was supposed to be a service weapon for the 9x19 mm Parabellum caliber in PSM dimensions - a simply necessary thing for operatives. However, due to an absurd tragedy, this project was closed. But Lebedev was not forgotten: a year later he was invited to Izhevsk, to the Kalashnikov concern for a conversation. He was told that he needed a full-size vehicle that would be both combat and used for sports - for practical shooting in the production class. By that time, Lebedev already had several versions of the pistol. In about fifteen minutes he drew a sketch - a completely classic pistol with a good angle of the handle, a little like an expensive sports pistol Pardini GT9. They asked to replace the trigger trigger. Dmitry drew a second sketch - this time with a hidden sports-type trigger. Khaidurov's group, when designing the HL-2002, just developed a wide but flat trigger that does not take up much space. From the point of view of functionality and manufacturability, this is even better: the pistol is both more reliable and, in some cases, technologically simpler. Five minutes later, Lebedev was offered to move to the Kalashnikov concern and begin work on a new pistol.

Khaidurov's best student

Lebedev began working on the pistol at home, in Korolev. The designer must first define a fundamental set of mechanisms, and then squeeze it into some ideal contour. As a rule, one thing contradicts the other and some kind of compromise needs to be found. If the contour is primary, this will result in excellent balance and ergonomics, but a sufficiently reliable mechanism may not fit there. And vice versa. If we make the most reliable mechanism, we will ruin the circuit. The mechanism will be flawless, but at the expense of ergonomics. Dmitry's task was to dance as close to ergonomics as possible, to become attached to the shooter's biomechanics, but not to fall out of the corridor of a reliable mechanism.

After Lebedev drew the model on a notebook sheet, he made a 3D computer model. But the model cannot be twirled in your hands. Having pulled out the resulting outline of a pistol from the program, Dmitry printed it out and cut it out of cardboard, after which he began to cover it with sculptural plasticine, observing the thicknesses necessary to accommodate the mechanisms, and loading it with lead shot for the correct distribution of masses. From working with Khaidurov, Lebedev was left with a correct understanding of the location of mass concentrators: this topic is well mastered in sporting weapons. If you bring the mass concentrators to the middle, the car will be poorly controlled. Such a pistol strives to spin around the center of mass, so when transferring fire, the hand does not feel the direction. And vice versa: you can overdo it with the spacing of the mass concentrators, and then the machine will acquire hyper-stability. When shooting from such a weapon, it is very difficult to move the line of fire; the pistol will remain “on course.” Shooting at one point is quite convenient, which is just right for slow, high-precision shooting. But in real combat work this stability only gets in the way.

keep it up

Plasticine is ideal for forming a handle, which in a combat pistol is fundamentally different than in a sports pistol. Firstly, the handle must be universal - it is equally convenient to grip both the left and right hand. Secondly, it should be accessible to hands of different sizes. Why do match pistols have a huge grip with a very large wrist angle? To reduce muscle tone by opening the hand more. Precision pistol - like a violin among musical instruments. It requires the highest acuteness of muscle sensations, that is, maximum relaxation. A military weapon you have to hold it tightly. Then biomechanics comes into play - try to squeeze your hand, and the angle of the handle will decrease. Unclench it - it will increase.

The angle of inclination of the handle depends on the dimensions of the machine and its weight, Khaidurov taught. The handle and tilt should be such that you can point the weapon towards the target without looking, so that the pistol looks exactly at it - this greatly increases the efficiency of shooting in a stressful situation. The tilt of the handle and its deep seating in the hand provide favorable conditions for returning the weapon to the target after a shot. Less tipping in the hand area. And to obtain comparative skills, you can train less. If you have the opportunity, shoot Lebedev’s pistol - you will immediately understand why Khaidurov considered Lebedev his best student.

Worthy of a novel

To reduce the toss, you need to lower the barrel as low as possible, which is hampered by the classic layout. Lebedev managed to achieve this by miniaturizing the impact mechanism. Again, a solution that first appeared on Khaidurov’s last car, the HL-2002. Lebedev didn’t fool around with the automation. The evolution of pistols has shown that a system based on the recoil of the bolt engaged with the barrel, with a short barrel stroke and skewed locking, is the most laconic and always works stably.

Despite the request to focus on the Glock sight, Dmitry made his own sight, remembering Khaidurov’s conversations about the work of the visual apparatus when creating an image of the target and the image of the sight. The gaps on the sides of the front sight are slightly larger and the depth of the slot itself is slightly smaller. This is a universal sight: it is clearly visible in any lighting conditions and allows people with different quality vision. Glock's contrasting mark on the rear sight in the form of an inverted letter "P" greatly distracts the shooter. In Lebedev's pistol, three points of different diameters, when combined in perspective, look the same, which in low light conditions makes it as easy as possible to maintain a symmetry picture.

You could write a monograph about Lebedev’s pistol. I did not describe here the design of the magazine, grip lining, trigger mechanism and safety systems, spaced bolt guides, “double quartz dust with sprinkling” tests and much more. But, believe me, this was the first pistol about which I wanted to write a novel. You can really fall in love with him.

One of the newest developments of the Kalashnikov concern, which received a state order and is planned for mass production in 2019, is the Lebedev PL-15 pistol. This weapon replaces the legendary Makarov, which has become obsolete after six and a half decades of service. Let's consider the history of creation, design features and technical characteristics of the Lebedev pistol, including modifications of this weapon.

History of creation and purpose

The initial model of the pistol under the symbol PL-14, created by Dmitry Lebedev, was demonstrated at the international arms exhibition "Army-2015", and an improved version of the PL-15 with a shortened version PL-15K made a splash at the said forum in 2017.

Instructors from the FSB unit, who train the department’s special forces, and sports shooters took part in the development. Designer talent and literate technical solutions made it possible to create a model of an individual weapon in the shortest possible time, taking into account the necessary characteristics and ergonomic requirements.

After analyzing the shortcomings characteristic of the original model of the Lebedev PL-14 pistol, changes were made to the product configuration and some elements of the device. This made it possible to present a weapon that is significantly superior to its competitors in terms of parameters, in an attractive external design.

Interesting! The model was developed for arming officers of the armed forces and representatives of government law enforcement agencies.

An additional possibility of using the pistol is as a sports model, which is facilitated by the features of ergonomics and performance characteristics PL-15 and PL-15K.

Device

The Lebedev PL-15 pistol is characterized by the following features of the device:

• components and mechanisms are housed in a housing made of aluminum alloy, and in lightweight versions - from a resistant polymer that can withstand shock and temperature loads;
• in the lower part of the trigger guard on the magazine side and on the front side at the top there are recesses for convenient placement of the fingers of both hands during shooting;
• The safety lever is made double-sided, symmetrically located on both sides, which ensures ease of use of the weapon when firing from the right or left hand. The flat shape of the lever prevents it from getting caught on the fabric or parts of the holster while wearing or taking it out;
• double-sided duplication is also typical for the magazine release and the shutter delay lever;
• The under-barrel box is equipped with a Picatinny rail, which allows you to additionally install laser target designators or tactical flashlights.

It is possible to install an extended barrel with a thread for attaching a muffler.

Specifications

The Lebedev PL-15 pistol model has the following technical characteristics:

• length - 220 mm;
• height - 136 mm;
• thickness - 28 mm;
• barrel length - 127 mm;
• magazine capacity - 15 rounds;
• type of cartridges used - 9×19;
• weight without ammunition - 800 g.

The loaded weapon weighs 995 g.

Technical characteristics of PL-15K

Some characteristics of the PL-15K version differ from the base model. This pistol is slightly shorter (180 mm) and lower (130 mm), the magazine holds one less cartridge, and the weight of the weapon without a cartridge is 720 mm with equal weight of the loaded models.

Difference between PL-15 and PL-15K

The main difference between the version of the Lebedev PL-15K pistol and the basic one is its reduced size and weight. These qualities were achieved with minor damage to tactical technical characteristics, not playing important role some representatives public services, for which the presence of weapons is nominal.

Attention! Due to the different capacities of the PL-15 and PL-15K magazines, the clips of these models are not interchangeable.

At the same time, the compact design of the PL-15K is more convenient to carry and use, which is especially important for employees of government departments who practically do not use weapons, but are forced to carry them constantly due to official needs.

Operating principle

The automatic operation of the PL-15 pistol uses a short-stroke recoil bolt coupled to the barrel, which improves technical characteristics. The mechanism is unlocked by lowering back side a barrel equipped with a figured tide located below the breech.

The barrel bore is locked with a hook on the upper plane, interacting with the window for ejecting cartridges.

The universal design of the chamber allows the use of cartridges with deformed cartridges or differing in length from the standard ones.

The fire is carried out through a trigger mechanism equipped with a hidden trigger and an inertial firing pin. The trigger is cocked automatically, with a pressing force of four kilograms, with a descent stroke of seven millimeters.

The magazine is made in two rows, cartridges are fed in one row. The sight does not allow for adjustment and is mounted in special grooves. The presence of a cartridge in the chamber is indicated by a special pin protruding from the rear wall of the bolt.

The lower part of the handle is equipped with semicircular holes that make it easier to remove the clip in difficult field conditions.

Modifications of the Lebedev pistol

In addition to the original model PL-14, the main PL-15 and the compact PL-15K, the following modifications of the Lebedev pistol have been developed:

• PL-15-01 - combat version, characterized by a lower trigger pull and a semi-automatic mode of operation, in contrast to the self-cocking of the main pistol;
• SP1 is a sporting variety, additionally equipped with open sights.

These modifications of the PL-15 were also presented at international forums and are appreciated by experts.

Prospects for further use

The specified weapon, even after the modification of the PL-14 pistol, still needs comprehensive testing. But on preliminary assessment a decision has already been made to adopt the PL-15 pistol for service in the police department, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, for command staff army and navy, representatives of other law enforcement agencies.

Based on the results of the tests, it is expected that the PL-15 pistol model will be accepted into mass production.

The popularity of product development is evidenced by numerous examples of the use of this weapon in computer games. Long before entering mass production, the product is offered to players under a changed name, with the logo of the developer company erased.

Advantages and disadvantages of the model

The described model of the Lebedev pistol and its modifications are distinguished by the following positive qualities:

• high ergonomic characteristics - attractive design, comfortable handle angle, making it easier to grip and hold the weapon, regardless of the owner’s build;
• reduced recoil and barrel displacement during a shot due to a successful design, uniform weight distribution and thoughtful ergonomics;
• service life - up to ten thousand shots when using cartridges with a high powder content. When using conventional cartridges, the resource increases up to three times;
• high rate of fire and firing accuracy without long aiming;
• increased magazine capacity;
• safety of use - the design eliminates the danger of an inadvertent shot when the weapon accidentally falls or when the weapon is in a holster; safety is further enhanced due to the absence of protruding elements on the housing;
• symmetrical arrangement of controls, facilitating the use of weapons by right-handers and left-handers;
• compactness and low weight, especially for the shortened model of the PL-15K pistol - reduced weight and optimal dimensions, which makes the development unique compared to competitors in terms of ease of use;
• possibility of equipping with additional devices.

The disadvantages include a slight decrease in tactical and technical characteristics. But, given the purpose of this weapon, this does not have of great importance, compared to the numerous advantages of the model.

We can only hope that the Lebedev PL-15 pistol model is successful will be tested and final revision before being put into service, taking its rightful place alongside its famous predecessors.

The best fight is the one that was not started, but best weapon- which I didn’t have to use. It was this principle that guided the team of Izhevsk gunsmiths under the leadership of Dmitry Lebedev when developing a new pistol - PL-15 with the index “K”. Reducing characteristics for the sake of wearing comfort and ergonomics - a tribute to fashion or a severe necessity?

History of creation, purpose

The pistol was designed in an extremely short time based on a full-size . First shown at the international arms exhibition "Army 2017". Compared to its older brother, it has reduced dimensions and weight. The entire internal filling - the trigger device and the operating scheme of these pistols are identical.

According to the creators, soldiers of some special units carry firearms only nominally, never using them in action. And here comfort of wearing, compactness and ergonomics come to the fore. This applies to armed guards, some police units and the Ministry of Emergency Situations, for whom, first of all, the new pistol was developed.

Device and technical characteristics

PL-15K is designed on the basis of the full-size PL 15 and is a classic self-loading pistol. For reloading, the moving barrel is used, which, under the influence of recoil, moves backward along with the bolt. The barrel stroke when fired is short, that is, less than the bolt stroke. It is this automation scheme that allows you to design a pistol with minimal dimensions.

The design of the PL-15K allows the installation of a longer barrel, as well as different variants front sight and rear sight. During the design, special attention was paid to ergonomics and safety. The pistol fits perfectly in the hand and is easier to return to the sighting path after firing.

The trigger travel is deliberately made large, and the pressing force is 4 kilograms - more than that of analogues. A spontaneous shot is practically impossible, even if it falls on a hard surface from the chest level of a person of average height.

The controls are located on both sides of the pistol. The design provides for the installation of a flashlight, a target designator under the barrel and a shot silencer.

Technical characteristics of PL-15K

• Length: 180 millimeters
• Height: 130 millimeters
• Caliber: 9x19 millimeters
• Magazine capacity: 14 rounds
• Weight of unloaded pistol: 720 g

Advantages and disadvantages of the model

The main advantage of the new pistol can rightfully be called its compactness. If the older PL 15 has several serious competitors in its segment, then the niche that the new product occupies is practically empty. If the compact version of the Lebedev pistol (PL - Lebedev pistol) lives up to expectations, it has every chance of shaking the indisputable authority of the domestic arms industry - the Makarov pistol.

Comparison of pistols PL 15k and PL 15

In front of everyone obvious advantages The model has no serious shortcomings. The deliberately underestimated tactical and technical characteristics are more than compensated for by the ease of wearing and use. And no one would even think of demanding from a compact pistol the characteristics of a high-precision weapon.

"He was a good boy"

These are the words that Dmitry Lebedev, a design engineer at the Izhevsk arms concern Kalashnikov, described the display of his creation at the Army 2017 forum. The pistol performed very well at the exhibition, hinting at its combat potential.

And if you consider that the team of engineers was engaged compact version according to the residual principle, throwing the main forces on a full-size modification, it turned out very well. If you still have to use the pistol in real conditions, then rest assured: the PL-15K will definitely not let you down.

Pistols

• Israel