Sports "Boa": Russian gunsmiths will create a civilian version of the perspective pistol

The Central Research Institute of Precision Engineering (TsNIItochmash) will launch a sports version of the advanced Russian Udar pistol complex, which by its characteristics will compete with leading models of European and American small arms. This was stated by the press service of the state corporation Rostec, which includes TsNIItochmash.

"The civilian version will be focused on the requirements of professional athletes, shooters, and its tactical and technical characteristics will allow competing with such famous brands of small arms as Colt, Walther, Heckler & Koch, Glock, Browning, CZ and others," - said in a statement "Rostec" .

For the first time, prototypes of the pistol were presented in 2016, and at the beginning of January 2019, the Russian Ministry of Defense reported that BoA passed state tests and was recommended for use.

“At present, the results of tests of the pistol complex are under consideration by the state commission,” reported TsNIItochmash.

Single gun

According to a number of experts, the pistol complex "Boa" should replace the Makarov pistol (PM), which was developed back in 1948 and was the main personal weapon of Soviet officers.

In addition to the PM, in the USSR, the Stechkin automatic pistol (APS) was used - mainly as a weapon for special forces, pilots and special categories of servicemen, but in the mid-1970s it was replaced with the ASK-74U assault rifle.

Today, in the operating units of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, there is virtually no single service pistol.

To gallery page

At various times, attempts were made to introduce various pistols into the army, which could replace the Makarov pistol in this role - for example, in the early 2000s, the Grach pistol, 9х19 caliber, was adopted. However, it did not become widespread. "Rooks" began to enter into service with various units of the Armed Forces, internal troops and special forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in 2010, but they did not become a full-fledged replacement for the Makarov pistol.

Back in the days of the Soviet Union, the designers attempted to develop a pistol of a new formation that would replace the legendary but outdated Makarov, recalled in a conversation with RT, retired colonel Viktor Baranets.

“There was a whole range of pistols that were variously accepted by the Ministry of Defense. Small parties went to the armament of the security forces, but there is still no single, comprehensive pistol in Russia. About the development of "Boa", information began to appear at the end of 2015, ”said the expert.

Special cartridges

"Boa" is a semi-automatic pistol with a double-action trigger mechanism and an automatic slide delay, created for a special cartridge of 9x21 mm caliber. In addition to specialized ammunition, the pistol is distinguished by a high magazine capacity of 18 rounds (10 more than the Makarov pistol). Due to the use in the design of synthetic polymers, Boa weighs only 780 grams. For comparison, the Makarov pistol, with a magazine of only eight rounds of 9x18 mm, weighs 730 grams.

The 9x21 cartridge was also developed at TsNIItochmash as a special ammunition that effectively strikes targets equipped with individual protective equipment - body armor and helmets made of multilayer materials. The firing range “Boa”, at which the penetration characteristics of the special cartridge are maintained, is 50 m.

• Gun "boa"
• © Nikita Osetrov / press service TsNIItochmash

The special cartridge allows the Boa to provide increased firepower compared to the latest Western models of small arms. According to the developer, Boa can use
tracer, armor-piercing, expansive ammunition caliber 9x21 mm. In addition, specifically for this gun developed two newest cartridge - subsonic and increased penetrability.

For comparison, the new gun of the American army SIG Sauer M17, put into service in 2017, carries in the store 17 rounds of 9x19 caliber Parabellum - much less powerful than the special cartridge 9x21.

Despite the fact that the Russian pistol is made using composite materials, it has a sufficiently high strength. "Boa" is able to operate at temperatures from - 50 to + 70 ° C. Other modern polymer pistols of such brands as Glock, SIG, H & K, under conditions of extreme temperatures, failed due to the destruction of the polymer parts of the weapon.

Baranets notes that the "Boa" differs from the Makarov pistol not only in an increased magazine, but also in an increased range and greater power.

“The PM had an effective strike range of 25 meters, and the Boa pistol had 50 meters. A high-power cartridge pierced a bullet-proof vest of the 3rd degree of protection, which was unattainable for the PM. With such a large store volume, it is lighter than PM due to the use of polymeric materials. Compared to the Colt and Beretta pistols, it has a much lower impact - after the shot there is a light, barely noticeable push that does not interfere with keeping the front sight on the target, ”concluded Baranets.

To replace Stechkin

In the opinion of Viktor Murakhovsky, the chief editor of the Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, this pistol complex is intended mainly for special operations forces and intelligence units.

“Before him, the most famous pistol of special purpose was APS Stechkin - an ancient pistol with a device for silent and flameless shooting. It was high time for him to find a replacement, and the Boa could take on the role of a pistol for special forces and intelligence services, ”the expert said in an interview with RT.

• © Nikita Osetrov / press service TsNIItochmash

The 9x21 cartridge is used in special-purpose weapons and will not soon become massive, Murakhovsky notes.

“The transition to the caliber of the 9x19 mm cartridge (“ Parabellum ”) is quite possible. This allows the use of existing production lines in Russia, only minor machine changeover is required. This is truly the most massive pistol cartridge in the world, which means that in the course of hostilities it can be “borrowed” from the enemy directly on the battlefield. In addition, we already have a large number of pistol complexes for this cartridge, ”the expert explained.

The "boa" will "compete" with such Russian weapons as the Lebedev pistol, the GS-18 pistol, the Yarygin pistol, said military expert, retired colonel Viktor Litovkin, believes.

“In the Russian army now there are about 220 thousand officers, so at first this gun will be produced in limited series. Now a large number of talented gunsmiths are working in Russia, and many companies are ready to present their pistols, ”said military expert RT.

The advantage of "Boa" is its powerful cartridge, said Litovkin, as well as some design features.

“He has a very comfortable handle that provides good shooting. It is not very heavy, weighs a little less than a kilogram. He can use a silencer, and can also be used for shooting with both the right and left hands, ”said Litovkin.