The Kalashnikov group of companies will present the Lebedev compact pistol for the first time at the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East IDEX-2021.
The international forum will be held from 21 to 25 February in the capital of the United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi.
“One of the new products that Kalashnikov Group of Companies is presenting at IDEX is the PLC - a compact Lebedev pistol chambered for 9 x 19 mm.
This sample has successfully passed the program of state tests in the Russian Federation and has already proven its reliability in difficult operating conditions, ”the press service of the concern quotes the words of Dmitry Tarasov, General Director of Kalashnikov.
It is also noted that the company has already received all the necessary "permits to start promoting the PLC in the international market, in particular in the Middle East region."
State tests of the PLC were completed in August 2020.
According to their results, the pistol was recommended by the customer for adoption by the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
After that, trial operation began in the structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Full size, compact and sporty
The development of the Lebedev pistol began in 2014.
The prototype weapon (PL-14) was first presented in 2015 at the Army-2015 International Military-Technical Forum.
“When developing it, the opinions and requirements of specialists from law enforcement agencies and leading shooters - Russian athletes were taken into account.
The key difference between the PL-14 and other modern counterparts is its ergonomics and balance, which most fully correspond to the current concepts of human biomechanics and the production of an accurate shot.
The versatility of the pistol lies in the ability to use it not only as a military weapon, but also as a sporting weapon, ”said Dmitry Lebedev, the leading design engineer of Kalashnikov, the pistol creator.
After analyzing and correcting the shortcomings of the experimental model, Kalashnikov presented at the Army-2016 forum a modernized version of the Lebedev pistol, which was designated PL-15.
PL-15 length - 220 mm, weight - 0.8 kg.
The pistol magazine is designed for 16 rounds of 9 x 19 mm caliber.
On the basis of the PL-15, it was decided to make a more compact version, which was first demonstrated to the public at the Army-2017 forum, where, according to Dmitry Lebedev, she was able to show herself well.
“99% of people who, by the nature of their service, must have weapons with them, ideally will never use these weapons.
Therefore, it is possible to somewhat reduce their tactical and technical characteristics, but by reducing them to make them less burdensome to wear.
Adhering to this concept, we made a compact pistol based on our full-size pistol, ”Dmitry Lebedev explained the PLC concept.
Lebedev pistol compact
© Kalashnikov Group of Companies
The length of the compact version has decreased by 40 mm to 180 mm.
The weight of the pistol has also decreased - for the PLC this figure is 0.71 kg.
The ammunition of the weapon in comparison with the "older" model has been reduced by two rounds.
According to the developers, "the compact size allows the PLC to be used for concealed carry, which is necessary for operational police and special services."
In turn, the presence of the Picatinny rail (a bracket with a rail mount for easy installation of sights and other equipment) "ensures the effectiveness of the pistol's daily use," the company notes.
The weapon's competitive advantage is also its ergonomics.
"The shutter delay, safety lock and magazine release button are located on both sides of the PLC and allow right-handers and left-handers to use the pistol equally effectively," the Kalashnikov company says.
In February 2021, Dmitry Tarasov, General Director of the Kalashnikov Group of Companies, in an interview with RBC, said that various versions of the Lebedev pistol are planned to be supplied to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Guard and the Ministry of Defense.
The structures of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are supposed to be armed with a compact version.
The full-size PL-15 is intended for the National Guard.
Tarasov noted that the state tests of the pistol in this department may end in the first quarter of 2021.
“I think that by showing these ready-made versions, we will offer them to our main customer - the Ministry of Defense ... We believe that Lebedev's pistol will replace the Makarov pistol.
It should be a mass pistol, the same as the PM was in its time, "said the general director of Kalashnikov.
In addition to the PLC, a sports version was also created on the basis of the PL-15.
The pistol, designated SP1, is intended for practical shooting in production and production optics classes.
In many ways, the sports version has the same characteristics as the standard PL-15 model.
It is designed for cartridges of 9 x 19 mm caliber, and when it was created, the same principle of automatic operation was applied.
The SP1 magazine with a single-row exit and display windows is designed for 16 rounds.
The handle has recesses for easy magazine removal.
The SP1 is equipped with Glock sights, a red dot mount and a Picatinny rail for mounting an underbarrel flashlight.
The fuse, slide stop and magazine release button are duplicated on both sides, which also allows the use of this pistol for right-handers and left-handers.
For greater convenience, the weapon has an ergonomic grip and a notch on the frame to prevent slipping.
"Fight for a place in the sun"
According to analysts, the main distinguishing feature of the PLC is its compactness.
In addition, experts note its compliance with modern technical requirements.
“The presence of a Picatinny rail, on which additional equipment can be installed, allows the PLC to be used in a wide variety of conditions.
Another feature is that this pistol has controls on both the right and left sides.
Thus, the same pistol is suitable for both left-handers and right-handers, ”Dmitry Kornev, founder of the Military Russia portal, said in a comment to RT.
Lebedev pistol compact
© Kalashnikov Group of Companies
According to the expert, Lebedev's pistol is intended, among other things, to replace the Makarov pistol.
This pistol, developed by Nikolai Makarov, has been in operation in various modifications since 1951.
However, Kornev believes that it will not be so easy to oust the legendary PM.
“It is not the first year that there has been talk that the PL-15 can replace the Makarov pistol in the special services, army and police.
But PM has an undeniable advantage - it is very popular and widespread both in our country and in the world.
It is extremely inexpensive to maintain, operate and manufacture.
And the new Lebedev pistol will still be more expensive, if only simply because it is new and its production needs to be adjusted.
In addition, it uses more modern materials.
However, gradually migration towards Lebedev's pistol will begin, ”the expert said.
A similar point of view is shared by Alexander Butyrin, a columnist for the Fire Frontier magazine.
“In the next decade, not a single pistol will be able to completely replace the PM, because it is simply economically unprofitable: a lot of Makarov pistols were produced.
However, the gradual supply of PL-15 and PLC, for example, for a start to special units, is a completely feasible task, ”the analyst said in a conversation with RT.
Commenting on the prospects for promoting the PLC to the foreign market, Butyrin noted that this pistol is able to compete with foreign counterparts, including the products of the Austrian company Glock.
Dmitry Kornev also said that PLC has good prospects in the world market.
“Our weapons have always been distinguished by increased reliability and undemanding operation conditions.
This traditionally applies to all systems of Russian small arms.
Due to these properties, as well as due to its other qualities, the PLC will be able to fight for a place in the sun.
Especially if we are talking about the Middle East, where our weapons are traditionally in high demand, ”concluded Kornev.