WIST-94
Prexer sp. z o.o. · Pistol · In Production · 1997
Also known as: Piryt, Pyrit, FB WIST-94
Overview
The WIST-94 is a Polish striker-fired, double-action-only semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. Developed at the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU) under the codename Piryt and manufactured by the Prexer factory in Łódź, it uses a short-recoil, Browning-type tilting-barrel locking system with a polymer frame and steel slide. Adopted as the standard sidearm of the Polish Army in 1997, it feeds from a 16-round detachable box magazine and relies on an automatic trigger and firing-pin safety with no manual safety lever.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 730 g (25.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 190 mm (7.48") |
| Barrel Length | 114 mm (4.49") |
| Height | 135 mm (5.31") |
| Width | 33 mm (1.30") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Striker Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action Only |
| Magazine Capacity | 16 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 357 m/s (1171 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 475 J (350 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Safety, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Reversible Mag Release, Polymer Frame, Browning Tilting Barrel, Integral Laser Option
Variants
- WIST-94L - Laser Equipped
Service history
Operators
- Polish Armed Forces · adopted 1997
Conflicts
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
Production
Estimated total produced: 20,210 · Production years: 1997-present
At least 20,210 pistols delivered to the Polish Army by 2010 against an original order of 20,000.
Origin
Country of origin: Poland
Designer: Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU)
Notes
The WIST-94L variant adds an integral laser aiming module in the frame forward of the trigger guard, activated by a button on the left grip panel. Field use in Iraq and Afghanistan drew criticism over jams, malfunctions and complicated disassembly.
Background
The WIST-94 grew out of two 1992 WITU prototypes: the A01 with a rotary-locking barrel and the B01 with a conventional Browning tilting barrel. Military funding was cut, but Prexer and WITU financed continued work on the B01, yielding the WIST-94 in 1994.