MAB PA-15
Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne (MAB) · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1966
Also known as: MAB P-15, Pistolet Automatique 15
Overview
The MAB PA-15 (Pistolet Automatique 15) was a French semi-automatic pistol introduced in 1966 by Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne. It was notable as the first 9x19mm production pistol to exceed the Browning Hi-Power's 13-round capacity, holding 15 rounds in a double-stack magazine. The PA-15 used an unusual delayed-blowback action with a rotating barrel based on the Savage-Searle mechanism, rather than the more common Browning short-recoil system. Although originally developed for commercial export, the French Navy and Marines purchased small batches in the late 1970s after MAC 50 production ended.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1070 g (37.7 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 1230 g (43.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 203 mm (7.99") |
| Barrel Length | 114 mm (4.49") |
| Height | 138 mm (5.43") |
| Width | 35 mm (1.38") |
| Action Type | Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 350 m/s (1148 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 456 J (336 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| 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: Frame Mounted Manual Safety, Magazine Disconnect
- Features: Savage Searle Rotating Barrel, Double Stack Magazine, External Hammer, Fixed Dovetailed Sights
Variants
- MAB P-15 F1 — Target Competition
- MAB PA-8 — 8 Round Short Lived
Service history
Operators
- French Naval Commandos
- French Marines
- French Military Police
- French civilian export market
Production
Estimated total produced: 50,000 · Production years: 1966-1990
Primarily commercial/export sales; limited French military adoption by Naval Commandos and Marines
Origin
Country of origin: France
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
When MAB closed in 1982, remaining parts were sold to Armurerie Chevasson, which continued assembling new pistols from existing components into at least 2009.
Background
The PA-15 holds the distinction of being the first commercial 9mm pistol to break the Browning Hi-Power's 13-round capacity barrier - a record it held briefly before the Czech CZ 75 and S&W Model 59 popularized the 'wonder-nine' high-capacity format.