MAB PAP F1

Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne (MAB) · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1975

Also known as: MAB P-15 F1, Pistolet Automatique de Precision F1, PAP F-1

Overview

The MAB PAP F1 (Pistolet Automatique de Precision, Modele F1) is a French target pistol, a long-barrelled precision variant of the MAB PA-15 built by Manufacture d'Armes de Bayonne. It retains the PA-15's unusual delayed-blowback action with a Savage-Searle rotating barrel and its 15-round double-stack 9x19mm magazine, but fits a lengthened 140mm barrel and adjustable target sights for competition and marksmanship use. The PAP F1 was issued in small numbers to French army shooting teams, and saw limited service with the Gendarmerie and Air Force.

Specifications

Weight (empty)1090 g (38.4 oz)
Weight (loaded)1250 g (44.1 oz)
Overall Length226 mm (8.90")
Barrel Length140 mm (5.51")
Height138 mm (5.43")
Width35 mm (1.38")
Sight Radius175 mm (6.89")
Action TypeDelayed Blowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity15 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity360 m/s (1181 fps)
Muzzle Energy481 J (355 ft·lbf)
Effective Range50 m (55 yd)
Maximum Range200 m (219 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Base model

Mab-Pa15

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 1975-1990

Small-batch production of the target/precision variant; issued to French army marksmanship teams

Origin

Country of origin: France

Discontinued: 1990

Notes

Produced in far smaller numbers than the standard PA-15. When MAB closed in 1982, remaining parts stocks were used to assemble further pistols into later years.

Background

The PAP F1 turned MAB's high-capacity service pistol into a match gun: the same rotating-barrel action that gave the PA-15 its soft recoil, paired with a longer barrel and adjustable sights, made it a favourite of French military shooting teams.