Margolin MTs-1

Izhevsk Mechanical Plant · Pistol · Discontinued · 1948

Also known as: МЦ-1, Margolin pistol

Overview

The Margolin MTs-1 (МЦ-1) is a Soviet .22 Long Rifle blowback-operated semi-automatic target pistol, the original production model of Mikhail Margolin's celebrated design. Put into production at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant in 1948 after passing state trials in 1947, it fed from a 10-round detachable magazine, wore adjustable open target sights and anatomical grips, and was prized for its accuracy in 25 m precision shooting. It was superseded in 1952 by the modernized MCM (MTsM).

Specifications

Weight (empty)900 g (31.7 oz)
Weight (loaded)940 g (33.2 oz)
Overall Length245 mm (9.65")
Barrel Length152 mm (5.98")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Action
Magazine Capacity10 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity305 m/s (1001 fps)
Muzzle Energy121 J (89 ft·lbf)
Effective Range25 m (27 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 1948-1952

Original Margolin target pistol; replaced in production by the MCM (MTsM) modification in 1952

Origin

Country of origin: Russia

Designer: Mikhail Vladimirovich Margolin

Discontinued: 1952

Notes

Sources differ on the exact chambering of examples sold abroad: some export/rapid-fire guns marketed as the Model MTs-1 were chambered in .22 Short with a 6-round magazine, while the original Soviet-issue MTs-1 was a .22 Long Rifle 10-shot target pistol.

Background

Designer Mikhail Margolin was completely blind, having lost his sight at 18 from a head wound; he worked out the MTs-1's entire mechanism by touch using clay and wire models, producing one of the most enduring Soviet target pistols.