MAS G1
Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne · Pistol · Discontinued · 1987
Also known as: PAMAS G1, PA MAS G1, Pistolet Automatique MAS G1
Overview
The MAS G1 is a French semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, produced under Beretta licence at the Manufacture d'armes de Saint-Etienne (and later GIAT Industries) as the PAMAS G1. A close copy of the Beretta 92G, it pairs an aluminium-alloy frame with a steel open-top slide and a double-action/single-action trigger with an ambidextrous decocking-only lever. Adopted by the French Gendarmerie and Army, it served as the standard French service handgun until replaced in French inventories.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 970 g (34.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 217 mm (8.54") |
| Barrel Length | 125 mm (4.92") |
| Height | 137 mm (5.39") |
| Width | 39 mm (1.54") |
| Sight Radius | 155 mm (6.10") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Da Sa |
| Magazine Capacity | 15 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 390 m/s (1280 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 481 J (355 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | 6 Grooves, Right-Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| 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: Decocking Lever, Firing Pin Block
- Features: Ambidextrous Decocker, Open Slide Design, Exposed Hammer, Licensed Beretta 92g
Production
Production years: 1987-2000
Built under Beretta licence for French Gendarmerie and Army adoption.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Beretta
Discontinued: 2000
Notes
Early French-made slides used a tellurium-bearing steel that proved brittle, limiting service life to roughly 6,000 rounds; many were refitted with Italian-made Beretta slides. Often designated PAMAS G1 (Pistolet Automatique de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Etienne).
Background
The MAS G1 was France's answer to a domestically produced modern service pistol, licensing the proven Beretta 92 rather than developing a new design. Its decocker-only 92G configuration influenced Beretta's own later commercial 92G models.