Minebea P9
Minebea Co., Ltd. · Pistol · In Production · 1982
Also known as: 9mm Kenju, 9mm Pistol, Minebea 9mm Pistol, SIG Sauer P220 (Japanese license)
Overview
The Minebea P9 is a Japanese semi-automatic pistol chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, license-produced by Minebea from the Swiss SIG Sauer P220 design. Adopted by the Japan Self-Defense Forces in 1982 as the 9mm Kenju (9mm Pistol), it serves as the standard sidearm of the JSDF, replacing the older New Nambu M60 revolver and Colt M1911A1 pistols. It is a hammer-fired, double-action/single-action handgun feeding from a single-stack nine-round detachable box magazine, retaining the SIG P220's frame-mounted decocking lever in place of a manual safety.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 750 g (26.5 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 862 g (30.4 oz) |
| Overall Length | 198 mm (7.80") |
| Barrel Length | 112 mm (4.41") |
| Height | 143 mm (5.63") |
| Width | 38 mm (1.50") |
| Sight Radius | 160 mm (6.30") |
| Action Type | Short Recoil |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Double Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 345 m/s (1132 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 443 J (327 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 50 m (55 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum Alloy |
| 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: Decocker, Firing Pin Safety
- Features: Double Action Single Action, Single Stack Magazine, Fixed Sights
Service history
Operators
- Japan Self-Defense Forces · adopted 1982 · as 9mm Kenju (9mm Pistol)
- Japan Ground Self-Defense Force · adopted 1982 · as 9mm Pistol
Production
Production years: 1982-present
Produced under license by Minebea for the Japan Self-Defense Forces; a partial replacement program with the SFP9/P320-based pistols has been underway since the late 2010s.
Origin
Country of origin: Japan
Designer: SIG (Schweizerische Industrie Gesellschaft)
Notes
License-built in Japan by Minebea from the SIG Sauer P220 (Swiss Pistole 75). Chambered in 9x19mm with a single-stack 9-round magazine, unlike the more common .45 ACP P220 export models.
Background
Because Japan's post-war constitution and strict arms-export policy left little domestic small-arms industry, the JSDF turned to license production of the proven SIG Sauer P220, with Minebea building it in 9x19mm as the 9mm Kenju to standardize the force on the NATO pistol cartridge.