Unique DES 69
Manufacture d'Armes des Pyrénées Françaises · Pistol · Discontinued · 1969
Also known as: DES 69, DES-69, Unique DES/69
Overview
The Unique DES 69 is a French .22 Long Rifle semi-automatic target pistol designed for ISSF 25 metre Standard Pistol competition. Built around a heavy fixed barrel with a simple blowback breech-block, it uses a short slide with serrated wings running alongside the barrel for cocking. The pistol features a fully adjustable single-action trigger, adjustable target sights, anatomical grips, and removable barrel balance weights (150, 260 or 350 g) to tune the pistol's balance for the shooter.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1000 g (35.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 270 mm (10.63") |
| Barrel Length | 150 mm (5.91") |
| Height | 145 mm (5.71") |
| Width | 50 mm (1.97") |
| Sight Radius | 220 mm (8.66") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Trigger Pull | 10 N (2.2 lbf) |
| Magazine Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 330 m/s (1083 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 141 J (104 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .22 Long Rifle · primary — also known as .22 LR, 22 LR, 5.6x15mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety
- Features: Adjustable Target Sights, Fully Adjustable Trigger, Interchangeable Barrel Balance Weights, Dry Fire Facility, Anatomical Target Grips, Heavy Fixed Barrel
Variants
- Unique DES 69U - Improved Trigger
Service history
Operators
- French national shooting team
Production
Production years: 1969-1980s
Produced by MAPF (marketed under the Unique brand) in Hendaye, France; widely used by French Olympic-style shooters before being supplanted by the later DES 69U and DES 32U models.
Origin
Country of origin: France
Notes
The barrel balance weights can 'walk' rearwards under recoil and were a known maintenance concern. The later DES 69U differs significantly in trigger and magazine construction, with an internal sear adjustment accessed only with the grips removed.
Background
Unique target pistols were prized by French national-team shooters of the 1970s for their balance and accuracy, with the DES 69 trigger often compared favourably to that of the Smith & Wesson Model 41.