Unique RR-51
Manufacture d'Armes des Pyrénées Françaises (MAPF) · Pistol · Out Of Production · 1951
Also known as: Pistolet Unique RR-51, MAPF RR-51, Unique Modèle 51
Overview
The Unique RR-51 (Renforcé Renforcé 1951) was the standard French Police service handgun adopted in 1951, manufactured by Manufacture d'Armes des Pyrénées Françaises (MAPF) in Hendaye under the 'Unique' brand name. Chambered primarily in 7.65mm Browning (.32 ACP), it is a single-action, blowback-operated semi-automatic pistol with an exposed hammer, a 9-round single-stack magazine, fixed sights, manual and magazine safeties, and Bakelite grips. The design is a refined descendant of the Unique Modèle 17 'Kriegsmodell' (itself a derivative of the Spanish Ruby pistol). Over 102,000 RR-51s were produced. A rarer .22 LR target/sport variant with a long ported barrel was also offered for civilian competition shooters.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 670 g (23.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 152 mm (5.98") |
| Barrel Length | 76 mm (2.99") |
| Height | 110 mm (4.33") |
| Sight Radius | 130 mm (5.12") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Single Action |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 9 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 280 m/s (919 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 180 J (133 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 25 m (27 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- .32 ACP · primary — also known as 7.65mm Browning, 7.65x17mm, 7.65 Browning SR
- .22 Long Rifle — also known as .22 LR, 5.6x15mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Magazine Safety
- Features: Fixed Sights, Bakelite Grips, Exposed Hammer, Single Stack Magazine
Variants
- Unique RR-51 Target (.22 LR, long barrel) — Target Sport
- Unique RR-51 Police — Police Contract
Base model
Service history
Operators
- Police Nationale · adopted 1951 · as Pistolet Mle RR-51
- Sûreté Nationale du Maroc
- Various French civil servants and reservists
Conflicts
- Algerian War (1954-1962)
Production
Estimated total produced: 102,000 · Production years: 1951-1996
Over 102,000 RR-51 pistols produced for French Police and export contracts
Origin
Country of origin: France
Designer: Manufacture d'Armes des Pyrénées Françaises (MAPF) - Uria family design team
Discontinued: 1996
Notes
Also exported to Morocco for the Sûreté Nationale (Moroccan Police). The MAPF factory closed in 2001. The 'Unique' brand should not be confused with Unique Alpine AG of Austria (a separate, modern manufacturer). The base police variant is .32 ACP; the .22 LR is a less-common sporting derivative.
Background
The Unique RR-51 was carried in the holsters of French gendarmes and metropolitan police throughout the Cold War - and was famously used as the off-duty pistol in countless French crime films of the 1960s and 70s, becoming an unwitting cinematic icon of the Fifth Republic.