Firearms have always had many admirers: it fascinated and attracted, made admire and instilled a sense of power, even changed the course of history. An honorable place in this row is occupied by a pistol.
Historical excursion
Small arms were invented in hoary antiquity. Manuscripts have been preserved, which tell of a formidable stick that spewed fire from a great distance. Who invented them? Could they really hurt a person? Did they really exist? The answers to these questions remain a mystery. At least for now. It is reliably known that firearms began to exist as such in the XIV century, having gone through a long and difficult history of formation. A pistol, as a type of small arms, is two centuries younger. The creator of the "little gun", from which you can shoot with one hand, is considered Italian Camill Vetelli. There is a version that the word "gun" comes from the name of the city of Pistoia, in which the master lived and worked. Further, over the course of five centuries, this type of weapon was improved and gained by fans, going from a wick to high-precision sports samples.
Small-bore pistol is very popular today in sports and among fans of practicing shooting. This type of weapon has several advantages. The leader among their own kind is the small-caliber gun Margolin.
The birth of a legend
The birth date of this model is 1948. It was in the 40s that the shooting sport boom in the Soviet Union began. This occupation was not just fashion, but almost a duty of every citizen of the country. On weekends, they even lined up at the shooting range to shoot. Therefore, the goal was set - to create a sports model of a small-caliber pistol. The most successful option was a sample provided by designer Mikhail Margolin, engineer of the Izhevsk plant.
In the course of many years of experiments, he managed to design and develop a seven-shot pistol under a small-caliber cartridge. Athletes praised the new weapon. This sample instantly became popular. The model developed by designer Margolin was called the MC. The abbreviation stands for Margolin Target.
It is admirable that Mikhail Vladimirovich created his legendary pistol, being completely blind! Once he was a well-aimed gunner, he loved weapons, especially pistols, and dreamed of perfecting the mechanism. But in 1923, in the fight against crime in the Caucasus, he was injured, as a result of which he lost his sight. He did not lower his hand and did not give up his beloved business. He made his models by touch from plasticine, wax or clay. “There is no silver lining, ” the popular truth repeats. The blind see the world differently, so engineer Margolin was able to take a different approach to improving the pistol. He was able to solve a number of problems in the design of small arms. The designer fundamentally changed a number of details: shutter, barrel and sights. Such changes have dramatically improved the quality of the gun.
World fame
"Baptism of fire" in the international arena small-caliber pistol was held in 1954 at the World Cup. With the help of this weapon, our athletes have achieved great success. Many shooters were delighted with the new development of the USSR. The American shooter, after a long examination of the pistol, said: "Probably the designer who created this masterpiece is a great shooter if he managed to surpass Walter and Colt in accuracy."
MC design
The small-caliber pistol, developed by designer Margolin, refers to models of the trigger type, in which automation operates on the recoil force of the shutter. The trigger mechanism is designed so that you can shoot only single shots. To improve balance when customizing weapons under the barrel, a suspension for a weight is provided.
The sight system can be adjusted. The whole can be shifted to the right or left with respect to the axis of the channel. The same operation can be done with the front sight. Magazine single-row, can hold 10 rounds, fits in the handle.
Gun improvement
Margolin did not stop there. He always tried to bring his creation to the ideal. Under his leadership, other sports small-caliber pistols were created. So, in 1952, the production of shortened cartridges began - 5.6 mm. In the MC of the sample of this year, a change in the barrel was made, it was reduced. The chamber and magazine are also changed for a new cartridge. Was created and a muzzle brake. This model is called MTS-1. Later, some adjustments were also made, but it was the 1948 version to this day that is used in sports training shooting.
Clones of the Margolin Pistol
Good accuracy, accuracy, ergonomics and reliability of the mechanisms of the MC became the impetus for the emergence of new options for such weapons. Over the past 70 years, the following small-caliber weapons have been developed: pistols "Drill", "Margot" and a number of other options.
Faithful companion of the Ministry of Internal Affairs
In the 90s of the last century, the Izhmash Design Bureau developed a sample of a small-sized pistol, which was called the “Drill”. This model was intended for employees of law enforcement agencies and special services. "Drill" was created on the basis of Margolin pistol. This small-sized weapon is loaded with a PSM cartridge (5.45 X 18). The model was distinguished from the original by a shortened barrel, the absence of additional accessories for sports needs, such as special cheeks, the scope was changed, which became unregulated, the shape of the handle changed slightly. It has become more ergonomic, thanks to which the shot is fired more accurately. A trigger lock system has also been developed that protects the gun from being accidentally fired. This became possible after a special groove was made in the trigger. When inoperative, a platoon of the so-called sear falls into this groove, as a result of which the trigger and the striker are blocked.
Weapons for the masses
On the basis of the MC pistol, another version of a sports training weapon was developed, called the "Margo". This name came from the abbreviation of the surname of designer Margolin. It has been specially designed for the civilian consumer. The scope of its use is quite wide: from amateur training in shooting to self-defense. Cartridges of caliber 22LR are suitable for this model.
Margot
The model has the following advantages:
- A quiet sound of a shot, which allows you to train anywhere, even on the street, where there is the simplest bullet trap.
- Descent adjustment It is possible to set the force from 1 to 2.5 kg.
- Cheap ammo.
Based on the prototype of the MC, there were attempts to create a gas weapon. The result of such a reincarnation of sports Margolin was IZH-77 - a 6-charge gas pistol for cartridges of 8 mm caliber.
Foreign analogues
In addition to domestic samples of small-caliber weapons, there are also noteworthy pistols that are produced abroad.
One of the sports weapons available to fans is an analogue of the MC - Carl Walther P22 Standard. This sample has several advantages:
- compactness and ergonomics;
- high accuracy;
- excellent delivery equipment;
- reliability.
This gun is very good for competition. It costs about 400 dollars.
No less attractive for sports shooting and Ruger SR22. It is cheaper, but slightly inferior in performance. Of the advantages: a silencer can be screwed to the barrel.
A good option is FORT "Cordon" of Ukrainian production. It is quite cheap, but accurate, suitable for beginners of aimed shooting.
For professional athletes, a good option for foreign analogues is the GSG-1911. Weight without cartridges - about 1 kg. It is made of weapon steel and has a wide complete set.
One of the expensive options for this line of weapons is RUGER 22/45. It costs from 700 dollars. Very reliable, has a perfect look and high precision. This is a professional weapon. Many additional sets are produced for it: from body kits to triggers.
You can’t get past the famous Glock pistol. He has his fans. This weapon has large dimensions, solid weight and good characteristics, but not very reliable and quite expensive - from 900 "green".
Permission to small-caliber weapons
In order to obtain permission for military weapons, you need to go around more than one instance, collect a bunch of papers, pass tests and answer a hundred questions. And after all this, it’s not at all a fact that it will be possible to obtain the coveted permission. To obtain a legal basis for the right to carry and use small-caliber weapons, the situation should be a little easier. After all, this is not a military weapon, but only a sport one, especially since it is just small-caliber pistols. Permission to own this type of weapon is not difficult to obtain, but for a very long time. To do this, join the International Federation of Sports Shooting. And after five years in the ranks of this association, you can get the coveted permission. Just. Simple but long.
