In 2016, the PM pistol, which is in service with the army and police, turned 65 years old. The proposed successor does not suit the customer in terms of weight and performance.

The next candidate for the place of Makarov was the Lebedev pistol - PL, which has been shown at various exhibitions for several years in a row.

History of creation

The development of a promising pistol began in 2014 at the design bureau of the Izhevsk Arms Plant under the leadership of designer Dmitry Lebedev. According to official information, instructors from the FSB training center and famous shooters (for example, A. Kirisenko) participated in the development.

The pistol received the designation PL-14 and was supposed to arm special forces, army officers and police officers. The design of the weapon provides for the creation of sports options.

Compared to the Makarov and Yarygin pistols, the PL-14 has the following characteristics:

Ergonomic shape of the handle, suitable for a natural and tight grip by people of various sizes. When developing the design, the designers relied on the experience of developing imported pistols.
Due to the ergonomics and weight distribution of the weapon, the recoil and toss of the barrel when fired is reduced.
The declared resource is 10 thousand shots (when using cartridges of the 7N21 type with a charge of gunpowder of increased weight and bullets designed to destroy protected targets). When using standard cartridges, the guaranteed shot of the weapon will increase by 2-3 times.
Symmetrical layout of the controls, which allows you to fire from any hand.

In 2016, a modernized version was presented under the designation PL-15. External improvements consist in having the shape of the rear part of the bolt and introducing a hole on the lower edge of the handle (for a safety strap).

According to the creators, the safety levers with a modified geometry appeared inside, the bolt lag, the barrel lock and the latch located on the lower part of the store underwent changes in shape.

Device

The mechanics of the PL-14/15 are based on the use of the inertia of the recoil of the bolt, which is in engagement with the barrel performing a short movement. Unlocking is performed by lowering the rear of the barrel, which is performed by a figured tide placed under the barrel breech.

A hook is placed on the upper edge of the barrel, which, interacting with the sleeve ejector window, locks the channel.

The design of the chamber allows the use of cartridges with non-standard (short or deformed) casings.

For firing, a double-acting trigger mechanism is used, which has a hidden trigger and an inertial striker. When each shot is fired, the trigger works in self-cocking mode.

A characteristic feature of Lebedev's pistol is the great effort required to pull the trigger (up to 4 kg) and its low stroke (no more than 7 mm). The scheme of the trigger mechanism allows you to drop the weapon without the risk of spontaneous firing.

The basis for the installation of the Lebedev pistol mechanism is a frame made of an aluminum-based alloy. In order to reduce the weight of the weapon in the series, it is planned to switch to a frame made of polymer material that is resistant to temperature and shock loads.

On the front part of the trigger bracket, a recess is made for the index finger of the supporting hand.

When carrying, the weapon is put on a manually operated safety lock from two levers, which are symmetrically mounted on the side parts of the pistol. The levers are flat and will not snag on clothing or holsters when worn or removed.

The safety element is a disconnect link that disconnects the trigger from the hammer. An additional safety element is an indicator of the location of the cartridge in the barrel. When the cartridge is inserted from the rear of the bolt, a small pin protrudes, clearly visible to the shooter.

In addition to the double-sided fuse flag, the shutter delay levers and clip release keys are duplicated. The pistol magazine has a two-row arrangement of cartridges that converge in one row at the top.

On the upper plane of the weapon, a dovetail-type guide is installed, on which an unregulated sight is installed.

It is possible to install laser targets or tactical flashlights. To do this, there is a standard Picatinny rail on the underbarrel box.

Tactical and technical characteristics

The table shows a comparison of the performance characteristics of the pistols in service and the promising Lebedev model.

	PMM	PY	PL-15	PL-15K
Length, mm	165	198	220	180
Height, mm	127	145	136	130
Thickness, mm	34	38	28
Barrel length, mm	93,5	112,8	127
Chuck type	9*18	9*19
Magazine capacity, pcs.	12	18	15	14
Weight without cartridges, gr	760	950	800	720
Curb weight, gr	880		995

Prospects for further use

During the Army-2017 exhibition, a version of the Lebedev PL-15K pistol was presented, which is characterized by reduced dimensions and weight. The firing mechanism remained unchanged. The compact modification of the pistol is designed to arm the police and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

The weapon must undergo comprehensive tests under various operating conditions, according to the results of which it will be possible to draw a conclusion about the chances of being adopted.

At the "Army 2016" exhibition, a prototype PL-15 with an elongated barrel and a rifling for installing a silent firing device (silencer) was shown.

Although Lebedev's pistol is not mass-produced, it is available in computer games. In Payday 2, the weapon is referred to as the White Streak. At the same time, the factory mark was replaced with a snowflake pattern.

The serial production of the PL-15 was planned to begin in 2016.

Protracted development tests pushed the date of adoption into service indefinitely. It remains to be hoped that the pistol will not repeat the fate of Yarygin's weapon, which went on to the series for more than 15 years.

Certain concerns are also caused by the current trend in the modern development of weapons in the Russian Federation, when the advertised samples turn out to be raw and not suitable for military use.

Video review of the Lebedev pistol

The Russian concern "Kalashnikov" will soon organize a new production site at the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant to prepare for serial production of the Lebedev pistol (PL-15, PL-15K).

Surely, many remember when a working sample of Lebedev's pistol was first shown to the general public and what excitement it caused in 2015. At that time it was simply impossible to see the pistol, as well as the designer, near the Kalashnikov stand - they were constantly at closed presentations. And yet, the few who managed to hold the PL-14 in their hands noted that the pistol sits perfectly in the hand and ... has a fairly hard trigger.

The pistol originally received a double-action trigger firing mechanism with a trigger pull of 45H and a 7 mm trigger travel. Such requirements, initially, were presented by the military to the safety of the product.

Over the next two years, the PL-14 was repeatedly refined, and all the time there was fresh news in this regard. And finally, at the forum "Army-2017", "Kalashnikov », demonstrated a new version of the PL-15 with a single-action firing mechanism, trigger force 25N and a trigger stroke of 4 mm. The concern also presented a compact version of the Lebedev pistol - PL-15K. The compact version had a length reduced to 180 mm, a fourteen-round magazine and the possibility of producing with two variants of the firing mechanism, as in the full-size PL-15.

The PL-15 pistol was created by designer Dmitry Lebedev, who at one time was a student of the legendary designer of sports weapons Efim Khaidurov. Lebedev has been developing experimental pistols for many years. The pistol itself was assembled with the active support of the well-known Russian shooter Andrei Kirisenko, a multiple champion of the country in practical shooting.

Optimal ergonomics, safety in use, high reliability with any 9x19 cartridges, complete "two-sidedness", high resource (about 10,000 shots using reinforced, armor-piercing 7N21 cartridges; with "ordinary" cartridges, the resource, respectively, should be much longer).

The creator of the pistol, Dmitry Lebedev, said that the PL-15 is the result of many years of work. The idea to create such a weapon came to him during his work in the research group of the famous designer of sports weapons, Efim Leontyevich Khaidurov.

The submarine was developed based on the analysis of foreign-made weapons. The combat experience of the FSB special forces, the security service of the President of Russia and other special forces of the power structures of the Russian Federation was also taken into account.

So, the PL-15 uses automation using the recoil of the bolt coupled to the barrel, with a short barrel stroke. The lowering of the breech of the barrel when unlocking is carried out by a figured tide under the breech of the barrel. The barrel bore is locked by engaging the protrusion in the upper part of the barrel with the window for ejection of sleeves in the bolt.

The frame of the pistol is made of aluminum alloy, in the future it is planned to use a frame made of impact-resistant polymer. The shape of the grip of the weapon provides a comfortable and natural grip of the weapon, while the maximum grip thickness is only 28mm.

The trigger mechanism in the basic version is hammer, with a hidden trigger and an inertial firing pin. Shooting is carried out in the self-cocking mode for each shot (only double action trigger), while the trigger force is 4 kg, and the full trigger travel is only 7 mm. In addition, a manual safety device has been introduced into the design; when turned on, it releases the trigger with the trigger and has two flat, conveniently located levers on both sides of the weapon. A version of the PL-15-01 pistol has also been developed, which has a single-action striker trigger, with a significantly reduced trigger force and trigger travel.

Also, the design provides a cartridge indicator in the chamber, made in the form of a pin protruding from the rear end of the bolt in the presence of a cartridge in the barrel. The slide stop levers are also double-sided, as is the magazine latch lever.

The cartridges are fed from detachable double-row magazines with the output of cartridges in one row. The sights are open, unregulated, installed in dovetail grooves. On the frame under the barrel there is a Picatinny rail for the installation of additional equipment (LCC, flashlight). The PL-15 pistol can be equipped with an elongated threaded barrel for installing a quick-release muffler for the sound of a shot.

The American National Interest magazine admired the new Russian PL-15 pistol and called it a "quantum leap". They drew attention to the significant superiority of the PL-15 over its counterparts, in particular the Makarov pistol. According to journalists, the weapon has already become a serious step forward compared to existing counterparts.

NI emphasized that the PL-15 combined the best qualities of Russian and foreign pistols, and its main advantage lies in automation using the recoil inertia of the bolt coupled to the barrel.

In addition, the journalists noted the pistol's double action trigger mechanism.

Much attention in the article was paid to the possibility of a longer use of the weapon (at least 10 thousand shots) and the lightness of the design, which is achieved due to the frame made of aluminum alloy.

According to the publication, the new pistols can primarily be used in army special forces. The journalists suggested that the weapon would be a worthy replacement for the Glock pistol.

The PL-15 pistol was developed for the use of 9x19 mm (parabellum) cartridges. Its length is 220 mm (barrel length - 127 mm), width - 28 mm, and height - 136 mm. In the basic version, the pistol is equipped with a 14-round box magazine. In the front part, the thickness of the pistol is 21 mm, in the area of the handle - 28 mm. Due to these values, the pistol is considered the best compact in its class.

In September last year, the Kalashnikov concern, which is part of the Rostec State Concern, announced that it would launch the PL-15 into serial production in 2019. The relevant information appeared on the official website of Kalashnikov Media with reference to the managing director of the Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (part of the concern) Alexander Gvozdik. He assured that these plans are absolutely accurate. According to him, the pistol will be produced in Izhevsk using new technologies.

"The product will meet the consumer properties of the main customer both in the field of military small arms and in the direction of civilian small arms," said the managing director of IMZ.

For the first time, a prototype of Lebedev's pistol was publicly presented at the Army-2015 military-technical forum. A modified and improved version of this pistol for the worldwide popular 9x19 mm cartridge was demonstrated a year later at the Army-2016 forum, and a year later the PL-15K pistol was presented to the public at Army-2017. This is a compact version of the standard PL-15, developed in an extremely short time. According to the Kalashnikov concern, the new product has a number of advantages, in particular, the accuracy and accuracy of fire, the small thickness of the pistol and the ergonomics of the grip.

The Lebedev pistol began to be developed in the 2010s. Designer and sports shooter Dmitry Lebedev was responsible for its creation.

When creating a new pistol, attention was especially paid to issues of ergonomics and product balancing.

This should help an experienced shooter to significantly improve the accuracy of firing from a pistol. The weapon was created in the interests of the Russian special services and the armed forces. It is planned to supply it to the army and the police.

PL-15K is considered as a possible replacement for the legendary PM (Makarov pistol). Despite its compactness, this version retained the 9x19 mm caliber and the 14-round magazine. The length of this modification of the pistol is 180 mm, the height is 130 mm. The weight of the uncharged PL-15K is 720 g.

In February of this year, it became known that they had not created a sports version of the new PL-15, which received the designation SP1. This modification took over from the Lebedev pistol all the positive qualities, including ergonomics and balance, which are the strong point of the PL-15.

According to the developers, the new weapon has great export potential.

The SP1 automatics has the same principle of operation as the PL-15. The pistol can be made of aluminum alloy or steel: in the first case, its mass without a magazine will be 0.8 kg, and in the second - 1.1 kg. In terms of dimensions, the sports modification is smaller than the PL-15 itself: the length of the SP1 is 205 mm (PL15 - 220 mm), and the barrel length is 112 mm (PL-15 - 127 mm). The pistol is also chambered for 9x19 mm.

SP1 is equipped with removable sighting devices of the Glock standard, and can also be equipped with a laser designator, an underbarrel flashlight and a collimator sight. First of all, the weapon is intended for amateur shooters and athletes.

Reliable, safe and versatile - the armed forces will soon receive, in efficiency not inferior to their foreign counterparts, and in a number of characteristics even superior to the best of them.

State tests will be completed by the end of the year. The model of the pistol has not yet been officially named, but experts are sure: gunsmiths are testing the latest development of the concern.

About the features of this melee weapon - in the material RIA Novosti.

Soft descent

The status of the most massive domestic pistol today belongs to the legendary Makarov. It has been in the ranks for over 70 years and, with all due respect to its merits, it is hopelessly outdated. They thought about replacing the "peem" back in the 1980s, but during the years of perestroika there was no time for that.

The first attempt to switch to new weapons was made by the military at the beginning of the 2000s - a limited batch of Yarygin pistols entered the troops. During operation, shortcomings were immediately identified. When firing, the bolt often wedged, the pistol was too heavy for daily wear, the parts protruding from the holster interfered with quickly getting it out of the holster, and the build quality left much to be desired. Something else was required.

The first prototype of the PL-14 (Lebedev pistol) was presented to the general public in 2015, and its improved one was shown a year later at the Army-2016 forum.

The product of the 2015 sample takes into account all the shortcomings of its predecessor. In particular, the developers have improved the shape of the handle - it has become even more comfortable and ergonomic, reduced recoil and added smoothness to the trigger.

Moreover, the designers have developed two versions of the PL-15 - with "long" and "short" descents. The first - about seven millimeters - will save the shooter from accidental shooting in a stressful situation. This modification is intended for combined arms army units. PL-15 for "specialists" and highly skilled users is equipped with a more sensitive trigger.

The pistol is designed according to the classical principle of locking the barrel by tilting. This scheme is used by most of the manufacturers of short-barreled weapons in the world.

The standard barrel of the PL-15 is 120 millimeters, and the full length of the pistol is 207 millimeters. A variant with an elongated muffler barrel is assumed. In addition, as with any weapon of the 21st century, the PL-15 can be equipped with a collimator sight, an underbarrel flashlight and a laser sight. Another feature of the PL-15 is the hammerless scheme: the pistol is fired in self-cocking mode for each shot.

PL-15K pistol

Dependable fighter

The submarine was developed in record time, taking into account the experience of the best weapons companies. The main reference point for Russian specialists was "Glock", which the military and policemen all over the world managed to fall in love with. In Russia, the "Austrian" is also often used by separate units of the special services.

“At first, the developers collected all the requirements and wishes of users,” the Honored Master of Sports, world champion in practical shooting Andrei Kirisenko, who was at the origin of the PL-15, told RIA Novosti. - We asked what they like or dislike about Glock and other famous pistols. I wanted to take all the best in the world and eliminate the shortcomings. At the same time, Lebedev's pistol is made according to the principle “there is no need to reinvent the wheel”. There is an old proven Browning scheme that has proven to be extremely effective. "

Reliability, according to Kirisenko, is the most important characteristic for military military weapons in Russia. In the submarine, this was fully realized. And the firing range and penetration ability depend on the type of ammunition.

“There is nothing more important than reliability for a short barrel,” the expert is sure. - And if the pistol passes the tests at TsNIITOCHMASH, which, by the way, could not stand "Glock", then we can confidently assert: PL-15 is the most reliable pistol in the world.
Because, firstly, the military has very high requirements for new weapons, and secondly, TsNIITOCHMASH has the toughest and most difficult tests. "

Any type of ammunition is suitable for the PL-15, including increased power; neither heat, nor cold, nor rain or snow will interfere with the shot. Moreover, the pistol allows the use of cartridges of low quality, which often cause a delay in the shot in the Austrian Glock.

Lebedev is designed to fire 9 × 19 "Parabellum" cartridges, twice as powerful as Makarov's 9 × 18. The standard magazine with a capacity of 15 rounds can be replaced with a whole range of expanded ones with a capacity of up to thirty ammunition.

The developers declare a high resource of the pistol - the PL-15 can withstand up to ten thousand shots, even with reinforced armor-piercing cartridges.

“For a Glock, for example, if you wet it in water, there is a high probability of a delay in the shot. It reacts very badly to our ammunition from the Barnaul and Tula cartridge factories - it works well with imported ones, but with ours - regular delays. The submarine perfectly shoots with our ammunition in any difficult conditions, ”said Kirisenko.

Austrian pistol "Glock-17"

Pistol Event

Among the advantages of the Russian pistol are compactness and ergonomics. Convenient controls, you can safely store the cartridge in the chamber - that is, the "pulled out and fired" scheme is implemented.

“The gun is very comfortable for the shooter. Lebedev, who has worked for many years with the designer of sporting weapons Yefim Khaidurov, is well versed in human biomechanics. Therefore, the angle of the handle, the ergonomics of the weapon are such that they allow you to make a second shot very quickly and accurately, ”emphasizes Kirisenko.

In terms of weight and dimensions, the PL-15 surpasses the Austrian "Glock": the maximum width in the area of the handle is only 28 millimeters, in the front part - 21 millimeters. The Russian pistol is better suited for concealed carry, the holster with it will not protrude much from under the clothes.

In 2017, the developers introduced and. The compact pistol differs from the basic one - weighing 800 grams - in reduced length, height and, as a result, weight. The principle of operation of the automation and internal mechanisms are the same. Modularity is preserved - the user can replace the barrel with a longer one or put the necessary front sight and rear sight.

Colt M1911

Of course, the development of Russian specialists will be noticed on the arms market - constructively successful combat pistols are rarely presented in the world. For example, the well-known American Colt M1911 has been produced for over a hundred years, and the Austrian "Glock" is already almost forty.

The development of new short-barreled weapons requires many competencies, from basic sciences to metallurgy. Many countries with advanced mechanical engineering cannot afford their own pistol. For example, France, Great Britain, Saudi Arabia failed to develop their own short-barrels. In the United States, the Italian Beretta pistol is in service, and the special forces use the same Glock.

PL-15 proves once again that Russia has all the necessary knowledge and capabilities to create high-quality small arms, including short-barreled weapons. The use of a domestic product in the army is important both from a strategic point of view and from a financial point of view - the cost of the PL-15 will be significantly lower than any other foreign analogue.

Nikolay Protopopov

PL-15k

The correct choice of firearms implies the selection of a model not only according to personal preferences, but also according to technical characteristics. For example, domestically produced pistols have earned a positive assessment not only in Russia, but also abroad, because they are distinguished by convenience, high combat characteristics and ergonomics.

One of the most successful models is the PL-15k, which was developed by the design team of the Kalashnikov arms concern. In this article, we will consider not only the history of creation and the scope of use of the pistol, but also its detailed technical characteristics, and a description of the pros and cons of the model will help you make the right choice.

PL-15k

The abbreviation PL 15k in decoding means "Lebedev's pistol", because it was the famous designer Dmitry Lebedev who led its development. The first work on the creation of a new type of weapon began in 2014, but a year later the developers were able to present only its prototype, and the last, improved version, was published only in 2016 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. External characteristics of the model

When choosing a firearm, many are interested in the history of its creation, because many models have it quite rich and interesting. We will also consider how the Lebedev 15k pistol was created, in what areas it is used, and what technical characteristics it has.

The history of the creation and purpose of the pistol

Initially, this model of firearms was created for the needs of the army, police and special forces. However, in the near future, it is planned to release another version that can be used for practical shooting.

The first public demonstration of the prototype took place in the summer of 2015, and the model itself received the designation PL-14. It was she who formed the basis of the modern pistol.

In 2016, at the Army-2016 exhibition, an improved model was presented, which was named PL-15, and the next year another modification appeared - the Lebedev pistol (PL) 15k. In fact, the principle of operation and the device of the trigger remained the same, but the developers have significantly reduced the dimensions and weight of the weapon. This is due to the fact that the fighters of special units, for whom the product was intended, often carry firearms only nominally and very rarely use them for their intended purpose. That is why the creators decided that the new model has a lightweight design and is perfect for constant wear.

By the way, the improved model can be used not only in the army or the police, but also by the security personnel or the Ministry of Emergency Situations, who almost never resort to weapons.

Technical characteristics of the pistol Lebedev PL 15k

Since the PL 15k was designed on the basis of the PL 15 model, they have a lot in common (Figure 2).

The main technical characteristics of the pistol are as follows:

The weapon is a classic self-loading unit that has proven itself in training and combat conditions.
Reloading takes place with the help of the movement of the movable barrel, which moves back together with the bolt under the action of recoil.
The barrel travel during the shot is short, that is, much less than the shutter travel. It is this feature that made it possible to make the weapon small and convenient for constant wear.
The design features of the weapon also allow you to additionally install a longer barrel and various models of front sight and rear sight.
If we talk about traditional technical parameters, then its length is 180 mm, height 130 mm, and weight 720 grams. The magazine holds 14 rounds of 9 * 19 mm.

Figure 2. Technical features to consider when purchasing

During the development, special attention was paid to its ergonomics. Thanks to this, the weapon fits perfectly in the hand, and the low weight makes it easy to return it to the original trajectory of the sight after the first shot.

The developers deliberately made the trigger stroke large. At the same time, the pressing force is significantly higher than that of analogs, and amounts to 4 kg. Thanks to this, it is almost impossible to make a spontaneous shot, even if the pistol falls to the floor from a height of human growth.

The controls are located on the sides of the body. In addition, the design of the model involves the installation of additional equipment: a flashlight, a target indicator and a silencer.

Advantages and disadvantages of the Lebedev PL 15k pistol

The PL 15k has a lot of advantages, but its compactness is considered the main one. If we compare the Lebedev pistol with the Makarov model, we can confidently assert that this lightweight model is absolutely not inferior to its competitor in terms of combat characteristics (Figure 3).