Caracal pistol: Difference between revisions
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Caracal in Italy |
Caracal in Italy |
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A demonstration has been held by Caracal International and Tanfoglio, in partnership with |
A demonstration has been held by Caracal International and Tanfoglio, in partnership with the italian magazine Armi e Munizioni at the Futura Club shooting range, close to Rome, for representants of the Italian military and Law Enforcement communities, October,9, 2009. |
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Participants from the Italian Police and Military forces included members of the NOCS, the GIS, of the 17th Stormo Incursori of the Italian Air Force and of the 9th Col Moschin Regiment of the Italian Army, as well as representants of the Polizia Penitenziaria, of the Guardia di Finanza, of the Vatican Gendarmerie and of the U.S. State Department from the United States Embassy in Rome. |
Participants from the Italian Police and Military forces included members of the NOCS, the GIS, of the 17th Stormo Incursori of the Italian Air Force and of the 9th Col Moschin Regiment of the Italian Army, as well as representants of the Polizia Penitenziaria, of the Guardia di Finanza, of the Vatican Gendarmerie and of the U.S. State Department from the United States Embassy in Rome. |
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Revision as of 10:00, 16 November 2009
| Caracal F | |
|---|---|
 Caracal F pistol | |
| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  United Arab Emirates |
| Service history | |
| In service | 2007–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Wilhelm Bubits |
| Designed | 2005 |
| Manufacturer | Caracal International L.L.C. |
| Produced | 2006–present |
| Variants | Caracal F Caracal C Caracal SC |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Template:G to oz Caracal F Template:G to oz Caracal C Template:G to oz Caracal SC |
| Length | Template:Mm to in Caracal F Template:Mm to in Caracal C Template:Mm to in Caracal SC |
| Barrel length | Template:Mm to in Caracal F Template:Mm to in Caracal C Template:Mm to in Caracal SC |
| Width | Template:Mm to in Caracal F and C Template:Mm to in Caracal SC |
| Height | Template:Mm to in Caracal F Template:Mm to in Caracal C Template:Mm to in Caracal SC |
| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum 9x21mm .357 SIG .40 S&W |
| Action | Short recoil, locked breech |
| Feed system | 18-round box magazine (9x19mm Parabellum , 9x21mm Caracal F) 16-round box magazine (.357 SIG, .40 S&W Caracal F) 15-round box magazine (9x19mm Parabellum , 9x21mm Caracal C) 13-round box magazine (.357 SIG, .40 S&W Caracal C) 13-round box magazine (9x19mm Parabellum , 9x21mm Caracal SC) |
| Sights | Fixed iron sights |
The Caracal pistol is a series of semi-automatic pistols manufactured by Caracal International L.L.C.[1] from the United Arab Emirates. Newly arrived on a competitive market, the Caracal pistol series are the first pistols made in the United Arab Emirates.
Development
Starting in 2002, a team of European weapons designers and experts working in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces started the development of a range of modern pistols. The research and development team was led by the Austrian firearms designer Wilhelm Bubits who previously had designed the Steyr M pistol.[1]
Before being put into production the Caracal pistol was evaluated through independent tests. These tests were carried out by the Federal German Armed Forces Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen, Germany[2] which included metallurgic and composite analysis, functional fitness-for-purpose and quality evaluation, endurance firing, environmental exposure, safety and accuracy tests. A certificate was issued by the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in May 2006 after the pistol successfully complied with the NATO D14 standard, the German Federal Police Standard and the German Federal Armed Forces Technical Purchasing requirements. These tests are the most stringent test protocols ever devised for a service firearm.[1]
The pistols were unveiled at the International Defence Exhibition, IDEX 2007 in Abu Dhabi.
In February 2007 25,000 Caracal F pistols in 9 mm were ordered by various armies and security forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.[3] The Caracal pistol is now the new service pistol of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan as of April, 2008. The United Arab Emirates and Algeria established on November, 17th, 2008 a joint committee in order to test the Caracal pistol for further adoption by Algeria. The Caracal pistols were originally slated to be introduced into the European market and made available to Austrian customers in early 2009[4]; this was rectified at the IDEX 2009 exhibition, when Caracal announced that an export line to Italy was to be started with "the first samples delivered immediately after the IDEX"[5]. The Caracal pistols have been introduced on the Italian civilian/sport shooters market during the 2009 EXA expo (Brescia, 18–21 April 2009), and are being imported by the Italian arms company Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C.
Caracal in USA
On 15 January 2009 Caracal received an export licence from the United States, which will enable it to ship its products to the United States.[6] According to Caracal's commercial director Saeed Ali Al Shamsi, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms gave its approval for sales in the United States in May 2009 and the company plans to embark on a soft launch of the firearms in America in 2010 with the handguns selling for up to USD 720 (AED 2,650) in North America.[4]
Besides the within NATO and many other militaries standard 9x19mm Parabellum chambering, the manufacturer will offer this pistol also in the 9x21mm, .357 SIG and .40 Smith & Wesson chamberings that make the pistol more appealing to law enforcement organisations and private users. At the IDEX 2009, the company announced that work is being carried on to manufacture the Caracal pistols in .45 ACP, and that an SCHV (small-caliber/high-velocity) ammunition, along the lines of 5.7x28mm and 4.6x30mm, is also under study for military customers.
Caracal in Italy
A demonstration has been held by Caracal International and Tanfoglio, in partnership with the italian magazine Armi e Munizioni at the Futura Club shooting range, close to Rome, for representants of the Italian military and Law Enforcement communities, October,9, 2009.
Participants from the Italian Police and Military forces included members of the NOCS, the GIS, of the 17th Stormo Incursori of the Italian Air Force and of the 9th Col Moschin Regiment of the Italian Army, as well as representants of the Polizia Penitenziaria, of the Guardia di Finanza, of the Vatican Gendarmerie and of the U.S. State Department from the United States Embassy in Rome.
Caracal in France
A demonstration will be held during Milipol 2009, Caracal products will be made available to the specialized press members to be tested on a nearby range.
Design details
The Caracal is a fully ambidextrous polymer framed pistol that features an ergonomically designed grip. The lower forward edge of the frame has a mounting-bracket or rail interface system for mounting accessories.[7] The pistols low slide profile design holds the pistol barrel axis close to the shooters hand and makes pistols more comfortable to shoot by reducing muzzle flip and allows faster aim recovery in rapid shooting sequence.[8] This low bore axis principle is also found in the Glock and Steyr M pistols.
The metal slide guide rails are designed to be as long as possible to promote stability, by reducing torsion and flexing of the grip frame, during firing and a close fit between the slide and grip frame for plenty direct mechanical interaction between the slide and grip frame.
The Caracal is a striker fired semi-automatic pistol, meaning the trigger system is of the hammerless short double action only type. A cocking indicator below the rear sight indicates visibly and tactilely if the pistol is cocked and ready to fire. The trigger travel is 8 mm (0.31 in) with a trigger pull of 22 N (4.9 lbf) or 2.2 kg (77.6 oz). The pistol features a triple safety system that secures the weapon against accidental discharge and consists of three independent safety mechanisms: an external integrated trigger safety and two automatic internal safeties – a firing pin safety and a drop safety. The double column type box magazine is released by an ambidextrous magazine release. The pistols have a fully supported chamber and fixed iron sights. The pistol can also be supplied with grip inserts in several distinctive colours that can be used for identification purposes.[8]
The metal parts receive a proprietary "Plasox" plasma based surface treatment producing an oxidation protective coating resistant to aggressive environmental conditions.[9][10] The manufacturer claims that this proprietary protective coating method is relatively environmental friendly, very durable and protects well against rust.[8]
According to the manufacturer the 28 parts and components these pistols are made of (which are even less parts than Glock pistols are made of) are interchangeable for easy production and maintenance. A take-down lever allows the pistol to be disassembled by its user.
The available factory accessories are: a rigid shoulder stock, tactical front grip which can be fitted to the optical mounting-bracket on the lower forward edge of the frame, key locking system to provide additional gun security when the pistol is not in use, fibre glass front sight insert, tritium powered low light sights, magazine loader and optical aiming sight mounting bracket.[7][8]
A custom made modular holster has been designed by Sandro Amadini. Ghost International modular system holster's unique patented retention system GSS (Ghost Safety System) has been adapted to Caracal pistols. The innovative Ghost modular system with its various base plates allowing high ride, medium ride, tactical ride carry as well as concealed carry enhances and complements Caracal pistols qualities.[4]
Variants
The pistol is available in 3 variants of which the Caracal F is the basic full-size variant.
The Caracal C is simply a more compact (reduced length and height) variant of the Caracal F.
The Caracal SC has been introduced at the IDEX 2009 exhibition on 22 February 2009. The SC model has a reduced length, height and is technically somewhat different compared to the other Caracal pistols. The manufacturer markets the SC model as a primary weapon for government professionals who must conceal a handgun for job related situations, or as a secondary back up pistol.[1]
According to Caracal's managing director Hamad Khalifa Al Neyadiof, the new SC sub-compact model has fewer screws giving a smooth surface, allowing for a more efficient assembly and a better quality build. The SC model can also use the larger detachable box magazines of the C and F models, giving a magazine capacity of up to 18 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.[11]
According to Jane's the SC model has a separate safety switch located beneath the trigger guard, rather than on the trigger itself. A special grip adapter that has been developed for the Caracal SC has to be used for using the larger magazines from other 9 mm Caracal weapons. The SC model also has a solid synthetic striker, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and a very smooth action. The synthetic unit will be introduced to the F and C series later this year.[12]
The SC magazines are offered with a standard flat bottom or a slightly developed magazine with a finger rest for extra grip.[1]
A version of the Caracal adapted to high velocity ammunition like the 4.6x30mm used in the Heckler & Koch MP7 and the 5.7x28mm used in the FN P90 and the FN Five Seven would be under development.
This could be linked to the desire for a neighbouring country to adopt either the H&K MP7 or the FN P90 personal defense weapon.
Users
Bahrain
Italy: Unknown law enforcement agency;[11] introduced on the civilian market and to be distributed in 2009.
Jordan
United Arab Emirates
References
- ^ a b c d e Caracal International L.L.C. company website
- ^ Bundeswehr Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen
- ^ Caracal International wins contracts at IDEX
- ^ a b c Caracal pistol, new service pistol
- ^ Caracal starts sales in Europe
- ^ Caracal to export UAE-made guns to US
- ^ a b Caracal 9 mm self-loading pistol (United Arab Emirates)
- ^ a b c d Caracal Brochure
- ^ PLASOX - Plasma nitriding and oxidizing
- ^ Additional information regarding Plasox properties
- ^ a b Caracal shows off small 9mm semi-auto pistol
- ^ Caracal launches sub-compact pistol