The Kalashnikov Concern showed the power and accuracy of the "successor" of the famous PM on NATO infantry helmets
A shot is fired, and a gong rings over the shooting range. This target was hit from an MPL1 pistol with a silencer from a distance of one hundred meters. It's a great job for this type of firearm designed for close range shooting. So, in Patriot Park, a demonstration of several models of Lebedev's pistol began, which are now being replaced by the famous Makarov pistols in the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rosgvardiya and VKS. Izvestia got acquainted with the entire shooting range and asked the gunsmiths about their plans.
Russian cartridge and Canadian helmet
In the shooting gallery, an infantry helmet, which is used by NATO soldiers, is put on the mannequin's head. The protection class is BR1, and a tag with the inscription "Made in Canada" is visible on the inside. Our soldiers captured him in the direction of Bakhmut-Soledar in the Ukrainian trenches. Now he happened to become a target, which will demonstrate the power and accuracy of Lebedev pistols.
"The standard helmet of a potential enemy," police Lieutenant Colonel and combat veteran Yevgeny Reznikov examines the trophy before firing.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image Source: iz.ru
In a minute, he would hit him with five shots—all the bullets would go through, piercing both sides of the helmet and the dummy's head. Evgeny is satisfied with his work — not a single miss, the imaginary enemy is destroyed.
"A strong cartridge," he explains. — The trajectories of the bullets that pierced the dummy's head and helmet have not changed much, which indicates the power of the cartridges.
He twirls the trophy helmet in his hands for a while and smiles.
"If the enemy had brains, they would have, and they certainly won't need them now," he jokes.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
With the next series of shots from a pistol with a silencer, he hit a gong target at a distance of one hundred meters.
"For a pistol, the working distance is six to ten meters," he explained, "Such accuracy is an excellent result.
The Kalashnikov concern showed three modifications of the Lebedev 9mm pistol. The first is a basic model called the MPL (Lebedev Modular Pistol). Without cartridges, it weighs 850 grams. The total length is 205 mm, the barrel is 112 mm, and the magazine capacity is 16 rounds.
The second model is the MPL1 for performing special tasks. Thanks to the elongated barrel with a special thread in the muzzle, the MPL1 can be equipped with a quick-release silencer. It was from him that the gong was struck at a distance of one hundred meters.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
The third model is a PLC (Lebedev compact pistol). Its length is only 185 mm, while the magazine capacity is 14 rounds. The weight is also small — 740 grams. A fully milled frame made of high—strength aluminum with an integrated Picatinny rail allows the installation of additional equipment, such as a laser designator or a flashlight.
Dmitry Lebedev, a pistol developer and a leading design engineer at Izhevsk Mechanical Plant JSC (part of the Kalashnikov Concern), introduces the range of weapons. He picks up a PLC and it immediately becomes clear that he is particularly fond of it.
"I had to fight for the gun," he says. — We started developing it in March 2017, when no one was particularly interested in it. And in August, I brought two prototypes to our shooting range — the PL-15K, as they were called then. They've done an excellent ballistic program.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
Then the Ministry of Internal Affairs became interested in this model and it was adopted.
— This pistol belongs to the compact class, — says the designer. — It is well suited for concealed carry.
Tested in its own area
The pistol is already widely used in the area of special operations in Ukraine.
— It's good to stop cars with it, a powerful bullet helps this, — Evgeny Reznikov explained. — The gun got a good reputation there.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
The new weapons are used not only by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Rosgvardiya and law enforcement agencies, but also by VKS pilots.
Dmitry Lebedev noted that helicopter pilots and attack aircraft pilots are already receiving PLCs. According to him, this is the pistol that is worn on the body and in the event of an ejection, it will be the last means of protection. If injured, the pilot will be able to protect himself, even if he has only one arm working.
Better than a Glock
Evgeny Reznikov compares Lebedev's pistols to Glocks, which have long been considered trendsetters in the West.
"Our car is better in terms of ergonomics," he explains.
A combat veteran says that a good pistol in your hand should behave in such a way that the user can feel very clearly, even without looking at the position of the barrel, where it is pointing.
— All this makes it easier to aim at the target, and the production of a series of repeated shots, and the transfer of fire — Lebedev pistols have all this, they are better than Glocks in this indicator, — says the specialist. — All these indicators are not taken from the ceiling, the shooter's life will depend on them at a crucial moment. And it's good that such a gun will be in the hands of our people.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
According to him, Lebedev's pistol is good even for inexperienced shooters.
— Thanks to ergonomic solutions, the development time of our machine is much shorter than that of others, — he noted. — This means that the weapon will become a formidable force even in the hands of a fighter with a small amount of experience. He will shoot it more accurately than the others.
Evgeny Reznikov clarifies that the cartridge for the Makarov pistol is currently considered insufficient in terms of damaging effects, which is one of the reasons why it is being changed. Lebedev pistols just use a more powerful cartridge.
Photo: IZVESTIA/Andrey Erstrem
Image source: iz.ru
The line of modern pistols is planned to be upgraded taking into account the experience gained during a special military operation, Dmitry Lebedev said. According to him, "a whole pool of changes" has already been prepared, which are planned to be introduced into the design of the weapon. It is possible that the line will be continued with a heavy automatic pistol.
— My personal opinion is that the machine is extremely important for us in terms of the overall mass characteristics of the APS (Stechkin automatic pistol - Ed.), — explained the designer. — But made with modern solutions in mind. They would allow you to fully operate this machine with one hand.
He noted that such work is underway both in our country and abroad, but so far none of the competitors has achieved a decent result.
Bogdan Stepovoy
