Russian self-loading "omnivorous" gun "Boa" launched into production

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The Interagency Commission signed an act on the admission of the Russian self-loading pistol "Udav" to mass production.

The document has already been approved by the Ministry of Defense, said Sergey Abramov, industrial director of the Rostec arms cluster, noting that the weapon received the letter “O1”. Soon the gun will be adopted, manufacturers are awaiting a decision on its operation in the army. The novelty has passed tests for resistance, stability and durability. The development of the pistol complex was started by TsNIItochmash JSC (part of the Rostec state corporation) back in March 2014. In March 2016, he passed preliminary tests, and in December 2018, state tests.

The nine-millimeter self-loading pistol "Boa constrictor" is a completely domestic development, assembled from Russian components. The magazine's capacity is 18 rounds, which is 10 more than that of a Makarov pistol.

As noted on the company's website TsNIItochmash , "The boa constrictor" is "omnivorous" - all 9 × 21 mm ammunition is suitable for it: tracer, armor-piercing, expansive. In addition, specially for him, developed two of the latest cartridges - subsonic and increased penetration. The gun is capable of penetrating body armor of the second class.

The "boa constrictor" will be made in three versions: for troops, special forces and the civilian market. It remains operational in the temperature range from -50 to +70. The performance characteristics of the civilian version will allow it to compete with such brands of small arms as Colt, Walther, Heckler & Koch, Glock, Browning and CZ. It may appear already in 2020, and will cost at least € 250.

It is assumed that the "Boa" will replace the commonly used Makarov pistol, which no longer meets modern requirements. In tests, when the penetration ability of two pistols was compared, firing from each into a sheet of steel 4 mm thick, the "Boa" easily penetrated it, which Makarov failed to do.

However, not all military experts agree with the assumption of replacing Makarov. Editor-in-chief of Arsenal of the Fatherland magazine, member of the expert council of the board of the Military-Industrial Commission of the Russian Federation Viktor Murakhovsky NSN about the differences between "Boa" and "Makarov", stressed that the new weapon will not replace Makarov’s pistol.

“This gun is more likely for special operations forces and reconnaissance units. This is not a gun for the main armed forces. It has 9x21 mm cartridges, this is a special cartridge developed in Soviet times, which is capable of penetrating body armor, unarmored vehicles, has an increased recoil momentum "Accordingly, this weapon is not for everyday wear. Its advantage is precisely in the penetration ability, increased aiming range, this kind of weapon, in fact, allows special units to operate both at the front line and behind enemy lines with high efficiency," says Murakhovsky .

“Although Makarov’s pistol does not meet the requirements of the time, it nevertheless remains on the supply of the armed forces. A mass model that could be purchased for the armed forces by tens and hundreds of thousands of units was not found by the Ministry of Defense.” The boa constrictor Makarov’s pistol is not intended, "the expert is convinced.

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