New pistol PL 15K (2017)

Automatic Kalashnikov pistol. Stechkin automatic pistol. The Makarov pistol. PL-14 photo selection-1.

PL-14 9x19 Parabellum cartridge, currently in development . Created by engineers of the Kalashnikov concern to arm the army and law enforcement agencies. The development project was led by Dmitry Lebedev, supported by Russian practical shooting champion Andrey Kirisenko. The pistol was first shown at the Army-2015 military forum in 2015. At forums in subsequent years, the Kalashnikov concern presented modified versions of the PL-14, PL-15 and PL-15K .

History of creation

The Makarov pistol has been in the service of most law enforcement agencies in Russia and the Soviet Union for more than half a century. Despite the fact that it has proven itself to be an excellent weapon in all aspects (excellent reliability, a more or less good cartridge, and most importantly - extremely cheap to produce), the veteran needs a replacement. Over the past few decades, many contenders have been developed to become the most widely used and mass-produced pistol in Russia. As we can see, no one has yet managed to remove the PM from his post. Nevertheless, designers are hard at work creating new pistols, and the famous Kalashnikov concern was no exception in this regard. A hitherto little-known student of the famous designer of sports small arms (he has more than a dozen sports pistols, as well as two sports modifications of the Nagan system revolver - TOZ-36 and TOZ-49) Efim Khaidurova, Dmitry Lebedev, in 2015 at the military-technical exhibition "Army" -2015" presented its newest pistol PL-14. According to the concern, the pistol was developed with the participation of instructors for the training of FSB operatives, as well as shooting athletes. The work began in 2014, which testifies to the professionalism of the designer, who created a working version of the pistol within a year. In 2021 and 2021 at the same forum, Lebedev presented two more modifications of the PL-14 - PL-15 and PL-15K (modernized and modernized shortened, respectively). The cartridge, unusual for Russian weapons, is due to the obsolescence of the domestic 9x18. The more powerful and promising 9x19 cartridge was accepted as the only possible (for 2021) for Lebedev’s pistol. The service life of the pistol with proper care exceeds more than 30,000 shots.

Lebedev pistol MPL PLC PL-14 PL-15 (Russia)

The Lebedev MPL pistol, formerly known as the PL-15 pistol, was developed by designer Dmitry Lebedev, working at the Kalashnikov concern. Dmitry is a student of the legendary sporting weapons designer Efim Khaidurov, and has been developing experimental pistols for many years.

Lebedev pistol PL-14, prototype. Right view

The development of a pistol under the symbol PL-14 began in 2014. The goal of developing a new pistol is to create a service (combat) pistol for the police, army and special services, as well as variants based on it for practical sports shooting. The new pistol was based on a number of basic concepts, namely: optimal ergonomics, safety in handling, high reliability with any 9x19 cartridges, complete “double-sidedness,” long service life (at least 10,000 rounds when using reinforced armor-piercing 7N21 cartridges). The Lebedev PL-14 pistol was first shown to the public in June 2015; in 2021, its improved version was shown at the Army 2016 exhibition under the designation PL-15. In 2021, at the next Army exhibition, new versions of the pistol were shown - PL-15-01 with a striker-fired USM and a compact version of the PL-15K. Subsequently, it was decided to concentrate efforts on developing a version of the pistol with a striker-fired USM, intended primarily for arming law enforcement services.

Lebedev pistol PL-15, prototype

Lebedev PL-15 pistol with a silencer installed

Pistol PL-15K

Shooting from a PL-15 pistol with a silencer installed. When shooting, standard 9x19 cartridges with a supersonic bullet were used. When using cartridges with a subsonic heavy bullet, the shot sound will be even quieter

In 2021, the Kalashnikov concern demonstrated an updated version - the Modular Lebedev Pistol MPL , as well as its smaller version - the Lebedev compact PLC pistol. The MPL pistol is offered in two versions - basic and MPL-1. The second option is intended for arming special units and has an elongated barrel with a thread for installing a silencer, as well as higher sighting devices.

Modular Pistol Lebedev MPL. photo concern "Kalashnikov"

Modular Pistol Lebedev MPL. photo concern "Kalashnikov"

Modular Lebedev Pistol MPL-1 fully equipped. photo concern "Kalashnikov"

The Lebedev MPL pistol (PL-15) uses automation using the recoil of the bolt coupled to the barrel, with a short barrel stroke. The reduction 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 at the top of the barrel with the window for ejecting cartridges in the bolt. The pistol frame is made of aluminum alloy; in the future it is planned to use a frame made of impact-resistant polymer. The shape of the weapon's handle provides a comfortable and natural grip on the weapon, while the maximum thickness of the handle is only 28mm.

The trigger mechanism in the basic version is hammer-operated, with a hidden trigger and an inertial firing pin. Shooting is carried out in self-cocking mode for each shot (double-action trigger only), with a trigger force of 4 kg, and the full travel of the trigger is only 7 mm. Additionally, a manual safety has been introduced into the design, which, when turned on, disconnects the trigger from the hammer 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 pull and trigger travel.

The design provides an indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber, made in the form of a pin protruding from the rear end of the bolt when there is a cartridge in the barrel. The slide stop levers are also double-sided, as is the magazine release button. The cartridges are fed from detachable double-row magazines with cartridges exiting in one row. The sights are open, non-adjustable, installed in dovetail-type grooves. The frame under the barrel has a Picatinny-type guide for installing additional equipment (LCC, flashlight). The Lebedev pistol can be equipped with an elongated barrel with a thread for installing a quick-detachable shot silencer.

Design

A well-known disadvantage of the Makarov pistol is its ergonomics and magazine capacity of only 8 rounds. Despite the fact that the PM is a compact pistol, the convenience and comfort of holding and shooting is often questioned. One of the main tasks of Dmitry Lebedev when developing a new pistol was to solve this problem. The designer applied many solutions that made it possible to improve the grip and ergonomics of the submarine several times (compared to the PM). When you first look at the pistol, a bright detail catches your eye - the handle. It is intentionally tilted, which makes shooting more accurate in general, and especially a quick shot offhand. Also contributing to the unusual appearance of the PL-15 is the extremely small distance between the back of the handle and the axis of the barrel. According to physical laws, this solution helps to reduce the force of the lever that occurs when firing. Accordingly, the barrel bounce from the recoil force will be minimal. The PL-15 automation operates on a rather complex principle. In general terms, it is the use of a recoil bolt connected to the barrel. This also results in a short barrel stroke. The automation uses many innovative design solutions to make it as reliable and efficient as possible. The PL-15 also has an interesting feature. The trigger pull is 4 kg (for comparison, the PM has 2-3.5 kg), which eliminates unnecessary waste of ammunition in a stressful situation. The pistol controls are duplicated for both left-handed and right-handed people. There is also an indicator of the presence of a loaded cartridge, which allows you to determine both visually and tactilely whether the weapon is loaded. Under the barrel there is a Picatinny mount for installing a laser laser or flashlights. It is also impossible not to mention the extremely compact dimensions of the PL-15, which were reduced to a minimum in the PL-15K modification. Such a wide range of sizes allows the pistol to be used as an assault weapon or a concealed carry weapon. Due to the specifics of development, the PL-15 is planned to be produced in a variety of variants. Starting from full-size sports ones and ending with compact combat ones. Depending on the model, the dimensions of the pistol vary, as well as the design of the trigger (trigger and impact type). In sports modifications, the hammer must be cocked manually for each shot, while the combat PL-15-01 is a semi-automatic self-loading weapon.

Lebedev's newest pistol PL-15

In the previous publication (https://prospb.com/kk-pistolet-yarygina-i-pistolet-lebedeva/) we showed a video, half of which is dedicated to a new word in Russian weapons design - the Lebedev PL-15 pistol. Many probably remember the excitement of 2015, when a working model of this weapon, the PL-14 pistol, was first shown to the general public.

What flattering names have they called it: “Russian weapons breakthrough”, “unsurpassed in beauty”, etc.! And now 2021 comes, the exhibition “Russian Army-2016” opens, and at the stand of the Kalashnikov Concern there is a new pistol model - PL-15.

The PL-15 pistol was developed by designer Dmitry Lebedev, who works at the Kalashnikov concern. Dmitry is a student of the legendary sporting weapons designer Efim Khaidurov, and has been developing experimental pistols for many years.

In the photo: designer of the PL-14\15 pistol Dmitry Lebedev

The development of a pistol under the symbol PL-14 began in 2014 with the active participation of the famous shooter Andrei Kirisenko, a multiple champion of Russia in practical shooting. The goal of developing a new pistol is to create a service (combat) pistol for the police, army and special services, as well as variants based on it for sports and practical shooting.

The new pistol was based on a number of basic concepts, namely: optimal ergonomics, safety in handling, high reliability with any 9x19 cartridges, full “double-sidedness”, long service life (at least 10,000 rounds when using reinforced armor-piercing cartridges 7N21; with “conventional” "cartridge life should be significantly longer).

The Lebedev PL-15 pistol uses automation using the recoil of the bolt coupled to the barrel, with a short barrel stroke. The reduction 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 at the top of the barrel with the window for ejecting cartridges in the bolt. The pistol frame is made of aluminum alloy; in the future it is planned to use a frame made of impact-resistant polymer. The shape of the weapon's handle provides a comfortable and natural grip on the weapon, while the maximum thickness of the handle is only 28mm.

The trigger mechanism is hammer-operated, with a hidden trigger and an inertial firing pin. Shooting is carried out in self-cocking mode for each shot (double-action trigger only), with a trigger force of 4 kg, and the full travel of the trigger is only 7 mm. Additionally, a manual safety has been introduced into the design, which, when turned on, disconnects the trigger from the hammer and has two flat, conveniently located levers on both sides of the weapon. The design provides an indicator of the presence of a cartridge in the chamber, made in the form of a pin protruding from the rear end of the bolt when there is a cartridge in the barrel. The slide stop levers are also double-sided, as is the magazine release button. The cartridges are fed from detachable double-row magazines with cartridges exiting in one row. The sights are open, non-adjustable, installed in dovetail-type grooves. The frame under the barrel has a Picatinny-type guide for installing additional equipment (LCC, flashlight).

The PL-15 pistol can be equipped with an elongated barrel with a thread for installing a quick-detachable shot silencer.

On video: shooting from a PL-15 pistol with an attached silencer. Shooting is carried out with supersonic cartridges. If you use cartridges with a subsonic speed of a heavy bullet, the sound of the shot will be significantly quieter.

Compared to the PL-14 prototype, the PL-15 pistol shown at the Army 2016 exhibition is distinguished by a slightly modified shape of the rear part of the bolt, the presence of a hole at the bottom of the handle for attaching a pistol strap, a new shape of the safety levers, bolt stop, barrel lock, and latch store. In addition, a version was shown equipped with an extended barrel with threads on its muzzle for attaching a silencer.

The Lebedev PL-15 pistol has a number of advantages, including the ergonomics of the handle, the accuracy and accuracy of offhand and rapid fire, small thickness and the absence of levers protruding much beyond the side edges of the weapon, and in addition, only a self-cocking trigger, which allows you to safely carry a weapon with a cartridge in the chamber without the need to use a safety catch.

Tactical and technical characteristics of the PL-15 pistol

• Caliber: 9×19mm Parabellum
• Weapon length, mm: 207
• Barrel length, mm: 120
• Weapon height, mm: 136
• Weapon thickness, mm: 28
• Weight without cartridges, g: 800
• Magazine capacity, cartridges: 15

Personal opinion: looking at this incredibly beautiful weapon, the thought “They could do it!” arises. I really hope that all the identified shortcomings will be corrected, and the Russian Army will receive a new wonderful pistol with excellent ergonomics, equally excellent ammunition, and excellent reliability. And who knows, maybe even you and I will get to shoot with it at the training ground?

Cybercat, based on materials from the sites https://modernfirearms.net, https://www.armoury-online.ru

Results

In general, Dmitry Lebedev managed to create, probably, the most promising Russian pistol, the development of which we can see right now. The PL-15 (and modifications) is a reliable weapon, the automation of which was developed taking into account the experience of previous models of Russian short-barreled weapons. The 9x19 Parabellum cartridge, new in the Russian arms industry, will become a reliable aid in the development of this weapon, becoming one of the main innovations of this pistol. The PL-15 is a comfortable weapon whose ergonomics are influenced by the latest research in the field of biometrics. The PL-15 is a precision weapon, the accuracy of which is ensured by a number of innovative design solutions. I hope that the entire Russian arms community will closely follow the development of the newest domestic pistol.

Modifications of the Lebedev pistol pistol:

• PL-14 is the first version of Lebedev’s pistol, presented to the general public in 2015.
• PL-15 is a sports model of the PL, introduced in 2016.
• PL-15-01
  is a combat model of the PL-15, which has less trigger pull and is semi-automatic (unlike the PL-15, which was fired by self-cocking).
• PL-15K
  is a shortened version of the PL-15, intended for concealed carry or for use by services that rarely use weapons.

Below is a table of technical and firing characteristics of the PL-15 pistol.

History of creation and purpose

The initial model of the pistol under the symbol PL-14, created by Dmitry Lebedev, was demonstrated at the international arms exhibition Army 2015, and the improved version of the PL-15 with a shortened version PL-15K made a splash at the said forum in 2021.

Instructors from the FSB unit, who train the department’s special forces, and sports shooters took part in the development. The designer's talent and competent technical solutions made it possible to create a model of an individual weapon in the shortest possible time, taking into account the necessary characteristics and ergonomic requirements.

After analyzing the shortcomings characteristic of the original model of the Lebedev PL-14 pistol, changes were made to the product configuration and some elements of the device. This made it possible to present a weapon that is significantly superior to its competitors in terms of parameters, in an attractive external design.

Interesting! The model was developed for arming officers of the armed forces and representatives of government law enforcement agencies.

An additional possibility of using the pistol is as a sports model, which is facilitated by the ergonomic features and tactical and technical characteristics of the PL-15 and PL-15K.

Designer of the PL-14 15 pistol Dmitry Lebedev

Advantages and disadvantages of the Lebedev PL 15k pistol

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

Figure 3. The main advantage of the model is its lightness

If we talk about shortcomings, then the model has practically none, since despite all its lightness and ergonomics, Lebedev’s pistol retains all the combat characteristics, while the weapon itself is easy to use and carry.

Before purchasing such a weapon, it is advisable to familiarize yourself not only with its technical characteristics and reviews, but also with video reviews, from which you can objectively evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the model.

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8.11.2018 2 461

Difference between PL-15 and PL-15K

The main difference between the version of the Lebedev PL-15K pistol and the basic one is its reduced size and weight. These qualities were achieved with minor damage to tactical and technical characteristics, which do not play an important role for some representatives of government services, for whom the presence of weapons is nominal.

Attention! Due to the different capacities of the PL-15 and PL-15K magazines, the clips of these models are not interchangeable.

At the same time, the compact design of the PL-15K is more convenient to carry and use, which is especially important for employees of government departments who practically do not use weapons, but are forced to carry them constantly due to official needs.

Modifications of the Lebedev pistol

In addition to the original model PL-14, the main PL-15 and the compact PL-15K, the following modifications of the Lebedev pistol have been developed:

• PL-15-01 - combat version, characterized by a lower trigger pull and a semi-automatic mode of operation, in contrast to the self-cocking of the main pistol;
• SP1 is a sporting version, additionally equipped with open sights.

These modifications of the PL-15 were also presented at international forums and were appreciated by experts.

PL-15 SP1