WIST-94

The WIST-94 is a semi-automatic pistol produced in Poland.

WIST-94
TypeSemi-automatic pistol
Place of originPoland
Service history
In service1999–present
Used byPoland
WarsIraq War
War in Afghanistan
Production history
DesignerWiesław Stark
Designed1994
ManufacturerPREXER Ltd.
Produced1996–present
VariantsWIST-94L
Specifications
Mass730 g (26 oz)
785 g (27.7 oz) (WIST-94L)
Length190 mm (7.5 in)
Barrel length114 mm (4.5 in)
Width34 mm (1.3 in)
Height135 mm (5.3 in)
Cartridge9×19mm Parabellum
ActionShort recoil
Muzzle velocity356 m/s (1,168 ft/s)
muzzle energy 518 J
Effective firing rangeSights ranged for 25 m
Feed system16-round box magazine
SightsFixed, front blade and rear notch, marked with fluorescent dots

Development

WIST-94 was designed at Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU) under the code name Piryt (Pyrite in Polish). Two prototypes were made in 1992, which differ in the barrel locking system: Model A01 used a rotary-locking system and Model B01 using conventional, Browning-type tilting barrel locking. B01 was the only one to complete testing but the development was temporarily halted due to the military cutting off funding. Financed by WITU and Prexer company, the project continued and in 1994 a new prototype was developed. Called WIST-94 it is based on the B01 prototype. The new pistol was chosen by the Polish military as its new standard sidearm.

Design details

The WIST-94 is a semi-automatic pistol chambered for 9mm Parabellum round. It uses the Browning cam-lug system of operation. The polygonal-rifled barrel is locked to the slide by three locking lugs machined into the upper part of the barrel. The frame is made from polymer plastic while the slide is constructed from steel. The trigger mechanism is similar to the one used in Glock pistols: striker-fired double-action-only. After racking the slide back and after each shot fired the striker is held semi-cocked allowing for lighter trigger pull than conventional double-action. The only safety used is an internal automatic firing pin safety that unlocks the firing pin only in the final stages of the trigger pull. The WIST-94 is fed by a 16-round magazine. The magazine release catch is reversible for use by left-handed shooters. The slide release lever is located at the left side of the gun. The sights are fixed and have self-luminous tritium inserts for low-light situations. The WIST-94L is also equipped with a laser sight mounted in the upper part of trigger guard. The name of the hand gun sounds, in Polish, very similar to Vis.

Variants
WIST-94L variant
  • WIST-94 - basic version
  • WIST-94L - version with integral laser sights

Users

WIST-94 pistol has started entering service with the Polish army in 1997. 20,000 pistols were ordered and built[1], the unit cost is currently classified.

Sources
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References
  1. "Żołnierze, z wyjątkiem jednostek specjalnych, są uzbrojeni w trzy typy pistoletów polskiej produkcji: P-64 Czak i P-83 Wanad (oba na amunicję 9x18 mm Makarow) oraz WIST-94 na natowską amunicję 9x19 mm Parabellum. Najwięcej jest P-64... Najmniej, bo prawie 20 tys., jest w służbie pistoletów WIST-94"
    Krzysztof Wilewski. Wojsko ulepsza pistolety WIST // "Polska Zbrojna"
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