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| Caliber | 9 mm |
| Cartridge | 9 x 18 mm (PM, PMM) |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Total weight (with empty magazine) | 760 g |
| Overall length | 186 mm |
| Barrel length | 101 mm |
| Fire characteristics | |
| Bullet initial speed | 350 (PM), 420 (PMM) m/s |
| Practical rate of fire | 30 rpm |
| Range of effective fire | 50 m |
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The MP-444 "Bagira"
Self-loading Pistol was developed as a substitute for the PM
Self-loading pistol which was produced since 1951. This pistol is intended
for the Russian Army and the Ministry of the Internal Affairs both to
replace the PM Pistol. Initially there was developed
improved variant of the PM - the PMM
Self-loading Pistol chambered for the improved 9 x 18 (PMM) high impulse
cartridge. The PMM is serially produced since the
1994 however it's design became old-dated comparing with the modern combat
self-loading pistols.
At the late 80-ties and
early 90-ties Russian arms designers Pistol automatic works on the lock short recoil principle. "Bagira" has an opened hammer mechanism with ability to be used in "single-" or the "double-action" modes. Pistol is fitted with a special buffer absorbing recoil power. The MP-444 "Bagira" has a plastic polymer frame. It is fitted with cartridge load in the barrel channel indicator. Underbarrel rail is intended for a various accessories such as the tactical flashlight or the laser pointer. Feeding is provided from the two line magazine. A magazine release button is placed behind the trigger guard and can be placed from the each side of the pistol handle. Pistol has a fixed sight
with three contrast points clearly visible at twilight. Advantages The MP-444 Self-loading Pistol chambered for the 9 x 17 mm (Browning) cartridge has an optimal weight, dimensions, and firepower ratio. Ambidextrous magazine release button. Recoil power absorbing device increases fire accuracy. Disadvantages The MP-444 "Bagira" has a two line magazine which makes a bit uncomfortable weapon's holding in the hand. Furthermore a safety-lock position is quiet unsuccessful. |
decided that the new pistol should
have more powerful cartridge and increased magazine capacity. At the
Izhevsk city Mechanical Plant there was developed conceptually new design
pistol family. The MP-444 "Bagira" Self-loading Pistol family
was intended for 9-mm caliber cartridges. It was chambered for the 9 x 17
mm (Browning), 9 x 18 mm (PM, PMM), and 9 x 19 mm (Para). The MP-444
became a basic model for the MP-445 "Variag" Self-loading Pistol
chambered for the more powerful .40 S&W cartridges. One more
Self-loading Pistol designed on the same base is the MP-446
"Viking" chambered for 9 x 19 mm (Para) cartridges but with a
new external design. 