Country of origin |
Israel |
Caliber |
9x19 mm Parabellum |
Weight (unloaded) |
1 092 g |
Length |
210 mm |
Barrel length |
115
mm |
Muzzle velocity |
300 - 460
m/s |
Magazine capacity |
15 rounds |
Sighting range |
50 m |
Range of effective fire |
50 m |
|
The Jericho
941 pistol was developed by Israeli Military Industries (now Israeli
Weapon Industries). It is based on Italian Tanfoglio T95 pistol, which
itself is a clone of the Czechoslovak
CZ-75.
The IMI subcontracted much of the basic fabrication work to
Tanfoglio company. However it had enough Israeli content to satisfy
government contract requirement. Production commenced in
1990 and continues to this day. The Jericho 941 is used by various
Israeli police and security forces. This pistol was widely exported.
It is used by military or law enforcement forces in Colombia, Costa
Rica, Georgia, Romania, Serbia, and South Korea.
The Jericho
941 has been exported to various countries under a variety of names.
In the United States is known under trade marks like "Jericho", "Uzi
Eagle", "Baby Eagle",
"Baby Desert Eagle" and even "Desert Eagle". It
was an attempt to capitalize
on the commercial success of the
Uzi
submachine gun and
Desert Eagle pistol, both made by IMI. However both Uzi and
Desert Eagle are entirely different weapons and have nothing
in common with the Jericho 941.
This pistol
is based on a well proven Tanfoglio T95 / CZ-75 design. It allowed
the IMI to avoid teething problems that most new pistol designs
experience. The Jericho 941 proved to be reliable.
This weapon
is available with steel or polymer frame. However it is substantially heavier than
the CZ-75. Still though this pistol is comfortable to carry and
fire.
The Jericho
941 is a short recoil operated weapon. It fires with locked breech
and uses a proven Browning-type locking.
Initially
the Jericho 941 was available in two calibers - 9x19 mm Parabellum and .41
Action Express. Actually the number "941" in the model name denotes
9 mm and .41 calibers. Early Jericho pistols were shipped with two
sets of barrels, springs and magazines for both 9 mm and .41AE
ammunition. This feature is also present of the Tanfoglio T95
pistol, that can be easily converted from one chambering to another.
The .41AE
cartridge was developed in the USA in 1986. This cartridge is
generally similar to the newer .40 S&W and is much more powerful
than a standard 9x19 mm round. It was designed to be used in 9 mm
pistols with minimal modifications. The .41AE was by no means
inferior to the .40 S&W, however it was not a commercial success. At
the same time American firearms manufacturers were actively
proposing the new .40 S&W cartridge. So after the first year of
production the .41AE has been dropped from the Jericho line and
replace by a more successful .40 S&W. Dual chambering was also
dropped. So the pistol was available either in 9x19 mm or .40 S&W.
Later a version chambered in .45 ACP was introduced.
This pistol
has a double-action trigger mechanism. However it can be also used
in a single-action firing sequence.
The Jericho
941 has various safety arrangements. These may include either a
frame-mounted manual safety, of a slide mounted manual safety. The
frame mounted safety is positioned on the left side only. Yet the
slide-mounted safety is ambidextrous. When engaged, it automatically
decocks the hammer.
The basic
9x19 mm version of the Jericho 941 has a magazine capacity of 15 rounds.
This version can use magazines from the Tanfoglio T95 of CZ-75 pistols.
Version chambered in .40 S&W is fed from 12-round magazines. While
the .45 ACP version uses 10-round capacity magazines.
This pistol
has fixed sights. However there are fully adjustable sights and
illuminated night sights that are proposed as an option. This pistol
proved to be accurate.
The Jericho
941 has an accessory rail and can mount tactical flashlights or
laser pointers. This feature is found on most tactical pistols.
However both the Tanfoglio T95 and CZ-75 lacked this feature.
Variants
Semi-compact
version. This version has a standard frame, but shorter barrel and
slide;
Compact
version. This version has shorter slide, barrel and grip;
Fort-21.03
is a Ukrainian license-produced version of the Jericho 941. It is used by Ukrainian
police and special forces.
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