Jericho 941

   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.