Browning L9A1

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Browning L9A1
A British soldier aims a Browning 9mm pistol on a shooting range at Basra, Iraq MOD 45148055.jpg
British soldier armed with a L9A1 pistol
Type Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin Belgium
Production history
Designer John Browning [a]
Dieudonné Saive [b]
Manufacturer FN Herstal
Specifications
Cartridge 9×19mm Parabellum
Caliber 9 mm
Action Short recoil operated
Rate of fire Semi-automatic
Effective firing range50 m (55 yd)
Maximum firing range200 m
Feed system13-round detachable box magazine
Sights Iron sights

The L9A1 was the British designation for the military version of the Browning Hi-Power semi-automatic pistol [1] .

Contents

History

Browning Hi-Power pistols were used during World War II by both Allied and Axis forces. [2]

Design

Like the original Hi-Power, the Inglis variant is a recoil-operated, magazine-fed, self-loading, hammer-fired, semi-automatic pistol that uses 9×19mm Parabellum ammunition fitted in 13-round magazines.

The L9A1 is marked “Pistol Automatic L9A1” on the left side of the slide. [3]

The L9A1 was upgraded with the more ergonomic Mk2 ambidextrous safety and grips.

Adoption

The L9A1 was issued as a replacement for Webley and Enfield revolvers in 1954 [4]

The L9A1 started to replace Canadian-made Inglis pistols in British service from the late 1960s.

The two types remained in service together until the Inglis was finally retired in the late 1980s.

The L9A1 was the pistol issued to all British Armed Forces throughout the Cold War era and up to Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. [5]

The L9A1 was phased out in 2013 and replaced with the Glock 17. [6]

The L9A1 was also widely used by other Commonwealth armed forces. [7]

Users

Former users

Notes

  1. ↑ Being one of the designers of the original Browning Hi-Power, which the pistol is based on.
  2. ↑ Being one of the designers of the original Browning Hi-Power, which the pistol is based on.

References

  1. ↑ "British armed forces get first new pistol since World War II". The Register . 2013-01-11. Archived from the original on 2013-01-17. Retrieved 2013-01-19.
  2. ↑ Thompson (2020), p. 33.
  3. ↑ Thompson (2020), p. 47.
  4. ↑ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN   1-84065-245-4.
  5. ↑ Norton-Taylor, Richard (11 January 2013). "British forces to be equipped with Glock pistols for protection in Afghanistan". The Guardian.
  6. ↑ Wyatt, Caroline (2013-01-11). "Glock 17 9mm pistols replace Browning for UK forces". BBC News. Archived from the original on 2013-01-11. Retrieved 2013-01-11.
  7. ↑ Stevens (1996), p. 202.
  8. ↑ "RHKR Equipment - Weapons". www.rhkr.org. The Royal Hong Kong Regiment (The Volunteers) Association. Archived from the original on 16 June 2021. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  9. ↑ British Military Adopts Glock 17 Archived 2014-01-13 at the Wayback Machine - Modernserviceweapons.com, January 12, 2013
  10. 1 2 Thompson (2020), p. 52.
  11. ↑ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN   1-84065-245-4.
  12. ↑ "The state of the Union - Brendan O'Neill". Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  13. ↑ "The state of the Union - Brendan O'Neill". Archived from the original on 2012-07-10. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
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