The Fort 17 (Ukrainian: ''Форt-17'') is a

semi-automatic pistol A semi-automatic pistol is a type of repeating single-chamber handgun ( pistol) that automatically cycles its action to insert the subsequent cartridge into the chamber (self-loading), but requires manual actuation of the trigger to actuall ...

which was designed in the year 2004 by Ukrainian

firearm A firearm is any type of gun designed to be readily carried and used by an individual. The term is legally defined further in different countries (see Legal definitions). The first firearms originated in 10th-century China, when bamboo tubes ...

s designer

RPC Fort Fort ('' uk, КП НВО "Форт" МВС України'' (full name), ''НВО "Форт"'' (short name)) is a Ukrainian weapons manufacturer from Vinnytsia, Ukraine. History In 1991, a new company was formed to design and manufacture small a ...

Description and design details

The pistol is similar to the Fort 12, but is much lighter. It also features a removable grip backstrap to fit a particular shooter.

Variants

* Fort 17 - designed for 9 x 18 mm PM cartridge * Fort 17 Curz - designed for 9 mm Kurz cartridge * Kobra ('' Кобра'') - IPSC sport pistol,

9×18mm Makarov The 9×18mm Makarov (designated 9mm Makarov by the C.I.P. and often called 9×18mm PM) is a Soviet pistol and submachine gun cartridge. During the latter half of the 20th century it was a standard military pistol cartridge of the Soviet Union an ...

cartridge * Kordon (''«Кордон»'') — sporting pistol designed for

.22 Long Rifle The .22 Long Rifle or simply .22 LR or 22 (metric designation: 5.6×15mmR) is a long-established variety of .22 caliber rimfire ammunition originating from the United States. It is used in a wide range of rifles, pistols, revolvers, smo ...

. 10 rounds box magazine. * Fort 17R (''Форt-17Р'') -

non-lethal Non-lethal weapons, also called nonlethal weapons, less-lethal weapons, less-than-lethal weapons, non-deadly weapons, compliance weapons, or pain-inducing weapons are weapons intended to be less likely to kill a living target than conventional ...

gas pistol A gas pistol is a non-lethal weapon used for self-defense and other purposes. It is typically a close-to-exact replica or conversion of a traditional handgun made to be able to fire blanks or tear gas cartridges. Effective range is up to 4.5 metr ...

with the ability to fire ammunition with

rubber bullet Rubber bullets (also called rubber baton rounds) are a type of baton round. Despite the name, rubber bullets typically have either a metal core with a rubber coating, or are a homogeneous admixture with rubber being a minority component. Altho ...

s. * Fort 17T (''Форt-17T'') -

with the ability to fire ammunition with rubber bullets.

Accessories

* LT-6A (''ЛТ-6А'') - gun-mounted flashlight which can be mounted below the barrel. * Migdal ('' Мигдаль'') - a helmet-mounted weapon accessory invented for

special forces Special forces and special operations forces (SOF) are military units trained to conduct special operations. NATO has defined special operations as "military activities conducted by specially designated, organized, selected, trained and equip ...

; it allows its operator to both see and attack an armed target using a periscope-like lens, without exposing the operator to counterattack.

Users

* : ** Fort-17 - in November 2010 121 pistols were sold to security guards of

State Savings Bank of Ukraine The State Savings Bank of Ukraine, or Oschadbank ( uk, Ощадбанк), is a public joint-stock company based in Ukraine. It was established by Decree of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on May 21, 1999, through the transformation of its pre ...

; in July 2011 - 100 pistols were sold to

Ministry of Internal Affairs An interior ministry (sometimes called a ministry of internal affairs or ministry of home affairs) is a government department that is responsible for internal affairs. Lists of current ministries of internal affairs Named "ministry" * Ministry ...

; in April 2012 - extra 118 pistols were sold to security guards of "

Ukrhydroenergo PJSC «Ukrhydroenergo» ( uk, Укргідроенерго) is a State-owned enterprise, state company of Ukraine that administers a cascade of major hydro power plants along Dnieper and Dniester riversPrivate Joint Stock Company «Ukrhydroenergo� ...

". In 2014 Fort-17 was adopted in Ukrainian Army In July 2015 "Fort-17" pistol was adopted as standard

service pistol A service pistol, also known as a personal weapon or an ordnance weapon, is any handgun issued to regular military personnel or law enforcement officers. Typically, service pistols are revolvers or semi-automatic pistols issued to Officer (armed ...

for

National Police of Ukraine The National Police of Ukraine ( uk, Націона́льна полі́ція Украї́ни, translit=Natsionálʹna polítsiya Ukrayíny, ; , NPU), often simply referred to as the ( uk, Поліція, lit=Police, label=none), is the nation ...

** Fort-17R and Fort 17T - are allowed for private security guards * : ** Fort-17T - imports were allowed since 2007 until July 2011 Since August 2014 Ukraine have banned the export of arms and military products to Russia (incl.

magazines A magazine is a periodical publication, generally published on a regular schedule (often weekly or monthly), containing a variety of content. They are generally financed by advertising, purchase price, prepaid subscriptions, or by a combination ...

and other spare parts for previously sold Fort-17T pistols) * : ** Fort-17 - at least several pistols"''в Алчевске вооруженные автоматами люди, которые представились милицией "ЛНР", забрали из банка 10 пистолетов "ТТ", 3 - "Форт-17", один - Макарова и автомат Калашникова''"Боевики "ЛНР" забрали оружие и спецавтомобили из двух отделений банка
// УНИАН от 17 декабря 2014
// РИА "Новости" - Украина от 17 декабря 2014
// "Донбасс. Комментарии" от 16 декабря 2014

References

External links

* M. R. Popenker

/ "Modern Firearms"

/ RPC "Fort" official website {{RPC Fort weapons Semi-automatic pistols of Ukraine 9×18mm Makarov semi-automatic pistols .380 ACP semi-automatic pistols