The MP-445 Varjag (''MP-445 "Варяг"'') 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 ...

manufactured in Russia by the

Izhevsk Mechanical Plant Izhevsk Mechanical Plant (russian: Ижевский Механический Завод, ''Izhevsky Mekhanicheskiy Zavod'') or IZHMEKH (ИЖМЕХ) was a major firearms manufacturer founded in Izhevsk in 1942 for manufacturing small arms. Histo ...

History

By the end of the 20th century, it became obvious that

pistol A pistol is a handgun, more specifically one with the chamber integral to its gun barrel, though in common usage the two terms are often used interchangeably. The English word was introduced in , when early handguns were produced in Europe, an ...

s were an integral part of a combat unit because of their small, easy to operate size and the ease with which they could be concealed for operations where blatant displays of firepower were politically unsavory.{{Citation needed, date=February 2007 To meet the new demand for combat handguns,

developed a series of pistol in various

caliber In guns, particularly firearms, caliber (or calibre; sometimes abbreviated as "cal") is the specified nominal internal diameter of the gun barrel Gauge (firearms) , bore – regardless of how or where the bore is measured and whether the f ...

s. In November 2000 one MP-445 pistol was presented at "INTERPOLITEX-2000" Arms exhibition in Moscow, and it was offered for export. The pistol is available in two models, the larger and heavier MP-445 (210 x 142 x 38mm) and the compact MP-445C (188 x 132 x 38mm). The MP-445 model has fully adjustable sights zeroed for both elevation and windage, while MP-445C has fixed, iron sights. It holds 15 rounds and readily accepts

tactical flashlight A tactical light is a flashlight used in conjunction with a firearm to aid low-light target identification, allowing the marksman, law enforcement officer or soldier to simultaneously aim a weapon and illuminate the target. Tactical lights can b ...

s and laser aiming devices. Like its predecessor the MP-444, the 445 features a frame made from super strong

thermosetting plastic In materials science, a thermosetting polymer, often called a thermoset, is a polymer that is obtained by irreversibly hardening (" curing") a soft solid or viscous liquid prepolymer (resin). Curing is induced by heat or suitable radiation and ...

material.

Variants

* MP-445 (''MP-445 "Варяг"'') -

9×19mm Parabellum The 9×19mm Parabellum (also known as 9mm Parabellum or 9mm Luger or simply 9mm) is a rimless, tapered firearms cartridge. Originally designed by Austrian firearm designer Georg Luger in 1901, it is widely considered the most popular handgun a ...

pistol :* МР-445SW - .40 S&W variant * MP-445C (''MP-445С'') -

pistol :* МР-445CSW - .40 S&W variant

Museum exhibits

* one MP-445C pistol is in collection of M. T. Kalashnikov Museum in

Izhevsk Izhevsk (russian: Иже́вск, p=ɪˈʐɛfsk; udm, Ижкар, ''Ižkar'', or , ''Iž'') is the capital city of Udmurtia, Russia. It is situated along the Izh River, west of the Ural Mountains in Eastern Europe. It is the 21st-largest city i ...

"''MK_OF-851 Пистолет МР-445С (№ 0044500005)''"Электронный каталог
/ M. T. Kalashnikov Museum official website

References

Semi-automatic pistols of Russia 9mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistols .40 S&W semi-automatic pistols Trial and research firearms of Russia Izhevsk Mechanical Plant products