MAB PAP F1 target pistol

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

bc1023

Member
Joined
Oct 13, 2010
Messages
1,214
I picked up this extremely rare French target 9mm yesterday. As a collector of European pistols, I had been looking for one for nearly a decade. They haven't been built in 30+ years and were very limited production even back then. Most of whatever is left are locked in France. They are almost nonexistent in the states.

Its the target version of the much more common PA-15 service pistol. While the F1 has a bit more work and machining into it, they are both very high quality pistols. :cool:

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg/fr/mab-pa-15-e.html


024_zpsolumcbwq.jpg

020_zpsxukii2jr.jpg

IMG_2518_zpsvroacxoo.jpg

IMG_2504_zpshqahsboq.jpg

IMG_2502_zpsmttyvslv.jpg



Here it is with my standard MAB PA-15. They utilize a delayed blowback design.


001_zps3jienspi.jpg
 
Neat! I have a MAB PA-15 that somebody put aftermarket adjustable sights on, and it's a good shooter. The PAP F1 must be a real tack driver.

I got the MAB before I owned a Browning High Power, and one of the things that surprised me about the HP was much smaller and lighter it was than the MAB. The MAB is a big, burly, gun, even for a 15-shot 9mm.
 
That's very nice. I like unusual pistols also, so it is good to see something different for a change. Have you shot it yet? It looks like it is new.
 
Here's mine.

R17WhNyh.jpg

Looking forward to your range report. I feel the PAPs are near the tops in exoticness and construction, but farther down the list in shooting enjoyment.
 
Mab 15 pair

Thank you for the post on your lovely Mab Mod 15 pistols. The photography is wonderful. This is the first target 15 picture I have seen.
 
Cool, it's like what the Beretta 92 was supposed to look like :cool:. Such a shame that Europe is basically down to one nation somewhat devoted to making stylish weapons (Italy) because the French were actually quite good at it post-1900.

TCB
 
Nice MABs! I had a MAB PA 15 years ago and it was one of the softest recoiling pistols I have ever used.
 
bannockburn said:
Nice MABs! I had a MAB PA 15 years ago and it was one of the softest recoiling pistols I have ever used.
Click to expand...

My PAP sure isn't. I was comparing it the other day to my PX4 Storm, which also uses a rotating barrel but is significantly softer shooting, and noticed that the MAB's barrel and slide unlock almost instantly, while the Beretta's travel together for a period. That plus the stiff recoil spring make me think the MAB basically functions as a straight blowback when firing.
 
Looking forward to your range report. I feel the PAPs are near the tops in exoticness and construction, but farther down the list in shooting enjoyment.
Click to expand...

I'll be at the range with it tomorrow and will report back my opinion on the gun.

Yeah, as far as build quality and exotic flare are concerned, there aren't a whole lot of pistols above it, in my opinion.
 
lifesizepotato

That's quite different from what I use to experience with my gun. I use to load up a mag with light target loads along with some significantly hotter ammo and the recoil felt the same for all of the rounds fired. I attributed it to the overall weight of the all steel gun and to the rotating barrel design.
 
bannockburn said:
That's quite different from what I use to experience with my gun. I use to load up a mag with light target loads along with some significantly hotter ammo and the recoil felt the same for all of the rounds fired. I attributed it to the overall weight of the all steel gun and to the rotating barrel design.
Click to expand...

It's been a while since I shot mine, so maybe I'm making it worse in my memory. However, it looks like Ed Buffalo, at least, agrees with me:

M.A.B., in their 1966 catalogue, claimed that the action produces less recoil than designs where the barrel tilts (i.e., locked breech designs) but, in our experience, true locked breech 9mm Parabellum pistols generate less recoil than the PA-15. Probably what they meant to say (or should have said) was that the delayed blowback rotating barrel system produces less recoil than a straight blowback design (such as their earlier R-Para) ... The PA-15 functioned flawlessly when I took it to the range. Despite its recoil, it is extremely accurate.
Click to expand...

http://unblinkingeye.com/Guns/MABP15/mabp15.html

I'm not saying it was flipping out of my hands or something, but the force impulse felt greater than I expected out of a heavy steel gun, and certainly more than a plastic PX4.
 
Last edited:
lifesizepotato

I just remember most how heavy and massive the gun felt and I was certain I would never attempt tor try to carry i.t! Everything on that gun, with the exception of the grip panels, was made of steel. Made my Hi-Power feel like it was positively lightweight and svelte by comparison.

I do recall thinking that I would have liked to have seen what it could have done from an accuracy standpoint if it had adjustable sights versus the fixed ones it came with.
 
:)
bc1023 said:
I picked up this extremely rare French target 9mm yesterday. As a collector of European pistols, I had been looking for one for nearly a decade. They haven't been built in 30+ years and were very limited production even back then. Most of whatever is left are locked in France. They are almost nonexistent in the states.

Its the target version of the much more common PA-15 service pistol. While the F1 has a bit more work and machining into it, they are both very high quality pistols. :cool:

http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg/fr/mab-pa-15-e.html


024_zpsolumcbwq.jpg

020_zpsxukii2jr.jpg

IMG_2518_zpsvroacxoo.jpg

IMG_2504_zpshqahsboq.jpg

IMG_2502_zpsmttyvslv.jpg



Here it is with my standard MAB PA-15. They utilize a delayed blowback design.


001_zps3jienspi.jpg
Click to expand...
Schweet
Nuff said.:)
 
I took mine out today again for the first time in almost a year. This time, rather than cheap 115gr Russian ammo I used some better 124gr Aguila. Performance was much improved - accuracy was great, and recoil wasn't as bothersome as I had remembered. It shoves more than you'd expect, but it wasn't harsh.

Overall, my opinion has improved quite a bit.
 
Those are really good looking pistols. How do they compare accuracy-wise to say a Sig 210?
Click to expand...

I never shot them back to back, but I think the PAP can hold its own pretty well.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

M
  • Locked
Mab P-15
Replies
1
Views
2K
mete
M
nwilliams
  • Locked
Bought a MAB P-15!
Replies
12
Views
1K
capttom
C
B
  • Locked
Some West German excellence to share...
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
bc1023
B
F
  • Locked
Zastava M70 'O-PAP' AK review (with photos)
Replies
9
Views
10K
JHansenAK47
J
Chuck R.
  • Locked
Cool New Target Stands
Replies
3
Views
684
LoonWulf
LoonWulf
Back
Top