MAB PA-15 Pistol

[@jackduncan5311]

I actually laughed at loud at the FW 7.65 long joke...French Gun Jesus strikes again

[@shaunbrennan5281]

Pfftt… Ian is more cagey than you give him credit, he’ll be there somewhere.

[@aleksandernordgardenrdner1520]

Don’t you also have to say it three times in a row?

[@shaunbrennan5281]

@@aleksandernordgardenrdner1520 faceing the mirror…

[@MrEazyE357]

Cagey? You sure that's the word you were looking for?

[@shaunbrennan5281]

@@MrEazyE357 crafty? Wily? He certainly can get in to places most would find ….challenging? Maybe omnipresent? Given his namesake.

[@truckerallikatuk]

The design looks awesome. Lots of very smart design decisions in there.

[@rfswitch4530]

This is an incredibly cool pistol that I had never heard of before. Thank you.

[@carlpretorius1584]

I thoroughly enjoyed your video! I fell in love love with the PA-15 and the target model in the mid seventies as a young man, although I have never encountered them here in South Africa. I still prefer all-steel handguns and would have loved to shoot the MAB PA-15, as well as the target model. Kind regards from South Africa!

[@thebotrchap]

Glad you liked it! A question for you. What it the situation with buying and posting mags in SA?

[@cameronmccreary4758]

I am looking for the French version of this video so I can practice my French. I like rotating barrel designs because one can adjust the lockup time by machining the angular track with more lag time. I see the slide rotates the barrel while on Savage pistols the frame rotates the barrel. Nice rifling in the barrel; looks clean and lapped. Great presentation. Thanks Chap. 😊

[@00-Dima]

Never knew there where others my Beretta px4 compacr has a rotating barrel

[@larpcel8558]

Recently bought one of these for a restoration project and to add to my growing collection of rotating barrel pistols. I found that CZ-75 mags are just about close enough to fit but do require a little bit of modification to lock and fit, not 100% reliable feed but nothing catastrophic

[@ALL44MAG]

c'est la meilleure!! un(sympathique) Suisse qui discourt en anglais d'un pistolet français...enfin,la video est explicite!!

[@thebotrchap]

La version FR existe aussi (Française pas Fribourgeoise😉)

[@ALL44MAG]

@@thebotrchap c'etait une blague bien sur!! 😄

[@kaveman9]

A good friend of mine had one of these in .45ACP. No, seriously, MAB apparently built at least one in .45ACP and submitted it to ATF for import approval but then never actually manufactured it. Kind of a thrill to get to handle a one of one.

[@boingkster]

Ah yes, the yeet cannon. Great sidearm and even better name. Keep up the good stuff mate!

[@yt.602]

Nice walkthrough of the mechanics especially the barrel locking and how the rifling torque plays a part, it had never occurred to me that would be relevant. Not forgetting the history of course. Very interesting.

[@thebotrchap]

Thanks! Frankly I suspect it’s mostly fancy talk and the practical delay is marginal.

[@StrangelyBrownNo1]

That was far more interesting than I was expecting - thanks for uploading!

[@thebotrchap]

We do try 😉

[@Roger_Stenning]

2:27 "Checking for Ian there" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 I ROFLd so bad I damn near fell off my chair! You're a very bad man 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@jimsiress9687]

Outstanding 👍 Only ever owned one MAB PA15 pistol. Received thru trade in the early 1990's. On the low end of very good condition retaining its original magazine. If memory serves, the value was near @ $300 US at the time. Fired couple hundred rounds of mostly the 3 major US ammo makers 115 FMJ & did function & reliably feed the Fed. 9BP 115 JHP. During my range time with the PA15 we recognized the pistol was generally quite accurate & also seemed to enjoy a slight bit more lubrication on the slide/frame rails & in the barrel lug & lug track than we first imagined adequate. Bitter/Sweet it found a new home shortly after my testing & playing but remember it well. High quality & rather unique pistol. Have only seen 2 others since then at gun shows thoughout the years. Another one I wish that I had then the foresight to keep in the pile. Great video 👍

[@onkelmicke9670]

The new production 15-2000 looks really nice

[@dlmsarge8329]

Agreed!

[@itsnodawayitustabe5654]

My favorite carry piece in Mafia 3

[@wrxs1781]

Good video Chap, on the MAB PA-15 pistol, it seems like a robust pistol but not ever owning one my comments end here. On the gun boards for a used good condition MAB in all calibers and configurations, they sell between $199.00-$249.00. Thanks for posting the very informative video.

[@thebotrchap]

Yeah the MAB series would be fun do collect. The MAB D is a good shooter too despite the typical almost non-existant sights.

[@franzk.ronellenfitsch795]

Thank you for showing this interesting system in detail.

[@CitizenSmith50]

Fascinating video - I wasn't aware of the operating mechanism, superficially it looked like just another Browning clone. Now I would like to get myself a MAB PA-15 ! I already have the MAB model A and D: as well as the Steyr, Savage and CZ with rotating barrels. The PA 15 would nicely compliment the others !

[@petesheppard1709]

Such an elegant pistol! There's something about these older blue or parked steel guns that the modern plastic fantastics lack--maybe that means I'm a dinosaur. 🤔 I would have to call it a locked-breech, recoil operated action. NOW, over to your French video. I don't understand French, but it's still interesting to see how much I can pick up (learn?)

[@kevinsullivan3448]

You're definitely a dinosaur. I also love the dark blue finish on my FEG Hi Power clone. It IS more elegant looking than a Glock, and significantly heavier.

[@petesheppard1709]

@@kevinsullivan3448 😉

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

"I would have to call it a locked-breech, recoil operated action", except that the breach is not locked. The barrel can only turn if the slide goes backwards, so it isn't the barrel turning that "unlocks" the breach. The barrel turning just slows down the opening of the breach. I.E. it's a delayed blowback. If you want to see a rotating barrel, recoil operated, locked breach gun check out the Obregon -- kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6Wvk3mdic-gaa8

[@petesheppard1709]

@@JohnHughesChampigny I see it now. Ian described it nicely in his Q&A video where he uses a Savage pistol to illustrate.

[@jackusmc2542]

Thank you for the video. I saw one of these for sale back in the mid 80’s but could not purchase it due to being a broke new father. Maybe some day.

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

I absolutely love this gun..

[@dj1NM3]

This might sound very "radical", but perhaps the S&W M59 magazines can be dismantled and a few well-placed centre punch marks could be made on the inside, to create bumps on the outside and fill the magazine well a bit better. Either that or some strategically placed tape on the front or rear of the magazine to bulk it up very, very slightly?

[@thebotrchap]

I have rehabilitated a few Berthier clips that way. I’m not unduly worried since the pistol will now enjoy casual range use.

[@kevlarandchrome]

That's actually quite a handsome pistol. I might have to add one to my collection if I happen to run across one. Appreciate the close up look.

[@john-doe-I]

Maybe brazing thin metal sheet on the front (or back) of S&W magazines to thicken it slightly will remove wiggling and improve reliability?

[@simonjones6128]

Good job chappie has Ian got one

[@thebotrchap]

I believe so

[@robstirling3173]

I had one of these, bought in '73 number 575978. Had the bore chromed to better grab hard lead. I also bobbed the mag safety. Have you found the southpaw problem of nudging up the slide hold open with your trigger finger. The only cause of stoppages for me! Sadly, I had to sell it because of the '97 pistol ban, here in the UK. The 120 grain Luger lead truncated cone shot very well in it.

[@thebotrchap]

Nope, the only problem for me as a leftie is the non-ambi safety but that's only an issue for run-and-gun stuff where speed counts.

[@pmgn8444]

Very interesting! Thank you, Le Chap, for the additional history on the PA-15. As it was not a Cold War French military pistol, my interest had dropped off. But as it may have had some obscure military use with some Francophile countries in the late Cold War period, my interest has been rekindled! I hope you can get some magazines to allow the use your PA-15 in competition shooting. I would also like to hear more about the MAB Model R. I hope you can get a pistol and tell us more about it!

[@PHIllip324]

By "Francophile countries," do you mean the Republic of Elbonia?

[@m.j.mahoney8905]

Brilliant presentation once again! I always wondered if those old MAB model R pistols in 9mm were locked breach and now I know. Cheers Chap!

[@thebotrchap]

I need one!

[@314299]

Great video, quite an interesting look at what is obscure to probably most of us viewers. Just wondering if the fired brass shows any unusual signs of stress compared to brass fired in the common Browning tilting barrel designs? Thanks!

[@thebotrchap]

No, the brass doesn't suffer any worse than locked breech guns.

[@westcovinadodge]

I have one, I shot a lot of very hot sub gun ammo through it, it liked it. I got it new in the 80s. Now it's collectable LOL, Thanks for the video, like your MK I, you don't see much of this one on youtube.

[@RonOhio]

I'm thinking that some brass shim stock and soft solder might solve that Model 59 magazine issue.

[@RichardGoth]

checking for Ian 🙂 Cheeky!

[@GOINGNOMAD]

Good work! Great video.

[@AbananaPEEl]

Wow perfect timing. I just picked up a Steyr-Hahn and was wondering if the barrel being loose was normal or not. And what luck! This video gives me at least some peace of mind that it being a little loose it's okay, now the only question is 'how loose is too loose'

[@NomadShadow1]

Interesting. I quite enjoy seeing pistol actions that do not use the usual browning tipping barrel

[@tannerbanananer]

Cool

[@DB-sh4gh]

excellent... very interesting !!

[@DWP172]

Really interesting as usual!! The slide appears to be massive, can you tell me what its mass is?

[@allanhagan5113]

Why not try strippinig the mags and putting a couple of small dents in the front or back of the mag to stop the movement?

[@ralphwatten2426]

So the question exists, do the modern PA15 mags fit your old pistol? If you mentioned it I missed it. Thanks for posting!

[@thebotrchap]

They should, unfortunately due to mags being linked to the firearm in French legislation, importing them to CH is not worth the hassle, time or money.

[@CenlaSelfDefenseConcepts]

Thanks for the video Chap I've always thought this was a very underrated pistol for the time it was introduced the only thing in the west that could compete with it was the Hi Power from the sound of things the MAB has a significantly better trigger. I've see a few videos of the target version and interestingly the game Mafia 3 actually featured the target version under a different name and it was the best pistol in the game.

[@alfredjr2k556]

PA15 is the new 9mm!

[@peterconnan5631]

Thanks. Quite an interesting pistol.

[@derekp2674]

Thanks Chap, that was really interesting. I cannot remember having ever read about or seen one of these before. I'm sure I have encountered some of the earlier pocket pistols though. I like the looks of the small ring hammer and the large spur at the top of the grip. Do those eliminate any problems with 'hammer bite' ?

[@thebotrchap]

Honestly I don't tend to suffer from hammer bite, even on the Sig P210 which everyone complains about, but yes, the beaver tail is quite deep which also helps to mitigate a bit of the weight.

[@John1911]

I could swear we have one of these in the armory somewhere. Does the current maker sell magazines? Regards, Marky

[@thebotrchap]

Probably but unfortunately French gun laws tie the mags to the guns. You need to be a license holder in that category to be allowed to buy the mag. A real ball ache 😔

[@John1911]

@@thebotrchap Bummer. But thanks for answering the question, Chap! Regards, Marky

[@florentleider222]

A while ago I owned a MAB P15 FR1, which was the target model, used by the French Army shooting team . The main differences were an adjustable rear sight (very tall, which commanded a very high front sight), an impregnated wood handles, a slightly longer frame and barrel - 15 cm - arotating cap to keep the barrel in place and a rather crude wooden box. Mine was made after the MAB factory had closed, with remaining pieces (I thgink by an independant company having purchased the stock of remainings pieces.. Though looking good , a close examination revealed the workmanship was hmmm...for example all milling for pulling the slide had not the same length, and one day, the welded front side falled down, the weldind had quit! Overall finish was some sort of parkerisation.

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

I've seen an Ivoirien Gendarme (working as a ministerial bodyguard) carrying one. Cocked in the holster, I assume with the safety on.

[@thebotrchap]

Yeah I'd heard about those. Don't know if they are still in service although I don't see why not aside from through natural attrition and lack of spare parts.

[@sarchlalaith8836]

With those mags build up the catch locking surface with some weld then grind a move today engagement surface. Should fix that problem.

[@scottbruns2907]

So who went from MAB and went to Beretta to make their rotary barrel guns?

[@hermatred572]

Nice

[@schrodingersgat4344]

You know that bush? The one that "mysteriously" popped up by your window ... .... that's Ian.

[@mpetersen6]

I see you got a small bench top mill. How do you like it?

[@1982rrose]

Keep duct tape (do you have it there) in your range bag. Quick expediant fix to the loose mag dropping down. Won't drop free but mag ripping is quicker than an IA.

[@cgdeery]

Very Sig looking as well.. P210

[@unclebob540i3]

Very interesting! Have you tried to maybe afix a shim the back of the S&W mag to snug up the fit in the mag well? May be worth sacrificing a mag to that experiment. It is Beer:30, cheers!

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

Ok.. I want it.. it's soooo amazing for what I like

[@humorlessclown]

Besides for the super interesting mechanics of the firearm did it really provide any of the recoil reduction it promised?

[@thebotrchap]

Having never fired a straight blowback 9mm I couldn’t tell you if there is any recoil reduction. The recoil is the same as a locked breech system to me, the pistol is just heavy.

[@randomweirdo2701]

You should consider building up the back of the s&w mags with some epoxy. That'll take up your slop and maybe your mags won't fall out under recoil.

[@johnt.thompson1945]

In this case, this is a semi-free shutter with a rotating barrel, such as the 1907 Savage. There is no hard locking of the bore, such as the 1912 Steyr-Hahn, here. Yes, and there is no short stroke of the barrel here either, only rotation.

[@thebotrchap]

So in essence exactly what I said in the vid 😉

[@Treblaine]

This lug/cam arrangement seems to be the opposite of how it is on the Beretta 8000/PX4 pistols.

[@stanislavczebinski994]

2:32 Just checking for Ian there😁😁😁

[@tengu190]

Wish you had the F1 competition variant to run in competition to compare to the standard one. Lifesizepotato did a review on the F1.

[@thebotrchap]

This one is heavy enough thanks. The F1 is a purely target pistol, not really suited to running about bashing into things.

[@King-hw5te]

عندي نفس المسدس MAB 15 كم سعرو؟

[@18robsmith]

Just how many non-endings an a pistol have? I'm sure The Chap will find a pistol with a few more.....

[@mikethomas5510]

Are PA15-2000 mags compatible? Not sure the extra sexiness would be worth the cost.

[@thebotrchap]

They should, unfortunately getting mags from France is an administrative ball-ache.

[@greylocke100]

Could a little bit of TIG correct the mag issue?

[@thebotrchap]

Probably. I think that the mags rock under recoil and gradually push the mag catch away.

[@greylocke100]

@@thebotrchap Have you tried the paper shim trick?

[@thebotrchap]

@@greylocke100 No, frankly its not worth the time. I'm quite content to keep it as a range pistol where the occasional hiccup doesn't matter. I have since found a second original mag.

[@boba9253]

Yeah, I was thinking some mic work on dimensions and some careful shimming and bobs your uncle 👍

[@carlcarlton764]

Savage 1907 and a rotating bolt? I might have to re watch the CRseanal episode because I think that was straight blowback. Anyway, interesting pistol and especially so for still being available.

[@youmnaashkar8707]

I have the same gun made in the 60's. It is in an excellent condition. Inherited from my father. I want to know how to connect with M. Chevasson

[@tgiskardify]

If these weren't 6K a piece I'd be advocating someone mill the rotation lug off and get some high speed of it cycling (held in a fixture of course) - I doubt that barrel rotation is delaying anything at all.

[@tgiskardify]

And a day later Ian brings out highspeed footage of the savage showing these rotational delay system are just fancy straight blowback. kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKuwZY2clNOYo9E

[@Revener666]

Nah just put a bit of tape on the back or front of the "ersatz" magazines. Or a little bit of solder.

[@Kaboomf]

Weld on a couple of small spots and file to fit. No risk of the "shim" coming off that way, and it's more hard-wearing than solder.

[@Revener666]

@@Kaboomf Yeah I just tried to make it quick and less permanent but since the magazines are modified anyway...........

[@thebotrchap]

@@Kaboomf To my regret, welding is still a skill I dont have 😒

[@Kaboomf]

@@thebotrchap Never too late to learn, it can be very useful for repairing old guns. Building up worn surfaces by adding steel, then filing or machining the now oversize part to fit. It's one of the few ways to compensate for wear by putting the missing steel back on.

[@hippomanjp]

私の好きなPA15について知りたかったことと見たかった光景が全て得られた。 そのうえSW59のマガジンを利用できることまで知った。 法律さえ許せば私はUS1911よりも先にPA15を手に入れることだろう。どう考えても最高の銃だ（重さ以外）。 心からの、全力の喝采を貴方に送る。ありがとう。🎉🎉🎉🎉😎😎👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍✨✨✨✨

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

What year is yours from... Chappie

[@thebotrchap]

No idea, mid 80s at a guess

[@HotQgav]

😂😂😂😂"checking for Ian"😂😂😂😂

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

I like it a lot.. I'd love a gun like that.. all steel... She's beautiful

[@matteusvirtanen392]

Not really too important but the PA-15 was used by the Finnish border guard for quite a while. A friend of mine owns a surplus one and it was surprisingly nice to shoot.

[@thebotrchap]

I guess you didn't watch the vid until the end then...😁

[@matteusvirtanen392]

@@thebotrchap Yeah I commented a bit early but it's all good I think.

[@PHIllip324]

Me: "Hey something about this kinda looks like a Beretta Px4 Storm." Chap: "It uses a rotating barrel." Me: (soyjack face)

[@rslover65]

I was really hoping the name "yeet cannon" hadn't left the US and further destroyed any tiny bit of positive reputation that Americans may have left.

[@zoiders]

If the safety works upon the trigger spindle surely that means you can bend it and leave the pistol inoperable if someone tries to fire it with the safety on?

[@thebotrchap]

The safety acts on the sear on the opposite side of the frame to the trigger transfer bar.

[@zoiders]

@@thebotrchap I got it wrong. Can you damage it though if it uses that arrangement?

[@thebotrchap]

@@zoiders If you tugged on it like a beast I guess in theory the sear extension or matching safety hook could shear or bend but it would have to be deliberate.

[@АндрейШмырев-х8н]

Интересная конструкция запирания...И металла не пожалели!

[@thebotrchap]

Yeah, chunky steel!

[@JenniferinIllinois]

Just like Beetlejuice if you say .32 French Longue 3 times, Ian will show up! LOL!!!

[@mabs9503]

Hi

[@philllax1719]

you have to say 7.65 long 3 times in the mirror to get ian to show up

[@onpsxmember]

@The Chap I found out about it like this and maybe it'll annoy you enough and it helps a bit: . . . . . . . Fill words like am, um, uh: 80 Your stop or breathing word is the 'and' that may also be combined with a fill word across languages. As soon as you describe the technical aspects of the pistol or field strip it it's naturally gone. I found out during a presentation when I raked up way past 300 in 15-20 min and someone was as 'nice' to keep a tally. Take your time, everyone will have to wait and focus on breathing while you find the word or thought. I enjoy your content, especially the operational displays you've built in the past when needed. Glad to hear you found another mag. It's quite interesting that they're still produced. The mags from those PA-15-2000 models don't fit since you contacted them? Just delete this post afterwards.

[@thebotrchap]

The issue with the mags is physically getting them out of France since they are essentially the same as a complete pistol in French law. The paperwork and months of waiting is just not worth the effort for a range gun. I'll just keep an eye out for the occasional original mag. With 2 mags I already have 30 chances to reliably miss the target. I am entertaining the notion of importing a 2000 model but the gunsmith needs to clarify the process on the French side.

[@TheNextGreatApe]

I had one of these back in the 1990s. Mine was a light grey finish and came in a gold MAB box. It was a harsh-shooting flamethrower of a gun and not terribly accurate, and once the novelty of it wore off I sold it to a co-worker.

[@zermomia]

Until today in Algeria everybody calls a pistol PA....and it's sounds Piya.

[@SMACK1978]

Who else checked gunbroker and found two going for over 6k a piece? 😳

[@thebotrchap]

Price hike probably in the last 10hrs 😆

[@strydyrhellzrydyr1345]

Wonder it any of those are in America

[@thebotrchap]

I've seen some on online sales over the years.

[@nikmilosevic1696]

Hmmmm F1 looks rather cool.

[@jamesbromstead4949]

Like many deities and demi-gods, imps and lesser demons.... if you invoke the incantation or his name... he will come!

[@schrodingersgat4344]

Yes, do you have any MAB pistols? IT'S MAM!

[@MCG55555]

It is really strange that it functions like a Hi Power but has a similar shape to a Vis pistol.

[@thebotrchap]

It functions nothing like a BHP.

[@MCG55555]

@@thebotrchap Whoops! My mistake.

[@johnhans2929]

You need to check for Ian before you sit down. (Yankee Marshal fans will understand). Great video.

[@cavscout888]

So Browning ripoffs? Hate to say it like that, but it was rather under-emphasized, but sure looks to be the case. Besides the Savage 1907 traits. Also, rough machining inside! Was it a economy grade ripoff?

[@BlokeontheRange]

What rotary-delayed Browning handgun design was ripped off?

[@oldesertguy9616]

To my eyes, the front of the gun doesn't match the rear. The front is very reminiscent of the 1911 or Hi Power, but the rear seems very clunky and crudely shaped. Just my opinion, as others have stated how good the gun looks.

[@ulflyng]

😁

[@kauphaart0]

The "torque lock" aspect seems to be a direct copy of the Savage 1907s. Not that much that is original or unique here. And let's be honest, these are hideous sidearms.

[@AKlover]

At A glance I start to think it is A BHP ripoff/clone. The usual "We Made This Gun WithTwo or Three Minor Tweaks to NOT HAVE TO PAY PATENTS/ROYALTIES!"

[@thebotrchap]

So “it’s a semi-auto pistol with an external hammer and a double stack mag” makes it a BHP ripoff 🤔

[@BlokeontheRange]

...made when all patents etc. surrounding the BHP were expired so anyone could make any BHP rip off they wanted?

[@AKlover]

@@BlokeontheRange I was unaware the patents had expired at that point.

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

"Two or three minor tweaks" like using a whole different operating system?

[@kevlarandchrome]

@@BlokeontheRange You've got a Telegram scammer using your photo, I reported it, thought you should be informed.