Malaysian-Made Pistol To Enter Market By Year-End

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Bernama) -- Malaysian firearms and ammunitions manufacturing company, Aegis Malinnov Sdn Bhd, is expected to launch its first semi-automatic M1P 9mm calibre pistol by the third quarter of this year. Its chairman, Hashim Meon, said the company, which was licensed by the Home Ministry, was in a process of applying for endurance test from the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (STRIDE). He said the process was expected to take at least two to three months to complete. "After that, we can market the company's first pistol. As a start, we are targeting to sell it locally, to the security forces, such as the police and army as well as licensed firearm owners. "After we have strengthened our reputation in the local market, we will explore wider market overseas," he told Bernama when met at the 15th Defence Services Asia (DSA) Exhibition and Conference at Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) here Thursday. The company's research and development team had taken almost six years to create the M1P 9mm Calibre pistol which had met the international standards and market requirements, Hashim said. "Most of the team members have military background and high skills in handling weapons. It has certainly helped us to produce the best products from our factory in Technology Park Malaysia here. "In terms of design, we are using local expertise. However, we still use imported manufacturing machines to make the pistol," he said. For long-term development, Hashim said the company was collaborating with the STRIDE and Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia to develop two other military products, namely rocket-propelled grenade and mortar launcher. Following are the specifications of the pistol: Barrel length: 119.1 mm Weight: 830gm Calibre: 9mm Overall length: 210mm Height: 139.1mm Width: 35mm Magazine capacity: 16 Action: Double Action -- BERNAMA