WITU WIST-94 (Pyrit / Pyrite)

Semi-Automatic Service Pistol

Poland | 1999

"The Polish-originated WIST-94 semi-automatic pistol arrived in number in 1999 and has gone on to see combat service in both Afghanistan and Iraq."

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/18/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The WIST-94 is a conventional striker-fired Double-Action-Only (DOA), 9mm short-recoil, semi-automatic service pistol originating out of Poland in the 1990s. Its design was headed by the Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU) under the project codename of "Piryt" (translating to "Pyrite") and two distinct pilot forms - the rotary-locked MA01 and the tilting barrel-locked B01 - were tested beginning in 1992. After budget-induced delays, the B01 form was chosen for formal adoption and subsequent production under the designation of WIST-94. It officially entered service in 1999 with the army of Poland.

The WIST-94 is chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm Parabellum German pistol cartridge. A short-recoil action is used and feeding is from a 16-round detachable box magazine inserted into the base of the grip. On the whole, the pistol is of traditional design arrangement and function, borrowing tried-and-true elements from earlier John Browning designs (such as the tilting barrel locking mechanism). Internally, the barrel is octagonal, fitted over the recoil spring, and a single automatic firing pin safety system is used in which the strike is set in a near-cocked fashion for lighter trigger pulls of subsequent shots. Mixed construction is used to maintain rigidity but keep a lightweight form - the slide is of steel and the frame is of polymer. The magazine can be released from its well by way of a protruding button near the trigger unit - this button can be reversed for left-handed shooters.

All other qualities of the gun are as expected - the slide is ribbed at its aft-end for gripping, the pistol grip is ergonomically-shaped, iron sights are fitted over the slide (front and rear), and the curved trigger assembly sits within a thick trigger ring.

The WIST-94L is a variant offering integral laser sighting devices for low-level light work by special infantry units.

The handgun has seen combat actions in both the Afghanistan and Iraqi theaters of war.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the WITU WIST-94 (Pyrit / Pyrite). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

82 ft
25.0 m | 27.3 yds
Max.Eff.Range

34
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

1,170 ft/sec
357 m/sec
Muzzle Velocity

Physical
The physical qualities of the WITU WIST-94 (Pyrit / Pyrite). Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

190 mm
7.48 in
O/A Length

114 mm
4.49 in
Barrel Length

1.61 lb
0.73 kg
Weight

Semi-Automatic; Short-Recoil
Action

9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber(s)

16-Round Detachable Box Magazine.
Feed

Iron Front and Rear.
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the WITU WIST-94 (Pyrit / Pyrite) Semi-Automatic Service Pistol family line.

WIST-94 - Base Series Designation.

WIST-94L - Integral laser sighting.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the WITU WIST-94 (Pyrit / Pyrite). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Military Institute of Armament Technology (WITU) - Poland

[ Poland ]

Going Further...
The WITU WIST-94 (Pyrit / Pyrite) Semi-Automatic Service Pistol appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)