Kalashnikov Concern has announced that production of their 9x19mm PL-15 pistol has been given the green light. The Russian Military sees the pistol as promising, however, they have not yet expressed public interest. The Russian Military currently uses the Makarov and the newer, also Kalashnikov Concern-designed, MP-443 Grach.

Back in March, we reported that Kalashnikov was tooling up for production of the PL-15 as part of the company’s $88 million investment plan. There is reportedly strong Russian military interest in Dmitri Lebedev’s design, with the Russian Army interested in replacing the venerable 9×18mm Makarov, which is still predominantly the Army’s issue side arm, with the full size PL-15. On the 14th September, Kalashnikov released a statement announcing that they intend to begin production of the PL-15 next year.

Here’s Kalashnikov Concern’s statement in full (machine translated):

Concern “Kalashnikov” will launch a serial production of the Lebedev pistol (PL-15) in 2019. This was reported by the managing director of IMZ Alexander Gvozdik. “The serial production will be in 2019, this is absolutely accurate. All equipment is on the way, “he said. Gvozdik also added that the product will be manufactured using new technologies. “It will meet the consumer properties as the main customer on the subject of small arms fire, as well as the direction of civilian small arms,” ​​he said.

It is likely that the shorter PL-15K compact pistol, unveiled at the ARMY 2017 exposition, will also go into production at the same time. The slightly smaller and lighter PL-15K weighs 1.6 lbs and is 7.1 inches long compared to the full size pistol’s 8.1 inches and has a 14 round magazine.

Kalashnikov Media have put together a video looking at both of their pistols the PL-15 and the MP-443 and a video on the PL-15K here. For an inside look at the history of the PL-15’s development, check out this piece by our very own Vlad.

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