Data Quality88%
MASS(Military Archive Scoring System)
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the pistols category.
01 / Overview
Type 59 pistol
Category
Country
Prime contractor
Production
1959–
Quantity
59
Operators
Conflicts
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
PISTOLS · EARLY COLD WAR
22
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
98
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
—
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the pistols category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
- First Production Year1959
- Service Entry Year1959
- DesignerNikolay Makarov
- Weight (Empty)0.73 kg
- Weight (Loaded)0.81 kg
- Currently In ServiceYes
◈Cartridge & Calibre7MOD.7
- Cartridge9×18mm Makarov; .32 ACP; .380 ACP
- Calibre9.27 mm
- Case Length18 mm
- Calibre Class9mm
- Bullet Weight6.1 g
- RimfireNo
- Caseless AmmunitionNo
▣Operation7MOD.7
- Action TypeBlowback
- Fire Modessemi-automatic
- Select FireNo
- Feed SystemDetachable Magazine
- Magazine Capacity8
- Trigger Typedouble-action/single-action
- Safety Typemanual safety lever
◇Ballistics4MOD.4
- Muzzle Velocity315 m/s
- Muzzle Energy300
- Effective Range (point)50 m
- Sighting Range50 m
◆Barrel & Sights8MOD.8
- Barrel Length93.5 mm
- Rifling Twist1 in 240 mm (right-hand)
- Rifling Grooves4
- Sight Typefixed blade and notch
- Sight Radius156 mm
- Optic RailNo
- Iron SightsYes
- Threaded BarrelNo
▤Construction7MOD.7
- Overall Length161.5 mm
- Receiver Materialsteel
- Furniture Materialplastic
- Folding / Collapsing StockNo
- Bullpup LayoutNo
- Ambidextrous ControlsNo
- Modularitynone
⬢Features5MOD.5
▲Production & Cost2MOD.2
- Production Start1959
- Variants2
◎Additional Dimensions2MOD.2
- Width30.5 mm
- Height127 mm
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
- 1945First deployment: Cold War
- 1959Production started
67
years in service
59
units produced
4
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 10 countries retired it.
04 / Conflicts
TYPE 59 PISTOL · CONFLICTS SERVED IN100% win
Total Conflicts
1
Victories
1
Ongoing
0
Losses
0
ⓘ Shown only from conflicts recorded in our database.
05 / Operators
Operator Countries14country
06 / MASS Score
PISTOLS RANKING Pistols · Early Cold War
MASS RANKINGSMASS ↗
397PISTOLS22EARLY COLD WAR · PISTOLS265PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA · ALL WEAPONS1PERFORMANCE/PRICE · PISTOLS
ⓘ Rankings are within thePistolscategory.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE3terms
A type of firearm action where the breech is not locked and the cartridge case expands to seal the breech, using case expansion and pressure to retain gases.
A firearm feed system where ammunition is stored in a separate container (magazine) that can be removed and replaced, enabling rapid reloading.
Adjustable metal aiming devices on firearms, consisting of a front post and rear notch, used without magnification.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources