Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency quoted a representative of the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 5 January as saying that military “state tests of the Udav [boa constrictor] pistol have been completed; it is recommended for introduction into the [military] arms inventory”.
The MoD added, “The military rated the new weapon highly.”
The Udav was designed and developed by the TsNIITochMash small arms design bureau based in the Russian city of Podolsk. The Russian MoD trialed the pistol in August–December 2018 at the TsNIITochMash test facility and ministry test sites located in the Western and Central Military Districts.
The TASS report also quoted a TsNIITochMash representative stating that the Udav underwent a series of ballistic, endurance, and ‘harsh climate’ tests, performing satisfactorily within the 50 to –70⁰C temperature range. The representative concluded, “Presently, the test results of the pistol are being reviewed by the state commission.ˮ
Chambered for the 9×21 cartridge, the Udav has a 50 m sighting range and is fed from a double-stack magazine that holds 18 rounds.
Right-hand side view of the latest iteration of the Udav pistol by TsNIITochMash, chambered for the 9×21 cartridge (artist’s impression). (IHS Markit/Miko Vranic)
Right-hand side view of the latest iteration of Udav pistol by TsNIITochMash, chambered for the 9×21 cartridge and fitted with a combined laser pointer and tactical light module (artistʼs impression). (IHS Markit/Miko Vranic)
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