Jericho 941
Summary
| Country | 🇮🇱 Israel |
| Category | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Manufacturer | Israel Military Industries |
Technical specifications
| Jericho 941 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 30 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 9 x 19 mm Parabellum, .40 S&W, .41 Action Express and .45 ACP |
| Magazine | 10 - 15 rounds |
| Length | 210 mm (8.3 in) |
| Weight | 1.09 kg (2.4 lb) |
| Range | 50 m (164 ft) |
Description
The Jericho 941 is a double-action/single-action semi-automatic pistol developed by Israel Military Industries (later Israel Weapon Industries), introduced in 1990. It was initially imported into the United States by K.B.I., Inc., followed by O.F. Mossberg & Sons (under the name Uzi Eagle) and Magnum Research, Inc. (as the Baby Eagle, and sometimes marked Desert Eagle Pistol). K.B.I., Inc. later imported it as the Jericho. Magnum Research, now part of Kahr Arms, announced renewed importation, and IWI US, Inc. began importing steel and polymer versions in 2015.
The original Jericho 941 was modeled on the CZ-75 pistol and utilized parts supplied by Tanfoglio of Italy. This design approach allowed the manufacturer to expedite production and minimize typical issues associated with new pistol designs. While based on the CZ-75, the Jericho 941 exhibits differences:
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R-versions incorporate a combined safety/decocker, whereas the CZ-75BD has a decocker that does not also function as a safety.
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The Jericho 941 initially featured a polygonal rifled barrel and was substantially heavier than the CZ-75, differences that impact carrying methods.
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Magazines for the CZ-75 and Tanfoglio T95 are compatible with the Jericho 941.
Later designs incorporated accessory rails on the frame. After 2005, IWI transitioned from polygonal rifling to conventional land and groove rifling. The pistol design also accommodated various calibers, facilitated by experience with powerful cartridges and design features like the rebated rim of the .41 Action Express.
The introduction of the Jericho 941 coincided with the debut of the .41 Action Express (.41 AE) cartridge, developed in 1986. The Jericho was initially shipped with interchangeable barrels for 9×19mm Parabellum and .41 AE. A compact version of the Jericho 941 was later offered, chambered in .45 ACP or 9 mm. International variants of the Jericho 941 are produced under license by the Cugir Arms Factory in Romania (Pistol model 2000), RPC Fort in Ukraine (“Fort-21.03”), and the Z111 Factory in Vietnam.
The Jericho 941 is employed by military and security forces in various countries, including Chile (Chilean Marine Corps), Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Georgia (army and police), Greece, India (Special Forces), Israel (various police and security forces), Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines (Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency), Romania, Serbia, South Korea (Army and Marine Corps Military Police Special Duty Team), Ukraine (police and special forces, with production as Fort-21.03 since 2009), and Vietnam (limited use in army and police).