GIAT BM92-G1 (PAMAS-G1)
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| PAMAS | |
|---|---|
 GIAT BM92-G1 (PAMAS-G1) |
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| Type | Semi-automatic pistol |
| Place of origin |  France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1987 - present day |
| Used by | French Military |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Beretta Italy, MAS GIAT |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 945g |
| Length | 217mm |
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| Cartridge | 9 x 19 mm NATO |
| Feed system | Detachable box magazine; 10, 15 or 17 rounds depending on magazine |
The PAMAS-G1 (Pistolet Automatique de la Manufacture d'Armes de Saint-Étienne, "Automatic Pistol of the Saint Etienne Manufacture") is a modified Beretta 92F pistol used by, and designed for, the French Gendarmerie Nationale, The PAMAS-G1 was manufactured under licence from Beretta in France by MAS GIAT. However quite a few early ones were made in Italy by Beretta with steel supplied by France.
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[edit] Differences between 92F and PAMAS-G1
There are small but relevant differences between the PAMAS-G1 and the Beretta 92F. Firstly, the PAMAS-G1 is fitted with a decocking device going back into fire position after decocking. This was required by the Gendarmerie Nationale hence the "G" in Beretta catalog for 92 with this device. Secondly, the French made steel used to manufacture the slides and locks contains Tellurium (Te) a rare earth that makes steel hard but difficult to temper. This was done to obtain harder steel for the slide, but the difficulty to temper this type of steel can render the steel brittle. Some slides broke in the the locking lug recess. This caused the slide to fly off from the pistol and in some cases, hit the shooter in the face. This, however, was very rare, though the Gendarmerie ordered all pistols to be recalled and GIAT industries, the national weapons manufacture installed a safety retention lug already existing in other Beretta pistol like FS "S" for frame safety. Meanwhile the problem with the steel tempering had been remedied.
[edit] Technical data
- Type: PAMAS-G1
- Trigger system: Single-action or double-action
- Caliber: 9 x 19 mm NATO
- Capacity: 15rounds dep
- Frame material: Aluminium light alloy
- Slide and barrel material: Carbon steel
- Grip material: Plastic
- Barrel length: 125mm
- Length: 217mm
- Height: 137mm
- Width: 39mm
- Weight: 945g
- Safeties: Slide mounted decocking lever. Loaded chamber indicator. Firing-pin safety.
- Magazine release: Lower trigger guard, reversible.
- Production years: 1987 - present day.
- Production locations: Beretta Italy, GIAT France
