IMBEL Pistola 9 M973 Semi-Automatic Pistol (1973)
The IMBEL Pistola 9 M973 was nothing more than a license copy of the American M1911A1 .45 ACP pistol chambered for the 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge.
IMBEL (Industria de Material BELico do Brasil) of Sao Paulo, Brazil, began life in 1975 as a state-founded organization but its origins could be traced as far back as pre-war Brazil in 1934 where some of her early products included manufacturing of German Mauser rifles. Since then, the concern has evolved to become a major weapons developer and supplier to the Brazilian military arms with her major products being small arms and ammunition supply. One of the firm's modern production forays became the license-manufacturing of the legendary American Colt M1911A1 in its original .45 ACP form.
A key difference between the Brazilian Pistola 9 M973 and the original American M1911A1 design was the former's chambering of the universal 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge over that of the latter's .45 ACP round. The smaller cartridge allowed for nine rounds to be stored in the vertical, spring-loaded magazine over that of the M1911A1's seven-round capacity. In essence, the M973 was nothing more than a 9mm copy of the M1911A1. The trigger was single-action in nature and operation of the weapon was of the short-recoil principle. The pistol, as a whole, measured in at 216mm (8.5 inches) with the barrel being 128mm (just over 5 inches) in length. Unloaded weight was a reported 1.01 kilograms. Externally, the IMBEL version differed little when compared directly against the M1911A1, featuring clean lines along the receiver, sturdy checkered grip furniture, a solid trigger system set within an oblong ring and an exposed hammer at the rear. A noticeable prawl overhang was forged over the rear of the pistol grip for a firmer dominant hand hold. The safety mechanism was set to the left-hand side of the gun just above the grip while the ejection port was conventionally set at the top middle of the receiver (as in the Colt). Sights were iron with a rear notch and front post.
By all accounts, the M973 was a sturdy semi-automatic pistol that benefitted greatly from her Colt pedigree. IMBEL also produced another version of the M1911A1 as the "9GC-MD1" beginning in 1989 which featured a higher-capacity 9x19mm Parabellum magazine of 17-rounds. The 45GC-MD1 was similar in scope though chambered for the original .45 ACP cartridge and fitting 13-rounds while being produced by computer-directed machinery as opposed to human-controlled. The 45UC-MD1 and 45UC-MD2 were still further developments of the M973 system, both chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge and designed from the start as more compact forms of the original M1911A1. Key differences between these two were the MD1's shortened barrel and the MD2's perforated muzzle for recoil reduction. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
IMBEL Pistola 9 M973
Semi-Automatic Pistol
Country of Origin: Brazil
Manufacturer: IMBEL (Industria de Material BELico do Brazil) - Brazil
Initial Year of Service: 1973
Overall Length: 216mm (8.50in)
Barrel Length: 128.00mm (5.04in)
Weight (Empty): 2.23lbs (1.01kg)
Cartridge: 9x19mm Parabellum
Action: Single-Action; Semi-Automatic
Feed: 9-round detachable box magazine
Muzzle Velocity: 830ft/sec (253m/sec)
Range: 82ft (25m; 27yds)
Sights: Iron front and rear
Variants:
M973 - Base Series Designation
9GC-MD1 - High-Capacity Version fitting 9x19mm Parabellum round in 17-round magazine.
45GC-MD1 - Similar to 9GC-MD1 though chambered for the .45 ACP round in 13-round magazine.
45UC-MD1 - Compact Version in .45 ACP caliber; shortened barrel; serrated ring hammer.
45UC-MD2 - Compact Version in .45 ACP caliber; perforated muzzle.
Operators: Brazil
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