The MA-5 Mk.2 is a semi-automatic pistol manufactured by Myanmar’s Directorate of Defense Industries. It is a clone of the second-generation Glock 17, a very reliable and popular pistol created in Austria in the early 1980s. It is chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum.
Introduction
The Glock 17 was a simple, reliable, and inexpensive weapon that revolutionized the firearms market., which made it prone to copying and cloning. Its simplicity, lightweight, and inexpensive material have become a point of interest for Myanmar’s company. For many years, the Tatmadaw (the official name of the Myanmar Armed Forces) was armed with the Browning Hi-Power pistol, designated as the MA-5 in the Tatmadaw service. These pistols were mostly bought from Belgium through government contracts and commercial purchases.
Design
While it visually resembles the Glock 17, there are differences between the two weapons. First, “MA-5 MK II” markings and Tatmadaw insignia are molded on the pistol grip. The MA-5 Mk.2 has a rounded trigger guard instead of the hook-shaped one on the Glock 17, and the grip has rectangular spacing instead of the smaller dot-like pattern on the original.
The MA-5 Mk.2 is made mostly of polymer, with the only metal parts being the barrel, slide, and trigger mechanism. These parts are coated with a rustproof coating, but the pistol is still prone to corrosion. The MA-5 Mk.2 uses 9×19 mm ammunition, high muzzle energy, and good penetration.
The MA-5 Mk.2 does not have manual safeties, instead relying on an automatic firing pin, which blocks the trigger if it is not pulled properly, and barrel lock safety mechanisms. This automatic safety eliminates self-action or accidental shots. The safety is reset after each shot until the trigger is pulled. There is another automatic safety, which does not permit fire if the barrel is not fully locked.
MA-5 Mk.2 is fed from a 17-round double-stack magazine and has simple fixed sights. As of 2018, there were no known variants of the MA-5 Mk.2, though compact or extended capacity versions could potentially be developed.
Technical specifications
| Country of origin: | Myanmar |
| Manufacturer: | Directorate of Defense Industries |
| Entered service: | 2014 |
| Caliber: | 9×19 mm Parabellum |
| Weight (unloaded): | 710 g |
| Weight (loaded): | 910 g |
| Length: | 204 mm |
| Barrel length: | 104 mm |
| Muzzle velocity: | 360 m/s |
| Muzzle energy: | 490 Joules |
| Magazine capacity: | 17 rounds |
| Sighting range: | 50 m |
| Range of effective fire: | ~ 50 m |