Type: Single Action Calibers: .45ACP Weight unloaded: 1075 gram Length: 216 mm Barrel length: 127 mm (5") Capacity: 7 rounds
The Ballester-Molina pistol, originally known as Ballester-Rigaud (so marked
during first years of manufacture, circa 1938 to 1940), were made in Argentine
by Hispano Argentina de Automotives SA (HAFDASA) company. Manufacture started in
1938 in attempt to provide Argentinean police and military with less expensive
alternative to the Colt modelo 1927 pistol, domestically made licensed copy of
the American Colt M1911A1 pistol. Production of the
Ballester-Molina ceased in the early 1950s. While Ballester-Molina pistol is
externally very similar to Colt, it has significant differences, especially in
the safety and trigger unit arrangements. Actually, the only parts exchangeable
between Ballester-Molina and M1911A1 are the barrel with link and the magazine.
The trigger and safety arrangements were more or less copied from the Spanish Star
pistols, with the pivoting trigger, single trigger to sear link, and no grip
safety. Ballester-Molina pistols were used by Argentinean military and police,
as well as supplied to the Britain during Second World war. Britain issued these
pistols to their Special Operations Executives agents, which usually operated
behind enemy lines.
The Ballester-Molina pistol is a short recoil operated, locked breech pistol.
the locking system is similar to that of Colt M1911A1,
with the swinging link used to unlock the barrel from the slide. The single
action trigger is pivoted on the axis, the frame-mounted manual safety locks the
slide and the hammer.