Israel-based IWI has just released photos and a video of their new entry into the crowded 9mm striker-fired pistol market. The fully ambidextrous MASADA looks like it’s been designed to pass the Military Arms Channel’s famous torture test and will start shipping in the first quarter of 2018.
IWI, an SK Group Member, Launches MASADA – A Striker-Based Line of Pistols for Military, Law Enforcement, and Civilian Markets
Ramat HaSharon, Israel, November 2, 2017. Israel Weapon Industries (IWI), an SK Group member – a leader in the production of combat-proven small arms for law enforcement agencies, governments, and armies around the world – is launching the MASADA line of Striker-based pistols for military, law enforcement, and civilian markets. The first model, the full size 9X19mm MASADA, will be exhibited at Defense and Security Thailand, Milipol (Paris) France, and Expodefensa Colombia.
According to Shlomi Sabag, IWI’s CEO, “We are proud to launch this new line of pistols – the MASADA – following a development process that took several years, based on requests from our customers. The new Striker-based line places special emphasis on operational safety and simplicity of maintenance, as well as a high level of ergonomics and ease of use. The pistol will be available to our customers from Q1/18.”
The MASADA has several advanced safety mechanisms including a firing pin block safety, a clean and crisp trigger reset with a built-in trigger safety, and a fast, easy and safe takedown – with no need to pull the trigger. The pistol can be provided with or without manual safety. It has an easy racked slide with improved front and rear cocking serrations, enhanced ergonomics with the IWI grip angle, and a low barrel axis for reduced recoil. The body has a glass-reinforced polymer frame as well as a polygonal cold hammer forged barrel with a 1:10RH twist rate.
Additional features include fully ambidextrous operating controls and fixed 3-dot tritium illuminated Meprolight night sights. It offers 100% interchangeability with a compatible trigger mechanism housing, reducing maintenance and life cycle costs. The pistol has an overall length of 6.6″ (186.4mm) with a barrel length of 4.1″ (104mm), and with a trigger pull weighing 5.5-7.0 lbs. (2.5-3.175 kg), and a weight without the magazine of 22.9 ounces
(650 g). The MASADA will be available in four colors: Sniper Gray, OD Green, Black, and Flat Dark Earth.