Romania Copies the Jericho: Cugir Models 95 & 98
TLDRThe video from ForgottenWeapons.com, hosted by Ian McCollum, explores the evolution of the Romanian military sidearm, focusing on the Cugir Models 95, 98, and the current LP5.2. Starting with the Model 95, a reverse-engineered Jericho pistol, the Romanian Army sought a modern, double-stack 9mm service pistol. After extensive testing, 10,000 Model 95s were produced. User feedback led to the Model 98, which was lighter due to material reduction. 5,000 Model 98s were made for the police and Ministry of the Interior. A 20-year hiatus ended in 2021 with a request for 1,000 more pistols, now called LP5.2, maintaining the Model 98 design but adapting to Western material standards. The video concludes with a look at the LP5.2's features and a note on the ongoing production at Cugir.
Takeaways
- 🔍 The Romanian military originally used Tokarev pistols and later adopted a domestic copy of the Walter PP, known as the Model 74 'Carpați'.
- ⏳ After the fall of communism, Romania sought a more modern sidearm and, in 1992, chose to reverse engineer the IMI Jericho pistol, beginning its development.
- 🔨 It took approximately three years to develop the Romanian version of the Jericho, with the first prototypes produced in 1995.
- ⚙️ The Model 95 pistol was accepted by the Romanian Army after extensive testing and 10,000 units were manufactured for their use.
- 📦 The Model 95 was reliable and effective but was considered heavy, prompting requests for a lighter version.
- 🔩 Cugir responded by creating the Model 98, which was lighter by about 100 grams, achieved by removing material from the slide and frame.
- 📈 The Model 98 was produced in a run of 5,000 guns for the Romanian police and the Romanian Ministry of the Interior.
- 🕰 Production of the Model 98 ceased in the early 2000s, with a nearly 20-year hiatus until a request for an additional 1,000 pistols in 2021.
- 🛠️ In 2021, Cugir faced challenges in resuming production due to changes in the Romanian steel industry and the need to adapt to Western standards.
- 📝 The latest version, the LP5.2, was produced with a different finish and without chrome lining on the barrels, using hard nitriding instead.
- ➡️ The LP5.2 maintains the same mechanical design as the Model 98, with a few cosmetic and material specification changes.
Q & A
What is the original Romanian military sidearm discussed in the video?
-The original Romanian military sidearm discussed in the video is the Tokarev pistol, which was later replaced by a domestically manufactured copy of the Walter PP, known as the Model 74 or 'Carpați'.
Why did the Romanian military decide to look for a new sidearm after the fall of communism?
-After the fall of communism, Romania sought to integrate more with the West, and the Romanian Army desired a more modern sidearm. The Carpați pistols were considered outdated, leading to the search for a traditional, modern, double-stack 9mm service pistol.
Which pistol did Romania choose to manufacture domestically after assessing available options in 1992?
-Romania chose to manufacture a domestically produced copy of the IMI Jericho pistol after assessing available options in 1992.
How long did it take to develop the first prototypes of the Romanian Jericho copy?
-It took about 3 years to develop the first prototypes of the Romanian Jericho copy, including the tooling and preparation for manufacturing.
What was the name given to the first Romanian Jericho copy sidearm?
-The first Romanian Jericho copy sidearm was named the Model 95.
How many Model 95 pistols were initially ordered for the Romanian Army?
-An initial order of 10,000 Model 95 pistols was placed for the Romanian Army.
What was the primary complaint regarding the weight of the Model 95 pistol?
-The primary complaint regarding the Model 95 pistol was that it was a bit heavy, with user feedback indicating a preference for a lighter sidearm.
How much weight was reduced in the Model 98 compared to the Model 95?
-In the Model 98, approximately 100 grams were removed from the overall weight of the gun compared to the Model 95.
What was the production run for the Model 98 pistols?
-A production run of 5,000 Model 98 pistols was made under contract for the Romanian police and the Romanian Ministry of the Interior.
What significant change in materials was required when Cugir resumed production of the pistols in 2021?
-When Cugir resumed production in 2021, they had to redefine all the material specifications from Russian standards to Western standards, as the steel industry in Romania had changed and no longer used Russian standards.
What is the designation of the latest version of the Romanian Army pistol produced in 2021?
-The latest version of the Romanian Army pistol produced in 2021 is designated as the LP5.2.
How does the manufacturing process of the 2021 LP5.2 pistols differ from the earlier models?
-The manufacturing process for the 2021 LP5.2 pistols did not change from the earlier models. They are still made from a forged slide, barrel, and frame, with all small parts milled from bar stock, and there is no casting involved.
Outlines
🔍 Introduction to Romanian Army Pistols
The video begins with Ian McCollum introducing the viewers to the Romanian military sidearm, the Model 95, Model 98, and the current version, the LP5.2, at UMC, Uzina Mecanică Cugir. The Romanian military's journey from using Tokarev pistols to adopting a domestic copy of the Walter PP, the Model 74 "Carpați," is outlined. Post-communism, the Romanian Army sought a modern double-stack 9mm service pistol, leading them to reverse engineer the IMI Jericho, which became the Model 95 after extensive testing. The Model 98 was developed in response to user feedback requesting a lighter pistol, with modifications made to the slide and frame. The video also touches upon the production hiatus and the 2021 request for an additional 1,000 pistols, highlighting the transition from Russian to Western steel standards.
📚 Detailed Features and Evolution of the Models
The video provides an in-depth look at the features of the Model 95, including its markings, double-action/single-action mechanism, safety, de-cocker, magazine release, and disassembly process. It also discusses the interchangeability of its magazines with CZ 75 mags due to their shared roots. The Model 98 is shown to have several changes, such as a reduced dust cover and the introduction of a proprietary rail for a laser. The video explains the shift from chrome-lined to hard nitride barrels, the removal of chrome lining, and the addition of a rail for police use. The final version, the LP5.2, retains the same design as the Model 98 but features a sandblasted and browned finish, different from the polished and lacquered finish of earlier models.
🔧 Recap and Current Status of Romanian Army Pistols
The video concludes with a recap of the Romanian Army pistols' progression, from the Model 95's initial production of 10,000 units for the army to the Model 98, which was a lighter version produced for the police and the Interior Ministry in a quantity of 5,000. The LP5.2, produced in 2021, includes 1,000 units for the military and a commemorative series for ANCA. Despite the Model 95 and 98 being the standard issue for most Romanian Army and police units, the Carpați has not been completely phased out. The video expresses gratitude to UMC and ANCA for their support in showcasing these firearms.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡UMC (Uzina Mecanică Cugir)
💡ANCA
💡Model 95
💡Model 98
💡LP5.2
💡Jericho
💡Tokarev Pistol
💡Walter PP
💡Double-Stack Magazine
💡Hard Nitriding
💡Proprietary Rail
Highlights
UMC, Uzina Mecanică Cugir, is part of the original Romanian small arms manufacturing complex.
The Romanian military initially used Tokarev pistols and later adopted a domestic copy of the Walter PP, known as the Model 74 'Carpați'.
Post-communism, Romania sought a more modern double-stack 9mm service pistol to integrate with the West.
The Romanian Army chose to reverse engineer the IMI Jericho pistol, beginning in 1992.
The first Model 95 prototypes were manufactured in 1995 after three years of development.
10,000 Model 95 pistols were ordered for the Romanian Army.
User feedback indicated a preference for a lighter pistol, leading to the development of the Model 98.
The Model 98 had approximately 100 grams removed from its overall weight.
5,000 Model 98 pistols were produced for the Romanian police and Ministry of the Interior.
A hiatus in production occurred until 2021 when the Romanian Army requested an additional 1,000 pistols.
The 2021 production faced challenges due to changes in the Romanian steel industry and standards.
The Model 95 and 98 are fundamentally copies of the Jericho with some Romanian stylistic differences.
The Model 98 introduced a proprietary rail for attaching a laser, as requested by the police.
The latest version, the LP5.2, was produced in 2021 with a sandblasted and browned finish for added durability.
The Model 95 and 98 have not completely replaced the older Carpați pistols in Romanian service.
The Model 95 and 98 pistols are the standard issue for most Romanian Army and police units.
The production process for the 2021 version of the pistol remained unchanged from the original Model 95.
The LP5.2 designation stands for 'Luger Parabellum' with a model number indicating its evolution.
The Romanian Army and ANCA facilitated the access and information sharing for this video.