Caracal pistol
Encyclopedia
The Caracal pistol is a series of semi-automatic pistols manufactured by Caracal International L.L.C. a subsidiary of Tawazun Holding from the United Arab Emirates
. Newly arrived on a competitive market, the Caracal pistol series are the first pistols made in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2007, Tawazun Holding L.L.C. - the wholly owned subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates Offset Program Bureau (OPB) - has acquired the assets of Caracal International.
As of 2011 Caracal pistols are also manufactured in Germany
by Caracal GmbH operating from Suhl
in Thuringia
. Caracal GmbH is a subsidiary of the German hunting rifle and shotgun manufacturer Merkel GmbH which was acquired by Caracal International L.L.C. in 2007.
n firearms designer Wilhelm Bubits
who previously had designed the Steyr M pistol.
Before being put into production the Caracal pistol was evaluated through independent tests.
These tests were carried out by the Federal German Armed Forces Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen, Germany which included metallurgic and composite analysis, functional fitness-for-purpose and quality evaluation, endurance firing, environmental exposure, safety and accuracy tests.
A certificate was issued by the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in May 2006 after the pistol successfully complied with the NATO D14 standard, the German Federal Police Standard and the German Federal Armed Forces Technical Purchasing requirements. These tests are the most stringent test protocols ever devised for a service firearm.
By the end of 2006, Caracal International L.L.C .was incorporated and registered as a company in Abu Dhabi. With that, the foundation of a pistol manufacturing industry was established for the first time in the GCC
.
The pistols were unveiled at the International Defence Exhibition
, IDEX 2007 in Abu Dhabi
.
In February 2007 25,000 Caracal F pistols in 9 mm were ordered by various armies and security forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The Caracal pistol is now the new service pistol of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan as of April, 2008.
The United Arab Emirates and Algeria established on November, 17th, 2008 a joint committee in order to test the Caracal pistol for further adoption by Algeria.
The Caracal pistols were originally slated to be introduced into the European market and made available to Austrian customers in early 2009; this was rectified at the IDEX 2009
exhibition, when Caracal announced that an export line to Italy was to be started with "the first samples delivered immediately after the IDEX". The Caracal pistols have been introduced on the Italian civilian/sport shooters market during the 2009 EXA expo (Brescia
, 18–21 April 2009), and are being imported by the Italian arms company Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C
.
On 15 January 2009 Caracal received an export licence from the United States, which will enable it to ship its products to the United States. According to Caracal's commercial director Saeed Ali Al Shamsi, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms gave its approval for sales in the United States in May 2009 and the company plans to embark on a soft launch of the firearms in America in 2010 with the handguns selling for up to USD 720 (AED
2,650) in North America.
Besides the within NATO and many other militaries standard 9x19mm Parabellum chambering, the manufacturer will offer this pistol also in the 9x21mm, .357 SIG
and .40 Smith & Wesson
chamberings. At the IDEX 2009, the company announced that work is being carried on to manufacture the Caracal pistols in .45 ACP
, and that an SCHV (small-caliber/high-velocity) ammunition, along the lines of 5.7x28mm and 4.6x30mm, is also under study for military customers.
Participants from the Italian police and military forces included members of the Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza
, the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale
, of the 17º Stormo Incursori
of the Italian air force and of the 9th Parachute Assault Regiment
of the Italian army, as well as representatives of the Polizia Penitenziaria
, of the Guardia di Finanza
, of the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City
and of the U.S. State Department from the United States Embassy in Rome.
shooters have tested and evaluated the different models.
exhibition in Paris.
A group of representatives from the French police and their tactical units, Swiss police, German police, NATO forces and EU diplomatic security agents attended a briefing and presentation of the Caracal line of products.
Caracal made 40 pistols and an unlimited supply of ammunition available to members of the specialized press and French law enforcement community members for testing on a nearby shooting range in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
for mounting accessories.
The pistol's low slide profile design holds the pistol barrel axis close to the shooter's hand and makes the pistols more comfortable to shoot by reducing muzzle rise
and allows faster aim recovery in rapid shooting sequence. This low bore axis principle is also found in the Glock
and Steyr M pistols.
The metal slide guide rails are designed to be as long as possible to promote stability, by reducing torsion and flexing of the grip frame, during firing and a close fit between the slide and grip frame for plenty direct mechanical interaction between the slide and grip frame. Furthermore, the rails being part of the frame sub assembly that bears all internals, it is easier to assemble the mechanism for manufacturing or disassemble for maintenance and replacement.
The pistols have a fully supported chamber and fixed iron sights
featuring straight- straight-eight pattern contrast enhancements of which the front element can be adjusted for windage and can also be supplied with grip inserts in several distinctive colours (black, gray, green, blue and orange) that can be used for identification purposes. The grip size can not be adjusted with these grip inserts.
The metal parts receive a proprietary "Plasox" plasma-based nitriding with an enclosed postoxidizin surface treatment producing an oxidation protective coating resistant to aggressive environmental conditions. The manufacturer claims that this proprietary protective coating method is relatively environmental friendly, is very durable and protects well against rust.
There are however also two-tone Caracal pistols available with bright metal slides that did not receive the "Plasox" plasma-based nitriding surface treatment.
According to the manufacturer the 28 parts and components these pistols are made of are interchangeable for easy production and maintenance. A take-down lever allows the pistol to be disassembled without tools by the user.
A cocking indicator below the rear sight indicates visibly and tactilely if the pistol is cocked and ready to fire.
The trigger travel is 8 mm (0.31496062992126 in) with a trigger pull of 22 N (4.9 lbf).
is released by an ambidextrous magazine release.
powered low light sights, magazine loader and optical aiming sight mounting bracket.
A custom made modular holster has been designed by Sandro Amadini. Ghost International modular system holster's unique patented retention system GSS (Ghost Safety System) has been adapted to Caracal pistols. The innovative Ghost modular system with its various base plates allowing high ride, medium ride, tactical ride carry as well as concealed carry enhances and complements Caracal pistols qualities.
The Caracal C is simply a more compact (reduced length and height) variant of the Caracal F.
The Caracal SC has been introduced at the IDEX 2009
exhibition on 22 February 2009. The SC model has a reduced length, height and width and is technically somewhat different compared to the other Caracal pistols. The manufacturer markets the SC model as a primary weapon for government professionals who must conceal a handgun for job related situations, or as a secondary back up pistol.
According to Caracal's managing director Hamad Khalifa Al Neyadiof, the new SC sub-compact model has fewer cross pins giving a smooth surface, allowing for a more efficient assembly and a better quality build. The SC model can also use the larger detachable box magazines of the C and F models, giving a magazine capacity of up to 18 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.
According to Jane's the SC model has a separate safety switch located beneath the trigger guard, rather than on the trigger itself. A special grip adapter that has been developed for the Caracal SC has to be used for using the larger magazines from other 9 mm Caracal weapons. The SC model also has a solid synthetic striker, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and a very smooth action. The synthetic unit will be introduced to the F and C series later in 2009.
The SC magazines are offered with a standard flat bottom or a slightly developed magazine with a finger rest for extra grip.
A version of the Caracal adapted to high velocity ammunition like the 4.6x30mm used in the Heckler & Koch MP7
and the 5.7x28mm used in the FN P90
and the FN Five Seven would be under development. This could be linked to the desire for a neighbouring country to adopt either the H&K MP7 or the FN P90 personal defense weapon
.
United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
. Newly arrived on a competitive market, the Caracal pistol series are the first pistols made in the United Arab Emirates.
In 2007, Tawazun Holding L.L.C. - the wholly owned subsidiary of the United Arab Emirates Offset Program Bureau (OPB) - has acquired the assets of Caracal International.
As of 2011 Caracal pistols are also manufactured in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
by Caracal GmbH operating from Suhl
Suhl
- Geography :Suhl sits on the south edge of the Suhler Scholle, an upthrust granite complex that is streaked by numerous dikes. This is part of the Ruhla-Schleusingen Horst that defines the southwest side of the Thuringian Forest...
in Thuringia
Thuringia
The Free State of Thuringia is a state of Germany, located in the central part of the country.It has an area of and 2.29 million inhabitants, making it the sixth smallest by area and the fifth smallest by population of Germany's sixteen states....
. Caracal GmbH is a subsidiary of the German hunting rifle and shotgun manufacturer Merkel GmbH which was acquired by Caracal International L.L.C. in 2007.
Development
Starting in 2002, a team of European weapons designers and experts working in conjunction with the United Arab Emirates Armed Forces started the development of a range of modern pistols and accessories. The research and development team was led by the AustriaAustria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n firearms designer Wilhelm Bubits
Wilhelm Bubits
Wilhelm Bubits in Lutzmannsburg, is an Austrian handgun designer and creator of the Caracal Pistol and Steyr Mannlicher M and S model pistols.-Biography:...
who previously had designed the Steyr M pistol.
Before being put into production the Caracal pistol was evaluated through independent tests.
These tests were carried out by the Federal German Armed Forces Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in Meppen, Germany which included metallurgic and composite analysis, functional fitness-for-purpose and quality evaluation, endurance firing, environmental exposure, safety and accuracy tests.
A certificate was issued by the Bundeswehr Technical Center for Weapons and Ammunition (WTD 91) in May 2006 after the pistol successfully complied with the NATO D14 standard, the German Federal Police Standard and the German Federal Armed Forces Technical Purchasing requirements. These tests are the most stringent test protocols ever devised for a service firearm.
By the end of 2006, Caracal International L.L.C .was incorporated and registered as a company in Abu Dhabi. With that, the foundation of a pistol manufacturing industry was established for the first time in the GCC
Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf
The Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf , also known as the Gulf Cooperation Council , is a political and economic union of the Arab states bordering the Persian Gulf and constituting the Arabian Peninsula, namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates...
.
The pistols were unveiled at the International Defence Exhibition
International Defence Exhibition
The International Defense Exhibition & Conference, or IDEX, is a biennial arms and defense technology sales exhibition. According to the Jane's Defense Weekly website, IDEX is the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East...
, IDEX 2007 in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi , literally Father of Gazelle, is the capital and the second largest city of the United Arab Emirates in terms of population and the largest of the seven member emirates of the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the central western...
.
In February 2007 25,000 Caracal F pistols in 9 mm were ordered by various armies and security forces of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.
The Caracal pistol is now the new service pistol of the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Jordan as of April, 2008.
The United Arab Emirates and Algeria established on November, 17th, 2008 a joint committee in order to test the Caracal pistol for further adoption by Algeria.
The Caracal pistols were originally slated to be introduced into the European market and made available to Austrian customers in early 2009; this was rectified at the IDEX 2009
International Defence Exhibition
The International Defense Exhibition & Conference, or IDEX, is a biennial arms and defense technology sales exhibition. According to the Jane's Defense Weekly website, IDEX is the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East...
exhibition, when Caracal announced that an export line to Italy was to be started with "the first samples delivered immediately after the IDEX". The Caracal pistols have been introduced on the Italian civilian/sport shooters market during the 2009 EXA expo (Brescia
Brescia
Brescia is a city and comune in the region of Lombardy in northern Italy. It is situated at the foot of the Alps, between the Mella and the Naviglio, with a population of around 197,000. It is the second largest city in Lombardy, after the capital, Milan...
, 18–21 April 2009), and are being imported by the Italian arms company Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C
Tanfoglio
Fratelli Tanfoglio S.N.C. is an Italian gun manufacturing company. Their current weapons are used extensively in sport competitions and for personal defence. Tanfoglio is located in Gardone Val Trompia - Italy, and is known for its broad sport pistol catalogue...
.
On 15 January 2009 Caracal received an export licence from the United States, which will enable it to ship its products to the United States. According to Caracal's commercial director Saeed Ali Al Shamsi, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms gave its approval for sales in the United States in May 2009 and the company plans to embark on a soft launch of the firearms in America in 2010 with the handguns selling for up to USD 720 (AED
United Arab Emirates dirham
The dirham is the currency of the United Arab Emirates. The ISO 4217 code for the United Arab Emirates dirham is AED. Unofficial abbreviations include DH or Dhs. The dirham is subdivided into 100 ....
2,650) in North America.
Besides the within NATO and many other militaries standard 9x19mm Parabellum chambering, the manufacturer will offer this pistol also in the 9x21mm, .357 SIG
.357 SIG
The .357 SIG pistol cartridge is the product of Swiss-German firearms manufacturer SIG-Sauer, in cooperation with the American ammunition manufacturer Federal Cartridge. While it is based on a .40 S&W case necked down to accept bullets, the .357 SIG brass is slightly longer...
and .40 Smith & Wesson
.40 S&W
The .40 S&W is a rimless pistol cartridge developed jointly by major American firearms manufacturers Winchester and Smith & Wesson. The .40 S&W was developed from the ground up as a law enforcement cartridge designed to duplicate performance of the FBI's reduced velocity 10mm cartridge which could...
chamberings. At the IDEX 2009, the company announced that work is being carried on to manufacture the Caracal pistols in .45 ACP
.45 ACP
The .45 ACP , also known as the .45 Auto by C.I.P., is a cartridge designed by John Browning in 1904, for use in his prototype Colt semi-automatic .45 pistol and eventually the M1911 pistol adopted by the United States Army in 1911.-Design and history:The U.S...
, and that an SCHV (small-caliber/high-velocity) ammunition, along the lines of 5.7x28mm and 4.6x30mm, is also under study for military customers.
Italy
On 9 October 2009 a briefing and shooting tests event has been held by Caracal International and Tanfoglio, in partnership with the Italian magazine Armi e Munizioni at the Futura Club shooting range, close to Rome, for representatives of the Italian military and law enforcement communities.Participants from the Italian police and military forces included members of the Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza
Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza
The Nucleo Operativo Centrale di Sicurezza is a special operations division of the Italian state police.-History:In 1974 the Chief of the Polizia di Stato Anti-Terrorism Bureau, Emilio Santillo, announced the necessity to establish a tactical unit with the capability to arrest known terrorists and...
, the Gruppo di Intervento Speciale
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale
Gruppo di Intervento Speciale is an elite Special Operations counter-terrorism tactical response unit inside the Italian Carabinieri military police, first formed in 1978...
, of the 17º Stormo Incursori
17º Stormo Incursori
The 17º Stormo Incursori is the Italian Air Force Special Forces unit. It is the younger special force created in Italy. It is based in Furbara, near Rome and part of the Comando interforze per le Operazioni delle Forze Speciali...
of the Italian air force and of the 9th Parachute Assault Regiment
9th Parachute Assault Regiment
The 9º Reggimento d'Assalto Paracadutisti ' is the or proudest Special Forces unit of the current Italian Army — in part due to its distinguished history, but also due to the arduous training which members must undertake...
of the Italian army, as well as representatives of the Polizia Penitenziaria
Polizia Penitenziaria
The Polizia Penitenziaria is a law enforcement agency in Italy.Subordinate to the Italian Ministry of Justice, the Polizia Penitenziaria operate the Italian prison system as corrections officers. It ensures the security of Italian prisons, keeping unauthorized people out and preventing escape by...
, of the Guardia di Finanza
Guardia di Finanza
The Guardia di Finanza is a Italian law enforcement agency under the authority of the Minister of Economy and Finance. Like the Carabinieri, it is part of the Italian Armed Forces. The Guard is essentially responsible for dealing with financial crime and smuggling; it has also evolved into Italy's...
, of the Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City
Corps of Gendarmerie of Vatican City
The Corpo della Gendarmeria dello Stato della Città del Vaticano is the gendarmerie, or police and security force, of Vatican City. The corps is responsible for security, public order, border control, traffic control, criminal investigation, and other general police duties in Vatican City...
and of the U.S. State Department from the United States Embassy in Rome.
Thailand
During Defence & Security 2009 (4–5 November 2009) in Thailand, a demonstration has been held on a local range where members of the armed forces, law enforcement and International Practical Shooting ConfederationInternational Practical Shooting Confederation
The International Practical Shooting Confederation is a shooting sport based on the concept of practical shooting. Accuracy, power and speed are all required to achieve a maximum score.-Founding and organization:...
shooters have tested and evaluated the different models.
France
On 18 and 19 November 2009 a demonstration has been held during the Milipol 2009Milipol
Milipol, is a security technology sales exhibition organised by Unibail-Rodamco.The Milipol exhibition is reserved for professionals, access is only available with an official invitation card from an exhibitor or from the organizer or with an electronic badge....
exhibition in Paris.
A group of representatives from the French police and their tactical units, Swiss police, German police, NATO forces and EU diplomatic security agents attended a briefing and presentation of the Caracal line of products.
Caracal made 40 pistols and an unlimited supply of ammunition available to members of the specialized press and French law enforcement community members for testing on a nearby shooting range in Issy-les-Moulineaux.
Features
The Caracal is a fully ambidextrous polymer framed pistol that features an ergonomically designed grip with a rounded butt and a grip angle of 111°. The lower forward edge of the frame has a mounting-bracket or rail interface systemRail Integration System
Rail Interface System are the primary method of attaching accessories to small firearms such as assault rifles and light machine guns...
for mounting accessories.
The pistol's low slide profile design holds the pistol barrel axis close to the shooter's hand and makes the pistols more comfortable to shoot by reducing muzzle rise
Muzzle rise
The interchangeable terms muzzle rise, muzzle flip and muzzle climb refer to the tendency of firearms or pneumatic arms front end to rise up after firing....
and allows faster aim recovery in rapid shooting sequence. This low bore axis principle is also found in the Glock
Glock pistol
The Glock pistol, sometimes referred to by the manufacturer as Glock "Safe Action" Pistol, is a series of semi-automatic pistols designed and produced by Glock Ges.m.b.H., located in Deutsch-Wagram, Austria. The company's founder, engineer Gaston Glock, had no experience with firearm design or...
and Steyr M pistols.
The metal slide guide rails are designed to be as long as possible to promote stability, by reducing torsion and flexing of the grip frame, during firing and a close fit between the slide and grip frame for plenty direct mechanical interaction between the slide and grip frame. Furthermore, the rails being part of the frame sub assembly that bears all internals, it is easier to assemble the mechanism for manufacturing or disassemble for maintenance and replacement.
The pistols have a fully supported chamber and fixed iron sights
Iron sights
Iron sights are a system of shaped alignment markers used as a sighting device to assist in the aiming of a device such as a firearm, crossbow, or telescope, and exclude the use of optics as in telescopic sights or reflector sights...
featuring straight- straight-eight pattern contrast enhancements of which the front element can be adjusted for windage and can also be supplied with grip inserts in several distinctive colours (black, gray, green, blue and orange) that can be used for identification purposes. The grip size can not be adjusted with these grip inserts.
The metal parts receive a proprietary "Plasox" plasma-based nitriding with an enclosed postoxidizin surface treatment producing an oxidation protective coating resistant to aggressive environmental conditions. The manufacturer claims that this proprietary protective coating method is relatively environmental friendly, is very durable and protects well against rust.
There are however also two-tone Caracal pistols available with bright metal slides that did not receive the "Plasox" plasma-based nitriding surface treatment.
According to the manufacturer the 28 parts and components these pistols are made of are interchangeable for easy production and maintenance. A take-down lever allows the pistol to be disassembled without tools by the user.
Operating mechanism
The Caracal is a striker fired semi-automatic pistol, meaning the trigger system is of the hammerless short double action only type.A cocking indicator below the rear sight indicates visibly and tactilely if the pistol is cocked and ready to fire.
The trigger travel is 8 mm (0.31496062992126 in) with a trigger pull of 22 N (4.9 lbf).
Safety
The pistol features a triple safety system that secures the weapon against accidental discharge and consists of three independent safety mechanisms: an external integrated trigger safety and two automatic internal safeties – a firing pin safety and a drop safety.Ammunition feeding
The double column type box magazineMagazine (firearm)
A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable . The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action...
is released by an ambidextrous magazine release.
Accessories
The available factory accessories are: a rigid shoulder stock, tactical front grip which can be fitted to the optical mounting-bracket on the lower forward edge of the frame, key locking system to provide additional gun security when the pistol is not in use, fibre glass front sight insert, "gutter pattern" quick sights, self-luminous tritiumTritium
Tritium is a radioactive isotope of hydrogen. The nucleus of tritium contains one proton and two neutrons, whereas the nucleus of protium contains one proton and no neutrons...
powered low light sights, magazine loader and optical aiming sight mounting bracket.
A custom made modular holster has been designed by Sandro Amadini. Ghost International modular system holster's unique patented retention system GSS (Ghost Safety System) has been adapted to Caracal pistols. The innovative Ghost modular system with its various base plates allowing high ride, medium ride, tactical ride carry as well as concealed carry enhances and complements Caracal pistols qualities.
Variants
The pistol is available in 3 variants of which the Caracal F is the basic full-size variant.The Caracal C is simply a more compact (reduced length and height) variant of the Caracal F.
The Caracal SC has been introduced at the IDEX 2009
International Defence Exhibition
The International Defense Exhibition & Conference, or IDEX, is a biennial arms and defense technology sales exhibition. According to the Jane's Defense Weekly website, IDEX is the largest arms exhibition in the Middle East...
exhibition on 22 February 2009. The SC model has a reduced length, height and width and is technically somewhat different compared to the other Caracal pistols. The manufacturer markets the SC model as a primary weapon for government professionals who must conceal a handgun for job related situations, or as a secondary back up pistol.
According to Caracal's managing director Hamad Khalifa Al Neyadiof, the new SC sub-compact model has fewer cross pins giving a smooth surface, allowing for a more efficient assembly and a better quality build. The SC model can also use the larger detachable box magazines of the C and F models, giving a magazine capacity of up to 18 rounds of 9 mm ammunition.
According to Jane's the SC model has a separate safety switch located beneath the trigger guard, rather than on the trigger itself. A special grip adapter that has been developed for the Caracal SC has to be used for using the larger magazines from other 9 mm Caracal weapons. The SC model also has a solid synthetic striker, resulting in reduced manufacturing costs and a very smooth action. The synthetic unit will be introduced to the F and C series later in 2009.
The SC magazines are offered with a standard flat bottom or a slightly developed magazine with a finger rest for extra grip.
A version of the Caracal adapted to high velocity ammunition like the 4.6x30mm used in the Heckler & Koch MP7
Heckler & Koch MP7
The MP7 is a German submachine gun manufactured by Heckler & Koch and chambered for the 4.6×30mm cartridge. It was designed with the new cartridge to meet NATO requirements published in 1989, as these requirements call for a personal defense weapon class firearm, with a greater ability to defeat...
and the 5.7x28mm used in the FN P90
FN P90
The FN P90 is a selective fire personal defense weapon designed and manufactured by FN Herstal in Belgium. The P90's name is taken from 1990, the year it was introduced...
and the FN Five Seven would be under development. This could be linked to the desire for a neighbouring country to adopt either the H&K MP7 or the FN P90 personal defense weapon
Personal defense weapon
A personal defense weapon is a compact semi-automatic or fully automatic firearm similar in most respects to a submachine gun, but firing an armor-piercing rifle round, giving a PDW better range, accuracy and armor-penetrating capability than submachine guns, which fire pistol-caliber cartridges...
.
Customization
There is a two-tone Caracal C pistol in existence with a hard chrome plated metal slide finish. It appears this is an aftermarket custom slide finish and not a factory option.Users
- Purchased a quantity of 5,000.: A quantity of 10,000 was purchased by the Armed Forces.