Vis
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| pistolet wz. 35
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Vis.jpg
Vis pistol
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| caliber
| 9 mm
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| capacity
| 8 rounds
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| dimensions
| length: 200 mm
height: 140 mm
barrel: 120 mm
width: 33 mm
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| muzzle velocity
| 345 metres per second
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| muzzle energy
| 446 J
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| optimal range
| 50 metres
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| mass
| with ammo: 1,123 kg
without the ammo clip: 0,950 kg
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| rate of fire
| 10 rpm
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| in production:
| 1936-1945 and from 1992 onwards
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| number produced
| more than 400.000
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Vis (Polish designation pistolet wz. 35 Vis, German designation 9 mm Pistole 35(p), also known incorrectly as Radom in English sources) is a 9 mm caliber, single action, semi-automatic handgun. Originally designed by Piotr Wilniewczyc and Jan Skrzypiński in 1930. Since 1936 it was the standard handgun of the Polish Army.
History
The design was generally based on the American Colt M1911A1. The handgun was prepared in late 1930 and at the beginning of 1931 the first pistols were ready for testing. Initially it was named WiS (an acronym of the constructors' names), later the name was changed to a latinized version: Vis (meaning power in Latin).
Dismantled Vis (right side) The tests proved that the handgun was very accurate and stable while at the same time remained reliable after more than 6000 shots. The Vis was generally regarded as one of the best army pistols of that period. Production started in the State Armory in Radom in late 1935 and the following year it was introduced as the standard weapon of Polish infantry and cavalry officers. Successively, other units were to be equipped and by 1942 all other handguns were to be withdrawn from service. By mid-1938 it was introduced to the armoured and air forces. Before the Polish September Campaign, approx. 45.000 (out of 90.000 ordered) were delivered to the army.
After the Polish defeat in 1939 the Germans took over the Radom Armory and continued production of the Vis under the new name of 9 mm Pistole 35(p). Up to 1945 between 300.000 and 400.000 were produced and used by the Wehrmacht.
Dismantled Vis (left side) For fear of Polish technicians working in the Armory supplying the Home Army with the weapons, the barrel production was moved to the Steyr works in Austria. However, underground production of Vis barrels was started in Warsaw and a large number of Vis pistols were delivered to the Home Army and used extensively, among others, during the Warsaw Uprising. In 1944 all production was moved to the Steyr works in Austria. The Vis remained in production until April 1945. Vis pistols made after 1939 were issued in several different series, each with small modifications. Generally, the war-time Vis were of much lower quality than the original, degrading towards the end of the war.
In August 1992 the Lucznik Arms Factory in Radom reintroduced the Vis pistol and produced a small series on the basis of the original plans and specifications.
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