The Vektor SP1 was South African pistol produced since 1992 by
Denel Land Systems
Denel Land Systems is a division of the Denel group.
It was formerly Lyttelton Engineering Works (LIW—from ), a subsidiary part of the commercial network from Armscor. It then became the ''Systems'' division of the ''Land Systems Group'' of ...
(DLS), formerly Lyttelton Engineering Works (LIW).
Design
The Vektor SP1 was the improved version of the Vektor Z88 pistol, the South African
Beretta 92F copy. Thus, the SP1 is based on the Italian Beretta design.
SP stands for “
Service Pistol
A service pistol (also known as a standard-issue pistol or a personal ordnance weapon) is any handgun issued to regular military personnel or law enforcement officers. Typically, service pistols are semi-automatic pistols (previously revolvers) ...
” and both weapons are full-sized, holster type pistols of solid construction.
The Vektor SP1 was a short-recoil operated, locked-breech pistol. It used a
Walther-type tilting locking piece, located below the straight-recoiling barrel, to lock it to the slide.
The frame is made from aluminium alloy, other parts are steel. The trigger is double-action, with an exposed hammer and a frame-mounted, ambidextrous safety that allows for "cocked and locked" carry.
The sights are fixed; the front sight is pinned to the slide, the rear is dovetailed.
The magazines are double stack; the magazine release button is located at the base of trigger-guard.
Variant
Vektor SP2
.40 S&W caliber version of the SP1.
SP1 General
Compact variant of the SP1 with shorter barrels, slides and grips.
SP1 Target
A limited edition SP1 Target pistol was also available.
This model features a single action operation, large adjustable sights, straight trigger design, a different trigger guard a compensating weight with longer barrel.
They were marked as "Vektor USA: Norfolk VA".
SP2 General
Compact variant of the SP2 with shorter barrels, slides and grips.
Usage
Both SP-1 and SP-2 pistols were exported to Europe and South America in several variations.
SP-1 pistol was in service with the
South African National Defence Force
The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) comprises the armed forces of South Africa. The Chief of the SANDF is appointed by the President of South Africa from one of the armed services. They are in turn accountable to the Minister of ...
and the
South African Police Service.
Outside South Africa, the pistol is seen in use of some South-Asian countries, notably Singapore and Malaysia.
Users
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Grup Gerak Khas
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Royal Malaysia Police
The Royal Malaysia Police (often abbreviated RMP) (; Jawi script, Jawi: ), is a (primarily) uniformed national and federal police force in Malaysia. The force is a centralised organisation, and its headquarters are located at Bukit Aman, Kuala ...
**
Department of Immigration
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Peruvian Air Force
The Peruvian Air Force (, FAP) is the branch of the Peruvian Military of Peru, Armed Forces tasked with defending the nation and its interests through the use of aerial warfare, air power. Additional missions include assistance in safeguarding i ...
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See also
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Vektor Z88
The Vektor Z88 ("Z-88") is a 9mm semi-automatic pistol produced by Vektor, the small arms brand name of Denel Land Systems, in South Africa
South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost ...
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Vektor CP1
The Vektor СР1 is a semi-automatic pistol that was made in South Africa by Lyttleton Engineering Works (LIW) which was a division of Denel SOC, now Denel Land Systems, from 1996 to 2001.
Design
The CP1 pistol was intended as a concealed car ...
References
External links
Vektor SP1 Owner's ManualVektor SP1 and SP2at Modern Firearms
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vektor Sp1
.40 S&W semi-automatic pistols
9mm Parabellum semi-automatic pistols
Denel
Semi-automatic pistols of South Africa
Weapons and ammunition introduced in 1992