FB P-83 Wanad

Lore & Background

The P-83 Wanad is a double-action/single-action straight-blowback pistol with an 8-round single-stack box magazine. Its construction relies heavily on blued sheet metal stampings. An external case extractor on the slide actuates a loaded chamber indicator that provides both visual and tactile confirmation of a round in the chamber.

The manual safety lever on the left side of the slide has an upward 'Safe' position and a lower 'Fire' position; a red dot on the slide is hidden when the safety is engaged. Engaging the safety decocks the hammer while the trigger remains in the single-action position, drops the firing pin so the milled hammer face cannot contact it, and a hook on the firing pin engages the rear of the slide to prevent forward movement. Disengaging the safety allows the trigger to return to full forward extension for a double-action first pull. The pistol also incorporates a hammer block safety similar to some revolvers.

The grip panels are grooved black plastic forming the side and back of the grip, held by a single screw. The magazine release is a traditional European heel type, tensioned by the hammer spring as a simplification measure. A lanyard loop is located on the left side at the base of the grip.

Reader's Guide

The P-83 Wanad replaced the P-64 as the standard sidearm for the Polish Army and police. It is no longer used by the Polish police but remains in service with some units of the Polish military. The pistol has been superseded in police service by Walther P99 pistols, and partially replaced in the Polish military by the FB VIS 100 and WIST-94 pistols. A civilian version exists with different shaped sights, a rounded hammer, and distinct slide markings: a Polish eagle followed by 'RADOM wz. P-83 9×18 POLAND Z.M. ŁUCZNIK', with the importing company's name stamped on the left side of the frame. The P-83's design reflects a focus on simplified manufacturing through sheet metal stampings and a combined hammer spring and magazine release tensioning system.

Did You Know?

• The P-83 Wanad is named after the Polish word for vanadium.
• The safety lever decocks the hammer and drops the firing pin to prevent contact with the hammer face.