The Masada is IWI’s new striker-fired pistol. (Photo: IWI)
IWI, one of the biggest names in Israeli self-defense and military arms, is officially announcing their new Masada series of pistols for the commercial, military and law enforcement markets.
The Masada is polymer-framed and striker-fired with fully-ambidextrous controls and three interchangeable backstraps. IWI plans to start shipping the new series starting the first quarter of 2018.
“This is our first entry into the striker fired pistol market and we are very pleased with the results,” said IWI-US CEO Casey Flack. “Having a completely ambidextrous system, coupled with IWI’s famous performance, will make this a serious contender for civilian and government customers.”
The Masada has all of the features necessary to compete with today’s crop of striker-fired pistols. These include an external extractor which doubles as a loaded chamber indicator. Also, users can disassemble the guns without pulling the trigger, which is a growing safety requirement for many departments and agencies.
Each pistol has a serialized trigger frame that is easily removable from the grip frame for cleaning and maintenance. The trigger sports a physical safety and will not fire unless someone pulls the trigger.
With features like these, the Masada is very competitive with other current-generation service pistols. (Photo: IWI)
Externally the Masada has front and rear cocking serrations, an oversized and undercut trigger guard. The frame also has a high beavertail grip and a full-length accessory rail.
The gun has a fairly low bore axis which can help with felt recoil. The first models will ship with 4.1-inch barrels chambered for 9mm Luger and have a 17+1-round capacity. IWI chose to use polygonal rifling for the barrels for improved performance.
Other specifications include an unloaded weight of about 23 ounces, an overall length of about 7.5 inches and height of around 5.5 inches.
This semi-full-size configuration is increasingly popular with many shooters and agencies. The full-size grip accommodates hands of all sizes — especially with interchangeable backstraps — while the mid-size barrel and slide assembly are easy to carry all day long.
See Also: IWI Launching the Tavor 7 Bullpup in 7.62 NATO
As an added bonus IWI-US says the guns shipping to the U.S. will have 3-dot Meprolight night sights. This is an optional extra for the Masada.
IWI is no stranger to making handguns. The company continues to produce their Jericho family of pistols with steel and polymer frames. Unlike the Masada, the Jericho uses a traditional hammer-fired action based on the CZ-75 design.
We expect to see other Masada configurations down the line. We know IWI-US is working on flat dark earth and olive drab models as well as black. And for now, it makes sense for IWI-US to focus on getting out their flagship model with other versions to come out in the future.
A Glock knockoff? I think not. A Sig knockoff, now that’s a possibility.
I thought HK/Walther.
I laugh at some of these comments. Especially the ones that are obviously from ignorant children who don’t understand the history and significance behind IMI’s firearms.
In the world across the pond, it had been a long road to equip the IDF with weapons on par with the modern environment, but IMI succeeded. They have proven that you can take an existing platform and make it absolutely better. Just look at the Galil family of weapons.
It’s funny, because Israel wants to be able to make its own in house weapons for their armed forces, but they still have the sense to share them with the west. Even their prize beast, the tavor, has made it to our shores.
Keep in mind, with IMI, you don’t have to worry about your gun being built to mil-spec tolerances. Because anyone who knows anything realizes that mil-spec is just another way of saying “it may not fall apart when used”.
The Israelis make very fine weapons. I guess when you are surrounded by enemies on every border, you cannot afford to make an unreliable weapon. There is a lot to like about this gun, but I’m not sure the market needs another polymer 9mm service pistol.
IS it me… or the low bore is rather high and recoils excessively and vibrates frame. …Probably just the slo motion camera
Wait about a year or so after its release for the new and improved A-1 model.
Boring, another plastic wonder gun.
hope for their sake they spent a lot of effort on the trigger. that’s about the only place they can set themselves apart from the established competitors. witness the PPQ.
Maybe it’s just me, but I wouldn’t feel particularly confident carrying a weapon named for the site of the greatest mass suicide that side of Jonestown.
Glockenstein.
Gotta love all the comments about it, especially the ones of “same ‘ol, same ‘ol”.
And just what does anyone expect when a gun is built to definitive specifications such as for Military/Police requirements???
Of course they will be very similar, if you want something that different, don’t go for striker fired polymers in the first place!!!!
Not to mention a lack of economic savvy, these are the hot items right now, as a manufacturer, you don’t go for something so radical that the general public (your economic base, in other words) won’t like or buy!!!!
Flat out, if you’ve seen one striker fired polymer, you’ve seen them all for the most part.
It doesn’t mean this one doesn’t have something to offer, it just means it won’t be earth shattering.
Do all gun makers dip into the same vat of vanilla when designing and building a firearm..? Sure seems that way…
Looks like an ugly glock. That’s just slightly more idiot proof.
Yawn – another Glock 19 knock off … How about something innovative instead of a combination of XD and Glock in the same old caliber .9mm – Geeeeeeeeeeeeez, enough already ….!!!
Lets be honest if the Israeli have anything mastered its designing and making weapons. I’ would expect the Masada to be on par with any service pistol currently offered and over time it will probably be better. It kinda reminds me of a M&P with a Canik grip? Anyway price is the next main question how much?