Margolin MCM Target Pistol

Published on June 10, 2026
Duration: 2:17

This video provides an in-depth look at the Margolin MCM Olympic rapid-fire target pistol, a 1960s-era .22LR rimfire semi-automatic. It highlights the pistol's advanced features for its time, including a bridge rear sight mounted to the frame for consistent sight alignment and an adjustable palm shelf. The review also touches upon the unique design story of Mikhail Margolin, a blind designer who created the pistol.

Quick Summary

The Margolin MCM Olympic rapid-fire target pistol, introduced in 1948, features a unique bridge rear sight mounted to the frame for consistent alignment. Designed by the blind Mikhail Margolin, it was an advanced .22LR rimfire pistol for its era and is also known as Princess Leia's blaster prop.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction to Margolin MCM
  2. 04:33Pistol Design and Introduction Year
  3. 10:33Accessory Case and Contents
  4. 19:48Advanced Features: Compensator and Rear Sight
  5. 42:24Bridge Rear Sight Explained
  6. 56:24Adjustable Sights and Grip
  7. 66:24Designer Mikhail Margolin's Story
  8. 99:06Production and Designer's Career
  9. 113:56Pop Culture Reference: Princess Leia's Blaster
  10. 119:32Full Kit and Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes the Margolin MCM pistol's rear sight unique?

The Margolin MCM features a bridge rear sight mounted directly to the frame, not the slide. This design prevents the sight from moving with the slide's reciprocation, ensuring consistent sight alignment with the front sight for improved accuracy.

Who was Mikhail Margolin and what is his significance to the MCM pistol?

Mikhail Margolin was the blind designer of the Margolin MCM pistol. He lost his sight in the Russian Civil War but developed innovative methods to design firearms, including tactile modeling, and became a successful designer for the Soviet Olympic team.

What accessories typically come with a Margolin MCM target pistol?

A complete Margolin MCM often includes an accessory case with items like an adjustable palm shelf, barrel weights, an oiler, a spare magazine, cleaning tools, and adjustment tools, all designed for Olympic-style target shooting.

What is the cultural significance of the Margolin MCM pistol?

Beyond its target shooting capabilities, the Margolin MCM gained recognition in popular culture as the prop used for Princess Leia's blaster in the original Star Wars film, 'A New Hope'.

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