Ballester–Molina

Ballester–Molina
Ballester–Molina pistol
Type	Semi-automatic pistol
Place of origin	Argentina
Service history
Wars	World War II Falklands War
Production history
Manufacturer	Hispano Argentina de Automotives SA
Produced	1938 – 1953
No. built	~113,000
Specifications
Weight	1,130 g 1,075 g (unloaded)
Length	288 mm (9 in)
Barrel length	127mm (5 in)
Cartridge	.45 ACP, .22 LR
Caliber	11.43mm
Action	recoil operated, blowback (.22 LR variant)
Rate of fire	Semi-automatic
Feed system	7-round magazine
Sights	Iron sights

The Ballester–Molina is a pistol designed and built by the Argentine company Hispano Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles SA (HAFDASA). Between 1938 and 1940, it bore the name Ballester–Rigaud.

The Ballester–Molina was designed to offer the Argentine police and military a less-expensive alternative to the Sistema Colt Modelo 1927, which was itself a licensed copy of the Colt M1911A1, built under the supervision of Colt engineers. Production of the Ballester–Molina began in 1938 and ceased in 1953. Ironically, the Sistema Colt 1927 was manufactured until 1966.

The history of the company dates back to 1929, when two Spaniard entrepreneurs, Arturo Ballester and Eugenio Molina, established a branch of the Spanish Hispano-Suiza in Buenos Aires. Years later, HAFDASA hired two engineers, Frenchman Rorice Rigaud and Carlos Ballester–Molina, a relative of the founders. Rigaud became the chief designer of the firm, while Ballester–Molina was appointed chief executive officer.

As the Ballester–Molina was designed to serve alongside the Modelo 1927 that was currently in Argentine service, it bears a striking resemblance to the Colt M1911A1. The Ballester–Molina and the M1911 share an identical seven-round magazine, barrel, recoil spring, and barrel bushing. Although many other parts appear identical at first glance, they are not; only the barrel and magazine are interchangeable. The Ballester is also known as the "Hafdasa", after the initials of the company that made it.

The Ballester–Molina was used by Argentina's security forces. The Argentine Army adopted this weapon in 1938. The Ballester–Molina is a short recoil-operated semi-automatic locked breech pistol. The locking system is a near identical copy of the Colt M1911A1, with the swinging lock used to unlock the barrel from the slide. The trigger is single action, two stage, but pivots rather than slides like the 1911 trigger. The spring housing system is integrated to the pistol frame, instead of being a separate part. The hammer is locked by the frame-mounted manual safety, and there is no grip safety. Overall quality is excellent. Many examples for sale on the surplus market have seen heavy use, but show little internal wear.