Saturday, October 30, 2010

SCK-65 submachine gun




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SCK-65 submachine gun. in ready to fire position



SCK-65 submachine gun; butt folded, magazine removed


Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 4 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 501 / 762 mm
Barrel length ?
Rate of fire 550 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 30 rounds

The SCK-65 submachine gun was developed during early 1960s by Japanese company Shin Chuo Kogyo (SCK), and subsequently adopted by Japanese Self-Defense Forces. Due to strict Japanese laws, this submachine gun was never exported out of Japan, and thus is rarely known. The SCK-66 submachine gun, which appeared a bit later, was externally similar to Model 65 but had lower rate of fire.

The SCK-65 submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon which fires from open bolt, in full automatic mode only. The gun is somewhat unusual as it has ejection port on the left side of the gun. The ejection port is fitted with dust cover, which must be manually opened before the gun can be loaded or fired, as it has a small projection on its underside which locks the bolt when cover is closed. This manual safety feature is complemented with automated grip safety in the form of a lever, located at the rear of the extended magazine housing. Tho disengage this automated safety, operator must grip the lever with his left hand and push it firmly forward, against the magazine housing. The cocking handle is located on the right side of the gun and does not move when gun is fired. The barrel is enclosed into the tubular jacket, which, surprisingly, has no cooling ports or slots. The side-folding shoulder stock is made from thin steel tubes.

Friday, October 29, 2010

INDEP Lusa submachine gun




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INDEP Lusa A2 submachine gun



INDEP Lusa A2 submachine gun


Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 2.8 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 451 / 584 mm
Barrel length 159 mm
Rate of fire 900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 28 rounds

The Lusa submachine gun was developed during early 1980s by Portuguese arms manufacturing company INDEP, which at that time manufactured under license the HK G3 automatic rifles of German origin. To save on manufacturing costs, Portuguese designers utilized same manufacturing techniques (steel stamping) and some parts of the G3  rifles. Compared to another submachine gun which is also based on G3 rifle, the famous HK MP5, the Lusa is significantly simpler and thus cheaper to manufacture, mostly because it uses simple blowback action. For some time Lusa A2 submachine guns were manufactured in portugal and used by Portuguese armed forces and police, but in 2004 INDEP sold all manufacturing documentation and dies to a group of American inestors, which established an American company to produce improved versions of this submachine gun, as well as a civilian-legal semi-automatic version of the same design. The company, known as LUSA USA, offered the Lusa submachine guns and carbines for several years, but recently the production in USA was ceased pending the sale of the company.

The Lusa submachine gun uses simple blowback action, firing from closed bolt in single shots and full automatic. It utilizes hammer-firing trigger unit with 3-position safety / fire mode selector switch, similar in design to those of G3 rifle. Receiver is stamped and formed from sheet steel and then welded. The magazine housing is extended below to form a grip for non-firing hand. Charging handle is amde in the form of dual sliders, located above the barrel. To charge the gun, user must grip those sliders with fingers and pull them rearwards, and then release. The Lusa submachine gun is fitted with short polymer forend, and with retractable metallic buttstock. Sights are adjustable only for zeroing, rear sight is of diopter type.

Thursday, October 28, 2010

Type 100 submachine gun




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Type 100 submachine gun, early "paratrooper" version with side-folding butt, bayonet adapter under the barrel and adjustable sight



Type 100 submachine gun, late war version (made in 1944-45), with fixed rear sight and simplified bayonet lug



Type 100 submachine gun, late war version (made in 1944-45). Top view showing curved box magazine in place


Caliber 8x22 Nambu
Weight 3.8 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 889 mm
Barrel length 228 mm
Rate of fire 450 rounds per minute (~800 for 1944 model)
Magazine capacity 30 rounds

The Type 100 submachine gun was developed by famous Japanese small arms designer, gen. Kijiro Nambu. First prototypes of this submachine gun were submitted for Japanese Army trials in 1939, and the new weapon was formally adopted in 1940 (2600th year in contemporary Japanese calendar). This submachine gun was initially produced in two forms, as a standard infantry gun with solid stock and as a paratrooper weapon, with side-folding butt. In 1944, following the decline in Japanese industry, the basic Type 100 submachine gun was simplified, and put in production in this form. Overall, several tens of thousands of Type 100 submachine guns were manufactured in Japan by Nambu company and Nagoya and Kakuro arsenals between 1940 and 1945. The gun was of more or less conventional design, but towards the end of the war it was severely plagued by poor quality of materials and workmanship, as well as by marginally powerful ammunition, also of dubious quality (especially during the latter part of the war). After the war it became obsolete in Japan, but some were encountered during latter local conflicts in the SE Asia region.

The Type 100 submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon, firing from open bolt and in full automatic only. The curved box magazine was inserted horizontally from the left, with ejection to the right. Barrel was enclosed into the tubular jacket, perforated for better cooling, and fitted with muzzle brake - compensator. The Type 100 submachine gun was equipped with carbine-style wooden stock. Paratrooper version of this weapon had a side-folding stock, with hinge located on the right side of the stock, just behind the trigger guard. Early Type 100 submachine guns were fitted with adjustable rear sights, 1944-model weapons had fixed rear sights.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Mendoza HM-3 submachine gun




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Mendoza HM-3 submachine gun, original 1970-80's era model, butt folded, magazine removed



Mendoza HM-3 submachine gun, original 1970-80's era model, ready to be fired



Mendoza HM-3S semiautomatic police carbine, current production model


Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 2.7 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 400 / 635 mm
Barrel length 225 mm
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 32 rounds

The Mendoza HM-3 submachine gun was designed by Hector Mendoza, son of the famous Mexican small arms designer Rafael Mendoza. This compact and modern weapon was subsequently adopted by Mexican military. Because of strict Mexican laws, it was never officially exported outside the country. In late 1990s Mendoza company began manufacture of an improved weapon, with modern polimer furniture and different cocking arrangements. This weapon still is known as HM-3 and is available in two basic versions - selective fire HM-3 for military use and semi-automatic only HM-3S for police and security use.

Mendoza HM-3 submachine gun operates on simple blowback principle, from open bolt. It can shoot semi-automatic or in bursts, with combined safety / fire selector switch being located on the right side of the gun, above the trigger.  Mendoza HM-3 submachine gun features "wrap-around" bolt which is exposed for the most part of its length, with cocking serrations machined on either side of the bolt in front of ejection port. Feed is from detachable box magazines, which are inserted into the pistol grip. Buttstock folds horizontally to the left side of the gun, and forms a forward grip when folded.

The Mendoza HM-3S semiautomatic carbine is different that it fires from closed bolt, has a polymer furniture and an U-shaped cocking handle (instead of the serrations) above the still exposed bolt.

Monday, October 25, 2010

FBP m/976 submachine gun




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Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 3.12 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 657 / 850mm
Barrel length 250 mm
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 32 or 36 rounds

The FBP m/976 submachine gun was developed in Portugal by arms-making factory Fabrica de Braco de Prata, and adopted by Portuguese military in 1976. This weapon can be considered as an evolution of the earlier FBP m/948 submachine gun, which it replaced in service.

FBP m/976 submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon that fires from open bolt, in single shots of full automatic mode, thanks to the combined safety / fire mode selector lever, located on the left side of the trigger unit, above the trigger. The bolt is of simple design, with large diameter return spring that requires no additional guides. Gun is equipped with grip safety which locks bolt in forward or rearward position. Barrel can be fitted with optional screw-on barrel jacket. L-shaped flip-up  backsight has settings for 50 or 100 meters. Gun is equipped with sliding, telescoping buttstock made of steel wire, which is patterned after US M3 submachine gun.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

FBP m/948 submachine gun




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FBP m/948 submachine gun, with optional bayonet lug on the barrel




FBP m/948 submachine gun


Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 3.75 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 635 / 813 mm
Barrel length 249 mm
Rate of fire 500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 32 rounds

FBP m/948 submachine gun was developed at Portuguese arms-making factory Fabrica de Braco de Prata, and adopted by Portuguese military in 1948. The FBP m/948 submachine gun was broadly based on two wartime designs - German MP40 (bolt and return spring setup, safety) and US M3 (receiver design, trigger and shoulder stock). FBP m/948 submachine gun was extensively used by Portuguese military and by some former Portuguese colonies.

FBP m/948 submachine gun is a simple blowback weapon that fires from open bolt, in full automatic mode only. The bolt and especially return spring and its external telescoping guide are patterned after the German MP40 submachine gun, although the bolt design is somewhat simplified. The safety, which uses an L-shaped cut in the cocking handle slot in receiver to lock the bolt in the open position is also based on MP40. The overall layout and design of the stamped steel receiver and pistol grip / trigger unit is patterned after American M3 submachine gun. Sliding, telescoping buttstock, made of steel wire, is also copied from US M3 weapon. The FBP m/948 submachine gun was sometimes fitted with optional bayonet lug on the barrel.

Friday, October 22, 2010

Minebea M-9 submachine gun




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Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 2.8 kg / 6.2 lbs
Length 399 mm / 15.7"
Barrel length 120 mm / 4.7"
Rate of fire 1100 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 25 rounds
Effective range 50-100 meters

Minebea M9 submachine gun was developed by Japanese Minebea company to replace obsolete US-made M3 submachine guns in service with Japan Self-defense Forces (JSDF). JSDF adopted this weapon during early 1990s to arm secondary military personnel like tank, vehicle and artillery crews (M9 is issued as a personal defense weapon instead of the traditional pistol). Minebea M9 is based on Mini-Uzi submachine gun. It was produced under license from IMI (now IWI Ltd), and it seems that it is no longer made. Some sources in Japan suggest that JSDF is looking to replace this submachine gun (which has some dubious features) with German-made HK MP5 submachine guns.

In its basic design, Minebea M9 submachine gun closely resembles the Mini-Uzi. It has the same simple blowback action with bolt that telescopes around the rear part of the barrel. Firing is from open bolt (presumably), in full and semi-automatic modes. Unlike its prototype, Japanese submachine gun is fitted with additional front grip and a flash hider on the barrel. On the other hand, there's no shoulder stock, and this greatly limits the accuracy of fire, especially when firing in full automatic mode with such high rate of fire.

Thursday, October 21, 2010

PM-84 PM-84P Glauberyt submachine gun




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PM-84P submachine gun, with shoulder stock retracted and forward grip unfolded


PM-84PM-84P
Caliber9x18 PM9x19 Luger / Parabellum
Weight1.84 kg empty2.17 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open)354 / 560 mm375 / 575 mm
Barrel length165 mm185 mm
Rate of fire600 rounds per minute640 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity15 or 25 rounds15 or 25 rounds


PM-84 Glauberyt submachine gun has been developed in Poland during early 1980s, as a possible replacement for overly expensive PM-63 submachine gun of roughly same size and properties. However, PM-84 has been designed for less expensive manufacturing (using steel stampings instead of machining), and also in two calibers instead of one; the 9x18 version was destined for Polish use, while 9x19 version was obviously intended for export. With the fall of the Iron Curtain and dissolution of the Warsaw pact, Polish military and police switched over to 9x19 Luger caliber. To-day, onlye the 9mm Luger version is manufactured in Poland by ZM Lucznik factory, as PM-84P Glauberyt.

PM-84 is a blowback operated weapon that fires from closed bolt and has a separate hammer unit. The rectangular receiver is made of steel stampings, with the bolt reciprocating inside. Cocking handles are made in the form of two "ears" projecting from slots at either side of the receiver. It has a safety / fire selector switch located above the grip, on the left side. Double-stack magazines are inserted into the pistol grip, and have capacity of 15 or 25 rounds. Magazine release is located at the base of the pistol grip, just behind the magazine well opening. The Glauberyt submachine gun also features a bolt hold-open device, with bolt release lever located on the left side, in front of the manual safety / fire selector lever. Both front and rear sights were protected by wings; rear sight is of flip-up type with two range settings, for 75 and 150 meters. PM-84 submachine gun is fitted with folding front grip under front part of the receiver, and with retractable steel buttstock.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

PM-63 Submachine gun




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PM-63 submachine gun with front grip and buttstock folded; 25-round magazine is removed from grip


PM-63 submachine gun with front grip and buttstock opened for better control during fire; slide is cocked and gun is ready to fire

Caliber: 9x18 Makarov PM
Weight: 1.6 kg empty; 2.0 kg with loaded 25-round magazine
Length (stock closed/open): 333 / 583 mm
Barrel length: 152 mm
Rate of fire: 650 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 15 or 25 rounds
Effective range: 100-150 meters

PM-63 submachine gun is quite interesting weapon, which is better described by its native name Pistolet Maszynowy wz.63 (machine pistol model of 1963). Indeed, it has layout of a large pistol, and can be fired single-handedly like any other pistol. On the other hand, PM-63 had folding buttstock and frontal grip (also folding), and had selective-fire capability. Furthermore, while it has a pistol-like slide which is integral with breechblock, it fires from open bolt, much like most submachine guns.


PM-63 has been designed by famous Polish gun designer Peter Wilniewczyc by 1963. First issued to Polish special forces in 1965, it also gained a name of RAK (Reczny Automat Komandosow - Commando handheld automatic [weapon]). Other than special elements of Polish army, PM-63 also was used by East German police.

PM-63 is a blowback operated weapon that fires from open bolt (slide). Return spring is located below the stationary but easily removable barrel. Front part of the slide is shaped like long spoon and acts as a muzzle rise compensator during automatic fire. It also can be used to cock weapon single-handedly, by pushing the compensator against the hard surface until slide is locked back by the sear. For more usual two-hand cocking slide is equipped with typical side serration at the rear. Fire mode (single shots or bursts) is selected by the trigger pull - short pull until first stop produces single shots, further pull on the trigger results in full automatic fire. PM-63 is fitted with inertia-type fire rate reducer, which is located inside the rear of the slide. After each shot in full-auto mode, reducer holds the slide in the open position for a fraction of a second, while inertia pellet cycles inside its channel under recoil. On its way forward, this pellet releases the slide to go forward and fire next round. Manual safety is located on the frame, just behind the grip, on the left side of weapon. Box magazines are inserted into pistol grip and could have capacity of 15 or 25 rounds. For better control during burst fire, or for more accurate single shots, PM-63 is fitted with folding shoulder stock made of stamped steel, and with folding front grip. However, mild recoil of 9x18 cartridge combined with sufficient weight of the weapon, allows it to be fired single-handedly at shorter ranges, even in full-auto mode. Sights are of open type, with blade front and flip-up "L"-shaped rear, which is graduated to 75 and 150 meters. PM-63 could be carried in special holster or using a loop belt, which attaches to a single swivel at the rear of the frame.

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

FNA-B 43 submachine gun




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FNA-B 43 submachine gun (with 20-round magazine)


Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 3,7 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open) 526 / 790 mm
Barrel length 200 mm
Rate of fire 400 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 10, 20, 32 or 40 rounds

The FNA-B 43 submachine gun was designed and manufactured at the Fabbrica Nazionale d'Armie (National Arms Factory) in Brescia, with several thousands of guns made in 1943 and 1944. Despite its rather modern and compact appearance, it was built to pre-war standards of manufacturing and design. It had a delayed blowback action and a complicated trigger mechanism, as the gun fired from the closed bolt. Most of its parts were machined from solid steel, making it quite expensive to manufacture. Not surprisingly, its production was very limited in comparison to other contemporary submachine guns.

The FNA-B 43 submachine gun is delayed (retarded) blowback operated, selectively-fired weapon which fires from closed bolt. The delayed blowback action is achieved by using a Kiraly-type two-piece bolt with retarding lever, similar to that used in Hungarian 39M submachine gun. Since this weapon fires from the closed bolt, its firing pin has a separate spring, located inside the bolt, and a necessary linkage which releases the firing pin when bolt is fully in battery and the trigger is pulled. Fire mode selector is located on the left side of the gun, above the pistol grip. A separate safety lever is also located on the left side of the gun, above the trigger. Feed is from double stack, double feed magazines of the Beretta M38 pattern. The magazine housing is pivotally attached to the receiver and can be pivoted forward, so magazine would rest below the barrel and parallel to it – an useful feature when carrying a weapon with long 40-round magazine. The barrel of the gun is protected by a full length perforated jacket, made of steel, with integral muzzle brake – compensator at the front. The metallic shoulder stock folds down and forward, and rests on the right side of the gun when not required. The iron sights are fixed, with rear V-notsh sight factory zeroed for 100 meters range.

Monday, October 18, 2010

Beretta M1918 submachine gun




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Caliber 9x19 Glisenti
Weight 3.3 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 851 mm
Barrel length 318 mm
Rate of fire 900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 25 rounds

The Beretta M1918 submachine gun (also known as Moschetto Automatico Beretta m1918) can be considered to be the first "conventional" submachine gun to be ever issued to the troops, as, according to some sources, its issue predates that of the more famous Bergmann / Schmeisser MP.18 submachine gun by several weeks. It was desinged on request from Italian army, which sought to improve on the cumbersome Villar-Perosa M1915 weapon. Beretta's designer Tulio Marengone took the half (one gun of the twin weapon) of the Villar-Perosa M1915 as a base, put it into the carbine-type wooden stock, and added rifle-type trigger unit. The barrel was lenghtened and fitted with integral underfolding bayonet, making this gun a formidable "trench warfare" tool. It was reported as durable and reliable weapon, and more than few Beretta M1918 submachine guns survived to see the action during early stages of WW2, mostly in northern Africa.

The Beretta M1918 submachine gun uses delayed blowback action, in which the delay of the initial opening of the bolt is achieved by rotation of the bolt, through the bolt handle that slides against the inclined part of the cocking handle slot. Firing is from open bolt, in full automatic mode only. Feed is from top-mounted box magazine, ejection is to the bottom. An ejection chute is added to the bottom of the stock to protect firer's left handle from hot spent cases, which are ejected from the gun with considerable force. The sights are offset to the left to clear the overhead magazine. The muzzle is fitted with integral folding bayonet.

Friday, October 15, 2010

SOCIMI Model 821 submachine gun




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SOCIMI Model 821 submachine gun


Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 2.45 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open) 400 / 600 mm
Barrel length 200 mm
Rate of fire 550 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 32 rounds

SOCIMI Model 821 submachine gun was developed in around 1982 as a joint effort between two Italian companies, the Societa Costruzioni Industriali Milano S.p.A. (SOCIMI) and Luigi Franchi S.p.A. This weapon was offered to all interested buyers until early 1990s, when the SOCIMI company finally folded. Some sales were reported in international literature, although exact details and buyers are generally unknown.

In its design the SOCIMI Model 821 submachine gun was heavily based on Israeli Uzi submachine gun, although it significantly differed in manufacturing techniques used to produce receiver and trigger housing - instead of stamped steel Italian engineers used aluminum alloy forgings. One interesting aspect of this weapon is that a special variant of the SOCIMI Model 821 submachine gun was designed especially to fire 9mm AUPO "caseless" ammunition, usually associated with experimental Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun. Appropriate version of this weapon was covered in US patent 4,895,064, issued to SOCIMI company in 1990.

SOCIMI Model 821 submachine gun is a blowback operated, selective fire weapon that fires from open bolt. Combined safety - fire selector switch is located on the left side of the gun, above the pistol grip. An automated grip safety is located at the rear of the pistol grip. Cocking handle is located above the receiver. Box magazine is inserted into the pistol grip. Gun is fitted with side-folding metallic buttstock, that folds horizontally to the right when not in use. The rear sight is of L-shaped flip-up type, with settings for 100 and 200 meters.

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Villar-Perosa OVP submachine gun




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Villar-Perosa M1915 twin-barrel submachine gun on the one-man portable "tray" mount, used by mountain troops. Photo from Austrian army museum, Vienna



Villar-Perosa M1915 twin-barrel submachine gun less mount. One (right) magazine is removed. Photo from Russian museum of Artillery, St.Petersburg



Villar-Perosa M1915 twin-barrel submachine gun in action, on light tripod and with armored shield (in light machine gun role). WW1 era photo.



Villar-Perosa M1915 twin-barrel submachine gun, fitted with wooden stock for off-hand use



Villar-Perosa OVP M1918 submachine gun (automatic carbine). Single-barreled hand-held submachine gun  produced from 1/2 of the original Villar-Perosa M1915 weapon



Villar-Perosa M1915Villar-Perosa M1918
Caliber 9x19mm Glisenti 9x19mm Glisenti
Weight, empty 6.5 kg (less mount) 3.6 kg
Length (stock closed/open) mm 902 mm
Barrel length 279 mm 279 mm
Rate of fire 2 x 1200 - 1500 rounds per minute 900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 2 x 25 rounds 25 rounds

The Villar Perosa submachine gun is one of the most unusual weapons that emerged during the WW1. The name of the weapon comes from the name of the company that manufactured these guns, the Officine Villar Perosa (OVP in short). This gun was originally designed in 1914 by famous Italian small arms designer Bethel Abiel Revelli as an aircraft weapon. In this role it found no success, as it was designed to fire low-powered 9mm Glisenti ammunition, which was even weaker than dimensionally similar 9x19 Luger ammunition. In 1915 the Villar-Perosa was converted for ground applications, with introduction of variety of mountings, including light tripods or carrying trays (which were carried on shoulder straps or put on the ground for more stable position and less exposure to enemy fire). Later on, a wooden rifle-type stock was designed for Villar-Perosa, so it could be fired more or less comfortable from the shoulder, thus creating the first practical submachine gun in the world. After the war, some of the original Villar-Perosa weapons (which were actually assemblies of two similar guns) were disassembled into halves, and put into rifle type stocks, with addition of the rifle-type triggers. Such conversions were known as Villar Perosa OVP M1918 (when done by Villar Perosa). A slightly improved version of the same design was also produced by Beretta company, and it was known as Beretta M1918.

The Villar Perosa M1915 weapon was assembled from two guns of exactly same design and appearance, which were held together by the plate at the front of the receiver and by the twin spade grips assembly at the rear. Each gun has its own trigger, operated by a separate thumb button between spade grips. The guns themselves used delayed blowback action, in which the delay of the initial opening of the bolt was achieved by rotation of the bolt through the bolt handle that slid against the inclined part of the cocking handle slot. The bolt rotation, combined with separate firing pin, provided safety measure against premature ignition of the cartridge, as the firing pin was able to go forward and strike the primer only when bolt was in battery and completely rotated. Guns fired from open bolt, in full automatic mode only. Due to the lightweight bolt and powerful springs, the rate of fire was excessively high for the ground applications, being between 1200 and 1500 rounds per one gun (rising up to 3000 rounds per minute when both guns were fired at once). The feed was from detachable box magazines, holding just 25 rounds each, so one magazine was forth just one second of the continuous fire. Magazines were inserted into the each gun vertically from the top, ejection was to the bottom. Sights were located between the guns, with rear sight being built into the spade grip assembly and the front sight into the front plate that held both guns together.

The OVP M1918 submachine gun was made from one gun from the original M1914 twin weapon, with added shoulder stock and a new dual trigger setup, which allowed for single shots (rear trigger) and full automatic fire (front trigger). The cocking of the bolt was achieved by pulling back the knurled sliding sleeve, located around the receiver. Feed arrangement was similar to the original twin weapon, with top-mounted box magazine. The rate of fire was somewhat lower, making this gun somewhat more controllable and more useful in ground combat. A new set of sights was installed, with line of sight necessarily moved to the left to clear the magazine.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

TZ-45 submachine gun




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TZ-45 submachine gun


Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 3.2 kg
Length (stock closed/open) 546 / 851 mm
Barrel length 229 mm
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 10, 20, 32 or 40 rounds

TZ-45 submachine gun was developed in Italy toward the end of WW2, by two brothers, Tony and Zorzoli Giandoso (hence the index TZ). Several thousands of the TZ-45 submachine guns were manufactured for Italian army in 1944-45, and when the war ended and demand for new submachine guns fell, production of this weapon has ceased immediately. During early 1950s the manufacturing license for TZ-45 has been sold to Burma, where it was put into limited production for Burmese armed forces as BA-52.

The TZ-45 submachine gun is a simple blowback operated weapon which fires from open bolt. It uses advanced primer ignition principle, and can fire in single shots of full automatic, thanks to combined safety / fire mode selector, located on the right side of the trigger unit, in front of the trigger guard. Additional automated safety is provided in the form of the lever, located just behind the magazine housing. When gun is at rest, the upper arm of this lever locks the bolt in open or closed position. To be able to cycle the bolt and/or fire the gun, operator must deliberately grip the magazine housing, pressing the lower arm of the safety lever forward, toward the magazine housing body. The barrel of the TZ-45 is enclosed into the slotted jacket, with muzzle compensator at the front. TZ-45 used same box magazines as Beretta 38 submachine guns. The retractable buttstock is made of steel wire. Sights are fixed, set for 100 meters range.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Benelli CB-M2 caseless submachine gun




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Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun, with butt folded. Note the ejection port visible between the trigger guard and magazine housing.


Diagram from British patent (applied for in 1981) for basic bolt and ejection system of Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun.


Firing system of Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun.


Caliber 9mm AUPO "caseless"
Weight 3.4 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open) 450 / 660 mm
Barrel length 200 mm
Rate of fire 800-1000 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 30 rounds

The Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun was designed by Italian small arms designer Bruno Civolani, who at the time (early 1980s) worked for famous Italian gun-making company Benelli armi. This submachine gun was developed in an attempt to create a weapon that would fire novel "caseless" ammunition. Work on this experimental weapon continued until about 1985, when it was dropped for apparent lack of progress and insufficient benefits, offered by this system over conventional ammunition. in fact, the 9mm AUPO ammunition, as it was known, was not caseless. It has a straight-walled brass case which was formed by extending bullet jacket rearwards. This "case" was permanently attached to the bullet and once fired, left the bore along with it. Case was open from the rear. Powder charge was held in place and protected from elements by hermetic but flammable seal. Ignition charge (priming compound) was located in the internal annular grove around the base of the bullet core (see diagram above).

The Benelli CB-M2 submachine gun utilized more or less standard blowback operation and fired from open bolt, but it also had some peculiar design features. First, to provide necessary obturation (gas seal) at the breech of the barrel, the chamber was bored much deeper than usual, so the bolt head was allowed to enter the rear of the chamber before discharge, blocking the release of the powder gases rearward and into the receiver. Second, as the gun still required some form of extraction and ejection (for example, to clear misfired cartridge), it had an ejection opening at the base of receiver, just behind the magazine port. The bolt head had a patented ejector hook which engaged the inward-facing rim, formed on the cartridge base. Once the ejector retracted the failed cartridge rearwards over the magazine, it can freely fall down and out of the gun through the ejection port. Third, the ignition system featured a special firing pin, which was located above the chamber and moved vertically downward when struck. It reached the wall of the cartridge through the channel, bored in the chamber wall, to hit the priming compound through the cartridge case once the bolt is fully in battery. Gun was equipped with polymer pistol grip and forend, and a top-folding metallic buttstock.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Beretta MAB M938A (1938, 1938/42, 1938/44 and 1938/49) submachine gun




Beretta M938A (Model 1938) submachine gun, left side

 
Beretta M938A (Model 1938) submachine gun, right side


Beretta M1938/42 (Model 1942) submachine gun


Beretta M1938/44 (Model 1944) submachine gun


Beretta M1938/49 (Model 1949 or Model 4) submachine gun


Beretta Model 2 was a folding stock version of Model 1938/49.

  M938A M1938/42 M1938/49
Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight, empty 4,2 kg 3,27 kg 3,25 kg
Length   946 mm 800 mm 798 mm
Barrel length 315 mm 213 mm 210 mm
Rate of fire 600 rounds per minute 550 rounds per minute 550 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 10, 20 30, 40 rounds 20 or 40 rounds 20 or 40 rounds
Effective range 200-250 meters 150-200 meters 150-200 meters

Beretta Model 1938 submachine gun (Mosccetto Automatic Beretta Modelo 938 in contemporary Italian nomenclature, or MAB M938 in short) was among better submachine guns of World War 2. Originally designed and manufactured to rather high standards of peace time, it served to Italian army through the earlier parts of WW2; later on, the originally complicated and expensive design was gradually simplified so guns were made lighter and significantly cheaper; nevertheless, these weapons still were effective and reliable. In post-war period, a slightly modified version of original weapon, known as Model 1938/49 or Model 4 (in post-1956 Beretta nomenclature) served with Italian army well into 1960s and 1970s. It also was widely exported, with customers of various versions including Syria, Iraq, Indonesia, Morocco, Yemen, and, at last but not at least Germany, which received M1938 submachine guns during WW2, and purchased some M1938/49 (M38/49) submachine guns in 1951 for its Border Guard (designated in post-WW2 German service as MP1). Production of M1938 series continued at least until 1962, and probably even slightly longer. Model 38/49 remained in Italian service for much longer period, probably well into 1980s.

Beretta Model 1938 submachine gun is blowback operated, selective fired weapon which fires from open bolt. Original version employed a small diameter return spring, concealed into steel tube which telescoped into the rear of the bolt. The firing pin was controlled by the lever, which pushed pin forward, toward the primer, only when bolt was going into the battery. The separate firing pin was abandoned since model 1938/42, and reduced diameter return spring and its tube guide were replaced by large diameter return spring without guide in model 1938/44. The trigger arrangements with dual triggers (front for semi-automatic fire and rear for full automatic) were similar for all modifications, although safety arrangements varied. The original MAB M1938 submachine gun had lever type safety which was located on the left side of the receiver; additional cross-bolt type control was located just behind the rear trigger; it was used to lock the rear trigger and thus limit the gun to semi-automatic fire only. Bolt handle was located on the right side of receiver and has a sliding dust cover over its slot.

When gun was cocked, shooter had to retract the handle and then return it forward, closing the slot; when gun was fired, cocking handle remained stationary. Feed was from box magazines, which were inserted from below; ejection was, rather unusually, to the left side, although the ejection port was rather far in front of the shooter's face. Stock was made from wood, with semi-pistol grip; several versions also were developed with folding shoulder stock and a separate pistol grip; there were intended mostly for parachute troops. Beretta Model 1938 submachine guns were fitted with relatively long barrels, enclosed into tubular jackets with cooling slots and large muzzle brake / compensator at the front. Since 1942, the barrels were shortened and barrel jackets omitted from design. Muzzle compensators were made in the form of several ports in the upper part of the muzzle, to reduce muzzle climb during automatic fire. Sights on original M1938 submachine guns included tangent-type rear sight, which was later replaced to simpler and less expensive flip-up type rear sight with two settings. Original M38 submachine guns also were capable of mounting a folding knife-bayonet -a feature, also dropped in later versions.

List of versions, built on basic M1938 submachine gun design, with major modifications over previous versions:
Beretta M1938/42 (M38/42)
: barrel jacket omitted, barrel is shortened and fluted
Beretta M1938/44 (M38/44): barrel is plain (not fluted); simplified return spring; flip-up rear sight
Beretta M1938/49 (M38/49): lever-type safety is replaced with cross-bolt safety, made in the form of large oval button, located at the middle of the stock. Overall manufacturing quality is improved over war-time production guns
Beretta Model 1: an experimental folding-stock model for paratroopers, produced in 1941; had unjacketed fluted barrel and extended magazine housing, pistol grip and under-folding metallic shoulder stock
Beretta Model 2: folding-stock model for paratroopers, produced in 1951; externally it was similar to Model 1, but it has bolt and safety of M1938/49
Beretta Model 3: a further evolution of Model 2, developed in 1955; had automated firing pin safety and telescoped buttstock made from steel wire
Beretta Model 4: same as M1938/49, but under different designation
Beretta Model 5: similar to Model 4 (M38/49), but manual safety is replaced by automated safety (safety deactivated only as long as the button on the stock is pressed by non-firing hand).

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Franchi LF-57 submachine gun


Franchi LF-57 submachine gun, left side




Franchi LF-57 submachine gun, right side

Caliber 9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight 3,17 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open) 419 / 686 mm
Barrel length 200 mm
Rate of fire 500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity 20 or 40 rounds
Effective range 150-200 meters

The Italian gun-making company Luigi Franchi Spa produced its first submachine gun, designated as LF-56, in 1956. This was a prototype weapon that bore more than a passing similarity to the prototype submachine guns designed couple of years earlier by Beretta in the process of developing the PM 12 submachine guns. Next year, Franchi began production of a slightly improved weapon, designated LF-57. This weapon was adopted by Italian Navy in 1962, but competition from other designs, most notably the Beretta's Model 12 and Heckler und Koch's MP5, limited sales of this basically good weapon, which, nevertheless, remained on the market until late 1980s, mostly because of export sales to certain African countries. In around 1962 Franchi also introduced a semi-automatic version of the LF-57, known as Police Model; this weapon had longer barrel (406mm) and was exported and sold commercially in USA.

Franchi LF-57 submachine gun is blowback operated, full-automatic only weapon which fires from open bolt. The bolt is shaped like an inverted "L", with most of its mass being located above the barrel and in front of the breech face. The receiver, along with pistol grip and magazine housing, is made from two stamped steel halves, left and right. barrel is held at the front of receiver by a screw-on nut. There are no manual safeties on the gun, but an automatic safety is provided in the form of a large button, located below the trigger guard on the front of the pistol grip. The shoulder stock is made from thin steel tubing and folds forward and to the right. Sights are fixed.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Spectre M4




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Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: 2,9 kg
Lenght (stock closed/open): 350 / 580 mm
Barrel lenght: 130 mm
Rate of fire: 850 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 30 or 50 rounds
Effective range: 50 meters


The Spectre SMG was developed by Italian company SITES in the mid-1980s. Spectre was designed primarily for close combat, anti-terror or police operations that require compact size, instant firepower at the short ranges and safety of operations.

Spectre is a recoil operated, automatic firearm. It fires from the closed bolt, an is a hammer-fired. The trigger group is more similar to handguns, than to SMG - it is Double Action without manual safety but with decocker. So, Spectre could be carried with loaded chamber and hammer down and then fired immediately simply by pressing the trigger. The receiver of the Spectre is made from stamped steel. The bolt is so designed that it acts as an air pump to push air through barrel shroud and provide aditional cooling for the barrel and action (very useful when firing long bursts). Spectre has top-folding stock and polymer forward handle. It uses high-capacity, four column magazines for increased firepower.


Friday, October 1, 2010

Beretta PM 12 and PM 12s submachine gun




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Beretta PM 12 (early version, with pushbutton safety); buttsock is folded


Beretta PM 12S with open buttstock


Beretta PM 12S partially disassembled  

Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: 3.2 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open): 418 / 660 mm
Barrel length: 200 mm
Rate of fire: 550 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 , 32 or 40 cartridges
Effective range: 150-200 meters

Famous Italian arms-making company Beretta developed and manufactured a variety of submachine guns since the end of WW1. During the early 1950s, recognizing the need for a compact submachine gun, Beretta initiated a series of developments, which commenced with prototype Model 6 submachine gun of 1953. This weapon employed a stamped steel construction, a folding butt and a L-shaped bolt, most of which mass was located above the barrel. The basic layout of the future weapon was developed by 1957 with prototype Model 10 submachine gun, and final Model 12 emerged in 1958. Production of the new submachine gun commenced in 1959, and in 1961 it was officially adopted by Italian government. It was also widely exported, and manufacturing licenses were sold to Brazil and Indonesia. During early 1980s the basic design was improved with the introduction of the Model 12S submachine gun, which had improved safety arrangement and several other minor changes. Model 12S, also known as PM 12S (Pistola Mitralligica, or machine pistol), is still being manufactured in Italy and Indonesia, and is widely used by European and many other police and security forces.

Beretta Model 12 submachine gun is blowback operated, selectively-fired weapon that fires from open bolt. The bolt is of telescoped design, and most of its weight is located in front of the breech face. Tubular receiver is made from steel stampings, with stamped steel trigger and magazine housing below. Original PM 12 / Model 12 submachine guns featured separate manual safety and fire mode selector, both being made in the form of the cross-bolt buttons. Additionally, there was an automated grip safety below the trigger guard. On PM 12S submachine guns, manual safety and fire mode selector were united into one three-position lever, located above the left grip panel. Automated grip safety was retained. The furniture included polymer front grip and a side-folding metallic buttstock. early Model 12 guns also could be fitted with detachable wooden buttstock.
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