Degtyarov PPD-34, PPD-34/38 and PPD-40 submachine gun

Degtyarov PPD-34 submachine gun



Degtyarov PPD-34/38 submachine gun, top and PPD-40 submachine gun, bottom

Caliber: 7,62x25mm Tokarev (7.63mm Mauser)
Weight: 3,23 kg w/o magazine; 3,66kg with loaded 25-round magazine, 5,4 kg with loaded 71 rounds drum (PPD-40)
Length: 788 mm
Barrel length: 279 mm
Rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute (PPD-34); 900-1000 rounds per minute (PPD-40)
Magazine capacity: 71 rounds drums (also 25 rounds box magazines in PPD-34 and PPD-34/38)
Effective range: 200 meters

The PPD (Pistolet-Pulemyot Degtyarova) had been developed by famous Russian small arms designer Fedor Degtyarov by 1934. It was formally adopted by the Red Army in 1935 and entered limited production as the PPD-34. Made in small numbers, it was mostly relegated for NKVD use, mostly for border guards. Slightly modified in 1938, it was then produced until 1939 in PPD-34/38 variation, with newly developed 71 rounds drum with long neck. After the Winter War experience (1940 war between USSR and Finland), new version of PPD has been rapidly developed, with the most visible change being the two-part stock, cut to accept new pattern of drums, which had no neck. This became the PPD-40. After the outbreak of the Great Patriotic War in 1941, it was soon been discovered that the PPD-40 is less than ideal for wartime production, so it was quickly replaced by the more efficient and inexpensive PPSh-41, which appeared in great numbers and was widely used by Red Army.

The PPD-34 was a conventional arm of its period, being greatly inspired by the Bergmann-Schmeisser MP28 submachine gun. All versions of PPD were simple blowback weapons and all fired from open bolt. Machined receiver and vented barrel shroud were of round cross-section. PPD were fitted with tangent type rear sights, rather optimistically marked up to 500 meters. Models of 1934 and 1938 vintage had single piece wooden stocks, while last model of 1940 had two piece stock with distinctive cut made for magazine housing. All versions were capable of semi-automatic and full automatic fire. Fire mode selector was located in front of the triggerguard; separate safety was built into the cocking handle and was used to lock the bolt either in cocked or uncocked (forward) position.

Blyskawica submachine gun

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Blyskawica submachine gun

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight	3,2 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open)	556 / 730 mm
Barrel length	197 mm
Rate of fire	~600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	32 rounds

Blyskawica submachine gun (Pistolet maszynowy Błyskawica in Poilish language; "Błyskawica" means "Lightning") was developed and built by Polish resistance groups that fought Nazi Germany during the WW2. The gun was based on the British Sten, but with certain modifications in regard to the feed, trigger unit and shoulder stock. About 700 Blyskawica submachine guns were built in 1943-45 by underground workshops, run by Polish resistance groups.

The Blyskawica submachine gun is a simple blowback operated weapon which fires from open bolt, in full automatic mode only. Feed is from double stack, single feed magazine copied from the British Sten, magazine housing is located below the gun. The manual safety is located inside the trigger guard, in front of the trigger. Gun is equipped with the bottom-folding shoulder stock, inspired by the German MP.40 submachine gun. Sights are fixed, with forward post and rear aperture.

PM-98, PM98S and PM-06 submachine gun

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PM-98 submachine gun, buttstock retracted



PM-06 submachine gun, buttstock retracted, with optional red-dot sight





PM-06 submachine gun, buttstock collapsed

	PM-98	PM-06
Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight	2.3 kg empty	2.5 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open)	405 / 605 mm	395 / 610 mm
Barrel length	185 mm	185 mm
Rate of fire	640 rounds per minute 770 rounds per minute PM-98S	640 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	15 or 25 rounds	15 or 25 rounds

The PM-98 submachine gun was developed in Poland as an improved version of the PM-84P Glauberyt submachine gun. The PM-98 shares same internal design, but features redesigned polymer handguard and charging handle. The magazine release catch was relocated to the base of trigger guard to faciltate faster reloading, and therefore magazines are not interchangeable between PM-84P Glauberyt and PM-98 submachine guns. The PM-06 is the latest version of the same line-up, and differs from the PM-98 submacine gun by having different buttstock (with three adjustable reatracted positions), improved front sight protection and a Picatinny rail on the top of receiver as a standard feature. A semi-automatic version of the PM-98 is manufactured for police and civilian (where legal) markets as BRS-99, in carbine (with buttstock) or pistol(without buttstock) form.

The PM-98 submachine gun is a simple blowback operated weapon that fires from closed bolt. Submachne gun features internal hammer unit and a rate-of-fire reduction mechanism (which is absent in the PM-98S version). Gun can fire in single shots or in full automatic mode, thanks to the combined fire mode selector / safety switch, located on the left side of receiver. It also features a bolt hold-open mechanism, with bolt release lever located in front of the safety / selector lever, above the grip. The single charging handle is located on the left side of the gun (as opposed to the PM-84). The polymer forend is hollowed at the front to provide installation point for a tactical flashlight or a laser aiming module. The buttsock is retractable, with dual stamped steel struts. The rear sight is adjustable for zeroing and is set for 75 meters range.

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.

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.

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.

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.