Carl Gustav M/45

Kulsprutepistol m/45 (Kpist m/45), also known as the Carl Gustav M/45 and the Swedish K SMG, is a 9 mm Swedish submachine gun designed by Gunnar Johnsson, adopted in 1945 (hence the m/45 designation), and manufactured at the Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori (Carl Gustaf City Weapons Factory) in Eskilstuna, Sweden. The m/45 was the standard submachine gun of the Swedish Army from 1945 to the late 1990s. It was gradually replaced in Swedish service by updated Ak 4 and Ak 5 assault rifles. The last users of the m/45, the Swedish Home Guard (Hemvärnet), retired it from service in 2003.

The m/45 SMG was developed in 1944–45, with a design borrowing from and also improving on many design elements of earlier submachine guns. The sheet metal stamping techniques used in making the German MP 40, the British Sten, and the Soviet PPSh-41 and PPS-43 were studied in detail. Two designs were tested in 1944, one from Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori and one from Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB and the prototype from Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori was chosen for further development. The first production version was adopted in 1945 as the Kpist m/45. The Danish Hovea M/49 SMG, although similar in appearance, is not a version derived from the m/45. The Hovea was a development of the failed test contender (fm44) from Husqvarna Vapenfabriks AB.

Kulsprutepistol m/45 (Kpist m/45)
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Sweden
Service history
In service	1945–2003 (Sweden)
Wars	Vietnam War Congo Crisis Israeli-Arab conflict
Production history
Designed	1944
Manufacturer	Carl Gustafs Stads Gevärsfaktori Maadi Factories, Egypt
Produced	1945–1964 (Sweden) 1965–1970 (Egypt)
Number built	approx. 300,000
Variants	m/45, m/45B, m/45C, m/45D, m/45S, Port Said, Akaba, US Navy modification (no official designation) with suppressor.
Specifications
Weight	3.35 kg without magazine
Length	550/808 mm
Barrel length	212 mm
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Simple (straight) Blowback
Rate of fire	600 round/min
Muzzle velocity	425 m/s
Effective range	250 m
Feed system	36-round box magazine

The standard m/45 is a fully automatic only weapon without an option for semi-automatic fire through use of a selector switch. It weighs 3.3 kg (7.3 lbs.) unloaded, and 4.2 kg (9.25 lbs.) loaded with a 36-round box magazine. It is 808 mm (31.8 in.) long with the stock extended, and 550 mm (21.7 in.) long with the stock folded. The m/45 is an open bolt design with a fixed firing pin. The relatively slow cyclic rate of fire (550–600 rds/min.) and low recoil of the bolt-mechanism actuation (straight blowback) makes it easy to control during full automatic fire. Single shots are also easy to achieve (with very little training) by letting go of the trigger before another round is cycled. The m/45 is fairly accurate up to 200 meters.

Accessories include a special sub-caliber barrel (painted silver) for firing blanks and low-powered gallery ammunition. When firing blanks, a cone shaped blank firing adapter must be attached to the threaded muzzle of the sub-caliber barrel (and secured by a clip) to ensure the mechanism has adequate pressure for its recoil operation. Other accessories include night sights (war-time use only) that attach to the fixed day sights (f: protected post, r: L-type), a brass catcher for collecting spent cartridges (peace-time use only, for reloading and recycling), a quick-detachable (by attached cord) ejection port cover (painted bright red) for guard duty which secures the bolt from accidental firing and a speedloader (rarely issued due to limited availability) that loads the 36-round magazine in seconds. The m/45 was also issued with a standard cleaning kit containing a threaded cleaning rod, threaded jag and a container for the jag, lubricant and cleaning patches. The standard sling issued was made of leather, attached to the rear left receiver and left barrel-sleeve sling bars.

The 36-round straight detachable staggered row box magazine is wider at the rear than at the front, the extra space allows the 9 mm Parabellum cartridges to feed more efficiently in dusty environments and sub-zero temperatures. The trapezium design makes the magazine very reliable, because magazines of parallel-side design are more likely to jam under adverse conditions. The magazine was used post-war by Finland in the M/31 Suomi under the designation m/54, a distinguishing feature of the variation m/55 (made by Lapua) is a steel wire carrying loop mounted at the bottom front edge. The basic design idea of the m/45 magazine was also used for the magazines of the Czech model 23 and model 25 and the French MAS submachine guns.

The m/45 has no safety switch. Instead the m/45 is put in "safe" by sliding the cocking handle into a short side-slot above the main (lock) slot. In the example US Army photograph, this short safety side-slot is visible behind the rear L-sight. This design feature results in a somewhat longer time to ready the weapon for firing, because the soldier must remove his right hand from the pistol grip and trigger, as if operating a bolt-action rifle. When the m/45 is unloaded the bolt is locked in place in the bolt-forward position by pushing the cocking handle downwards, engaging a hole in the lower left receiver wall.

Variants

• First production: the SMG models Kpist m/45 and Kpist m/45S featured a detachable (via removable clip) magazine support. It accepted the m/37-39 50-round "coffin" magazine and the later standard 36-round box magazine. Over time, most first production m/45's were converted by permanently riveting the magazine support to the receiver. The m/45 had a dark gun metal finish.
• General production: the m/45B model features a fixed magazine support, smaller holes in the barrel shroud, a strengthened bolt buffer (in the receiver-rear), and a hook securing the buffer cap in place. Early m/45B models had the same metal finish as the m/45 but most had a grey-green lacquer finish.
• Ceremonial: the m/45C is an m/45B with a bayonet mount on the barrel sleeve which was used for parade and guard duties. The standard m/45 and m/45B have no bayonet mount.
• Police: the m/45D model is a selective fire (semi-automatic and automatic-fire) submachine gun. A variant of this model has a modified stock allowing operation while wearing a visored riot protection helmet.

ZB-47 Submachine Gun

The ZB-47 was a submachine gun of Czechoslovak origin chambered in the 9x19mm Parabellum round fed from a 32 round magazine. The weapon was intended for tank and vehicle crews, who beeing forced to operate in cramped spaces, required compact weapon without protruding parts (e.g. magazine). It had an unconventional thumbhole grip (featured nowadays on FN P-90) and came with a fixed wood or metal retractable stock. The magazine of the ZB-47 was positioned horizontally, assisted with a swiveling pivoted extractor to cycle its operation. Magazine cover also served as guide for retractable metal stock.

ZB-47
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Czechoslovakia
Production history
Designer	Václav Holek
Manufacturer	Zbrojovka Brno
Specifications
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Feed system	32 round box magazine
Sights	Iron sights

Sa vz. 23 Submachine Gun

The CZ Model 25 (properly, Sa 25 or Sa vz. 48b/samopal vz. 48b – samopal vzor 48 výsadkový, "submachine gun model year 1948 para") was perhaps the best known of a series of Czechoslovak designed submachine guns introduced in 1948. There were four generally very similar submachine guns in this series: the Sa 23, Sa 24, Sa 25, and Sa 26. The primary designer was Jaroslav Holeček (1923–1927), chief engineer of the Česká zbrojovka Strakonice arms factory.

The Sa 23 series utilize a straightforward blowback action, with no locked breech, and fire from the open bolt position. They also use a progressive trigger for selecting between semi-automatic fire and fully automatic fire. Lightly pulling on the trigger will fire a single shot. Pulling the trigger farther to the rear in a continuous motion will fire fully automatically, until the trigger is released or the magazine is empty.

The Sa 23 series were the first production-model submachine guns with a telescoping bolt, in which the forwards part of the moving bolt extends forwards past the back end of the barrel, wrapping around that barrel. This feature reduces the required length of the submachine gun significantly and allows for better balance and handling. Handling was further improved by using a single vertical handgrip housing the ammunition magazine and trigger mechanism, roughly centered along the gun's length. The gun's receiver was machined from a single circular steel tube.

The design of the Sa 23 series submachine guns is most notable in the West for having heavily inspired the slightly later Uzi submachine gun (Hogg 1979:157).

CZ Model 25
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Czechoslovakia
Production history
Produced	1948–1968
Specifications
Weight	3.27 kg empty (folding stock models Sa.25, Sa.26); 3.5 kg empty (fixed wood stock models Sa.23, Sa.24)
Length	445 mm folding stock model folded (Sa.25, Sa.26); 686 mm fixed stock and unfolded folding stock
Barrel length	284 mm
Cartridge	7.62x25mm Tokarev 9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	650 rpm
Feed system	24 or 40 round (9 mm Sa.23, Sa.25); 32 round (7.62 mm Sa.24, Sa.26)
Sights	Iron

FBP Submachine Gun

FBP is a 9 mm submachine gun originally developed from a design first conceived in 1940 by Gonçalves Cardoso, an officer of artillery in the Portuguese Army. The onset of World War II halted development of the weapon, which was further modified and put into production in 1948.

The submachine gun was produced by the Fábrica do Braço de Prata weapon factory at Lisbon, whose initials FBP gave the name to the weapon, adopted for service as the m/948 in 1948. It utilized the large bolt and telescoping operating spring of the German MP40 submachine gun, and the collapsible wire stock of the American M3 submachine gun. Unusual for submachineguns, the m/948 was fitted with a barrel sleeve with a mount to accept the standard Portuguese Mauser bayonet.

The original version of the submachine gun (the FBP m/948) only allowed for fully automatic fire. An upgraded version (designated FBP m/963) introduced in 1961 also allowed for semi-automatic fire.

The weapon was primarily issued to officers and NCOs in the Portuguese Armed Forces and security forces, along with quantities of ex-German MP 34 submachine guns. In Portuguese service it was used in combat in Angola, Portuguese Guinea, Mozambique, Portuguese India and Portuguese Timor. It was eventually replaced in service by the 9 mm Uzi and the collapsible-stock version of the standard m/961 G3 rifle.

FBP
Type	Submachine Gun
Place of origin	Portugal
Service history
In service	1948-1980s
Used by	Portugal
Wars	Portuguese Colonial War
Production history
Designer	Gonçalves Cardoso
Designed	1948
Manufacturer	Fábrica de Braço de Prata (FBP)
Produced	1948-1955
Variants	m/948, m/963 and m/976
Specifications
Weight	3.77 kg (8.31 lb)
Length	807 mm (31.8 in)
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	500 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	390 m/s (1,280 ft/s)
Feed system	21, 32-round box magazine
Sights	Iron

Hotchkiss Type Universal Submachine Gun

The Hotchkiss "type Universal" is a submachine gun manufacturer in France after World War II.

Hotchkiss Type Universal
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	France
Specifications
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber	9mm
Action	Blowback
Feed system	30/32 round box magazine
Sights	Iron

MAT-49 Submachine Gun

The MAT-49 was a submachine gun developed by French arms factory Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle (MAT) for use by the French Army.

The MAT-49 had a short, retractable wire stock, which when extended gave the weapon a length of 720 mm, and the magazine well and magazine could be folded forward parallel to the barrel for parachute jump or with a 45° angle hence allowing a safe carry until the magazine well is brought back to vertical position before opening fire. Barrel length is 230 mm, with some police-issue weapons manufactured with extended barrels and non-retractable wooden stocks. As issued, the MAT-49 fires a 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, using a single-column 20-round magazine for desert use or 32-round similar to the Sten magazine.

The MAT-49 is blowback-operated and box magazine-fed, with a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute on full auto. The MAT 49/54, a modified MAT-49s manufactured for police forces, had two triggers, allowing use of full-auto fire or single shots, but most were manufactured as full-auto only. Minus magazine, the MAT-49 weighs about 3.5 kilograms, which makes it somewhat heavy for a submachine gun. The weapon incorporates a grip safety which is located on the backside of the pistol grip. The rear sights are flip-up and "L"-shaped, and marked for a range of 50 and 100 meters. Production ceased after the introduction of the FAMAS in 1979.

Pistolet-Mitrailleur de 9 mm modèle 1949 (MAT-49)
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1949-1979
Wars	First Indochina War Suez Crisis Algerian War Vietnam War 2011 Libyan Civil War
Production history
Designed	1949
Produced	1949-1979
Variants	MAT-49/54 (Police Variant) 7.62x25mm Tokarev (NVA Converted) Silenced Variant
Specifications
Weight	3.5 kg (without magazine) 4.17 kg (with 32 round magazine)
Length	460 mm / 720 mm
Barrel length	230 mm
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum 7.62x25mm Tokarev (NVA Converted)
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	600rpm (9x19mm Parabellum) 900rpm (7.62x25mm Tokarev)
Feed system	20, 32 rounds

DUX Submachine Gun

The DUX-53 and DUX-59 were submachine guns designed at the Oviedo Arsenal in Spain. They were based directly on the design of the Finnish 9mm Model 44 submachine gun, which in turn was based on the Soviet PPS-43. A large number of these weapons were produced for the West German Border Police, and was later licensed to be produced by Anschütz and Mauser until the mid 1950s.

DUX submchine gun
Place of origin	Spain
Production history
Manufacturer	Oviedo Arsenal
Variants	DUX-53, DUX-59
Specifications
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber	9mm
Action	Blowback
Sights	Iron

Uzi Submachine Gun

The Uzi is a related family of open bolt, blowback-operated submachine guns. Smaller variants are considered to be machine pistols. The Uzi was one of the first weapons to use a telescoping bolt design which allows for the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip for a shorter weapon, a design not seen since the Japanese Type II machine pistol.

The first Uzi submachine gun was designed by Major Uziel Gal in the late 1940s. The prototype was finished in 1950; first introduced to IDF special forces in 1954, the weapon was placed into general issue two years later. The Uzi has found use as a personal defense weapon by rear-echelon troops, officers, artillery troops and tankers, as well as a frontline weapon by elite light infantry assault forces.

The Uzi has been exported to over 90 countries. Over its service lifetime, it has been manufactured by Israel Military Industries, FN Herstal, and other manufacturers. From the 1960s through the 1980s, Uzi submachine guns were sold to more military and police markets than any other submachine gun ever made.

IMI Uzi
Type	Submachine Gun
Place of origin	Israel
Service history
Wars	Vietnam War Suez Crisis Six-Day War Yom Kippur War Sri Lankan Civil War Portuguese Colonial War Falklands War South African Border War Rhodesian Bush War Somali Civil War Mexican Drug War
Production history
Designer	Uziel Gal
Designed	1948
Manufacturer	Israel Military Industries FN Herstal Norinco Lyttleton Engineering Works (under Vektor Arms) RH-ALAN
Produced	1950–present
Number built	10,000,000+
Specifications
Weight	3.5 kg (7.72 lb)
Length	640 mm (25 in) stock extended 470 mm (18.5 in) stock collapsed
Barrel length	260 mm (10.2 in)
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum .22 LR .45 ACP .41 AE
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	400 m/s
Effective range	200 m
Feed system	10 (.22 and .41 AE) 16 (.45 ACP) 20,25,32,40,50 (9MM) magazines
Sights	Iron sights

The Uzi uses an open bolt, blowback-operated design. The open bolt design exposes the breech end of the barrel, and improves cooling during periods of continuous fire; however, it means that since the bolt is held to the rear when cocked, the receiver is more susceptible to contamination from sand and dirt ingress. It and the Czechoslovak series 23 to 26 were the first weapons to use a telescoping bolt design, in which the bolt wraps around the breech end of the barrel. This allows the barrel to be moved far back into the receiver and the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip, allowing for a heavier, slower-firing bolt in a shorter, better-balanced weapon.

The weapon is constructed primarily from stamped sheet metal, making it less expensive per unit to manufacture than an equivalent design machined from forgings. With relatively few moving parts, the Uzi is easy to strip for maintenance or repair. The magazine is housed within the pistol grip, allowing for intuitive and easy reloading in dark or difficult conditions, under the principle of 'hand finds hand'. The pistol grip is fitted with a grip safety, making it difficult to fire accidentally. However, the protruding vertical magazine makes the gun awkward to fire when prone. The Uzi features a bayonet lug.

When the gun is de-cocked, the ejector port closes, preventing entry of dust and dirt. Though the Uzi's stamped-metal receiver is equipped with pressed reinforcement slots to accept accumulated dirt and sand, the weapon can still jam with heavy accumulations of sand in desert combat conditions when not cleaned regularly.

Madsen M-50 Submachine Gun

The Madsen M-50 or M/50 is a submachine gun introduced in 1950. It was produced by the Danish company Dansk Industri Syndikat of Copenhagen, Denmark. The company was otherwise known as Madsen after its founder Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen.

This firearm was a modified variation of the M/46. The only major improvement was the simplified retracting handle. Introduction of the M/50 occurred on November 7, 1950 at Mosede, Denmark.

The M/50 is made of stamped sheet metal. Its an open-bolt design which means it fires when the bolt is in the locked back open position with a fixed firing pin. The M/46-M/50 share a unique design: the firearm is stamped from 2 pieces of sheet metal which are shaped with an integral rear pistol grip and magazine housing. The two pieces fit together like a clam shell with the hinge at the rear of the pistol grip. The firearm is held together with a barrel locking nut which is threaded onto the fore section of the two receiver halves. The pistol grip is hollow, providing storage space for a magazine loading tool.

The folding stock is made of tubular steel covered with leather and folds onto the right side of the firearm. The M/50 fires in full-auto only features a safety lever unusually placed in front of the forward magazine housing. To fire the M/50 the operator must grip the magazine housing and hold down the safety lever.

Madsen Model 1950
Type	Sub machine gun
Place of origin	Denmark
Service history
In service	1950 - 1980s
Production history
Designer	Dansk Industri Syndikat
Designed	1950
Manufacturer	Dansk Industri Syndikat
Variants	M/46, M/53
Specifications
Weight	6.95 Pounds
Length	31.25" with stock open
Caliber	9mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	550 rpm
Muzzle velocity	1250 ft/s
Feed system	Magazine 32 rounds
Sights	Single aperature set for 100M

INA Model 953 Submachine Gun

The INA Model 953 is Brazilian submachine gun - a modified Madsen M/50.

It was manufactured by the Industria National de Armas S.A. in São Paulo Brazil under license for Madsen. Production began in 1950. The first Model was marked M.B.-50 and was manufactured till 1953 and was marked with a large Brazilian crest. In late 1953 the Model 1953 was introduced. Improvements on the 1953 model were a larger magazine housing and a metal loop riveted to the lower right side of the magazine housing. The loop could then hold the magazine housing together. Also the retracting handle was changed on the Model 953 to the right side instead of the top as was the buffer spring and the shape of the extractor, ejector and the firing pin. The INA Model 53 is made of stamped sheet metal. It's an open bolt design which means it fires when the bolt is in the locked back open position with a fixed firing pin. The firearm is stamped from 2 pieces of sheet metal which are shaped with integral rear pistol grip and magazine housing. The two pieces fit together like a clam shell with the hinge at the rear of the pistol grip. It splits in half right down the middle of the top and bottom of the receiver. The entire firearm is held together with a barrel locking nut which is threaded onto the fore section of the two receiver halves. The folding stock is made of tubular steel and it folds onto the right side of the firearm.

The Model 953 fires in full auto only and it also has a unique feature, a safety lever in front of the forward magazine housing. To fire the Model 953 you must grip the magazine housing and hold down the safety lever.

Revolutionary Carlos Marighella recommended this as the "ideal submachine gun for the urban guerrilla" in his "Minimanual of the Urban Guerrilla"

INA Model 953
Type	Sub machine gun
Place of origin	Brazil
Service history
In service	1950
Production history
Designer	Dansk Industri Syndikat
Designed	1950
Manufacturer	Industria National de Armas S.A.
Variants	M.B.-50
Specifications
Weight	7.50 Pounds
Length	31.26" with stock open
Caliber	.45 ACP
Action	Blowback-operated, Open bolt
Rate of fire	650 rpm
Muzzle velocity	740 ft/s
Feed system	Magazine 30 rounds
Sights	Single aperature set for 100M

Gevarm D4 Submachine Gun

The Gevarm D4 is a submachine gun that was developed in France in 1950. It was used by the French police and manufactured in limited quantity.

Gevarm D4
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	France
Production history
Designed	1950
Manufacturer	Gevarm
Specifications
Weight	3.3kg
Length	782mm (stock extended) 535mm (stock retracted)
Barrel length	233mm
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber	9mm
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	600rpm
Feed system	32 round box magazine
Sights	Iron

MEMS M-52/60 Submachine Gun

The MEMS M-52/60 is a submachine gun of Argentine origin manufactured by Miguel Entrique Manzo Sal (MEMS). It is chambered in the 9x19mm round and fed from a 40 round magazine inserted in the forward pistol grip.



The MEMS M-52/60 were used by Death Squads of the far right terrorist group AAA (related to the Peronsim as their strike force, as the Special Division of the Federal Police had been terminated) during the Dirty War of the 1970s.

MEMS M-52/60
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Argentina
Service history
Used by	Argentine Anticommunist Alliance EA FAA GNA PFA PNA SPF
Wars	Argentine Dirty War
Production history
Manufacturer	Miguel Entrique Manzo Sal (MEMS)
Variants	M-52/60 M-67
Specifications
Weight	3.30KG
Length	800MM (Stock Extended) 640MM (Stock Retracted)
Barrel length	180MM
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber	9mm
Action	Blowback-operated, Open bolt
Rate of fire	850RPM
Feed system	40 round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron

Vigneron Submachine Gun

The Vigneron is a submachine gun manufactured in Belgium during the 1950s. It used the 9x19mm NATO cartridge and was used by the Belgian Army until the 1980s. It had the ability to use MP40 type magazines which were popular in Europe at the time. The Vigneron is a selective fire weapon for short range street and brush fighting. It remains reasonably accurate up to 100m using sighted semi-automatic fire. For close range combat, 2- or 3-shot bursts are recommended.

The Vigneron is a simple blowback design and was made out of stamped sheet metal and a plastic grip frame. It uses the standard 9x19mm NATO round out of a 32-shot box single column magazine. Army doctrine recommends to shortload the magazine to 28 rounds to prevent failures. A loading tool is used to assist loading the magazine.

The gun was designed with a long barrel (305mm) which featured a compensator and cooling fins. Empty casings are ejected out of the ejection port on the right which has a hinged dust cover. This cover opens automatically when cocking the gun.

The bolt handle is on the left side and is non-reciprocating.

The stock is heavy steel wire and it telescopes along the receiver; one end is slotted for swabs and the other is threaded for a cleaning brush.

The sights are fixed and set for a range of 50m. The M2 has a simple notch rear sight and a hood cover that protects the front sight.

The pistol grip contains a grip safety which must be held before the weapon can be cocked or fired.

There are three selector positions: safe, semi-automatic and full automatic fire. When set to full-auto; it is still possible to squeeze off single rounds with good trigger control.

Influence by some popular WW-II-era designs is apparent. The barrel compensator and cooling rings are reminiscent of the Thompson submachine gun, the wire stock looks like the M3 submachine gun, the bolt design is nearly identical to the Sten and the magazine is almost the same as the one designed for the MP40; German magazines are usable in the Vigneron, but not the other way around.

Vigneron
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Belgium
Service history
In service	1950s-1980s
Used by	Belgium
Production history
Designer	Georges Vigneron
Specifications
Weight	3kg (empty); 3.68kg (loaded)
Cartridge	9x19mm
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	620 rpm
Effective range	100m effective
Feed system	32 round MP40 magazine
Sights	Fixed

Sterling Submachine Gun

The Sterling submachine gun is a British submachine gun which was in service with the British Army from 1944 until 1994, when it was phased out with the introduction of the L85A1 assault rifle.

The Sterling submachine gun is constructed entirely of steel and plastic and has a shoulder stock which folds underneath the weapon. Although of conventional blowback design firing from an open bolt, there are some unusual features: for example, the bolt has helical grooves cut into the surface to remove dirt and fouling from the inside of the receiver to increase reliability. The Sterling uses a much-improved (over the Sten) 34-round curved double-column feed box magazine which is inserted into the left side of the receiver. The magazine follower, which pushes the cartridges into the feed port, is equipped with rollers to reduce friction and the firing pin is designed so that it does not line up with the primer in the cartridge until the cartridge has entered the chamber.

The suppressed version of the Sterling (L34A1/Mk.5) was developed for covert operations. This version uses a ported barrel surrounded by a cylinder with expansion chambers to reduce the velocity of the bullet to prevent it from breaking the sound barrier and causing a sonic boom, along with decreasing muzzle blast and flash. This is so effective that the only sounds during firing are from the bolt reciprocating and the barely-audible explosive discharge.

The Sterling has a reputation for excellent reliability under adverse conditions and, allowing for the fact that it fires from an open bolt, good accuracy. While it has been reported that the weapon poses no problems for left-handed users to operate, it is not recommended without the wearing of ballistic eye protection. The path of the ejected cartridge cases is slightly down and backward, so mild burns can occasionally be incurred by left-handed shooters.

A bayonet of a similar design as that for the L1A1 SLR was produced and issued in British Army service, but was rarely employed except for ceremonial duties. Both bayonets were derived from the version issued with the Rifle No. 5 Mk I "Jungle Carbine", the main difference being a smaller ring on the SLR bayonet to fit the rifle's muzzle. When mounted, the Sterling bayonet was offset to the left of the weapon's vertical line which gave a more natural balance when used for bayonet-fighting.

For a right-handed shooter, the correct position for the left hand while firing is on the ventilated barrel-casing and not on the magazine, as the pressure from holding the magazine can increase the risk of stoppages, and a loose magazine can lead to dropping the weapon. The barrel-casing hold provides greater control of the weapon, so the right-hand can intermittently be used for other tasks. A semi-circular protrusion on the right hand side of the weapon, approximately two inches from the muzzzle, serves to prevent the supporting hand from moving too far forward and over the muzzle.

The primary user complaint with the Sterling series is that there are projections in all directions, and carrying it on a sling frequently results in the weapon catching on clothing, load-bearing equipment, foliage, and doorways/hatches, as well as annoying (sometimes painful) poking of the user.

Sterling submachine gun
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	United Kingdom
Service history
Used by
Wars	Operation Market Garden Suez crisis Aden Emergency Cold War Falklands War Northern Ireland Gulf War (final batch)
Production history
Designed	1944
Specifications
Weight	2.7 kg (empty)
Length	686 mm (481 mm folded stock)
Barrel length	196 mm
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum 7.62x51mm NATO (Battle Rifle variant)
Action	Blowback Lever-delayed blowback (Battle Rifle variant)
Rate of fire	550 round/min
Effective range	200m (50-100m suppressed)
Feed system	34 round box magazine 30 round L4 BREN magazine (Battle Rifle variant)

Sterling Variants

• British Army
  • Unassigned: Patchett Machine Carbine Mark 1 (trials commenced in 1944)
  • Unassigned: Patchett Machine Carbine Mark 1 & Folding Bayonet (same as above but with folding bayonet, never accepted)
  • L2A1: (Patchett Machine Carbine Mark 2) Adopted in 1953.
  • L2A2: (Sterling Mark 3) Adopted in 1955.
  • L2A3: (Sterling Mark 4) Adopted in 1956. Last regular version in service with the British Army.
  • L34A1: Suppressed version (Sterling-Patchett Mark 5). Held in reserve by the British Army.
• Sterling Mark 6 "Police": a semi-automatic-only closed-bolt version for police forces and private sales. A US export version had a longer barrel (16 inches) to comply with BATF regulations. Beginning in 2009, Century Arms International (CAI) began marketing a similar semi-auto only carbine manufactured by Wiselite Arms. These too have a 16" barrel. They are assembled using a mix of newly-made US parts, and parts from demilitarized Sterling Mark 4 parts kits. This is often marketed as the "Sterling Sporter".
• Sterling Mark 7 "Para-pistol": Special machine pistol variant issued to commando and plainclothes intelligence units. It had a shortened 4" / 108mm barrel, fixed vertical foregrip, and weighed 4.84 lbs. / 2.2 kg. If used with a short 10- or 15-round magazine, it could be stowed in a special holster. It also could be used as a Close Quarters Battle weapon with the addition of an optional solid stock.
• Canadian Army
  • C1 Submachine Gun: Adopted in 1958, replacing the STEN gun in general service. It is different from the British L2 in that it made extensive use of stamped metal rather the more expensive castings used by British production SMGs. It also had a removable trigger guard (for use with gloves in Arctic operations) as a standard option and used a new 30-round magazine.
• Indian Army
  • SAF Carbine 1A: Indian made Sterling L2A1.
  • SAF Carbine 2A1: Sterling Mark V silenced carbine.

7.62 NATO Variant

A variant of the Sterling submachine gun was manufactured in the 7.62x51mm NATO calibre. It used lever-delayed blowback to handle the more powerful rounds and was fed from 30 round Bren magazines. A bipod and detatchable fixed stock could be added as well as a Single Point IR/Trilux nightsight. To prevent ammunition cookoff, the weapon fired from an open bolt. Acting as the Besal LMG of World War II, the 7.62 NATO calibre Sterling was intended as an emergency standby weapon in case of attack during the Cold War.

Beretta Model 3 Submachine Gun

The Beretta Model 3 was an Italian submachine gun produced from 1956 to 1959. It was essentially the World War II-era Beretta 38/42 redesigned for more efficient production. The wooden stock of the 38/42 was replaced with a steel folding stock. A pistol grip was provided at the trigger guard and the magazine receiver was lengthened to provide a foregrip.

Fully automatic or single-shot fire is selectable by the use of two triggers, and it fires from an open bolt. Its relatively slow cyclic rate of fire, 550 shots per minute, and low recoil make it highly accurate during full automatic or selective fire. It is accurate to 200 meters. The Model 3 weighs 3.5 kilograms empty (about 7.7 lb) and is 711 mm) in length with stock extended (508 mm when retracted). Rifling: 6 grooves, rh.

20-round and 40-round box magazines are available for the Model 3. The weapon is chambered for the 9 mm Parabellum cartridge.

The Model 3 was succeeded by the Beretta Model 12 in 1959.

Beretta Model 3
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
Used by	Italy
Production history
Designed	1956
Produced	1956 to 1959
Variants	none
Specifications
Weight	3.47 kg (empty)
Length	711/508 mm (stock extended/folded)
Barrel length	200
Cartridge	9 mm Parabellum
Caliber	9 mm
Action	blowback
Rate of fire	550 round/min
Feed system	20 or 40 round

Mauser MP-57 Submachine Gun

The MP-57 was a submachine gun manufactured by Mauser after the Second World War for the then newly established Bundeswehr. It was chambered in the 9x19mm round and fed from a magazine inserted in the pistol grip.

Maschinpistole MP-57
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	West Germany
Production history
Manufacturer	Mauser
Produced	1957
Specifications
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Feed system	32 round box magazine
Sights	Iron sight

Halcon ML-63 Submachine Gun

The ML-63 is a submachine gun manufactured by the Buenos Aires based Halcon corporation.

The ML-63 is chambered in 9mm Parabellum and is fed from a 30 round magazine. The ML-63 also came with a fixed wooden stock and also a silenced variant. A number of ML-63 submachine guns were found by the British during the Falklands War in 1982.

Halcon ML-63
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Argentina
Service history
Used by	EA FAA GNA PFA PNA SPF
Wars	Falklands War
Production history
Manufacturer	Buenos Aires Halcon
Produced	1957
Variants	Fixed Stock Retaractable Stock Silenced Variant
Specifications
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Caliber	9mm
Feed system	30 round box magazine
Sights	Iron

Beretta M12 Submachine Gun

The Beretta Model 12 is a 9×19mm Parabellum caliber submachine gun designed by Beretta. It was introduced in 1959 and entered service with the Italian Army the same year. It is also used by various South American and African countries, and made under license in Brazil by Taurus and in Indonesia by PT Pindad.

The Model 12 weighs 3.48 kilograms empty (about 3.820 kg loaded) and is 660 millimeters in length with stock extended (418 mm when retracted). Its short length is achieved by use of a barrel recessed into the bolt head, known as a telescoping bolt. This reduces length without reducing barrel length or bolt weight. It fires from an open bolt and has a cyclic rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute. Its muzzle velocity is 380 meters per second. It is accurate to 200/300 meters.

The barrel and rifling are chromium-plated to prevent fouling. The bolt housing has grooves to allow bolt movement, even in extremely adverse conditions such as exposure to mud, dust, or sand. The exterior surfaces of the firearm are finished with epoxy resin coating for protection against corrosion and damage.

The weapon has a selective-fire option allowing a choice of single shot or fully automatic fire.

The weapon has three safeties: a manual safety which blocks the trigger; an automatic safety on the rear grip which immobilizes the trigger and blocks the bolt in a closed position; and a safety on the cocking handle locking the bolt in case it does not retract sufficiently.

The weapon is provided with a front sight (adjustable for elevation and windage) and a rear sight with a two-position flip aperture (up to 100 m and up to 200 m).

The gun is equipped with a side folding stock, but is also seen rarely with a fixed stock.

Twenty, 32, and 40-round box magazines were available for the original Model 12, which was chambered for the 9mm Parabellum cartridge.

Variants

The Model 12 was redesigned as the Beretta Model 12s in 1978 and was styled as "the Ultimate Submachine Gun" when released. The Model 12s uses a 32-round box magazine, and is chambered for the 9×19 mm NATO cartridge. It utilizes the blowback principle, and is capable of either semi- or full-automatic fire.

A novel feature is the grip safety, which locks the trigger and the bolt in the closed position, thus safeguarding against accidental firing if the grip is not held firmly or if the gun is dropped. The safety and fire-selector switch, which in the original Model 12 were two separate push-pin button (with the fire-selector being a button that activated single-fire or burst fire whether it was pushed on the right side or the left side) have been re-engineered in a modern lever-type selector with three positions (S for "Sicura" or Safety, 1 for Single-fire, R for "Raffica" or Burst fire). The fixed firing pin on the face of the bolt can strike the primer only when the cartridge is chambered fully, and this also avoids accidental firing, according to its designers.

The PM12S was also designed with easy field-stripping and reassembly in mind, which has been simplified and can be accomplished without tools. It can be equipped with a suppressor, but this requires a slight modification of the barrel by a competent gunsmith.

Minus the suppressor and other optional features, the Beretta PM12S is made up of 84 discrete components.

The current version of the Beretta Model 12, called the PM12-S2, spawned from the adoption of the PM12S by the French Gendarmerie Nationale, to be assembled under license at the MAS armaments factory in Saint-Etienne from Italian-made parts. The Gendarmerie asked for a modification, in the form of a further safety device, which allowed both to keep the bolt of the weapon in half-cocked position and acted as an interceptor preventing accidental fire should the bolt or the firing pin suddenly disengage. The so-modified Model 12s were known in French service as the PM12-SD with SD standing for Demi-arme, or Half-cock. In the mid-1990s, this modification was implemented in all the Model 12 sub-machineguns manufactured by Beretta as a standard factory feature, and the denomination of the sub-machine gun changed to PM12-S2; this is the only Model 12 variant currently manufactured by Beretta.

The widespread Croatian Agram 2000 is based on the M12.

Beretta Model 12
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Italy
Service history
In service	1959–present
Used by	Bahrain, Brazil, Gabon, Guatemala, Guyana, Indonesia, Iran Italy, Libya, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela
Wars	Vietnam War, Afghanistan War, Iraq War, 2011 Libyan Civil War
Production history
Designer	Beretta
Designed	1950–1959
Manufacturer	Beretta, Taurus, Defence Industries Corporation, MAS, PT Pindad
Produced	1959–present
Specifications
Weight	Metal stock: 3.0 kg (6.61 lb) (M12) 3.2 kg (7.1 lb) (M12S) 3.480 kg (7.67 lb) (M12S2) Wood stock: 3.4 kg (7.5 lb) (M12) 3.6 kg (7.9 lb) (M12S)
Length	Fixed stock: 660 mm (26.0 in) Folding stock: 645 mm (25.4 in) stock extended 418 mm (16.5 in) stock folded
Barrel length	200 mm (7.9 in)
Height	180 mm (7.1 in)
Cartridge	9×19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	550 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	380 m/s (1,247 ft/s)
Effective range	100 to 200 m sight adjustments
Feed system	20, 32, 40-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Two-position flip rear aperture, shrouded front post 285 mm (11.2 in) sight radius

Walther MP Submachine Gun

The Walther MP (Maschinenpistole) series is a family of 9x19mm Parabellum submachine guns produced in West Germany from 1963 to 1985 by Walther.

There are two versions of the Walther MP: the MPK (Maschinenpistole Kurz or "short machine pistol") and the MPL (Maschinenpistole Lang or "long machine pistol"). The only difference between MPK and MPL guns is the length of the barrel. They are blowback designs firing from "L"-shaped bolts. The bolts are above the barrel, permitting a shorter receiver. The receiver, made from stamped steel, forms a ventilated cooling jacket and the prominent cocking handle is located on its left front. A selective fire switch is also on the left side of the receiver, behind the trigger.

Both guns feature side-folding buttstocks, made from thin steel tubes, and both guns feature flip-up sights. The MPL has 100 and 200 meter settings.

Walther MP
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	West Germany
Service history
Used by	Brazil, Colombia, Germany, Mexico, Portugal United States, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
Production history
Manufacturer	Carl Walther GmbH
Produced	1963—1985
Variants	MPK MPL
Specifications
Weight	2.8 kg (6.17 lb) (MPK) 3.0 kg (6.6 lb) (MPL)
Length	(Stock open/closed): 659 / 373 mm (25.94/14.7 in) (MPK) 749 / 462 mm (29.4/18.2 in) (MPL)
Barrel length	173 mm (6.8 in) (MPK) 260 mm (10.2 in) (MPL)
Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	550 rounds/min
Effective range	100 m (MPK) 200 m (MPL)
Feed system	32-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Iron sights

F1 Submachine Gun

The 9 mm F1 was a standard Australian submachine gun manufactured by the Lithgow Small Arms Factory. First issued to Australian troops in July 1963, it replaced the Owen machine carbine. The F1 was retired in the early 1990s and replaced by the F88C Austeyr, an Australian-built version of the Steyr AUG rifle with slight modifications. The F1 had a robust and simple design and proved useful in close-quarter fighting during the Vietnam War. Malaysia bought a small number of the F1 but this only totalled 28 in number.

The F1 is a simple blowback design firing from an open bolt with a fixed firing pin. It shares many design features with the British Sterling submachine gun. Unlike both the Sterling and its predecessor, the Owen, the F1 has a removable wooden butt and pistol grip. A curved detachable 34 round box magazine is inserted in a magazine housing on top of the barrel, similar to the earlier and popular Australian Owen gun. The top mounted magazine is unobtrusive for carry and when lying prone. Lightning fast magazine changes can be made, it has the added advantage of only needing a light spring being no harder to load than a .22 magazine not requiring special mag fillers like its contemporaries and to be less likely to jam than a bottom mounted magazine. The butt-plate and pistol-grip are identical to those on the L1A1 SLR as well as the capability of adapting SLR bayonets.

The trigger is a two stage pull, half back semi auto, pull and hold back gives full auto requiring a safety catch only easily operated by the thumb. There is a small guard fitted forward of the ejection port to protect the forward hand. The left mounted cocking handle has a tab that when presed locks into the bolt enabling it to be worked back and forward to clear fouling.

Stripping is simple, Safety on remove magazine, cock and hold bolt open rotate to left inspect bolt face and chamber, release bolt under control. Grab butt press catch on bottom of receiver with other hand rotate butt to left 90 deg pull off, remove spring, release safety tip barrel up pull trigger bolt slides out. Assemble in reverse. Suggested ranges for use were 25 meters from the hip snap shooting 100 meters using sights.

Ammunition 9mm x 19mm Luger/Para 115 grain Ball, Velocity 1250 feet per second. As a side item the same ammunition was used in the issue Browning Hi Power pistol

Because of the vertical magazine the sights of the F1 were offset to the right of the weapon requiring a slight head tilt to the right, the rear sight being a roughly triangular asymmetrical metal flap with a round aperture, the foresight being a blade mounted on the right side of the weapon's magazine well.

Accessories

The Complete Equipment Schedule (CES) for the F1 included:

• a large round wire and nylon brush, similar to a bottle brush for cleaning the tubular body of the weapon
• a standard SLR pull-through (a string with a loop at one end for holding a piece of service flannelette and a weight at the other to assist the user in feeding it down the barrel)
• a sling similar to the standard brass and canvas SLR sling, but shorter
• 5 magazines and
• a 4 magazine pouch, each column having its own flap.

F1
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Australia
Service history
In service	1963–1991
Used by	Australia Malaysia
Wars	Vietnam War Rhodesia, Operation Agila
Production history
Designed	1962
Manufacturer	Lithgow Small Arms Factory
Produced	July 1963
Number built	25,136
Specifications
Weight	3.7 kg (Empty) 4.30 kg (Loaded)
Length	714 mm
Barrel length	198 mm
Cartridge	9x19 mm Parabellum
Caliber	9mm
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	600-640 rounds/min
Effective range	150 m
Maximum range	100-200 m
Feed system	34-round Sterling SMG compatible box magazine
Sights	Offest Iron sights