World of Guns 2 - (Modern Guns) Sub machine Guns (Series 2)

This is our second series on sub-machine guns. The submachine gun is an automatic or selective-fired shoulder weapon that fires pistol-caliber ammunition. The concept of submachine gun dates back to World War One; the trench warfare of this war required effective and compact weapons for short-range fighting in trenches; additionally, a lightweight and maneuverable fully automatic weapon was desirable to complement light machine guns in both defensive and offensive scenarios, to cover last 200 meters of assault on enemy positions. The first weapon which can be considered to some extent as the world's first submachine gun was the Italian Villar-Perosa, which was a twin-barreled automatic weapon that fired 9mm Glisenti pistol ammunition from top-mounted box magazines. It was compact, but its primary tactical role was of short-range machine gun; therefore it was usually fired from some sort of mount, and fitted with machine-gun type spade grips instead of more conventional rifle-type stock.

SPECIAL FEATURE

Mendoza / X-Arms Cobra and Bulldog submachine gun (Mexico)

9x17mm Bulldog submachine gun. Photo by X-Arms TWS.

x19mm Cobra Short submachine gun in Camo paint. Photo by X-Arms TWS.

9x19mm Cobra submachine gun. Photo by X-Arms TWS.

	Bulldog	Cobra short	Cobra
Caliber, mm	9x17 / .380ACP	9x19	9x19
Length, overall	275 / 490 mm	330 / 535 mm	400 / 606 mm
Weight, w/o magazine	2.38 kg	2.69 kg	3.12 kg
Barrel length	153 mm	210 mm	255 mm
Magazine capacity	20 or 32 rounds	20 or 32 rounds	20 or 32 rounds
Rate of fire	800 rounds per minute	700 rounds per minute	550 rounds per minute

Cobra and Bulldog submachine guns are joint project between established Mexican company Productos Mendoza SA and relatively young tactical training and sales company X-Arms, also from Mexico. These submachine guns are based on proven and tested Mendoza HM-3-S submachine guns, which are in use by numerous Mexican military and police units. Bulldog is an subcompact weapon chambered for 9x17 Browning short / .380ACP ammunition, and is ideal for concealed carry and close protection duties. Cobra submachine guns are chambered for world’s most popular 9x19 Luger / Parabellum ammunition and available in two versions, short and long, which can be used for security and police work, as well as for military special operations. Semi-automatic only versions of Bulldog and Cobra are manufactured for private security use and export civilian markets.

 Cobra and Bulldog submachine guns are simple blowback operated weapons which fire from closed bolt for improved single-shot accuracy. Wrap-around bolt encloses the barrel, and is exposed in its middle part. U-shaped charging handle is attached to the bolt to facilitate comfortable ambidextrous cocking. Bolt hold-open device is incorporated into design. Lower receiver group, along with pistol grip is made from strong plastic. Box magazines are inserted into the pistol grip. Manual safety is located on the grip, behind the trigger, fire mode selector is located above the pistol grip, on the left side of the gun. Sights include protected fiber-optic front sight and aperture-type rear sight, with settings for ranges of 50 and 100 meters. Side-folding shoulder stock is made from steel, with plastic buttplate. Optional forward vertical grip can be attached to the forend, as well as optional tactical light or laser aiming unit.

Port-Said and Akaba submachine gun (Egypt)

Port-Said submachine gun.

 Port-Said submachine gun, shoulder stock folded.

Akaba submachine gun.

	Port-Said	Akaba
Caliber	9x19mm Luger /Parabellum
Weight	3,35 kg	n/a
Length (stock closed/open)	550 / 808 mm	n/a
Barrel length	212 mm	212 mm
Rate of fire	600 rounds perminute	600 rounds perminute
Magazine capacity	36 rounds	36 rounds

In early 1950s Egyptean government acquired necessary machinery and manufacturing documentation from Sweden to produce a local copy of the Swedish Carl Gustaf M/45 submachinegun.Originally known as “Port-Said”, the Swedish design was later simplified in Egyptian production by discarding barrel jacket and simplifying the sights and shoulder stock. This less expensive and somewhat more roughly finished version was produced as “Akaba” or“Kara” submachine gun.

Port-Said submachinegun is a simple blowbackoperated, fullautomatic only firearm that fires from open bolt. The receiver is made from steel tube, the separate barrel jacket is also made from perforated steel tube. Despite the fact that Egyptean submachine guns used only one type of magazine, the 36-round double stack, double feed box magazines designed for Swedish M/45 submachine guns, they retained removable magazine housings of earliest Swedish submachine guns, which were intended to allow use of various types of magazines.The manual safety is made in the form of an L-shaped cut made at the rear of the cocking handle slot; it is used to engage cocking handle when bolt is in retracted position. The sights consist of front blade and flip-type rear sight, marked for 100 and 200 meters. Shoulderstock is made from thin steel tubing and folds forward and to the right.
Modifications.

Akaba / Kara:technically similar to the Port-Said but barrel has no jacket,side-folding butt is replaced with telescoped butt made from steel wire, rear sight is a non-adjustable aperture.

UZI / Mini UZI / Micro UZI submachine gun (Israel)

 Uzi submachine gun with metallic buttstock in opened position.

 Uzi submachine gun with metallic buttstock in folded position.

 Uzi submachine gun with fixed (detachable) wooden buttstock.

 Mini-Uzi submachine gun with shoulder stock folded.

 Mini-Uzi submachine gun with shoulder stock opened.

 Micro-Uzi submachine gun with shoulder stock opened.

 Micro-Uzi submachine gun with shoulder stock folded.

Characteristics

	UZI	Mini UZI	Micro UZI
Caliber	9x19mm Luger/Para	9x19mm Luger/Para	9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight, kg	3,7	2,7	1,5
Length, mm (stock closed / open)	470 / 650	360 / 600	250 / 460
Barrel length, mm	400	197	117
Rate of fire, rounds/min	600	950	1250
Magazine capacity, rounds	25 , 32	20, 25, 32	20
Effective range, meters	200	100	30

The UZI submachine gun was developed in Israel by designer Uziel Gal in around1949, and manufactured by IMI (now IWI Ltd) since about 1951. UZI had been adopted by police and military of more than 90 countries, including Israel (now only in reserve), Germany, Belgium. It was also produced under license in Belgium by FN Herstal, and without license - in Croatia. More compact versions, Mini and Micro UZI,which were developed in 1982 and 1983, respectively, are adopted by many police, special operations and security units around the world, including Israeli Isayeret, US Secret Service etc.

An interesting question is the ancestry of the design of Uzi submachine gun.Most sources state that it was inspired by the Czechoslovak SA23 submachine gun, which also had magazine in pistol grip and wrap-aroundbolt. This submachine gun was adopted in 1948, with production commencing in 1949. There are some doubts that it could reach the shores of Israel the sameyear it was born. On the other hand, British army tested several prototype weapons of the same basic layout as early as 1944 (see MCEM-2),and it is possible that Uziel Gal had learned about this layout from UK. It is also possible that he "invented" this layout on his own - after all,the very same basic layout has been used in semi-automatic pistols for a good 50 years.

The UZI submachine gun is blowback operated weapon which fires from open bolt.Mini- and Micro-Uzi submachine guns are produced either in open-bolt or closed-bolt versions; in the latter variation, weapon is equipped with separate striker and additional spring. The receiver is made from stamped steel, with trigger unit and pistol grip pinned to its bottom at the center. The bolt is of "wrap-around" type,with most of its weight located in front of the breech face. The Micro-Uzi has an additional weight, made from tungsten, attached to the bolt, to slightly slowdown the overly excessive rate of fire. The cocking handle is located at the to pof the receiver cover, and does not move when gun is fired; the cocking handle slot is covered by sliding dust cover. Bolt handle is cut at the middle to provide a sighting channel. Gun is fitted with manual safety /fire selector, located on the left side of the grip, plus automatic grip safety at the rear. Full-size Uzi submachine guns were fitted either with a detachable wooden shoulder stock, or with under folding metallic shoulder stock of indigenous design. More compact Mini-Uzi and Micro-Uzi are fitted with side-folding metallic buttstocks made from steel.

Uzi pro submachine gun (Israel)

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum
Weight	2,3 kg
Length (stock closed/open)	282 / 514 mm
Barrel length	134 mm
Rate of fire	1050 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	25 rounds

The Uzi Pro is an evolution of the Micro-Uzi submachine gun. It retains same blowback operated, closed bolt, select-fire action but with side-mounted bolt handle, and the most important change is replacement of the older stamped steel trigger housing with more lightweight polymer pistol grip / trigger housing unit of more ergonomic shape. Top of receiver is provided with parmanently attached Picatinny rail, which is used to install various sights (i.e. Red Dot sights). Additional Picatinny rails are provided on the sides of the barrel and below it (the bottom rail is covered with ergonomically shaped protector when not in use). All firing controls are the same as with Micro-Uzi and include side-mounted safety / fire selector, automated grip safety (of improved shape) and magazine latch. Uzi Pro submachine gun uses same magazines as other weapons of the Uzi family, with 25-round ones being standard.

Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun (India)

 The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun with optional Israeli-made ITL MARS red dot sight installed on the Picatinny rail.

Characteristics

Caliber	5.56x30 MINSAS
Weight	2.98 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open)	500 / 700 mm
Barrel length	300 mm
Rate of fire	? rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	30 rounds

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun was born from the INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) program, which originally included three weapons - the 5.56mm INSAS assault rifle, the 5.56mm INSAS squad automatic / LMG, based on the rifle, and a compact carbine. The INSAS rifle and LMG are already in service with Indian armed forces, but the original INSAS carbine program faced several difficulties. As a result, it was decided to design a carbine around smaller round, based on the shortened 5.56mm cartridge. The new round appears to be of same concept that experimental American Colt MARS, as it has bottlenecked case 30mm long, loaded with light, pointed bullet with steel penetrator core. The bullet weight is 2.6 gram and muzzle velocity from 300mm carbine barrel is listed as 650 m/s, resulting in muzzle energy value of 550 Joules - similar to modern pistol cartridges. The cartridge, known as 5.56x30 MINSAS, offers effective range of about 200 to 300 meters, with good penetration against body armor. The early carbines for this round, known as MINSAS, were based on the INSAS rifle, lightened and scaled down for shortened round. The MSMC, however, derives from this by having more compact, pistol-type layout, which also offers better balance and better maneuverability, especially in confined spaces.

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is intended for Indian Special Operation troops, but it also can make a good Personal Defense Weapon for vehicle and gun crews and other non-infantry personnel operating in combat zones. As of now (spring 2010), the Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is in its final stages of T&E by Indian military.

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is a gas operated weapon, utilizing rotary bolt locking and a gas piston, located above the barrel. The receiver appears to be made from sheet steel, with outer polymer housing with integral pistol grip. The magazines are inserted into the pistol grip. Buttstock is of telescoped type. Safety / fire mode selector is ambidextrous and conveniently located above the trigger. Standard iron sights are complemented by the Picatinny rail, which can host a wide array of additional day and night sighting equipment. Another unusual accessory for the Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is the bayonet lug, which is located above the barrel, just in front of the receiver.

Beretta PM 12 and PM 12s submachine gun (Italy)

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

 Beretta PM 12S with open buttstock.

 Beretta PM 12S partially disassembled.

Characteristics

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 Model6 submachine gun of 1953. This weapon employed a stamped steel construction, afolding 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, andmanufacturing 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. Model12S, also known as PM 12S (Pistola Mitralligica, or machine pistol), isstill 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 boltis 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 steelt rigger 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 modeselector were united into one three-position lever, located above the left grippanel. Automated grip safety was retained. The furniture included polymer front grip and a side-folding metallic buttstock. early Model 12 guns also could befitted with detachable wooden buttstock.

Spectre M4 (Italy)

Characteristics

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 thatrequire 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 additional 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.

Beretta MX4 submachine gun (Italy)

Caliber	9x19 NATO / Luger
Weight	2,48 kg empty
Overall length	647 mm
Barrel length	312 mm
Rate of fire	n/a
Magazine capacity	30 rounds

Beretta MX4 submachine gun is the newest product of the world’s oldest gun making company, Beretta of Italy. It was first announced during IDEX 2011 exhibition, along with information that Indiaordered 34 500 Beretta MX4 submachine guns for its Ministry of Home Affairs forces.

Beretta MX4 submachine gun is based on the successful Beretta CX4 Storm semi-automatic carbine, originally developed for civilian and security use. It uses same blowback operated action with polymer body of the gun and fixed shoulder stock, as well as same ambidextrous controls. Charging handle can be set at either side of the gun, ejection also can be arranged either to the left or to the right, according to user preferences. Double stack magazines are inserted into the pistol grip, standard magazine capacity is 30 rounds. Beretta MX4 submachine gun is normally equipped with iron sights, and an integral Picatinny rail is provided at the top of the receiver for installation of additional sights (Red Dot, IR/Night etc)

Armaguerra OG-43 and OG-44 submachine gun (Italy)

Armaguerra OG-43 submachine gun in combat-ready configuration


Armaguerra OG-43 submachine gunwith shoulder stock and foregrip folded


Armaguerra OG-44 submachine gunwith fixed stock

	OG 43	OG 44
Caliber, mm	9x19	9x19
Length, overall, mm	~ 720 / 470	787
Weight, kg	N/a	3,18
Barrel length, mm	~315	292
Magazine capacity, rounds	20, 30 or 40	20, 30 or 40
Rate of fire, rounds per minute	500	500

The Armaguerra OG-43 and OG-44 submachine guns, designed by Giuseppe Oliani during World War 2 (in 1943 and 1944 respectively) and bult by Armaguerra Cremona company, were very promising designs made largely of stamped steel and with an L-shaped bolt that has most of its weight located above the barrel, thus allowing for a shorter and lighter receiver. Only a few prototypes were made before the war ended, and after the war it could not compete with the already established Beretta line. Of those two weapons the latter model, OG-44, which had more or less traditional layout, is known much better than its predecessor, the OG-43. This earlier weapon is extremely rare, with probably only one specimen surviving to this day in a private collection. The OG-43 is historically important because it is probably the world’s first submachine gun to combine stamped-steel construction, bolt with most of its weight in front of the breech face AND the magazine in the pistol grip, all in one weapon.

Both Armaguerra OG-43 and OG-44 submachine guns share same simple blowback action, using L-shaped bolt that has most of its weight located above and forward of its breech face. Firing is from open bolt, in single shots or full automatic mode, thanks to a dedicated fire selector switch. Most of the parts, except for springs, bolt and barrel are stamped from sheet steel and welded or pinned together. Armaguerra OG-43 submachine gun does not have a separate pistol grip. Instead, it has a stubby magazine housing behind the triger, and inserted magazine is used as a pistol grip. Charging handle is made in form of a slider and is located above the receiver. An additional folding forward grip is provided below the barrel, and a stamped steel shoulder stock folds down and forward when not required. Feed is from double stack, double feed box magazines, borrowed from Beretta M38A submachine guns. Standard sights are of fixed type, with flip-up rear blade marked for 100 and 200 meters.

Armaguerra OG-44 submachine gun differs from its predecesor by having more conservative layout, with dedicated pistol grip (made as a single unit along with stamped steel receiver) and magazine housing in front of the trigger guard. Armaguerra OG-44 weapons were made either with fixed wooden stocks or with top-folding metallic shoulder stocks.

Type 79 submachine gun (PR China)

Characteristics

Caliber: 7.62x25mm TT
Weight: 1.9 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open): 470 / 740 mm
Barrel length: n/a
Rate of fire: 500 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 rounds
Effective range: 100-150 meters

Type 79 submachine gun is rather unusual for its class as it is very lightweight and uses locked breech, gas operated action instead of more traditional (for SMG)blowback action. This weapon was (and probably still is) widely used by PAP(Chinese police).

Type 79 submachine gun uses gas operated, rotary bolt action with short stroke gas piston, located above the barrel. Bolt group is more or less an adaptation of the Type 56 (AK) assault rifle, with similar bolt carrier (less gas piston) and a rotary bolt with two locking lugs.Receiver is made from steel stampings. Fire mode selector / safety switch is also patterned after Type 56 (AK) assault rifle, and allows for single shots and full automatic fire. Type 79 fires from closed bolt and uses conventional hammer-fired mechanism. Box magazines hold only 20 rounds of ammunition. Shoulder stock is made from stamped steel and folds up and forward when not in use.

Chang Feng submachine gun (PR China)

Early version of Chang Feng submachine gun chambered for 5.8x21 DAP58 ammunition; this weapon had dual feed option, with primary helical magazine located at the top of the receiver and secondary pistol-type magazine located in the rear grip.

 Current version of the Chang Feng submachine gun, chambered for ubiquitous 9x19 cartridge; secondary feed option with pistol magazine is omitted from design.Gun is fitted with red dot (collimating) sight.

Characteristics

Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: 2.1 kg empty
Length (stock closed/open): 405 / 588 mm
Barrel length: 250 mm
Rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 50 rounds
Effective range: 100-150 meters

This submachine gun has been developed by Chinese Chang Feng corporation for Compact Submachine Gun trials initiated by PLA (Chinese Army) in early 1990s.This weapon has been designed by the same people who previously designed the QSZ-92pistol, which is now in use by PLA and PAP. This design (chambered for new Chinese 5.8x21 DAP-58 round) lost the military trials because of overly complicated design, and by now is offered to Chinese law enforcement agencies, chamberedfor 9x19 DAP-92 (Chinese version of 9x19 Luger/Parabellum) ammunition.

The Chang Feng submachine gun is blowback operated and uses telescoped bolt which wraps around the barrel in forward position. Receiver is made from polymer and is open at the top; two pistol grips are integral to receiver. Primary feed is from helical magazine made from translucent polymer; magazine is located at the top of the weapon and is similar in design to magazines of US Calicosubmachine guns. 

Early prototypes also had secondary feed option, in the form of the QSZ-92 pistol magazine that was inserted into the rear pistol grip; it is not known how gun was fed if both magazines were inserted simultaneously. Chang Feng submachine gun is fitted with open sights, and has a mounting point for red dot or night sight just behind the rear sight block. Barrel of the weapon is threaded to accept optional detachable silencer. Shoulder stock is of telescoped (retractable) type, and is made from polymer.

Type 05 5.8mm / JS 9mm submachine gun (PR China)

 Military issue Type 05 submachine gun, caliber 5.8x21mm.

Police-type JS submachine gun, caliber 9x19mm, fitted with telescope sight anddetachable silencer.

Characteristics

	Type 05	JS (Jian She)
Caliber	5.8x21mm DAP92-5.8	9x19mm DAP92-9 (9mm Luger/Para)
Weight	2.2 kg empty	2.1 kg empty
Length	500 mm	450 mm
Barrel length	n/a	n/a
Rate of fire	n/a	n/a
Magazine capacity	50 rounds	30 rounds
Effective range	150-200 m	100-150 m

The Type 05 submachine gun is the join development of the PLA's 208 Research Institute and Jian She Group. This design won the Compact Submachine gun trialsinitiated by PLA in early 1990s, and is intended to replace earlier weapons in service with PLA, such as Type 85 silenced submachine gun.Externally resembling the new Chinese assault rifle, the QBZ-95,the Type 05 is much simpler design internally. For military use it is produced in the new Chinese 5.8mm caliber, chambered for 5.8x21 DAP92-5.8 cartridge,which is loaded with pointed, armor piercing bullets; subsonic loadings also available for use with detachable silencer. For police use and commercial export sales, Jian She Group also produced a 9mm version of the Type 05, generallyknown as JS submachine gun. This weapon is similar in design to its military brother but uses standard Picatinny rail instead of carrying handle, and alsouses commonly available 9mm magazines compatible with famous German HKMP5 submachine gun.

Type 05 submachine gun is blowback operated weapon that fires from open bolt. Gun is made in bullpup configuration, with compact aluminium receiver and separate polymer shoulder stock / housing and pistol grip/ trigger units. Safety / fire mode selector switch is located above the pistol grip, and allows for single shots, 3-round bursts and full automatic fire;charging handle is located at the top of the receiver, inside the carrying handle on Type 05 submachine guns, and on the right side on the JS 9mm submachine gun. Both weapons also fitted with automated grip safety. Despite the bullpup design, ejection is possible only to the right side, so firing from the left shoulder is seems to be impossible or art least dangerous for the shooter.Type 05 submachine guns are fitted with open sights and with proprietary scope mounts at the top of carrying handle; JS submachine guns have no open sights and fitted with Picatinny rail at the top of the receiver which can accept various types of sighting equipment. Either weapon can be equipped with detachable optional silencer. Military issue Type 05 submachine guns are fed from proprietary four-row box magazines that hold 50 rounds of 5.8mm ammunition; JS submachine guns use two-row 30-round box magazines compatible with HKMP5. 

Mendoza HM-3 submachine gun (Mexico)

 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

Characteristics

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.

Kedr PP-91 / Klin PP-9 submachine gun (Russia)

Kedr submachine gun, right side, with 20-round magazine and butt folded.

Klin submachine gun, with butt opened.


 Klin submachine gun, partially disassembled.

Characteristics

Caliber: 9x18mm Makarov (9x18mm PMM - MakarovModernized for Klin)
Weight: 1.55 kg empty
Length: 539 / 305 mm (butt open / folded)
Barrel length: 120 mm
Rate of fire: 800 rounds per minute (1050-1200 rounds per minute for Klin withPMM ammo)
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds box
Effective range: about 50-100 meters for Kedr; up to 150 meters for Klinwith PMM ammo

The Kedr submachine gun had been originally designed by the Evgenij Dragunov (the designer of famous SVD sniper rifle) in the early1970s asthe PP-71, on request from Soviet Army. But then project was shelved and revived only in early 1990s, when Russian police felt the need for increasedshort-range firepower. PP-71 was slightly modified and then manufactured in limited numbers and issued to various law enforcement forces across the Russia. It was soon discovered that the original 9x18mm Makarov ammunition was not powerful enough,so new type of ammunition had been developed. This new cartridge,9x18mm PMM,while retaining same dimensions, had slightly lighter bullet and heavier powder charge, which increased its performance. Basic Kedr design was slightly strengthened by 1994 for this new ammunition, and appeared as the Klin submachine gun. BothKedr and Klin are used in limited numbers by various Russian police and security forces. It must be noted that for safety reasons use of PMM ammunition has almost ceased in Russian law enforcement, and most units are issued standard 9x18 PM ammunition. Therefore, only Kedr version is currently manufactured for police use.

Kedr PP-91 submachine gun is blowback operated, selective-fired weapon. Itfires from closed bolt for enchanced accuracy, and features traditional hammer unit. Safety / fire mode selector lever is located on the right side of the stamped-steel receiver and permits for single shots andfull automatic fire. The only difference between Klin and Kedr is that Klin is slightly strenghtened and has radial grooves in the chamber, to slow down extraction of the more powerful 9x18 PMM ammo. KedrPP-91 submachine gun is fitted with top-folding steel butt, and can be equipped with detachable silencer. Standard sights are of open type,with L-shaped rear blade that automaticaly flips over to "short range"setting when butt is closed and to "long range" setting when butt is opened. Feed is from detachable box magazines holding 20 or 30 rounds.

PP-2000 submachine gun (Russia)

PP-2000 as displayed at Interpolytech-2004 exhibition in Moscow; note spare magazine inserted at the rear of the gun to serve as a shoulder support. 

 PP2000, current production version with detachable folding butt, left side.

PP2000, current production version with detachable folding butt, left side, butt unfolded.

Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para
Weight: ~ 1.4 kg
Length (stock closed/open): 582 / 340 mm
Barrel length: no data
Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds
Effective range: 50-100 meters

The PP-2000 is the latest development of the famous Instrument Design Bureau (KBP) from Tula, Russia. It has been first displayed on public in 2004, although the patent for its layout has been filed in 2001 and issued in 2003. Today (mid-2007) it is already in use with some Law Enforcement (police and state security) units of Russian Federation.

The main "niche" for PP-2000 is a personal defense weapon for non-infantry military personnel, as well as close combat weapon for special forces and special law enforcement teams. As such, it is a compact weapon with as few parts as possible for enhanced reliability, simplified maintenance and low cost. Also, it is designed to fire any standard 9x19mm "ball" (FMJ) ammunition, as well as +P+ class 7N31 armor piercing ammunition of Russian origin. When loaded with 7N31 ammo, PP-2000 offers enhanced penetration against body armor, while maintaining stopping power against "soft targets", which is believed to be superior to foreign small-caliber rivals, like 5.7mm FN P90 or 4.6mm H&K MP-7.

The PP-2000 is a conventional blowback operated submachine gun, and it is fired from closed bolt for enhanced accuracy. The bolt is telescoped around the rear part of the barrel; front part of the bolt is exposed above the barrel and is fitted with side-folding charging handle. The receiver / housing is made from polymer as a single unit with pistol grip and trigger guard. Trigger guard is enlarged and its front part is shaped to provide front hand grip. The magazine housing is located inside the pistol grip; Housing for spare magazine is located at the rear end of the receiver, and, when inserted, spare magazine is used as a crude shoulder support (buttstock), although and optional removable side-folding butt is currently offered with the gun. Safety / fire mode selector is conveniently located at the left side of the receiver, above the pistol grip. PP2000 is fitted with fixed open sights, and a Picatinny-type acessory rail is provided on the top of the receiver cover. This weapon is most often encountered with various types of red-dot sights, best suitable for close combat. Special mount permits intallation of the tactical light or laser aiming module below the front part of the enlarged trigger guard.

K6-92 / Borz submachine gun (Armenia / Russia)

Characteristics

Caliber	9x18 Makarov PM
Weight	1.96 kg
Length (stock closed/open)	370 / 700 mm
Barrel length	150 mm
Rate of fire	? rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	17, 25 or 30 rounds

The K6-92 submachine gun was developed during early 1990s in the republic of Armenia, which gained its independence in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. At the time Armenia was engaged in the local conflict with Azerbaijan (another ex-USSR republic), and was in desperate need for small arms. The submachine gun is one of the simplest automatic arms to design and manufacture, so Armenian engineers quickly developed a straightforward weapon, which can be easily manufactured by almost any mechanical workshop.

Later on, more than few K6-92 submachine guns made its way through the borders into the Chechen republic, the most turbulent part of the Russia. During mid-1990s Chechnya was heavily infested with separatists, Islamic extremists and other kinds of bandits, which found submachine guns to be convenient weapons for urban fighting. Separatist Chechen government attempted to produce a "local" copy of the K6-92 at one of machine-building factories in the city of Groznyj, but very few were made there due to production problems and quality issues. Chechen-made copies of the K6-92 submachine gun are usually referred to as "Borz" (which means "wolf" in Chechen language). It also must be noted, however, that underground workshops, run by separatist forces, also made some "generic" crudely made submachine guns, generally known under the same name (Borz). These "homemade" submachine guns can be distinguished by tubular receiver and extremely poor fit and finish. Overall, the K6-92 submachine guns are reported as crude arms, suitable mostly for close combat. Over last two decades, plenty of these submachine guns turned up in Russia and other former USSR states during various crimes of violence and illegal arms trafficking.

The K6-92 submachine gun is a simple blowback operated weapon  that fires from open bolt. Receiver is made from steel stampings, welded together. Cocking handle is located at the top, safety / fire mode selector is located at the left side of the gun, above the trigger guard. Gun can be fired in single shots or in full automatic. It is fitted with plastic pistol grip and a top-folding metallic buttstock.

AEK-919 K (Russia)

AEK-919K, left side view, with stock extended.

AEK-919K, rigjht side view, with stock collapsed.

 AEK-919K, latest version, fitted with the "red dot" sight and a silencer

Characteristics

Caliber: 9x18mm Makarov
Weight: 1.65 kg with empty 20 rounds magazine
Lenght (stock closed/open): 325 / 485 mm
Barrel lenght: 167 mm
Rate of fire: 900 rounds per minute
Magazine capacity: 20 or 30 rounds
Effective range: 100 meters

AEK-919 submachine gun was developed at the Kovrov Mechanical Plant in the mid-1990s for Russian Army and special law-enforcement forces. Initial design was based on Austrian Steyr MPi-69 submachine gun, and was not withouth a certain flaws. After initial testings design was improved - overall lenght was decreased, cross-bolt safety switch was replaced by the rotating fire selector/safety swithch; ergonomics also was improved. Resulting design was named AEK-919K "Kashtan" and probably is used in small numbers by different special forces of the Russian Army and Law Enforcement units.

AEK-919K is a simple blowback operated, selective fire submachine gun. It featured a "sleeved" bolt which, in forward position, encloses the rear part of the barrel. AEK-919K is fired from the open bolt, and fed from the two-column magazines that hold 20 or 30 rounds. Receiver is made from the stamped steel, pistol grip with triggerguard and a heatshield are made from the plastic. Cocking handle is located at the left side of the receiver and does not move when gun is fired. AEK-919K featured an "L"-shaped open rear sights marked for 50 and 100 meters distance, it also can be equipped with laser aiming device and "red dot" sight. Barrel of the AEK-919K featured polygonal rifling and threaded muzzle, so a silencer can be quickly installed if required. Retractable stock is made from the steel, with rubberised buttplate.

AEK-919K is a compact and handy firerarm, and the only drawback i found when holding that gun at one of the exhibitions is in the placement of the safety/selector switch. When gun is in the "safe" mode, it is almost impossible to switch the gun into "fire" mode withouth the weak (non-firing) hand or withouth rotating the gun in the palm. In all other respects AEK-919K is reported to be accurate, reliable and comfortable to fire, even from off-hands. A currently advertised along with AEK-919K "red dot" sight is a little bit cumbersome but it allows for much faster target aquisition; any other, more compaqct "red dot" sight also can be installed withouth getting into much (if any) trouble.

STKinetics CPW submachine gun - Compact Personal Weapon (Singapore)

STK CPWprototye with red dot sight and telescoping butt collapsed.

Characteristics

Caliber	9x19mm Luger / Parabellum, possible others
Weight	1.5 kg
Length (stock closed/open)	350 / 500 mm
Barrel length	180 mm
Rate offire	900-1100rounds per minute
Magazine capacity	30 rounds
Effectiverange	100 meters

The Compact Personal Weapon (or CPW in short) is a new development o fSingaporean company ST Kinetics. CPW follows the current trend for modularity of design, with intent of providing a compact personal defense weapon of about pistol size but of greater effectiveness for military personnel which is normally not issued with rifle of any kind. It is yet to be seen if STK CPW will be produced in any numbers and adopted by any military or security force.

The STK CPW is delayed blowback operated weapon that fires in single shots and in full automatic mode. It is made mostly from impact-resistant polymer, with aluminum alloy receiver. Barrel and bolt can be replaced to change the caliber from standard 9x19 to others (most possible choice being some small-caliber armor piercing round such as 4.6x30 HK or 5.7x28 FN). Of cause, this also will require use of different magazines, which, in turn, may require replacement of the rear part of the grip. The rear (removable) section of the grip and the magazine body are made from translucent polymer for easy check of remaining ammunition supply.Gun features ambidextrous controls, including safety, fire mode selector, bolt catch release and magazine release. It is fitted with telescoped buttstock.Sights are installed using integral Picatinny rail on the top of receiver, with standard being either open sights or red dot. Additional Picatinny rail is provided at the bottom of the gun housing, in front f the trigger guard.