NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Sub machine gun

A submachine gun is a firearm that combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the ammunition of a pistol, and is usually between the two in weight and size. They were first experimented with in the form of a stocked pistols being converted from semi to fully-automatic, in the early 1900s. Image File history File links MP5A4. ... Image File history File links MP5A4. ... An assortment of modern handheld firearms using fixed ammunition, including military assault rifles, a sporting shotgun (fourth from bottom), and a tactical shotgun (third from bottom). ... M2 machine gun An automatic firearm is a firearm that will continue to load and fire ammunition as long as the trigger (or other activating device) is pressed or until it runs out of ammunition. ... A machine gun is a fully-automatic firearm that is capable of firing bullets in rapid succession. ... A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... A stock or buttstock is present in many firearms and some crossbows to transfer the recoil from firing the weapon into the shooters shoulder. ... A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... A semi-automatic firearm requires a trigger pull for each round that is fired. ... M2 machine gun An automatic firearm is a firearm that will continue to load and fire rounds of ammunition as long as the trigger (or equivalent) is activated or until it runs out of ammunition. ...

The first dedicated designs were developed in the latter stages of World War I both as improvement on earlier stocked pistols, and to offer an advantage in trench warfare. They rose to prominence as a frontline and commando weapon during World War II, and are now widely used by police^{[citation needed]} and paramilitary organizations. They are ideal for close-range combat in enclosed urban environments, where a weapon's range and accuracy is less important than the ability to easily and instinctively spray a target with bullets. They were also popularized in the 1920's and 30's as weapon of choice of gangsters, in the form of the famous Thompson submachine gun, commonly referred to as the "Tommy Gun". Submachine guns lack long-range power and accuracy compared to higher power rifles, limiting their use in the open. Combatants Allied Powers: British Empire France Italy Russia United States Central Powers: Austria-Hungary Bulgaria Germany Ottoman Empire Casualties Military dead: 5 million Military dead: 4 million The First World War, also known as The Great War, The War to End All Wars, and World War I (abbreviated WWI) was... Trench Warfare is a form of war in which both opposing armies have static lines of fortifications dug into the ground, facing each other. ... The French Navy commando Jaubert storm the Alcyon in a mock assault. ... Combatants Allies: Soviet Union United States United Kingdom France and others Axis Powers: Germany Japan Italy and others Casualties Military dead: 17 million Civilian dead: 33 million Total dead: 50 million Military dead: 8 million Civilian dead: 4 million Total dead: 12 million World War II, also known as the... A paramilitary organization is a group of civilians trained and organised in a military fashion. ... This article or section is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ... Thompson M1A1, with 30-round detachable box-type magazine The Thompson, also known as the Tommy Gun, was a family of American submachine guns that became infamous during the Prohibition era. ... A rifle is a firearm with a stock and a barrel that has a spiral groove or grooves (rifling) cut into its interior. ...

Stocked automatic weapons firing pistol rounds were developed around the same time during World War I, by Italy, Germany, and the United States.

History

The first automatic weapon to fire a pistol round was a scaled down version of the Maxim machine gun, used for demonstrations in marketing the Maxim in the late 1800s, especially when a full size firing range was not available. Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1383x474, 47 KB) Source: http://de. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1383x474, 47 KB) Source: http://de. ... An early Maxim gun in operation with the Royal Navy The Maxim gun was the first self-acting machine gun. ...

The submachine gun (sometimes abbreviated "SMG") appeared during the later stages of WWI. It would have its trial by fire in the brutal world of trench warfare. Fighting in the trenches had become a clumsy and brutal art, involving grenades, pistols, sharpened entrenching tools, and bayonets. Trench Warfare is a form of war in which both opposing armies have static lines of fortifications dug into the ground, facing each other. ...

The Italians were the first to have a traditional submachine gun in the war, the Beretta 1918, which beat the Bergmann MP18 by a couple of months to service in 1918. The Beretta 1918 had a traditional wooden stock, a 25-round box magazine, and fired at 900 rounds per minute. The Beretta Model 1918 was a submachine gun that entered service in 1918 with the Italian armed forces. ... The MP18 was the first successful submachine gun. ...

Its development was aided by the Villar Perosa (introduced in 1915), usually called the first SMG because it fired a 9mm pistol round (9mm Glisenti). Originally developed as an aircraft weapon, it also saw some use by infantry, both for close quarters assaults and as a light machine gun. Whereas, the Beretta 1918 would be primary for CQB, while the Bergman M18 would be both as CQB and light machine gun. Image File history File links (marked by uploader as PD, no evidence for that at given link). ... Image File history File links (marked by uploader as PD, no evidence for that at given link). ... The M249 SAW, one of the most popular 5. ...

The Germans had been using heavier versions of P0-08 pistols, equipped with larger capacity snail magazine, and longer barrel; these were semi-automatic. A stocked purposed designed automatic pistol was worked on by Bergmann, which by 1918 had developed the MP18. The MP18 used a reduced power 9mm Parabellum round, usually called 9mm Bergmann in a snail-magazine. The MP18 was used in significant numbers by the German WWI stormtroopers which, in conjunction with appropriate tactics, achieved some notable successes in the final year of the war. However, they were not enough to prevent Germany's collapse in November 1918. A Browning 9 millimeter Hi-Power Ordnance pistol of the French Navy, 19th century, using a Percussion cap mechanism Derringers were small and easily hidden. ... The MP18 was the first successful submachine gun. ... For other meanings of stormtrooper see Stormtrooper (disambiguation). ...

The Thompson submachine guns had been in development at the same time and even earlier as the Bergman and Beretta, but development was put on hold in 1917, when the US and the weapon's designer (Thompson) entered the war. The design was completed afterwards and used a different internal system from the MP18 or Beretta, but it had missed its chance to be the first purpose-designed SMG to enter service. It would however go on to serve as the basis for later weapons and have the longest active service life of the three. Thompson M1A1, with 30-round detachable box-type magazine The Thompson, also known as the Tommy Gun, was a family of American submachine guns that became infamous during the Prohibition era. ...

In the inter-war years the submachine gun became notorious as a gangster weapon; the iconic image of zoot-suited James Cagney types wielding drum-magazine Thompson SMGs caused some military planners to shun the weapon. It was also used by the police, and many criminals favored the BAR. It was nevertheless gradually accepted by many militaries, with many countries developing their own designs over the period, especially in the 1930's. For the film, see Zoot Suit. ... James Cagney was part of the Legends of Hollywood USPS stamp series. ... Thompson M1A1, with 30-round detachable box-type magazine The Thompson, also known as the Tommy Gun, was a family of American submachine guns that became infamous during the Prohibition era. ... The Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR, properly pronounced bee ay are) is a family of automatic rifles (or machine rifles) and light machine guns used by the United States and other countries during the 20th century. ...

In the USSR, the PPD34 and PPD34/38, were developed. In France the MAS-35 was developed into the MAS-38. In Germany some improvements on the MP18 were employed, namely the MP28/II and the MP34. Also, Nazi Germany adopted the MP38, unique in that it used no wood and a folding metal stock, though it used similar amount of stampings as the MAS. Italy further developed a number of its own designs (see List of Italian submachine guns), with similar attempts at improvements in lower production cost, quality, or weight. Mitraillette MAS modÃ©le 38 Type submachine gun Nationality France Era WW2 History Date of design 1938 Production period 1939 - 1946 Service duration 1939 - 1950 Operators France, Germany War service WW2, First Indochina War Specifications Type MAS 38 Calibre 7,65 Barrel length 224 mm Ammunition 7. ... Nazi Germany, or the Third Reich, commonly refers to Germany in the years 1933–1945, when it was under the firm control of the totalitarian and fascist ideology of the Nazi Party, with the Führer Adolf Hitler as dictator. ... The Italians were the first to field a traditional submachine gun design, the Beretta 1918, in 1918. ...

During the invasion of Poland by Nazi Germany in 1939, the MP38 production was still just starting and only a few thousand were in service, but it proved very popular especially in towns and cities. From it, the nearly identical, but safer and cheaper to make, MP40 was developed; about a million MP40s were made in WW2. The MP40's design used even more stampings, and less important metals such as aluminium, but still managed to be lighter because it avoided some of the heavier machined parts of the MP38. Download high resolution version (1362x540, 42 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (1362x540, 42 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... The MP40 (Maschinenpistole 40) is a submachine gun developed for and used extensively by Germany during World War II. // History The MP40 is descended from the MP36, a select fire prototype made of machined steel, of which few examples remain. ...

Britain adopted the Lanchester submachine gun, based on the MP28/II. However the high cost of manufacture and low rate of production led to the much simpler, cheaper and faster to make Sten submachine gun. The Sten gun was so cheap to make that near the end of WWII, Nazi Germany made a few thousand of a copy of the design. Britain also used many M1928 Tommy Guns early on (the one of the intra-war period with a drum magazine), and also many of the improved version M1 (the one seen only with a stick magazine). After the war, the Sten would be replaced by the Sterling submachine gun. The Lanchester was a submachine gun used by the British during World War II. History In 1940, with the Dunkirk evacuation completed, the Royal Air Force decided to adopt some form of submachine gun for airfield defense. ... The Sten (or Sten gun) was a family of British, 9 mm submachine guns used extensively by the British Empire and Commonwealth forces throughout World War II and the Korean War. ... The Sterling submachine gun is a British submachine gun which was in service with the British Army from 1953 until 1988 when it was phased out with the introduction of the L85A1 SA80 assault rifle. ...

America and its allies used the Thompson SMG, especially the simplified M1 version that did away with the Tommy's drum magazine and some of the machined parts. Because it was still expensive to produce, the M3 "Grease Gun" was adopted in 1942, followed by the slightly improved M3A1 in 1944. The M3 was not necessarily more effective, but was made with cheap stamped metal, making it much more affordable. It could be configured to fire either .45 ACP ammunition, which the Thompson and M1911 pistol also fired, or the 9 mm Parabellum, widely used by Allies and Axis. It would be among the longest serving of the SMGs designed during the war, being produced into the 1960s and serving in US forces officially into the 1980s. Thompson M1A1, with 30-round detachable box-type magazine The Thompson, also known as the Tommy Gun, was a family of American submachine guns that became infamous during the Prohibition era. ... M3 Greasegun Type sub-machine gun Nationality US Era WW2 History Date of design 1942 Production period 1942 - Service duration 1942 - 1990 Operators US War service WW2, Korea Specifications Type Calibre . ... The . ... The M1911 is a single action, semi-automatic handgun, chambered for the . ... Ball and hollowpoint 9mm Luger rounds The 9 mm Luger pistol cartridge (9 x 19 mm Parabellum, 9 x 19 mm NATO) was designed by firearms designer Georg Luger. ...

By the end of WW2, the USSR had fielded the largest number of submachine guns, with whole infantry battalions being armed with little else. Even in the hands of conscripted soldiers just out of basic training, the volume of fire produced by massed SMGs could be overwhelming.

After WW2, the submachine gun's popularity in the military continued but began a slow decline, primarily being replaced by assault rifles, which filled a niche between the SMG and the battle rifle. The Personal defense weapon is another proposed replacement. Significantly the submachine gun continues to be used by police and special operations forces, however. The AK-47 is the worlds most common assault rifle. ... The term battle rifle can have different meanings. ... A PDW or personal defense weapon is a compact firearm, smaller than an assault rifle or a full size submachine gun, but more powerful and flexible than a normal pistol. ... Special forces or special operations forces is a term used to describe relatively small military units raised and trained for reconnaissance, unconventional warfare and special operations. ...

Modern

Following World War II, the role of submachine guns was greatly diminished with the introduction of modern compact assault rifles, such as the CAR-15 and Heckler & Koch HK 53. Submachine guns are still used by special forces, air crews, armored vehicle crews, counter-terrorist units, and Naval personnel. M16A2 assault rifle. ... CAR-15 is a common name applied to many carbine variants of the Colt AR-15 rifle (adopted by the USA as the M16 rifle) in both military and civilian service. ... Heckler & Koch G41 Heckler & Koch GmbH (H&K) (pronounced //) is a German weapons manufacturing company famous for various series of small firearms, notably the MP5 submachine gun, the MP7 personal defense weapon, the high-precision sniper rifle PSG1, and the G3 and G36 assault rifles. ... Although Heckler & Koch states that the Heckler & Koch 53 (short: HK 53) should be considered an assault rifle because it fires the 5. ... Special forces (colloquially, sometimes incorrectly) or special operations forces (general term) are military units which are formed and trained to conduct missions involving unconventional warfare, Counter-Terrorism, reconnaissance, direct action and foreign internal defense. ... Aircrew members may include pilots, flight attendants, flight engineers, navigators, Taccos, signallers, observers, (air) gunners, weapons specialists, loadmasters and various electronics system operators depending on the age during which the aircraft operated and the type of operations. ... An armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) is a military vehicle, equipped with protection against hostile attacks and often mounted weapons. ... Counter-terrorism refers to the practices, tactics, and strategies that governments, militaries, and other groups adopt in order to fight terrorism. ... The multinational Combined Task Force One Five Zero (CTF-150) The British Grand Fleet, the supreme naval force of World War I A rare occurrence of a 5-country multinational fleet, during Operation Enduring Freedom in the Oman Sea. ...

Submachine guns lend themselves to moderation with suppressors, particularly so in cases where the weapon is loaded with subsonic ammunition. The Sten and modern-day Heckler & Koch MP5 have all been manufactured with quiet, integral silencers, and such weapons are favourites of special forces and police units. Mark 23 with a suppressor A suppressor, also commonly known as a silencer, is a device attached to a firearm to reduce the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon. ... The MP5 is a submachine gun, developed by German weapons designer Heckler und Koch (HK) in the 1960s. ... Special forces (colloquially, sometimes incorrectly) or special operations forces (general term) are military units which are formed and trained to conduct missions involving unconventional warfare, Counter-Terrorism, reconnaissance, direct action and foreign internal defense. ...

Prominent recent examples of the submachine gun are the Israel Military Industries Uzi submachine gun, the Heckler & Koch MP5 series, the Ingram MAC-10, the Skorpion, the Sterling and the FN P90 (itself part of a new generation of 'personal defence weapons', firing cartridges intermediate in power between a pistol and assault rifle round). A small number of pistols have been available in fully-automatic or burst-fire variants, such as the GLOCK 18, the Stechkin, the Beretta 93R and the Heckler & Koch VP70. IMI logo Israel Military Industries Ltd. ... The Uzi SMG Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Uzi The Uzi (Hebrew: ) is a family of guns that started with a compact, boxy, light-weight submachine gun. ... The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a submachine gun developed by German weapons manufacturer Heckler & Koch (HK) in the 1960s. ... Ingram may refer to: MAC-10, a submachine gun often known as the American Uzi] Ingram, Northumberland in England Ingram, Pennsylvania in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania Ingram, Wisconsin, village in Rusk County, Wisconsin Ingram, Texas, city in Kerr County, Texas Charles Ingram, accused of cheating on Who Wants to Be a... The Military Armament Corporation Model 10 or MAC-10 is a blowback-operated select-fire submachine gun (more specifically a machine pistol) developed by Gordon B. Ingram in 1964. ... The CZ-Scorpion is a Czechoslovakian SMG. It normally operates on . ... The Sterling submachine gun is a British submachine gun which was in service with the British Army from 1953 until 1988 when it was phased out with the introduction of the L85A1 SA80 assault rifle. ... FN has several meanings; did you mean: an acronym for Front National, a French right wing political party. ... Caliber: 5. ... GLOCK 18 shown with high capacity magazine The GLOCK 18 is a handgun manufactured by GLOCK. It is a GLOCK 17 with a mode of fire selection switch on its slide that enables it to fire in semi-automatic or fully-automatic modes. ... Beretta M93R Beretta Model 93R is a selective-fire machine pistol. ... The Volkspistole, Year of introduction: 1970. ...

Covert Use

The submachine gun offers the small size concealment and close quarters combat advantages. Many special forces and covert operators use SMGs as the primary weapon, due to small size and effectiveness in close quarters environment. A couple of SMGs in particular were designed as a VIP personal defense weapon (PDW). High ranking officials can use the SMG as a defensive weapon in case of a kidnapping. Winston Churchill was known to keep a Sten in his staff car. Some PDWs can be disguised as another object. See ARES FMG and PP-90. A PDW or personal defense weapon is a compact firearm, smaller than an assault rifle or a full size submachine gun, but more powerful and flexible than a normal pistol. ... Sir Winston Leonard Spencer-Churchill, KG, OM, CH, TD, FRS, PC (30 November 1874 â€“ 24 January 1965) was a British politician and author, best known as Prime Minister of Britain during the World War II. Well known as orator, soldier, author and politician, Churchill is generally regarded as one of... The Sten (or Sten gun) was a family of British, 9 mm submachine guns used extensively by the British Empire and Commonwealth forces throughout World War II and the Korean War. ... The Ares FMG is a foldable submachine gun designed for concealment and covert use. ... The PP-90, manufactured by the KBP design bureau in Tula, Russia, is an apparently unsuccessful Soviet copy of the ARES FMG -- identical in most respects except that the main version is fully automatic. ...

Legality

In the United States, submachine guns have been categorized as NFA weapons (also known as Title II weapons), so being because they are regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934 and as amended by Title II of the Gun Control Act of 1968. NFA firearms can be legally owned only if state and local law permit it, all the proper paperwork is submitted and approved, and a one time tax of $200 is paid. Certain submachine guns have also been available in specially-modified semi-automatic form, with non-removable 16 inch (406 mm) barrels and receivers modified so as to prevent conversion into a fully-automatic firearm; in this case, the submachine guns are treated as rifles, and are not subject to further regulations beyond those required for ownership of a rifle. The National Firearms Act is a United States federal law passed in 1934 that mandates the registration of all Title II weapons - that is, all sound suppressors or silencers, all fully-automatic and burst-fire firearms, all rifles with a barrel length less than 16 inches (406 mm) (SBR) and... The National Firearms Act is a United States federal law passed in 1934 that mandates the registration of all Title II weapons - that is, all sound suppressors or silencers, all fully-automatic and burst-fire firearms, all rifles with a barrel length less than 16 inches (406 mm) (SBR) and... The Gun Control Act of 1968 (also known as GCA, and codified as Chapter 44 of Title 18, United States Code) is a federal law in the United States that broadly regulates the firearms industry and firearms owners. ... An assortment of modern handheld firearms using fixed ammunition, including military assault rifles, a sporting shotgun (fourth from bottom), and a tactical shotgun (third from bottom). ... A state of the United States (a U.S. state) is any one of the fifty states (four of which officially favor the term commonwealth) which, along with the District of Columbia, form the United States of America. ... See also Portal:Law The stela of King Hammurabi depicts the god Shamash revealing a code of laws to the king. ... A tax (also known as a duty) is a financial charge or other levy imposed on an individual or a legal entity by a state or a functional equivalent of a state (e. ...

In Europe, Switzerland allows the private ownership of semi-automatic submachine guns as sporting firearms. Fully automatic submachine guns may only be owned by collectors and may not be fired in fully automatic mode. Czech Republic allows the ownership of all kinds of automatic weapons up to .50 caliber to collectors who obtain an exception from the ministry of interior. The exception is relatively hard to obtain and depends largely on the discretion of the local police department. World map showing Europe Political map Europe is one of the seven continents of Earth which, in this case, is more a cultural and political distinction than a physiographic one, leading to various perspectives about Europes borders. ...

Compare machine pistol, carbine. A machine pistol shares several properties of the semi-automatic handgun and the sub-machine gun. ... A carbine is a firearm similar to, but generally shorter and less powerful than, a rifle or musket of a given period. ...

Famous Submachine Guns

image taken with permission from Modern Firearms website at http://world. ... image taken with permission from Modern Firearms website at http://world. ... The word grease gun can mean:- A common workshop tool used for lubrication. ... Image File history File links Gg3a1. ... Image File history File links Gg3a1. ... The word grease gun can mean:- A common workshop tool used for lubrication. ... Thompson M1A1, with 30-round detachable box-type magazine The Thompson, also known as the Tommy Gun, was a family of American submachine guns that became infamous during the Prohibition era. ... The . ... Israeli Military Industries Ltd. ... The Uzi is a compact, boxy, light-weight submachine gun. ... Ball and hollowpoint 9mm Luger rounds The 9 mm Luger pistol cartridge (9 x 19 mm Parabellum, 9 x 19 mm NATO) was designed by firearms designer Georg Luger. ... The MP5 is a submachine gun, developed by German weapons designer Heckler und Koch (HK) in the 1960s. ... The 10 mm Auto cartridge is a powerful and versatile chambering for semi-automatic pistols, developed by ammunition manufacturer FFV Norma AB of Ã…motfors, Sweden, and introduced in 1983 in the ill-fated Bren Ten pistol. ... The . ... Caliber: 4. ... The 4. ... The CZ-Scorpion is a Czechoslovakian SMG. It normally operates on . ... The . ... The Military Armament Corporation Model 10 or MAC-10 is a blowback-operated select-fire submachine gun (more specifically a machine pistol) developed by Gordon B. Ingram in 1964. ... Beretta M12 The 9 millimeter Beretta Model 12 is the official submachine gun of the Italian Army. ... The P90 is a submachine gun developed and manufactured by Fabrique Nationale de Herstal (FN Herstal). ... The 5. ... The M3 Grease Gun (more formally United States Submachine Gun, Cal. ... The Sten gun was a British submachine gun from World War II, notable for its simple design and low cost of production, being made from only 47 different parts. ... Designed by Georgii Shpagin, the PPSh-41 (Pistolet-Pulemet Shpagina, Russian: ÐŸÐ¸ÑÑ‚Ð¾Ð»ÐµÑ‚-Ð¿ÑƒÐ»ÐµÐ¼Ñ‘Ñ‚ Ð¨Ð¿Ð°Ð³Ð¸Ð½Ð°, nicknamed Peh-peh-shah, Shpagin and Burp Gun) was one of the most mass produced weapons of World War II. Finding that PPD was too expensive and time consuming to build, the PPSh was designed as an inexpensive alternate. ... Categories: Stub | Pistol and rifle cartridges ... Designed by Aleksei Sudaev and first issued during the Siege of Leningrad, PPS-43 (Pistolet-Pulemet Sudaeva, Russian: ÐŸÐ¸ÑÑ‚Ð¾Ð»ÐµÑ‚-Ð¿ÑƒÐ»ÐµÐ¼Ñ‘Ñ‚ Ð¡ÑƒÐ´Ð°ÐµÐ²Ð°) was a result of further simplification of the PPSh-41, and it is often considered the best submachine gun of World War II. It was initially produced as PPS-42, but soon... Categories: Stub | Pistol and rifle cartridges ... The MP40 (Maschinenpistole 40) is a submachine gun developed for and used extensively by Germany during World War II. // History The MP40 is descended from the MP36, a select fire prototype made of machined steel, of which few examples remain. ... The GLAUBERYT is a Polish submachine gun. ... The Owen Gun, which was known officially as the Owen Machine Carbine, was an Australian submachine gun designed by Evelyn (Evo) Owen in 1939. ... The CZ Model 25 was a famous Israeli submachinegun. ... The Suomi-konepistooli M31 (Submachine gun M31) was a direct descendant of the M-26, which was introduced to the public in 1925. ...

Contents

History GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Modern

Covert Use

Legality

Famous Submachine Guns

See also

History