Archive for the 'Machine Pistol' category
The Rhodesian Uzi
January 24, 2008 6:04 am
This odd and unreliable weapon was manufactured in Rhodesia during the Rhodesian Revolution, and then continued to be manufactured by Kommando Arms Company. Designed for semi-automatic fire only, it is too big to be a comfortable handgun, but lacks the ability to fire in full automatic as would be expected for a submachine gun or machine pistol (however, reportedly the gun was so unreliable that it would occasionally fire bursts instead of single shots - when it wasn’t jamming). The LDP is a blowback operated 9mm based on the design of the Vz-25, the same source weapon as the famous Israeli UZI design. Versions of this weapon were made for military use, and had select-fire functionality and were known as RUZIs (Rhodesian UZIs).
Butch’s VP 70z
January 15, 2008 6:53 am
The VP70 from Heckler & Koch is an important piece of firearms development for two reasons. Released in 1970, it was the first polymer-framed handgun to go into production (the Remington Nylon 66 was the first polymer-framed firearm). The VP70 came in two variants - the VP70z (shown here) and the VP70M for military service. The M series automatics came with a polymer holster that attached to the firearm as a detachable stock. When attached, the M series stock had a selector switch that enabled the VP70M to fire three shot bursts in addition to the standard semi-automatic mode, making it a functional and controllable machine pistol.
This clean and clear photo of the VP70Z was sent in by Butch of Uncle Butchy’s Angry Rants. Thanks!
Scorpion Vz 61 Machine Pistol
January 12, 2008 6:58 am
The Czechoslovakian Scorpion machine pistols are some of the best known machine pistols in the world. They are probably the origin of the PDW concept - a weapon more effective than a handgun for vehicle and rear-echelon troops, yet no more difficult to carry than one. In addition, the use of the .32 ACP (7.65 x 17 mm Browning) round allowed the weapon to be easily silenced for special forces operations. The Scorpion was originally a Czech weapon issued to non-infantry forces in a variety of roles and was also widely exported and manufactured under license in Yugoslavia. Later varieties were developed using the 9mm Makarov cartridge and finally in 9mm P.
“Making the 80’s Roar” with the MAC-10
December 11, 2007 7:44 am
Had a comment last week asking about the difference between the Uzi Pistol / Micro Uzi and the MAC-10. While responding I dug up this shot of the basic MAC-10 in the .45ACP configuration manufactured in the US by the defunct Military Armaments Corporation (M.A.C.) in the early 70’s. The MAC-10 was made almost entirely of metal stampings, and has a very light telescoping bolt resulting in a high rate of fire. The most memorable part of the MAC-10 is not in this photo, however - the Sionics two-stage sound suppressor.
My broom is fully automatic!
December 7, 2007 7:45 am
Last week when I posted the picture of the classic Mauser Broomhandle I was hunting for pictures of this classic machine pistol. Just like the classic German Mauser “Broomhandle” handgun, the M712 (also known as the M1932 - based on the year it was introduced) is chambered in the high powered 7.63×25mm Mauser. However, it uses a detachable 10 or 20 round box magazine and can be set to semi-automatic or full automatic fire. Knock-off versions have been made in China and Spain, and a very limited number of Chinese versions were manufactured chambered for .45 ACP.
Throwback Machine Pistol
June 11, 2007 6:59 am
Although it made it into production in the mid-90’s, the OTS-33 looks like a throwback to the classic Colt M1911. A 9mm Makarov handgun in design with an 18 round magazine (27 rounds in the extended magazines), the Pernach is capable of semi-automatic and full automatic fire.
Micro Uzi (Uzi Pistol)
June 5, 2007 7:34 pm
By now I’m sure you’ve noticed my obsession with light submachine guns and machine pistols. This started for me in the 80’s with the Micro Uzi - a sharp little pistol taking the uzi submachine gun action into the smallest possible frame.
You can’t talk glock…
May 25, 2007 6:49 am
After the Glock 17 post, I got an email that “you can’t talk Glock without pimping the 18″. This Glock 18 pic is from Catman’s site about customizing an airsoft version of the 1911 from Hitman Contracts, and is a nice piece of work.
Heckler & Koch Week - Day 1 - The MP7
May 7, 2007 3:54 am
We’re going to start H&K Week with their most recent PDW and machine pistol, the MP7A1. Developed to compete with the FN P90 for the NATO PDW role, the MP7 uses a proprietary round to achieve the penetration demanded by the NATO PDW requirements. The MP7 hit production in 2001, with the current model (the MP7A1) going into service in 2003 with the Bundeswehr, UK Ministry of Defence Police and several other organizations.
The TMP Reborn for the New Millennium
May 6, 2007 6:20 am
Steyr first introduced the TMP in the 90’s where it languished despite good reviews. Brügger & Thomet (a Swiss firearms company) bought the design and modified it as a PDW for the 2000’s. No matter how many improvements they gave this pretty machine pistol, the 9mm SMG field is a very competitive one with a lot of very high quality offerings already in the market to compete against.
