They say that ideas are in the air. They also say that information is like water: it tends to seep everywhere. Yes, in fact, she really does not need to leak. There are mass media, there are "official statements", there are military attachés, there are spies. In a word, it is easier to learn about what others have and apply it in oneself. For example, Uziel Galya's submachine gun, which was put into service in 1954 under the name Uzi. Yes, he was ahead of many samples, but much of what he did was, as we already know, done before him, and much was already in the drawings or was tested.
For example, the same West Germany was content with a clone of our PPP for a long time, but in November 1955, when the Bundeswehr began to be created, it was decided to create its own sample. This stimulated the large-scale development of assault rifles in West Germany, as a result of which, from 1956 to 1959, the Bundeswehr conducted many tests of submachine guns chambered for 9 × 19 mm Parabellum. And for the sake of objectivity, both the British Sterling and the Israeli Uzi were tested.
The M-56 had a very simple design. Shooting was carried out from an open bolt, the handle of which was on the left. However, unlike the MP-40, it was covered with a special plate. Both the pistol grip and the additional grip under the barrel had characteristic curly cutouts for the fingers.
Mauser MP-57
The most successful were the developments of two firms: "Mauser" and "Erma". At that time, the last company was working … the French inventor of weapons Louis Bonnet de Camille, who designed a submachine gun, very similar to both the Czech and Israeli models. He received the designation M56, but having released only 10 copies of the new submachine gun, the company refused to further develop it. It is possible that it did not have the production capacity necessary to fulfill the military order. In general, it turned out that a certain Fenner Achenbach financed this project, but transferred Camille's work to the Mauser company, where she received the designation M-57.
MP-57 - device diagram.
The firm "Mauser" improved the design of the new submachine gun: a folding stock was added, and the folding front handle under the barrel was improved so that when folded it would be located horizontally.
Submachine gun "Mauser" MP-57. Left view. The mode switch is clearly visible just above the trigger. There is an automatic handle safety device at the rear of the handle. Magazines are inserted into the pistol grip. A folding butt is laid on top of the receiver. Below, under the barrel, there is an additional handle with a figured cutout at the bottom.
The MP-57 used a "ramming" bolt, and the cartridges were fed from readily available 32-cartridge magazines from the MP-40. Moreover, with a weight of 3, 15 kg without a magazine, the Mauser was much lighter than the Uzi, which weighed 3.5 kg. Its total length was 610 mm, folded - 430. The rate of fire was high - 800 rds / min. Nevertheless, in the end the Bundeswehr did not accept the MP-57 into service, but opted for the Uzi, assigning it the designation MP-2 (1959). A total of 25 submachine guns of this type were manufactured. It was tested in different countries, but the order for it was never followed.
MP-57 with a fully unfolded stock and a grip folded forward.
Stayer Mpi-69
Also in the early 60s of the twentieth century, the development of a new submachine gun began in Austria, in which the designers tried to use all the achievements of military-technical thought that had accumulated by that time. The company "Steyer-Daimler-Pooh" designed the PP MPi-69, the design of which was only slightly changed in 1981. The result was the MPi-81 version, which was produced until the mid-1990s. Moreover, both versions have found wide application in the police and armies of a number of countries in Europe and in other regions of the planet.
The MPi-69 submachine gun is a typical third generation submachine gun. Short, comfortable, with a magazine location in the handle, allowing "intuitive" loading in the dark. Shoots from an open bolt. The choice of the firing mode is carried out by pressing the trigger: the first press - a single shot, the stronger and longer - automatic fire. The receiver is simple in shape, made of stamped steel, the trim for the receiver and pistol grip are made of nylon. The bolt is "oncoming", that is, it finds itself on the table and thus most, namely 2/3 of its weight, is in front of the chamber. Fixed striker. The return spring is put on a metal rod, which, together with it, enters the hole in the upper part of the valve.
MPi-69 submachine gun.
The cocking handle of the MPi-69 is designed in a very original way. As a matter of fact, it does not exist! To pull the bolt back, pull the belt with a sling; to cock the bolt, the shooter must pull the front of the line back and then release it. On the MPi-81 submachine gun, this system was replaced with a conventional handle located on the left. The sight consists of a protected front and rear part with a fully reversible 100 and 200 mm. The front sight is adjustable horizontally and vertically. The stock is retractable and made of steel wire. The rate of fire is low - 550 rds / min, which allows you to control this weapon well.
MPi-69 with extended wire stock.
Mendoza HM-3
In Mexico, in the mid-70s of the twentieth century, they also took up the submachine gun, which was designed by Hector Mendoza, the son of the famous Mexican small arms designer Rafael Mendoza. This compact and modern weapon was subsequently adopted by the Mexican army. But due to strict Mexican laws, it was never officially exported outside the country. In the late 1990s, Mendoza began production of an improved version with modern polymer parts. The stock is known in several versions: U-shaped, folding to the right side, and L-shaped, the design of which is such that the shoulder rest can be a front handle for holding.
Submachine gun NM-3.
The designer, apparently, wanted something unusual, and he achieved his goal. This PP does not have a bolt cocking handle. He has a pistol-type bolt, with notches on both sides, and it is for them that he is cocked. This submachine gun received the designation HM-3 and was produced in two main versions: the HM-3 for military use with automatic fire and the semi-automatic HM-3S for police and security forces only. The latter has a U-shaped bolt cocking handle (instead of a notch), which is located above the receiver and, due to its shape, does not interfere with aiming.
The HM-3S police model has a characteristic vertical grip on the bolt and a U-shaped shoulder stock.
Walther MP
Finally, the Germans managed to create a very simple and unpretentious "Walter" MP - a submachine gun with an oncoming bolt and a reloading handle extended far forward, which is located above the barrel. The MPK variant is more suitable for concealed carrying, the second MPL is more suitable for aimed shooting.
The bolt is also free, and the fire is carried out when the bolt is open. A folding stock made of a metal tube, and its shoulder rest can be used as an additional front handle. Both options allow for both automatic and single fire.
"Walter" MP-L.
It was produced in several modifications: MR-K (K - Kurz, "short") - a variant with a 171 mm barrel: MR-L (L - Lang, "long") - a variant with a 257 mm barrel. Both options have been widely exported to Latin America, including countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Venezuela.
Device "Walter" MR-L.
PM-63
In the 50-60s of the last century, Polish gunsmiths Pyotr Villenevchits, Tadeusz Bednarski, Ryszard Helmitzki and Ernest Durasevich created their own 9-mm submachine gun with a magazine in the handle and under the Soviet 9 × 18 mm PM cartridge (later the "luger »Version of this software that went for export). Interestingly, the 1957 project considered the possibility of reducing the rate of fire by increasing the weight of the bolt without increasing its dimensions. This was supposed to be achieved by using a tungsten insert. However, the proposal did not pass, since the construction was very expensive. In 1957, an experienced movable bolt submachine gun received the code name "Ręczny Automat Komandosów" ("special forces submachine gun"). The mass of the bolt on it was increased due to its greater length. (On "VO" there was an article about him on February 26, 2013. There all its features are described in great detail.)
One of the first samples of the Polish PM-63 submachine gun.
Diagram of the RM-63 device.
