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Machine Guns

SMG, MP, PDW…Oh My: Forgotten Weapons Explains Submachine Gun Terminology

July 11, 2018 by The Arms Guide Guest Writer Leave a Comment

SMG, MP, PDW...Oh My: Forgotten Weapons Explains Submachine Gun Terminology
The guys at Forgotten Weapons have done a great video which explains small caliber machinegun terminology: submachine guns, personal defense weapons, and machine pistols. Terminology. Forgotten Weapons tells us who makes them, why they exist and their place in military history.

Submachine Gun: Pistol caliber, fully automatic, and fitted with a shoulder stock. For example, Thompson, MP40, MAS-38.

Machine pistol: Handgun form factor and fully automatic. For example, Glock 18, Mauser Schnellfeuer, Stechkin.

Automatic Rifle: Shoulder or hip fired, limited magazine capacity, minimal sustained fire capacity. Examples: M1918 BAR, Chauchat.

Persinal Defense Weapon: (1) Armor-piercing or (2) holsterable submachine gun, not intended for front line combat. For example, FN P90, H&K MP7, Czech vz.61 Skorpion, Polish PM63 Rak.

 

If you enjoy Forgotten Weapons check out its sister channel, InRangeTV! http://www.youtube.com/InRangeTVShow
Photo courtesy of US Marines. A Marine of the 1st Marine Division draws a bead on a Japanese sniper with his tommy-gun as his companion ducks for cover. The division is working to take Wana Ridge before the town of Shuri. Okinawa, 1945. S.Sgt. Walter F. Kleine. (Marine Corps)

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