• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
The Loadout Room

The Loadout Room

Professional Gear Reviews

Hardcore Gear and Adventure

Menu
  • Shooting
        • Pistol
        • Pistol Accessories
        • Rifle
        • Rifle Accessories
        • Shotgun
        • Machine Guns
        • Air Guns
        • Ammunition
        • Optics and Sights
        • Weapon Lights
        • Tips & How-To
        • Concealed Carry
        • Holsters
        • Suppressors
        • Precision Rifle Shooting
        • Firearms Training
        • SIG RattlerSIG Sauer MCX Rattler CO2 BB Air Gun: Big Fun 3 Rounds at a Time
        • Beretta pistolPyramyd AIR’s Beretta 92A1 CO2 Powered Full-Auto BB Pistol
        • m243The M24: America’s Headhunter
        • skorpFull-Auto Fun — Shooting the full-Auto vz. 61 Škorpion
    • Close
  • Gear Reviews
      • Mission Gear
      • Camping Gear
      • Survival Gear
      • Medical Gear
      • Adventure & Travel
      • Knives & Tools
      • Overland
      • Disaster Preparedness
      • Footwear
      • Womens Gear & Clothing
        • RyobiBattery Power Stations: So Good, You Can Toss Your Gas Generator
        • Viking-Bags Logo 2Pic of the Day, Viking Motorcycle Bags 45L Tactical XL Bag
        • Hunting in TexasThese 5 ATV Dealers Will Get You Ready For Hunting Season in Texas
        • ac65a540-2ef3-4598-8d11-afdf53f46e94.__CR0,0,970,600_PT0_SX970_V1___Streamlight ProTac Rail Mount HL-X: A Thoroughly Bright Review
    • Close
  • Men’s Lifestyle
      • Fitness
      • EDC
      • Eyewear
      • Watches
      • Electronics & Technology
      • Downtime
      • Mens Clothing & Accessories
      • Manly Skills
      • Style & Grooming
      • Gentleman Drinks
      • Crate Club
        • Bison StewEssential Provisions: Clean Fuel for the Hunt
        • RyobiBattery Power Stations: So Good, You Can Toss Your Gas Generator
        • Whipped CoffeeFriday Coffee Break: Dalgona Coffee, Field-Ready
        • BullFrog 2024Bullfrog by Allen Control Systems: AI Meets Firepower
    • Close
  • News
  • Video Demo
  • Buying Guides
  • Shop
  • Advertise
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)

Share This

More From The Loadout Room

Comments

Primary Sidebar

Most Read

  • Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8, A Fast Shooting Wheelgun
    Smith & Wesson 327 TRR8, A Fast Shooting Wheelgun
  • Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
    Mossberg 930: the affordable 12 gauge auto-loader
  • Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
    Tisas 1911A1 U.S. Army Review: Best Budget .45 ACP WW2 1911 Clone?
  • Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
    Mossberg Shockwave Versus Remington Tac 14
  • Smith and Wesson Governor Range Review
    Smith and Wesson Governor Range Review

Find Us on Facebook

The Loadout Room

Recent Comments

  • ABDULKERİM on Military hunting smartphone safety to hold off enemy bugs, spooks
  • Karina Jenkins on How to Cut Your Cable
  • Aldo Peck on China unveils laser “assault rifle” that can set your clothes on fire from 800 meters

Latest From SOFREP

News

Evening Brief: Hegseth Presses Nigeria on Christian Persecution, Putin Welcomes US Peace Proposal, Iran Condemns UN Nuclear Watchdog Resolution

The Pic of the Day

SOF Pic of the Day: German Special Operations Canines

Op-Ed

The Bolduc Brief: The Morality of Following Orders in the Military Profession

Special Operations

Terrifying Account of a Navy SEAL Killed by a Shark

Military Content Group

© Copyright 2025 Military Content Group · All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers