Submachine gun

Will this be the Army’s new submachine gun?

The competition for the Army’s new submachine gun is entering the final stage. The process began back in May when the Army issued through its Program Executive Office Soldier (PEO) a Request for Information (RFI) during the annual National Defense Industrial Association’s Armament Systems forum. Initially, 13 companies responded, and 10 guns were presented. The Army, however, temporarily froze the process in order to update its requirements. The new RFI called for six companies that have to submit 15 prototypes. These are the six companies that qualified for the final round: Angstadt Arms; B&T USA; Global Ordnance, LLC; Shield Arms; Sig Sauer; and Trident Rifles, LLC.

The prototypes must have 20 and 30 round magazines and be capable of having a Picatinny rail in order to mount shooting-enhancing devices. They must also be able to fire 60 rounds per minute for five minutes without malfunctions. The specified caliber is the 147-grain 9mm. Furthermore, the revised requirements for the new submachine gun state that it must be a “highly concealable system capable of engaging threat personnel with a high volume of lethal force while accurately firing at close range with minimal collateral damage.” The above criteria suggest that the gun’s main users would be soldiers doing Personal Security Detail (PSD) of High-Risk Personnel (HRP), for example, politicians or generals visiting a combat zone or high-threat area. Furthermore, the limited contract (initially, 350 weapons with an option for 1000) indicates that the weapon will be used by specialized personnel, for example, helicopter pilots.

Not all companies have released their prototypes. But the ones that have, give a glimpse of the caliber of weapons being tested. Angstadt Arms is running with the Sub Compact Weapon (SCW-9). The SCW-9 has complete ambidextrous controls, to include the magazine release, safety selector, charging handle, and bolt catch and release mechanisms. It weighs just 4 pounds and is 14.5 inches long. It can take both nonlethal ammunition for training exercises and Glock 9mm ammo.

The U.S. military has had a long history with submachine guns. The first to be fielded was the indomitable M1921 Thompson, also known as the Tommie Gun, which entered service in the years following the First World War. The Tommie Gun was popularised by Mafia members. Then, during the Second World War, there came the M3 Grease Gun, which was famous for its reliability and infamous for its awkwardness — back in the day, it was issued, without a sling, to candidates undergoing Delta Force selection because of its awkward and ponderous shape. More recently, the MP5 has been used by many units, for example, Navy SEALs, in a number of roles, to include counter-terrorism, close-protection, and sentry elimination.

Originally published on NEWSREP

Zenith MKE Z-5P SB | Subgun second to none

Manufactured by MKE of Turkey and imported by Zenith Firearms, the Z-5P SB is the closest thing you can get to an authentic Mp5 without buying an HK directly. The Z-5P (and its roller-delayed brethren) are manufactured on the same machines and in the same factory as licensed Turkish-made HK guns. I’ve written about my early impressions with this clone of a legend, but now that I’ve been shooting it for a couple of months, it’s time to revisit this gun.

In case you missed the quick look article, it covers the tech specs in detail. For a brief primer (to those unfamiliar to the Mp5 family of guns) the Z-5P is the descendant of the original short-barreled submachine gun chambered in 9mm which uses rollers on the bolt to delay blowback. The benefits of the roller-delayed recoil system are decreased recoil and comparatively greater accuracy when measured against open-bolt submachine guns.

This Z-5P SB is a 4.6lb clone of the Mp5K, with the K denoting the shorter version of the Mp5. We’re looking at a ~14″ overall length and a 5.8″ barrel that features both threading and HK’s three-lug suppressor mount. This version with its short barrel, lack of buttstock and under 26″ overall length is legally defined as a pistol. An arm brace and receiver endcap are both included, depending on your preference. The receiver is topped with a length of Picatinny rail for optional optics attachment.

I used the 1/2×28 threading to affix one of my AAC TiRant 45 suppressors. While this adds a bit of length, the weight of the suppressor is pretty negligible and it lends a fantastic balance to this little shooter. While the stock iron sights are more than adequate, who can resist the temptation of tossing a little red-dot on a gun such as this? When not shooting with the irons, I’ve been using a Vortex Venom micro sight (review here), which takes the Z-5P’s natural point-and-shoot ergonomics and combines them with the speed of a reflex sight to devastating effect.

While this gun handles silky smooth and shoots like a dream, there is one rub. The Z-5P (just like my old Mp5SD) runs flawlessly with brass cased ammo. Steel cased ammo provides the same level of dependability. So where’s the problem? Aluminum cased ammo. The violent nature of HK designed extraction/ejection leaves poor aluminum cases not knowing what to do or where to fly. Some did circles inside the receiver. Some stovepiped. Changing back to brass or steel cased ammo totally and immediately eliminated the issue. Again, this has been true for me when shooting legit/original HK Mp5’s as well as American-manufactured clones and this Turkish made Z-5p.

The universal aluminum case issue aside, this is a flawless recreation of HK’s legend. MKE licensed the HK designs and has followed the plans to perfection. Unlike some other “cloners” (*cough* SW/Cohaire *cough*), MKE has stayed true to the blueprints and has made the closest thing you can get to an HK produced gun. This Z-5P shoots as well as any Mp5 derivative I’ve shot. German or otherwise. The price tag is $1844 for the base pistol (which includes 3x 30 round mags, a plastic carry case and a cleaning kit) and $2104 for the big package, which includes everything from the base model as well as a discreet carry case and the arm brace. While this is a steep price, it’s the cheapest I’ve seen for a quality replica of the legendary Mp5. Check it out!

-Rex Nanorum

Grease Gun: Examining the M3/M3A1 Submachine Gun

Compared to most U.S. infantry weapons of World War II, the M3 submachine gun is not especially well known. This is even more remarkable given that it is the longest-serving SMG in U.S. military history, having been used from 1942 to 1992.

The M3’s resemblance to the tool used to lubricate automobiles resulted in its nickname, the “Grease Gun.” Many of those who do recognize the M3 may know it more by that title than its official designation. The M3 has been portrayed onscreen a few times, including the film “The Dirty Dozen” and in HBO’s “Band of Brothers.”

A New Direction

Development of the M3 began in 1941 when the U.S. Army Ordnance Board became interested in an inexpensive, mass-produced submachine gun akin to the British Sten Gun. This in itself was quite a turnaround as, unlike many European armies, the U.S. Army had never really been especially enamored with SMGs. At the time, the U.S. submachine gun was the Thompson, which had been adopted to a large extent because it was available and already in production at the start of the war.

The Thompson was effective but heavy and expensive. Based on a list of requirements submitted by the Army, specs were developed for an all-metal weapon, chambered for the .45 ACP cartridge, capable of either semi- or full-auto fire, having a low cyclic rate and capable of being inexpensively mass produced. The original specifications had offered .30 Carbine as an alternative to .45 ACP, but the pistol caliber was chosen. To save costs, the capability of firing on semi-auto was eliminated, so the M3 could only be fired on full-auto.

Continue reading on Tactical-Life

*Photo courtesy of Tactical-Life/Ken MacSwan

Heads are Harder than You Think: Watch the Amazing Video

The thickest part of the skull is the forehead. A handgun round, even from a submachine gun, may not penetrate. If you need a head shot because the threat has body armor or cover. Make sure it counts.

A gunshot wound to the head with a rifle or handgun will not produce an easily predictable outcome. The skull is a sealed container that protects the brain. It is designed to block blunt trauma and the curved spherical structure is strong and handles shock very well. There is very little room for movement. If the brain swells inside the skull, the pressure can build and cause extensive damage.

Penetrating trauma (where the bullet gets inside the skull) leaves a permanent cavity (bullet track) may be large, but the damage from the temporary cavity caused by hydro static shock can be much worse. With no room to move, the shock waves can do massive damage.

For some lucky people, the bullet may not enter the skull. Even if it does, the bullet may pass through non-critical parts of the brain and survival is possible.

Here a police booking photo booking photo of one of life’s lottery winners:

Man accused of killing wife is still in jail Published on Wednesday, Jan 21, 2009 Beacon Journal staff report The man accused of shooting his estranged wife and holding their son hostage from police remains jailed. Daniel Tice, 32, appeared in Akron Municipal Court Tuesday morning still showing the gunshot wound that ended an eight-hour standoff with police this month. He is charged with aggravated murder in the shooting death of his wife, Brandi Tice, 28. Daniel Tice was shot by police once in the forehead while he was holed up in the basement of his Martha Avenue home. The shot fractured his skull. Tice underwent surgery at Akron City Hospital and was taken Friday to the Summit County Jail, where he is being held in lieu of a $1 million bond set by visiting Judge Michael McNulty. Family members say Tice was angered over his wife’s affair with a family member and her demand for a divorce. He is accused of shooting his wife in the living room, taking his son and holding police at bay for eight hours. His 4-year-old son was not harmed. The couple’s two daughters, 8 and 7, were kept from the home when they returned from school. SWAT members worked their way inside the home and shot Tice with an 9mm MP-5 submachine gun after failing to subdue the 6-foot-1, 280-pound man with nonlethal bean bags fired from a gun.

There are big holes and thin spots in the skull. Use them…based on this guy’s photo, I’m thinking he may have had an extra-thick skull anyway. If we posted this guys hit on a paper target, the assumption would be that it was incapacitating. The reason TV and movie head shots go to the forehead has more to do with make up than anatomy.

To instantly incapacitate, you need to damage the brain stem. This structure is very small and difficult to hit. A rifle bullet with sufficient energy will open the cranial vault. Even with a rifle, there needs to be a solid hit. The outside of the skull will deflect and divert a peripheral hit.

Police hostage rescue

There is no miracle technique or magic bullet. If you have to respond to protect yourself or others, you will be as good as your training. Don’t ever assume any one shot or technique will be a fight stopper. You may get a nasty surprise.

If you have a shotgun, you may have better results.

Another citizen saved.

Zenith Z-5P subgun | Quick Look

While the venerable HK Mp5 has been in service since the ’60’s, it gained true icon status in the 1980’s. Between watching real world commandos take down the bad guys of the world on the news and enjoying Arnold and Chuck stack nameless henchmen into piles with the little subgun on the silver screen, the diminutive 9mm slinger caught the eye of an entire generation. While the Mp5 family of firearms has largely been replaced within military and law enforcement units, there are still many shooters in love with the distinctive design of HK’s lightning in a bottle.

The main downside to the Mp5 (and semi-auto only variants), is the cost. Thankfully, HK has licensed out the design to a number of companies over the years, one being the turkish arsenal MKE. Zenith Firearms is bringing these to the US shores to the delight of many.

While Zenith imports a good number of HK clones in various calibers, the Specific model I recieved for T&E is the Z-5P SB, a licensed copy of the Mp5-K (K for Kurz, German for “short”). Having owned and used various HK subguns over the years (OEM and licensed copies), I can say the Z-5P is the closest thing you can get to an HK without paying for the stamp. This machine is so accurately reproduced, one would have to be well-versed in roller-lock guns to spot the (minor) differences. These Z-5P’s were produced in factories designed from the ground-up to produce HK quality guns. These are not cheap knock-offs.

The specs for the Z-5P as provided by Zenith Firearms:

Caliber – 9×19 mm Parabellum
OA Length – 13.7 inches
Barrel Length – 5.8 inches
Barrel – cold hammer forged 32 chrome molybdenum vanadium
Weight (Empty) – 4.6 pounds
Operation – semi-automatic, roller-delayed blowback
Twist Rate – 1:9.8
Sights – rear drum for elevation and windage, front protected post
Capacity – 30
Colors – black
Includes – Z-5P pistol with rugged plastic carry case, factory cleaning kit, two (2) extra take-down pins, Picatinny style optics rail, military style sling, three (3) magazines, and 5-year warranty
Additional – barrel has 3-lug quick attachment and 1/2×28 threaded end
Made in Turkey by MKE

The Z-5P came with a soft case from Assault Systems, which not only straps in the gun but has three built-in mag pouches as well for the included 3 x 30 rounders. Also included were two options for the back-end: either a receiver end-cap or an arm brace made by SB Tactical. The picatinny rail was an unexpected bonus, allowing me to instantly upgrade the iron sights to a Vortex Venom red-dot.

When the out-of-the-box inspection showed a well-finished pistol variant of the famous subgun, I couldn’t wait to get to the range. I’ve had experience with poorly made HK copies and it was apparent from the get-go this wasn’t one. I hit the range with a couple of boxes of ammo rather than wait for more to come in the mail. A more thorough range day will follow; for now, here’s how she ran.

Superb. When using cheap steel cased rounds or premium brass cased ammo, the Z-5P ran reliably. As is common for these roller-lock guns, it didn’t enjoy the aluminum cased ammo as much.

Accuracy for the Z-5P was just as I’d have expected based on my experience owning an Mp5-SD: pedestrian when grouping, yet dead-on whenever you’re shooting under pressure. I’ve heard remarkable tales of accuracy from reliable military, law enforcement and “alphabet agency” types who have used the Mp5 and its ilk in hostile zones. Most of those who I’ve talked to directly also agreed these guns are best “off the bench”.

Once the above-mentioned ammo comes in, I’m taking the Z-5P out for a more extensive (and suppressed) series of range trips. While you wait, head over to Zenith Firearm‘s site and check them out! Retail on the Z-5P SB is $2014. T&E product loaned by Zenith Firearms.

Stay tuned!

MP40: Germany’s Influential 9mm Submachine Gun

(Article originally published on Tactical Life)

The German MP40 (and its predecessor, the MP38) brought about several unique features that inspired many future small-arms designs after WWII, including a folding stock and parts extensively made from steel, aluminum and plastic.

The MP40, or Maschinenpistole 40, was a turning point in submachine gun design and manufacture. Early submachine guns relied on heavy and expensive milled-steel components and featured bulky wooden stocks inspired by contemporary carbines. The MP40 pioneered the use of economical and lightweight materials such as aluminum, plastic and sheet-metal stampings. As Thomas Nelson observed in The World’s Submachine Guns, “The MP40…left a legacy in production techniques which are copied by practically every country to indulge in submachine gun production since the MP40 set the pace.” Although the MP40 was certainly revolutionary, it also benefitted from earlier German designs.

Toward the end of World War I, the German army pioneered the design, manufacture and use of the submachine gun. Trench warfare demonstrated the need for a compact, lightweight, rapid-firing gun that could serve as a “trench broom.” German trench raiders frequently expended six or seven times their planned allotment of grenades when clearing trenches and fortifications. The lack of appropriate firearms forced German trench raiders to desperate measures such as arming themselves with long-barreled Artillery Lugers fitted with shoulder stocks and carrying as many 32-round “snail drum” magazines as they could scrounge. Equipped this way, German troops used them as improvised rapid-fire semi-automatic carbines.

Continue reading on Tactical Life

Image courtesy of Tactical Life