Nr.

1 Heckler & Koch MP5 (Germany)

 
   The MP5 submachine gun was developed by Heckler & Koch company in the early 1960s.
It proved to be a highly successful design. In 1966 it was adopted by West German police,
border guard and special forces. It proved to be an extremely successful design. Despite its
age and the advent of new submachine guns and improvements in technology, the MP5 is in
service with nearly 90 countries, including Germany. Its production still continues. This
weapon is license-produced in Greece, Iran, Mexico, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Turkey
and the United Kingdom. The Heckler & Koch MP5 is one of the most famous firearms of
this class. Its only rival in terms of proliferation is the Israeli Uzi submachine gun.
   The MP5 is a blowback operated, selective fire weapon, chambered for a standard 9x19
mm Parabellum ammunition. However this submachine gun is unusual because it fires from
a closed bolt and has a roller-delay blowback mechanism, similar to that of the Heckler &
Koch G3 automatic rifle. It makes this weapon extremely accurate. This submachine gun
can be seen as a scaled-down and rechambered version of the G3. The MP5 is a high-
quality, reliable and accurate weapon.
   Trigger units of the HK MP5 are available with various fire mode options, including semi-
auto, full-auto and various burst modes. Modern versions have ambidextrous fire mode
controls, mounted on either side of the receiver. Cocking handle is mounted at the front of
the receiver, on the left side.
   First production models of the MP5 were fed from a straight box-shaped magazine. In
1977 a curved magazine was introduced. It has 15- or 30-rounds capacity. This SMG is also
compatible with 100-round drum magazines.
   Sights of this submachine gun are similar to other Heckler & Koch weapon models and
consist of front post and rear diopter. Red-dot, optical or night sights can be mounted on a
quick-detachable clamp. Effective range of fire is up to 100 meters.
   A number of improvements were made to this SMG over time.
 Nr.2 Uzi (Israel)
 
   The Uzi Submachine Gun (SMG) was designed by Uziel Gal, an Israel's army lieutenant,
in 1949. This weapon is named in honor to its designer. It was officially adopted in 1951 and
was first introduced to Israel's army special forces in 1954. Two years later it became the
standard issue submachine gun with the Israel Defense Force. Weapon was selected by
Israel's army due to its simplicity and ease of production. The Uzi proved to be an extremely
successful design. It was so successful, that eventually it had been adopted by more than
90 countries worldwide either for military use or law enforcement forces. Currently it is still
used by around 70 countries from all over the world. Improved versions of this weapon are
still produced in Israel. The Uzi was license-produced in Belgium and Rhodesia (now
Zimbabwe). Unlicensed copied have been produced in China and Croatia. Also there are
numerous clones of this successful weapon.
   The Uzi is simple in design and technology. It is made primarily from stamped sheet metal.
Also it has relatively few mowing parts. It is an open bolt, blowback operated submachine
gun. It is chambered for a Standard 9x19 mm Parabellum round.
   This submachine gun is fitted with a manual safety switch, which is also a fire mode
selector. It has a semi-auto and full-auto modes. There is additional automatic grip safety
button. The weapon will not fire until both safeties are disengaged. These features reduce
the chance of accidental firing.
   The weapon is simple to use and to maintain. This submachine gun can be easily field
stripped for maintenance and repairs. The Uzi proved to be a reliable weapon, though can
still jam if not cleaned regularly.
   Magazine is housed in the pistol grip. This feature makes the weapon shorter and
reloading becomes more intuitive. This design feature was borrowed from British MCEM-2
experimental submachine gun, or Czechoslovak Sa vz.23 submachine gun. The Uzi is fed
from 25-, 32-, 40-, or 50-round box-shaped magazines.
   Early production models had a detachable wooden stock. On later production models a
collapsible metal stock was fitted as standard.
   Downside of the Uzi is its limited range and accuracy, especially in full-auto mode.
 Nr.3 FN P90 (Belgium)
 
   The P90 is not a typical submachine gun. It was developed in Belgium by Fabrique
Nationale (FN) in the late 1980s. It was chambered for entirely new ammunition and
intended as a personal defense weapon for non-frontline troops, vehicle drivers, tank and
artillery crews. The FN P90 was introduced in the early 1990s. At the time of its introduction
it was considered as a new generation weapon. It was the first personal defense weapon
and in terms of dimensions, weight and firepower took intermediate position between
submachine guns and assault rifles. The P90 was so successful, that it is currently in service
with nearly 50 countries, where it is used by military and law enforcement forces.
   The FN P90 is a clean sheet design with a number of unusual features. It is a blowback
operated, selective fire weapon with a  bullpup layout, which fires from closed bolt. It is
chambered for a newly-developed 5.7x28 mm ammunition with sharp nose bullets. This
round has enhanced penetration comparing with the standard 9x19 mm Parabellum round
and is effective against body armor at ranges of 100 m and beyond. It resembles a scaled-
down standard NATO 5.56x45 mm rifle round. Eventually the P90 has significantly improved
range and penetration comparing with standard submachine guns.
   The FN P90 has minimal size and weight. Its furniture is made of impact-resistant polymer.
This submachine gun is easy to use and maintain. It has low recoil and can be easily
controlled with one hand.
   Due to its compact dimensions, range, penetration and high magazine capacity, the FN
P90 is often used for the role, directly opposite to its original role. This weapon is often used
for offensive roles at close ranges. Sometimes it is used as a primary weapon of assault
teams.
   The FN P90 is fully ambidextrous. It has charging handles located on either side of the
receiver. Spent cases are ejected downwards. A safety switch is located below the trigger.
   The P90 has an unusual magazine, which is located above the barrel. This feature allowed
to make weapon as compact as possible. The magazine is made of semi-translucent
polymer and holds 50 rounds. It is an impressive capacity for a submachine gun.
   This submachine gun comes with integral non-magnifying red dot-type sight. Backup iron
sights are provided. The P90 can contain an integral laser aiming module in its forward
handgrip. It sends either visible or infra red laser beam. This weapon has an effective range
of 150-200 meters. It penetrates a standard US Army helmet at a range of 150 m.
   The FN P90 SMG is compatible with silencer, which is used in conjunction with special
subsonic ammunition.
 Nr.4 Heckler & Koch MP7 (Germany)
 
   The MP7 submachine gun was developed by the famous Heckler & Koch company of
Germany. Originally this weapon was known as the HK PDW or Personal Defense Weapon.
It was designed as a competitor for a successful Belgian Belgian FN P90. The German
weapon uses new intermediate ammunition. It is intended for non-frontline troops, vehicle
drivers, tank and artillery crews, as well as special forces units, VIP protection teams and
hostage rescue units. The MP7 was first revealed in 2000. Its production commenced in
2001. Currently it is in service with Germany and more than 20 other countries, including
South Korea and the United Kingdom.
   The Heckler & Koch MP7 is a gas operated, selective fire weapon. Its internal design
resembles that of the HK G36 assault rifle, but scaled down. Otherwise it has a layout of a
typical submachine gun. This SMG is chambered for a new Heckler & Koch 4.6x30 mm
high-velocity ammunition. This ammunition is also used by the HK UCP pistol. The 4.6x30
mm round fits the gap between pistol rounds and rifle rounds. It is superior in terms of range
and penetration to the standard 9x19 mm Parabellum round, used by most submachine
guns.
   The MP7 has dimensions and weight of a typical submachine gun, but at close ranges
delivers firepower of an assault rifle. It is claimed that the MP7 penetrates a standard
CRISAT body armor at a range of 200 m.
   Many operators use this weapon for offensive, rather than defensive roles. The MP7 is
often used for offensive roles by assault teams or special operations forces for close quarter
combat. Sometimes it is even used as a primary weapon.
   An ambidextrous safety and fire mode selector switch allows for single shots or full
automatic fire. An ambidextrous cocking lever is located at the rear of the receiver and
resembles that of the M16 assault rifle. The weapon can be cocked using either hand.
However there is only one spent case ejection port on the right side of the receiver, so this
weapon is not fully ambidextrous.
   This submachine gun is well balanced and is easy to operate. It can be fired like a pistol,
using only one hand. This weapon has a folding forward grip and retractable shoulder stock.
   Magazine is housed inside the pistol grip. It uses 20- or 40-round capacity magazines.
   This personal defense weapon has a standard Picatinny-type scope rail on top of the
receiver. It can mount various sights. It comes as standard with flip-up detachable iron
sights. However the MP7 is typically seen with various and a red dot sights. Range of
effective fire is around 150-200 meters.
   Additional accessory rails can be installed over the foregrip. The MP7 is compatible with a
number of accessories, as well as a sound suppressor.
 Nr.5 Heckler & Koch UMP (Germany)
 
   The Heckler & Koch UMP submachine gun was designed as a successor to the famous
MP5 in the mid-1990s. The main goal was to design a lightweight and powerful SMG, which
would be cheaper than the MP5. This weapon was aimed mainly at US law enforcement
market. Its production commenced in 1999 and it is still produced. However this weapon
could not surpass its predecessor in terms of popularity and proliferation. The UMP is in
service with more than 20 countries.
   The HK UMP is a blowback-operated, selective fire weapon, fired from the closed bolt. Its
first versions, the UMP-45 and UMP-40 were chambered for .45 ACP and .40 SW
ammunition respectively. Later a 9x19 mm version became available (UMP-9). All versions
have similar design, apart from the different chambering.
   The UMP can fire in semi-auto, full-auto, 2- or 3-round burst modes. Its fire mode selector
is also acts as a safety lock. This fire mode selector is fully ambidextrous. Cocking handle is
located at the front of the receiver.
   The HK UMP is available with 25- and 30-round capacity magazines. The UMP-45 is
typically fed from 25-round magazines. Other versions are fed from the 30-round ones. It is
worth mentioning that the .45 ACP and .40 SW versions use straight magazines, while the 9
mm version comes with curved magazines.
   This SMG comes with adjustable iron sights and also has a scope rail on top of the
receiver, which is used to mount various sights. This submachine gun has an effective range
of about 100 meters.
   The UMP comes with a side-folding buttstock, which folds to the right side. Weapon can
be fired when buttstock is in folded position. Its accessory rail on the foregrip accepts a wide
variety of equipment, such as tactical flashlights, vertical grips, laser pointers and so on. A
silencer can be attached to the barrel.