Clones of machine guns and rifles
Submachine guns yesterday, today, tomorrow. There is one more direction of improvement of submachine guns, about which we, by the way, also told, but we practically did not consider specific examples (except in the material about the Austrian submachine gun based on the AUG rifle), and Something automatic rifle by turning it into a submachine gun. Or we can talk about the development of some new weapons based on it. The most famous example of such a design is the Soviet AKS-74U, which, being a shortened version of the AKS-74 machine gun, hit the Soviet Army and the Ministry of the Interior, where it is still used today.
Actually, all the problems of this clone of the Kalashnikov assault rifle turned out to be connected with its patron. For PP, it was too powerful, had an unsatisfactory stopping effect, the bullets fired from it strongly ricocheted, so I even had to develop a special bullet (which did not solve the problems, by the way!), That is, it was a good weapon of total war, but for limited, "surgical" operations rather unsuitable. Yes, but what was appealing about him? Bribed his design in it. That is, the details of which he was going. After all, the production technology of the Kalashnikov automaton was by this time worked out to the utmost, which guaranteed the new weapons both manufacturability, cheapness, and rapid development among the troops. That is, in principle, it was enough just to change the cartridge, barrel, bolt and ... you could thus get a new and quite decent submachine gun, which, when used with a cartridge of 9-mm caliber, could have a very good stopping effect. But in Soviet times such “delights” were not claimed, therefore, the “Kalashnikov” clones did not appear.
Everything changed after the 1991 year. Appeared, for example, the PP-19 “Bison” submachine gun with the original auger shaft-mounted magazine on the 64 and 53 cartridge, depending on the modification. The cartridges used were very different: 9 × 18 mm, 9 × 17 mm, 9 × 19 mm “Parabellum” and even the good old cartridge from the TT - 7,62 × 25 mm, that is, everything according to the principle “every whim for your money.”
But he looked very unusual and, apparently, that is why the Vityaz submachine gun (known as PP-19-01) also appeared, with the traditional "rozhkovy" magazine for 30 cartridges.
The principle of operation of the automatics was chosen as the simplest one: the free shutter recoil, but accuracy for the sake of shooting from it is conducted with the shutter closed. And USM, and the safety device - everything, everything, including the receiver, is taken from AKS-74U and AK-104. There is a translator from single to automatic fire.
Two stores can be connected in one unit, which reduces the time to recharge. Facilitates the use of a submachine gun is also the fact that he is almost "omnivorous." It can be used 9x19 mm cartridges, both commercial samples and military, including our Russian with an armor-piercing bullet.
Externally, the new submachine gun is very similar to the Aksu-74, but it is clear that it has Pickattini strips and a tactical handle, in a word - the entire modern "gentleman's set." Nevertheless, manufacturers claim that the new model on 70% is unified with the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
There is an option with a reloading handle on the left side, which is considered a more convenient solution for a submachine gun. The switch of fire and safety modes in this version is also on the left. Due to the abundance of metal in the design, the submachine gun turned out to be somewhat heavy, about 3 kg, but in Russian it is durable and, of course, reliable. The length of the barrel is small - 230 mm, the total length with the butt - 690 mm, with a folded butt - 460. The rate of fire is quite high and is 750 rds / min. The effective firing range can reach 200 m, but it’s best to still fire no further than 100!
Today, this PP comes into service with parts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and, most likely, will remain their weapon for a long time. So “Kalashnikov traditions” still live and win in our country, but who said that there is something better than “good old traditions”. No, there is, of course, only the time to drop them has clearly not come yet!
But this was done not only in the USSR and in Russia. When in the USA there was a need for submachine guns to arm special units, Colt immediately responded and created an 9-mm model of such weapons for 9 × 19 mm, based on the M16 automatic army rifle. And, by the way, this company itself produces this rifle. So to release a clone of this rifle under the pistol cartridge was completely easy, it reduced labor costs and reduced the cost of production.
By its design, this submachine gun is very much like a rifle: its automation works on the principle of a closed bolt, but differs from the M16 in that it has a direct venting tube. The closed bolt is a very advantageous thing in that it makes it possible to produce more accurate shooting in comparison with the PCB, which has automatic shutter. Well, in appearance, like our AKS-74, the American submachine gun is also very similar to the M16, only in a correspondingly shortened form. As one of the noticeable differences can be called a large plastic deflector, near the hole to remove the sleeves. The carrying handle, which is the same as the sight, allows you to mount several kinds of optical sights on it, as well as night vision devices. Front pistol grip is missing.
Interestingly, the store's receiver did not even diminish for stores of smaller width, but inside they made the appropriate liner. It allows you to use both 32-cartridge shops and 20-cartridge shops - which are no different from the stores used in Uzi-type machine guns.
Two types of this submachine gun are produced. The first has the designation RO635, and it differs in that its fire interpreter has three positions: firing, single-shot fire and bursts of fire. The second type of RO639 instead of continuous fire provides for firing with a cut-off of three shots. There is also an option for the 633 Drug Enforcement Special Forces with a shortened barrel and a simplified scope. The most common model is the 635 model, which is referred to as SMG 9mm NATO.
The Colt company also produces a carbine based on an AR-15 rifle, and also a 9-mm caliber. It differs in the presence of a gas piston, and so it is worth the same rotating bolt. This sample has a 16,1-inch barrel, a black anodized finish, an M4 4 positioning telescopic butt, a sleeve cover and a variety of traditional attachment accessories. Shop on 32 cartridge.
Another clone of the AR-15 rifle under the 9-mm pistol cartridge - the submachine gun UDP-9 was developed and launched onto the market by the young American company Angstadt Armz, which for the first time announced itself in 2015. This is the most popular sample, although there is also a modification for the 11,43-mm pistol cartridge. Company owner Rich Angstadt played on the fact that he equipped his submachine gun with a built-in silencer, which successfully works with subsonic ammunition. It turned out simple and reliable, and it looks very modern submachine gun compatible with all the accessories from AR-15, as well as - and this is constantly emphasized in the company's advertising brochures - with all the shops from Glock family pistols. By the way, to ensure reliable supply, the stores are inserted into the PP receiver at the same angle as the pistols of this system. Model UDP-9 in a variety of configurations, which certainly increases its competitiveness in the arms market.
That is, in this way, you can, in principle, take the automation of any rifle you like, the most, so to speak, time-tested and without much trouble, making it easier in an appropriate way, to create on its basis a completely decent submachine gun for one of the most common type of shop in the world and caliber. That's all!
As always, the question of prices for such “products” is interesting. Well, the weapon is not cheap! Depending on whether it has an integrated or removable silencer, as well as the length of the barrel, the price of a sample can vary between $ 1,395.00 – 1,995.00, that is, to have a very decent price. But the cutting-edge materials and technologies used in the machine pistols of this company are believed to redeem everything! And today, these submachine guns are sold in 25 countries of the world. And what will happen when this company gain momentum?
To be continued ...
Submachine gun "Vityaz". Photo by V. Kuzmin
Very specific model
Actually, all the problems of this clone of the Kalashnikov assault rifle turned out to be connected with its patron. For PP, it was too powerful, had an unsatisfactory stopping effect, the bullets fired from it strongly ricocheted, so I even had to develop a special bullet (which did not solve the problems, by the way!), That is, it was a good weapon of total war, but for limited, "surgical" operations rather unsuitable. Yes, but what was appealing about him? Bribed his design in it. That is, the details of which he was going. After all, the production technology of the Kalashnikov automaton was by this time worked out to the utmost, which guaranteed the new weapons both manufacturability, cheapness, and rapid development among the troops. That is, in principle, it was enough just to change the cartridge, barrel, bolt and ... you could thus get a new and quite decent submachine gun, which, when used with a cartridge of 9-mm caliber, could have a very good stopping effect. But in Soviet times such “delights” were not claimed, therefore, the “Kalashnikov” clones did not appear.
Submachine gun "Vityaz" with the mounting of a tactical flashlight, a pair of magazines, the front handle and the butt pushed. Photo by V. Kuzmin
Everything changed after the 1991 year. Appeared, for example, the PP-19 “Bison” submachine gun with the original auger shaft-mounted magazine on the 64 and 53 cartridge, depending on the modification. The cartridges used were very different: 9 × 18 mm, 9 × 17 mm, 9 × 19 mm “Parabellum” and even the good old cartridge from the TT - 7,62 × 25 mm, that is, everything according to the principle “every whim for your money.”
But he looked very unusual and, apparently, that is why the Vityaz submachine gun (known as PP-19-01) also appeared, with the traditional "rozhkovy" magazine for 30 cartridges.
The principle of operation of the automatics was chosen as the simplest one: the free shutter recoil, but accuracy for the sake of shooting from it is conducted with the shutter closed. And USM, and the safety device - everything, everything, including the receiver, is taken from AKS-74U and AK-104. There is a translator from single to automatic fire.
Two stores can be connected in one unit, which reduces the time to recharge. Facilitates the use of a submachine gun is also the fact that he is almost "omnivorous." It can be used 9x19 mm cartridges, both commercial samples and military, including our Russian with an armor-piercing bullet.
Fighters of the National Guard of Kazakhstan with PP-19-01 "Vityaz"
Externally, the new submachine gun is very similar to the Aksu-74, but it is clear that it has Pickattini strips and a tactical handle, in a word - the entire modern "gentleman's set." Nevertheless, manufacturers claim that the new model on 70% is unified with the Kalashnikov assault rifle.
There is an option with a reloading handle on the left side, which is considered a more convenient solution for a submachine gun. The switch of fire and safety modes in this version is also on the left. Due to the abundance of metal in the design, the submachine gun turned out to be somewhat heavy, about 3 kg, but in Russian it is durable and, of course, reliable. The length of the barrel is small - 230 mm, the total length with the butt - 690 mm, with a folded butt - 460. The rate of fire is quite high and is 750 rds / min. The effective firing range can reach 200 m, but it’s best to still fire no further than 100!
Today, this PP comes into service with parts of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and, most likely, will remain their weapon for a long time. So “Kalashnikov traditions” still live and win in our country, but who said that there is something better than “good old traditions”. No, there is, of course, only the time to drop them has clearly not come yet!
Colt's machine gun of 9 caliber mm
But this was done not only in the USSR and in Russia. When in the USA there was a need for submachine guns to arm special units, Colt immediately responded and created an 9-mm model of such weapons for 9 × 19 mm, based on the M16 automatic army rifle. And, by the way, this company itself produces this rifle. So to release a clone of this rifle under the pistol cartridge was completely easy, it reduced labor costs and reduced the cost of production.
Argentine security forces with Colt US companies
By its design, this submachine gun is very much like a rifle: its automation works on the principle of a closed bolt, but differs from the M16 in that it has a direct venting tube. The closed bolt is a very advantageous thing in that it makes it possible to produce more accurate shooting in comparison with the PCB, which has automatic shutter. Well, in appearance, like our AKS-74, the American submachine gun is also very similar to the M16, only in a correspondingly shortened form. As one of the noticeable differences can be called a large plastic deflector, near the hole to remove the sleeves. The carrying handle, which is the same as the sight, allows you to mount several kinds of optical sights on it, as well as night vision devices. Front pistol grip is missing.
Option with a permanent butt. Clearly visible deflector-reflector behind the bore hole
Interestingly, the store's receiver did not even diminish for stores of smaller width, but inside they made the appropriate liner. It allows you to use both 32-cartridge shops and 20-cartridge shops - which are no different from the stores used in Uzi-type machine guns.
Colt SMG RO635
Two types of this submachine gun are produced. The first has the designation RO635, and it differs in that its fire interpreter has three positions: firing, single-shot fire and bursts of fire. The second type of RO639 instead of continuous fire provides for firing with a cut-off of three shots. There is also an option for the 633 Drug Enforcement Special Forces with a shortened barrel and a simplified scope. The most common model is the 635 model, which is referred to as SMG 9mm NATO.
Very short AR-9
The Colt company also produces a carbine based on an AR-15 rifle, and also a 9-mm caliber. It differs in the presence of a gas piston, and so it is worth the same rotating bolt. This sample has a 16,1-inch barrel, a black anodized finish, an M4 4 positioning telescopic butt, a sleeve cover and a variety of traditional attachment accessories. Shop on 32 cartridge.
The submachine gun UDP-9-SBA3 from Angstadt Armz with a matte black finish, a silencer screwed onto the barrel, and a Pikattini rail. Shops from the Glock pistol. Price $ 1395.00.
The submachine gun UDP-9 of Angstadt Armz with a built-in silencer. Downstairs shop of translucent plastic and cartridges to it.
Another clone of the AR-15 rifle under the 9-mm pistol cartridge - the submachine gun UDP-9 was developed and launched onto the market by the young American company Angstadt Armz, which for the first time announced itself in 2015. This is the most popular sample, although there is also a modification for the 11,43-mm pistol cartridge. Company owner Rich Angstadt played on the fact that he equipped his submachine gun with a built-in silencer, which successfully works with subsonic ammunition. It turned out simple and reliable, and it looks very modern submachine gun compatible with all the accessories from AR-15, as well as - and this is constantly emphasized in the company's advertising brochures - with all the shops from Glock family pistols. By the way, to ensure reliable supply, the stores are inserted into the PP receiver at the same angle as the pistols of this system. Model UDP-9 in a variety of configurations, which certainly increases its competitiveness in the arms market.
One of the modifications UDP-9 called "Green Bazooka". It has a longer barrel length and a silencer that is screwed onto the barrel. Equipped with an additional pistol grip. The collimator sight is fixed on the upper Picattini plate. The reloading handle is double-sided, like in the AR-15 rifle, it is traditionally located at the rear end of the receiver. Butt sliding.
That is, in this way, you can, in principle, take the automation of any rifle you like, the most, so to speak, time-tested and without much trouble, making it easier in an appropriate way, to create on its basis a completely decent submachine gun for one of the most common type of shop in the world and caliber. That's all!
And this is how this submachine gun looks in the hands of the shooter
As always, the question of prices for such “products” is interesting. Well, the weapon is not cheap! Depending on whether it has an integrated or removable silencer, as well as the length of the barrel, the price of a sample can vary between $ 1,395.00 – 1,995.00, that is, to have a very decent price. But the cutting-edge materials and technologies used in the machine pistols of this company are believed to redeem everything! And today, these submachine guns are sold in 25 countries of the world. And what will happen when this company gain momentum?
To be continued ...
Information