Brief overview of iconic carbines, Part 1

[ds1]

So being bored of lockdown decided to do a brief overview of some of our more iconic  9mm carbine platforms ( all 9mm semi-auto).

First up Uzi,

an agricultural bit of kit but with some really forward thinking features. A child of it’s time ( 1950s) in respect of it being made from pressed sheet stamping and Bakelite furniture but some excellent feature - non reciprocating charging handle , bolt over barrel design, quick change chrome lined barrel, compact size with folding stock. The bayonet lug is a bit retro. Agricultural in the sense it fires from an open bolt so lock time measured in weeks and an almost double recoil impulse. No thought at the time for red dot optics or picatinny anything, aftermarket options now exist though. 

Iconic moments would include special agent Robert Wanko pulling one from a briefcase during the Regan assignation attempt.

On to the the HK mp5,

a 1960’s child, also of stamped and welded  steel though a bit more tastefully done than the Uzi. The rail guides which serves a triple  purpose of strengthening the receiver housing and acting as an internal track for the bolt carrier group and an external track for the collapsing stock are a very nice touch. Features like the tri-lug suppressor mount were very forward thinking. It shows it’s age now with non captive pins, lack of integral picatinny / key mod rails and controls not designed for humans and no last round bolt hold open ( except on the 10mm version). The ‘German Slap’ non reciprocal charging handle is fun though. 

The thing is it still exist in ( if much declining) mainstream use. One of the reasons it has a very low recoil impulse due to the delay and less mass needed with the roller locking system. HK used this system in the G3 rifles and p9 series pistols- but I think it found it’s niche  here - recoil is more in a 9mm carbine than . 223 direct impingement AR15. 9mm carbines have been for the vast majority developed around blow back actions - this means high mass bolt carrier groups and more recoil than direct impingement rifle systems. The MP5 is still one of the softest shooting / less recoil systems available (Sig mpx being better). HK have released a civilian SP5 semi-auto version which is a faithful copy except for the front pin being replaced by a ledge -  therefore cannot drop in a full auto trigger group.

Iconic moments - Maggie standing against a wall with SAS with mp5s and top mounted maglites. Iranian embassy siege.

 

[Dellboy]

Soon Dave  soon

[ds1]

Always welcome here Derek. It’s still snowing here at the moment btw. By the time you come over I may have just treated myself to one of these: B&T APC 9 Pro G SD (think modern day HK mp5 SD). 
 

[brown dog]

Good iconic choices, David.

I'm quite taken with the modern pistol-based carbines (forget the brand just now).  They post-date me, never fired one, but they look perfectly pointable and controllable.

[Dellboy]

43 minutes ago, ds1 said:

Always welcome here Derek. It’s still snowing here at the moment btw. By the time you come over I may have just treated myself to one of these: B&T APC 9 Pro G SD (think modern day HK mp5 SD). 
 

Love Snow  anysign of the borders lifting ?