Pistol cartridge Semi auto carbine:

Pistol cartridge Semi auto carbine:

Primary role: Security


Off late, semi auto carbines in pistol cartridge has gained immense popularity. As the name suggests, this system uses popular calibers like 9mm, .40 S&W and .45 ACP cartridges, thus the user can consolidate the sidearm ammunition for a 100 yard range shooting solution without having to add another platform/caliber for the purpose. Two main varieties include carbine kit upgrade for side arms such as glock, M9  or the stand alone systems like Hi Point, Keltec sub 2000’s and AR carbines. Due to their small size and light weight, these make ideal camp site rifles or bag pack rifles.

Few popular examples 

Glock Carbine kit, 

Hi point

CX storm

Keltec sub2000

Semi Auto Rifle– Intermediate cartridge

Semi Auto Rifle– Intermediate cartridge

Primary Role:  Security/ Point Defense (scaled term) 
Secondary role: Hunting


Semi auto intermediate cartridge systems are do it all system, it can take down medium sized game, large magazines lets you fire follow up shots and relatively faster actions lets you lay defensive fire if needed, light weight lets you carry it with ease over extended period of times. In other words these are absolute game changers when it comes to civilian arms. Intermediate calibers have found popularity among countries that do-not subscribe to the NPB standards of commonwealth countries. 5.56N, 7.62N 5.45 x39 and 7.62x39 are widely in use on civilian semi auto’s in the US and some european countries. Some specialized calibers like 6.5 Grendel, 6.8 SPC, .300 AAC blackout are also rapidly gaining popularity.


Popular platforms 


AR 15

AKM

Ruger Mini 14

PTR 91/ Semiauto G3

Semi Auto FAL

Saiga Semi Auto

Modern Sub Machine Carbine

Modern Sub Machine Carbine

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun was born from the INSAS (Indian Small Arms System) program, which originally included three weapons - the 5.56mm INSAS assault rifle, the 5.56mm INSAS squad automatic / LMG, based on the rifle, and a compact carbine. The INSAS rifle and LMG are already in service with Indian armed forces, but the original INSAS carbine program faced several difficulties. As a result, it was decided to design a carbine around smaller round, based on the shortened 5.56mm cartridge. The new round appears to be of same concept that experimental American Colt MARS, as it has bottlenecked case 30mm long, loaded with light, pointed bullet with steel penetrator core. The bullet weight is 2.6 gram and muzzle velocity from 300mm carbine barrel is listed as 650 m/s, resulting in muzzle energy value of 550 Joules - similar to modern pistol cartridges. The cartridge, known as 5.56x30 MINSAS, offers effective range of about 200 to 300 meters, with good penetration against body armor. The early carbines for this round, known as MINSAS, were based on the INSAS rifle, lightened and scaled down for shortened round. The MSMC, however, derives from this by having more compact, pistol-type layout, which also offers better balance and better maneuverability, especially in confined spaces.

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is intended for Indian Special Operation troops, but it also can make a good Personal Defense Weapon for vehicle and gun crews and other non-infantry personnel operating in combat zones. As of now (spring 2010), the Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is in its final stages of T&E by Indian military.

The Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is a gas operated weapon, utilizing rotary bolt locking and a gas piston, located above the barrel. The receiver appears to be made from sheet steel, with outer polymer housing with integral pistol grip. The magazines are inserted into the pistol grip. Buttstock is of telescoped type. Safety / fire mode selector is ambidextrous and conveniently located above the trigger. Standard iron sights are complemented by the Picatinny rail, which can host a wide array of additional day and night sighting equipment. Another unusual accessory for the Modern Sub Machine Carbine / MSMC submachine gun is the bayonet lug, which is located above the barrel, just in front of the receiver.

Ingram Mac10

Ingram Mac10

Ingram Model 10 is blowback-operated, selective-fire submachine gun, that fires from open bolt. The bolt has firing pin milled in its body (or pinned to it). Bolt is of telescoped design, with most of its weight located in front of the breech face, around the barrel. Cocking handle is located at the top fo the gun, and can be used to lock the bolt in forward position, when handle is turned sideways by 90 degrees. The receiver is made from formed sheet steel and consist of two parts - upper and lower. Receiver parts are connected by steel pin at the front of the weapon. Charging handle is located at the top of the receiver and doesn't move with the bolt when firing. The muzzle of the barrel is threaded to accept silencer. Controls include a manual safety, made in the form of a slider located inside the trigger guard, and a separate fire mode selector, made in form of a rotary lever located on left side of weapon, above the front of trigger guard. The shoulder stock was of telescoped design with folding shoulder rest made of steel wire. To provide additional stability, a leather loop attached to the front of the receiver, which is used to hold the gun by non-firing hand.

Sights are f most simple type, and include non-adjustable diopter type rear and protected front blade.

Calibers 9mm, .45 ACP. .380 ACP

UZI Sub Machine Gun

UZI

The UZI submachine gun was developed in Israel by designer Uziel Gal in around 1949, and manufactured by IMI (now IWI Ltd) since about 1951. UZI had been adopted by police and military of more than 90 countries, including Israel (now only in reserve), Germany, Belgium. It was also produced under license in Belgium by FN Herstal, and without license - in Croatia. More compact versions, Mini and Micro UZI,which were developed in 1982 and 1983, respectively, are adopted by many police, special operations and security units around the world, including Israeli Isayeret, US Secret Service etc.

An interesting question is the ancestry of the design of Uzi submachine gun.Most sources state that it was inspired by the Czechoslovak SA23 submachine gun, which also had magazine in pistol grip and wrap-aroundbolt. This submachine gun was adopted in 1948, with production commencing in 1949. There are some doubts that it could reach the shores of Israel the sameyear it was born. On the other hand, British army tested several prototype weapons of the same basic layout as early as 1944 (see MCEM-2),and it is possible that Uziel Gal had learned about this layout from UK. It is also possible that he "invented" this layout on his own - after all,the very same basic layout has been used in semi-automatic pistols for a good 50 years.

The UZI submachine gun is blowback operated weapon which fires from open bolt.Mini- and Micro-Uzi submachine guns are produced either in open-bolt or closed-bolt versions; in the latter variation, weapon is equipped with separate striker and additional spring. The receiver is made from stamped steel, with trigger unit and pistol grip pinned to its bottom at the center. The bolt is of "wrap-around" type,with most of its weight located in front of the breech face. The Micro-Uzi has an additional weight, made from tungsten, attached to the bolt, to slightly slowdown the overly excessive rate of fire. The cocking handle is located at the to pof the receiver cover, and does not move when gun is fired; the cocking handle slot is covered by sliding dust cover. Bolt handle is cut at the middle to provide a sighting channel. Gun is fitted with manual safety /fire selector, located on the left side of the grip, plus automatic grip safety at the rear. Full-size Uzi submachine guns were fitted either with a detachable wooden shoulder stock, or with under folding metallic shoulder stock of indigenous design. More compact Mini-Uzi and Micro-Uzi are fitted with side-folding metallic buttstocks made from steel.