Submachine gun

A submachine gun is a type of machine gun. In particular, a submachine gun is a machine gun which fires ammunition normally used in pistols. Other characteristics distinguishing them from other machine guns include: light weight, a short barrel, and an inability to fire for sustained lengths of time (due to small magazine and a tendency to overheat quickly). They have typically been issued to special commando forces in the military. Their basic function is for fighting at close range like house and trench fighting where a weapon's range is less important than the ability to easily hit and neutralize a target.

The submachine gun appeared during WWI from the need to have a weapon that could be used to clear trenches. Germans first fitted their Luger pistols with high capacity drum magazines and later designed the first submachine guns that could fire in fully automatic mode.

During WW2 Germany was the first country to issue submachine guns in large numbers with the MP40, other nations quickly followed, but it would be Russia that would produce the largest number of submachine gun types.

The 1944 German introduction of the MP44 assault rifle would be the start of a new area where submachine guns would no longer be primary infantry weapons.

Following World War II, the role of submachine guns was greatly diminished with the introduction of more modern assault rifles. Submachine guns are still used by special forces, air crews, armored vehicle crews, counter-terrorist units, and Naval personnel.

One advantage of submachine guns is that they can be fitted with silencers for special operations using subsonic ammunition. However those not fitted with silencers mostly use special submachine gun ammunition that has the same dimensions as regular pistol ammunition, but that is not suited for pistol use because of the higher pressure levels and bullet velocities.

Prominent examples include the Thompson submachine gun, Israeli Military Industries Uzi submachine gun, and the Heckler und Koch MP5 series.

In the United States, submachine guns have been categorized as NFA weapons (also known as Title II weapons), so being because they are regulated under the National Firearms Act of 1934 and as amended by Title II of the Gun Control Act of 1968. NFA firearms can be legally owned if state and local law permits it, all the proper paperwork is submitted and approved, and a one time tax of $200 is paid.

In Europe, Switzerland allows the private ownership of semi-automatic submachine guns as sporting firearms. Fully automatic submachine guns may only be owned by collectors and may not be fired in fully automatic mode.

Compare machine pistol, carbine.