Prototype Matra Manurhin Compact SMG at the Range
France
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5m 36s
I came across this prototype (serial number 7) PDW/compact SMG in a collection, and had the opportunity to take it out to try on the range. I don't have any specific data about it, but it was made by Matra Manurhin, which only existed for 5 years, from 1985 until 1990. This was part of the repeated reorganization on the original arms maker Manufacture de Machines du Haut-Rhin (the most recognizable part of the company, the MR73 revolver, was sold to Chapuis Armes in 1998).
The gun is a simple blowback, open bolt submachine gun in 9x19mm. It has a short barrel of about 4 inches, and a side-mounted folding stock.Rate of fire is high, but not as high as I had initially expected, and it was surprisingly comfortable and controllable to shoot. It never went into production, though.
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