Evolution of the Submachine Gun: Three Distinct Generations
Submachine Guns
•
18m
Submachine guns have gone through a distinct evolution over the past one hundred years. Today we will look at these changes, specifically identifying:
- 1st Generation guns from World War One and through the 1930s
- 2nd Generation guns of World War Two
- 2nd Generation guns after World War Two
- 2nd Generation guns adapter to modern polymer manufacturing
- 3rd Generations guns in the form of rifle actions scaled down to pistol calibers
Up Next in Submachine Guns
-
H&K MP5SD: The Cadillac of Suppressed...
Shortly after introducing the MP5 submachine gun, Heckler & Koch added an integrally suppressed model to its line at the request of special operations forces. It was called the MP5SD, for “schalldampfer”, or suppressed. In order to minimize noise, the barrel was drilled with holes immediately in ...
-
Doughboy Bringback MP-18,I on the Range
The MP-18,I was most likely the first true submachine gun to see combat use, issued in the final months of World War One to German Sturmtruppen. These guns were originally fitted with 32-round drum magazines form the Artillery Luger, but they were almost all quickly changed to standard System Sch...
-
Erma EMP: Heinrich Vollmer's Interwar...
Developed by Heinrich Vollmer in the 1920s, this quite distinctive submachine guns was marketed by the Erma company starting in 1932 and sold quite well internationally. This particular example was used by the German police and is chambered for 9x19mm. Many of these guns were also sold to Spain w...