A submachine gun (SMG) is a magazine -fed automatic carbine designed to fire handgun cartridges. The term "submachine gun" was coined by John T. Thompson, the inventor of the Thompson submachine gun, [1] to describe its design concept as an automatic firearm with notably less firepower than a machine gun (hence the prefix "sub-").

This is a list of submachine guns. It includes Submachine guns (SMG), Machine pistols (MP), Personal defense weapon systems (PDW), and "compact submachine gun-like weapons" not easily categorized. Weapons may fit in more than one category. 1992-? 1950/1953-? 2008-? 1995/1996-? 1984-? 1998-? 1990-? 1993-? 1999/2004-? 1964-? 1985-?

The SIG MPX is a gas-operated submachine gun designed and manufactured by SIG Sauer, and is primarily chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum. It is a gas-operated firearm featuring a closed, rotating bolt. [2] These design features, rare in submachine guns, were chosen to enhance the safety of the user and to have a more reliable firearm. [3]

Mar 27, 2025 · Submachine guns (SMGs) have secured their place as icons of close-quarters combat, prized for their compact size and rapid-fire capabilities. These weapons, typically firing pistol cartridges, bridge the gap between handguns and rifles, providing unparalleled firepower in confined spaces.

Sep 25, 2021 · The term submachine gun often encompasses machine pistols and personal defense weapons. CZ Scorpion Machine pistols were some of the earliest SMGs and are often pistols capable of automatic fire.

5 days ago · submachine gun, lightweight automatic small-arms weapon chambered for relatively low-energy pistol cartridges and fired from the hip or shoulder. Most types utilize simple blowback actions.

Submachine guns of the world detailed through pictures and text.

The submachine gun is an automatic or selective-fire, shoulder-fired weapon chambering pistol-caliber ammunition. The concept of a submachine gun dates back to World War 1; the trench warfare of that war required effective and compact weapons for short-range fighting in trenches.

They will range from the ubiquitous Thompson SMG (possibly the most recognizable and romantic weapon ever produced—used by G.I.s, feds and criminals alike) to MP40s used by snarling Nazi devils, though the propaganda flicks of the early 1940s had vismod TSMGs as MP40s in the hands of the dreaded Hun and even Japanese troops.

Nov 15, 2024 · Today, we’ll explore the history of the Colt SMG, from the first Department of Energy Compact to the most modern variant on the market. The First Colt Submachine Gun. Alright, let’s take a quick detour to 1959. Colt developed an ultra-small CAR-15 variant known as the CAR-15 Model 607 and called it the Colt Submachine Gun.