Machine pistol

A machine pistol shares several properties of the semi-automatic pistol and the submachine gun. Machine pistols are magazine-fed and self-cocking. Such a pistol is designed to be fired with the use of one hand, but in practical use almost always requires both hands to control.

Related Topics:
Semi-automatic pistol - Submachine gun - Magazine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Machine pistols have the following features:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Full-automatic (or selective-fire) capability.
• Either no shoulder stock, or a detachable wooden stock, or a tubular steel folding/collapsible stock.
• A magazine within the grip.

The term "machine pistol" is a literal translation of the German term Maschinenpistole (submachine gun). The term was previously used in the late 1800's and early 1900's to describe semi-automatic pistols. Today it is used to describe very small submachine guns such as the MAC-10 and the Mini- and Micro-Uzi, although the line between machine pistols and submachine guns is not always clear. Additionally, some fully-automatic handguns such as the Glock 18 and the obsolete Mauser 1932 or Model 712 would qualify as machine pistols.

Related Topics:
German - Semi-automatic - MAC-10 - Uzi - Submachine gun - Glock 18 - Mauser

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 
Machine pistol: Related ►