Uzi 9mm SMG

The Israeli Uzi submachine gun is produced by Israel Military Industries Ltd. (IMI). As one of the most popular weapons of its kind, it has earned Israel billions of dollars in the military and law enforcement export market. The Uzi utilizes the overall design and many features of the Czech M23/25 submachine gun, but the Uzi has a completely different receiver, made of rectangular stamped steel rather than round in cross-section, and other changes.

German Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Leo Menke briefs U.S. soldiers on the Uzi submachine gun, Heidelberg-area, Germany, October 2001
German Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Leo Menke briefs U.S. soldiers on the Uzi submachine gun, Heidelberg-area, Germany, October 2001.

Today in WW II: 7 Jun 1942 Japanese forces invade the Aleutian Islands, the first invasion of American soil since the War of 1812, 128 years earlier.  

Uzi 9mm Submachine Gun Characteristics

The Uzi is a recoil-operated, select fire submachine gun, firing open bolt. The bolt "sleeves" around the rear part of the barrel to decrease overall length. The Uzi features a fire selector and safety switch on the left side of the receiver, along with an automated safety on the rear side of the handle. The charging handle is located at the top of the receiver and does not move when firing.

Uzi Submachine Gun
Uzi Submachine Gun.

The Uzi is equipped with a folding stock, made from stamped steel although early variants were equipped with fixed wooden stock. The Mini and Micro variants featured side-folding stocks made from steel wire. All versions may be equipped with silencers.

Variants used by Israeli special forces feature rails on the top and on the bottom of the receiver, used to mount sights, tactical flashlights and laser aiming modules.

Inventor of the Uzi Submachine Gun

Uzi Gal, inventor of the submachine gun, was a shy and quiet person whose superb technical abilities and unique mind were apparent from the time he was a small child. During his life, Gal patented several major inventions. By the mid-1950's, the "Uzi" had gained recognition as one of the best lightweight weapons of the 20th century, and Uzi was named one of the most important armory developers. Gal retired from the Israel Defense Forces in 1976 and moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he served as a weapons advisor and reportedly worked on developing a new pistol that would have transformed the international weapons industry. Uzi Gal, 79, passed away on 7 September 2002 after a long battle with illness.

Uzi Information Table

Feature Data
Caliber 9x19mm Luger/Parabellum
Weight 3.7 kg
Lenght (stock closed / open) 470 mm/ 650 mm
Barrel length 400 mm
Rate of fire, rounds/min 600
Magazine capacity, rounds 25 or 32
Effective range 200 m

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