German Mauser select-fire Schnellfeuer machine pistol. The Spanish were the first to produce a select-fire version of the broom handle design; the weapons became very popular in China. To keep up with the competition the Germans introduced the Schnellfeuer in 1931.

By Frank Iannamico

A Brief History of the Machine Pistol

The concept of a select-fire pistol is nothing new. During early development of the semiautomatic pistol in the late 19th century there were several attempts at producing pistols with a full-automatic capability. There were far more prototypes and experimental models conceived than actual production guns. The problem every designer faced was the lightweight weapons were uncontrollable and therefore inaccurate thus, before long, most designers decided to concentrate on semiautomatic-only pistols. The term “automatic” pistol is often used to describe a semiautomatic pistol. While technically inaccurate the term is widely used and accepted. “Machine pistol” is generally used to describe a pistol capable of full-automatic fire.

In the United States there were several attempts to convert the U.S. 1911 pistol into a machine pistol and for feeding a 30-round box magazine was conceived. Some variations were fitted with removable buttstocks and vertical foregrips to help control the weapon. Other innovations included extended barrels with compensators to control muzzle rise. There were also attempts at designing a machine pistol by a few U.S. inventors, but none progressed past the prototype stage. During the early part of the twentieth century there were a few “machine pistols” developed and marketed in Europe. Because of their short recoil full-automatic pistols have very fast cyclic rates. To feed their voracious appetites for ammunition large capacity magazine and even drum magazines were designed and detachable shoulder stocks were devised to assist in controlling the weapons. Germany and Spain were the leaders in the design and production of the full automatic pistols.

Germany

The Mauser Company introduced their semiautomatic pistol in 1896 and the 7.63mm weapon is generally considered by historians to be the first successful semiautomatic pistol design. Because of the pistol’s cylindrical wood pistol grip it became known as the 1896 “broom handle” Mauser. The select-fire machine pistol version, the Schnellfeuerpistole was introduced during 1931 with China being their best customer.

Spain is believed to be the first to produce a machine pistol for military use – the Beistegui Hermanos firm’s Royal line in 1927 and the Astra Model 900 series a year later. This was a few years prior to the introduction of the Mauser Schnellfeuer machine pistols. Both the Spanish pistols, the Royal and the Astra were close copies of the German Mauser 1896 broom handle design. The Spanish firm Star produced a series of machine pistols based on the Colt 1911 design. The majority of sales of the Spanish weapons were to Japan and China.

China

During the period from 1918 through 1949 China was in a constant state of turmoil, with conflicts occurring between warlords, the Japanese invasion and the Chinese Civil War. During the 1930s the Chinese Government sought the assistance of German military advisors for recommending arms and tactics for their army. The primary weapons suggested of course were German that included the 7.92mm Mauser rifle and the 7.63 Mauser broom handle pistols, including the Mauser Schnellfeuer machine pistol. The Chinese also procured large numbers of the Spanish Royal, Astra and Star pistols. To satisfy a growing demand, Chinese factories and arsenals began manufacturing copies of the German and Spanish pistols, which had become extremely popular among the Chinese. Most of the Chinese clones were chambered in 7.63 Mauser and a limited number were made in .45 ACP. The use of the machine pistol by China transcended use of the weapons by all other countries combined. Possession of a machine pistol became a Chinese status symbol.

Cold War Era

At the beginning of the Cold War there was renewed interest in the machine pistol concept, primarily by the Soviet Union, and to a lesser extent the Italian firm of Beretta. The Soviets developed the 9x18mm Stechkin select-fire machine pistol for military issue.

During 1951 the Italian firm Beretta introduced their Model 951A 9mm select-fire machine pistol. The weapon was conceived from the semiautomatic Model 951 Italian issue military pistol. The machine pistol model featured a folding vertical pistol grip and 10-round magazine. The cyclic rate was approximately 750 rounds per minute. The Model 951A was only produced in small numbers.

More recent developments of the machine pistol have been by Beretta of Italy, Heckler & Koch of Germany and Glock of Austria.

Beretta

In 1993 Beretta introduced their M93R 9mm machine pistol (R represents Raffica that translates to burst). The weapon was based on the semiautomatic Beretta Model 92 pistol. The M93R features a foldable foregrip, muzzle compensator, detachable buttstock and a 3-round burst (1,100 rpm) feature all designed to control shot dispersion. The weapon is fed from a 20-round magazine; the M92/M9 15-round magazine can also be used.

Heckler & Koch

The German H&K VP70 is a 9mm pistol with an extremely fast cyclic rate in 3-round bursts. The selector lever is located at the front of the detachable plastic buttstock. The pistol will only function in a select-fire mode when the stock is attached, without the stock the VP70 will only fire semiautomatically.

The Glock 18

Glock introduced their select-fire 9mm Model 18 in 1986 for the military and police market.

The Glock 18 is a select-fire variant of the Glock 17, developed at the request of the Austrian counter-terrorist unit. At first glance the Glock 18 looks much like a semiautomatic Glock 17, except for its rotating lever-type fire-control selector switch, located on the left rear side of the slide. The mode of fire positions are marked with indented “dots.” One dot at the upper position is for semiautomatic fire, the lower position, full-automatic, is marked with two dots.

In an attempt to make the Glock 18 more manageable, a new version was introduced in 1996, designated as the Glock 18C (Compensated). To help control muzzle rise it has a compensator cut into the forward portion of the slide. The keyhole shaped opening provides an area to allow the four, progressively larger (from back to front) compensator slots machined in the barrel to vent the propellant gases upwards, to push the barrel down, affording more control during full-auto fire. The slide is hollowed, or dished-out, in a rectangular pattern between the rear of the ejection port and the rear sight.

The Glock 18 is basically a 9mm short recoil-operated locked breech select-fire pistol that uses a modified Browning cam-lock system adapted from the Hi-Power pistol. The firearm’s locking mechanism utilizes a link-less, vertically tilting barrel with a rectangular breech that locks in the slide. During the recoil stroke, the barrel moves rearward initially locked together with the slide approximately 3mm (0.12in) until the bullet leaves the barrel and chamber pressure drops to a safe level. A ramped lug extension at the base of the barrel then interacts with a tapered locking block integrated into the frame, forcing the barrel down and unlocking it from the slide. This camming action terminates the barrel’s movement while the slide continues back under recoil, extracting and ejecting the spent cartridge casing. In place of a conventional hammer, the Glock design uses a striker. The striker firing mechanism has a spring-loaded firing pin that is cocked in two stages, powered by the firing pin spring. When the pistol is charged, the firing pin is in the half-cock position. As the trigger is pulled, the striker becomes fully cocked. At the end of its travel, the trigger bar is tilted downward by the disconnector, releasing the striker to fire the cartridge. The disconnector resets the trigger bar so that the striker will be captured in half-cock at the end of the firing cycle. The pre-set trigger mechanism is referred to as the “Safe Action” trigger by the manufacturer. Most major components of the Model 18 are not interchangeable with other Glock models.

During the SAR test and evaluation several hundred 9mm hollow-point and full metal jacketed cartridges from a variety of manufacturers were fired. Magazines used included Glock factory 15- and 33-round magazines, Korean aftermarket 33-round magazines and a U.S. made 100-round Beta C mag. There were no malfunctions. Firing the Glock 18 on full-automatic can be a handful and those unaccustomed to shooting a machine pistol should be very closely supervised. However, the Glock 18 can be mastered with a little experience and technique. At very close range it can be a very effective weapon in the hands of an experienced shooter.

A threaded barrel was obtained in order to test the Model 18 suppressed. Several suppressors were used that included a SWR Trident 9, Octane 9 and a Gemtech Multimount. Although Glock 18 barrels are difficult/impossible to obtain, a threaded replacement barrel for a Glock 17 was tried and it fit with no problem. The Glock functioned perfectly in semiautomatic mode with a suppressor, but when switched to full-auto it would just function semiautomatic. The original spring was swapped out for a lighter 15-pound one with no success. A heavier 22-pound rated Wolff spring was installed and the test pistol began to function perfectly (quiet) in full-auto.

One disadvantage of the Glock design is that a pistol grip with an integral laser sight is unavailable except as an obtrusive add-on. The alternative is the LaserMax sight that is built into a guide rod/spring assembly that maintains a “clean” look to the pistol. The disadvantage was that the test Glock 18 would not fire full-auto with a suppressor attached with the LaserMax recoil spring assembly installed.

Detachable Stock

There have been several detachable buttstocks designed and manufactured for the Glock 18. The one that came with the test Glock was an aftermarket folding stock of unknown origin. The stock appeared well designed and made of aluminum and marked GRS USA. The stock attached by sliding up into a cavity in the grip and was secured by a spring-loaded latch. When folded, the stock’s buttplate formed a vertical foregrip.

Glock no longer offers the Model 18 or 18C in its U.S. Law Enforcement catalog. It is not known for certain when the pistol was discontinued, but it was advertised as a Third Generation model in the 2009 L.E. catalog. The Glock select-fire machine pistol was only offered in Glock’s standard size chambered for the 9mm cartridge.

The overall length of the Glock 18 is 7.28 inches, barrel length is 4.49 inches and its unloaded weight is 21.9 ounces. The Glock 18 is typically issued with a 33-round capacity magazine, although other magazines from the 9mm Glock series will fit and function. The cyclic rate in the full automatic mode is approximately 1,100-1,200 rounds per minute.

Reportedly, a Glock 18C was discovered in the underground bunker where the Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was hiding when he was captured by U.S. Army Delta Force soldiers in December 2003: reportedly the weapon was not loaded. The captured Glock pistol was eventually presented to President Bush where he kept the pistol in a glass case in his White House office. After leaving the White House, Mr. Bush made arrangements for the Glock to be shipped to a National Archives warehouse. Those close to President Bush said he was proud of the Glock captured from his former adversary and that his intention was to have the weapon displayed in the Presidential Library.

One of the most iconic firearms of the Cold War was the diminutive Vzor 1961 (Model 1961) submachine gun made in the Czech city of Uhersky Brod by the firm of Ceska Zbrojovka. More properly classified as a machine pistol than true a SMG, the Vz61 was named the “Skorpion.” This unusual Combloc firearm, of which only a few post-86 dealer samples are currently in the United States, seemed to naturally find its way into the hands of Red Brigade terrorists, Central American assassins and assorted bad guys who opposed American interests.

Skorpion parts kits are available in the US and now, for the first time, a lower receiver made here in the US is available for sale and is specifically designed for direct “drop in” of a Skorpion parts kit. It has just received ATF approval for sale as a receiver which “is not readily convertible” to full automatic. You can now legally possess a Skorpion that is as close to the actual Vz61 as our government will allow without some form of NFA provision.

The Company Behind the Skorpion

RT Manufacturing is the creator behind this US-made Skorpion Vz61 receiver. Co-founded in 1999 in Wauconda, Illinois, by Jack Koziol and a business partner, it was purchased outright by Jack in 2000 and has continued under his management since that time. Employing four full time machinists, it is a general job shop which has several major customers, one of which is a huge entity in the medical precision equipment field.

Jack and his family have been in the machinist trade for many years. After completing a four-year formal apprenticeship program in the machinist field (and winning a VICA “National Machining Championship” in the 1990s), over a 15-year career, he taught himself CAD/CAM designing and its integration with CNC machining. This became key to the Skorpion project.

Aggressively looking for more work in early 2001, he introduced himself to a neighboring firm in Wauconda – Krebs Customs – and started performing subcontractor machine work for them. Krebs is nationally known for quality AK parts and RT Manufacturing began making their muzzle compensators, Picatinny rail fore-end, front sight gas block and other precision AK parts. As Jack had never worked with firearms before, he became increasingly fascinated with their design and manufacture. It was at this point the Skorpion concept emerged.

With RT Manufacturing looking for more projects in the firearms field, Mr. Krebs threw Jack a huge challenge in mid-2003….build a Skorpion lower receiver which can pass ATF muster as a legal semiauto pistol when fitted with a parts kit. Krebs had been very interested in the Vz61 for years but simply did not have the time to properly design and build one themselves given their AK work.

There was only one problem with this. RT Manufacturing had literally no idea what a Vz61 was or looked like. Further, Jack now laughingly admits he did not even know there was a “K” in the Skorpion name instead of the Americanized “C”. For this reason his first Internet searches turned up no information. Not admitting failure, Jack made the October, 2003, pilgrimage to Knob Creek and purchased his first Skorpion parts kit. Though he had the parts kit, he still did not know what it should look like.

Designing the Lower Receiver

Throughout late 2003 and early 2004, Jack carefully examined every piece of the Vz61 parts kit being very interested in how the Czech’s had machined the lower receiver. Fortunately, the kit included the four torch-cut receiver pieces. By examination of their machining marks, he determined their sequence of cuts and the kinds of tools used. He also realized this was not an easy project and why Mr. Krebs had directed it his way.

The Skorpion lower receiver was a true jewel of the machinist’s art. The Czech’s are internationally recognized for their industrial skills and the Vz61 was proof of that reputation. Designed by Miroslav Rybar in 1959 when CNC did not exist and the Communist regime had literally thousands of skilled machinists and many tons of machine tools, the receiver was truly “old school” in both design and execution. During its production run of 1961-1976, the Skorpion was manufactured by manually-controlled equipment. RT Manufacturing could not economically apply this extremely labor-intensive practice to create a new Skorpion. A new receiver could only be profitably cut by CNC.

Jack began reverse-engineering the receiver by using the parts kit itself as the starting point. The overall dimensions of the new receiver were easily captured by the upper receiver from the parts kit. The front of the lower receiver was determined by the takedown pin hole. The rear of the lower receiver was established by the back of the upper receiver where it must snap into place. The magazine well area was defined by the proper lockup of the magazine, while the trigger area was brought into relationship by the rivet hole of the trigger guard. In short, Jack was able to arrive at a fairly accurate starting point for the dimensions of the lower receiver. But that was the starting and not ending point.

Using these initial dimensions, Jack then began using CAD/CAM software to design the first version of the Vz61 receiver. It was a laborious trial and error process in which iterative test cutting was done on blocks of 6061 aluminum. With each passing block the parts kit would fit better. By the 15th block the parts kit simply “dropped in”…with just one problem to overcome.

The front pin hole

Try as he might, Jack could get everything to routinely fit except for the front pin hole. It seemed that one time the parts kit would fit as expected while another would have trouble getting its upper receiver to mount with the front takedown pin and then slide into the rear of the receiver. He even considered making the hole larger to accommodate all possibilities, but, that could lead to a sloppy fit. Finally, by moving the hole a few thousandths of an inch at a time, Jack got it precisely where needed. The temporary loan of a post-86 dealer sample Skorpion ultimately validated the dimensions by allowing direct comparison of the new lower receiver to that of an original. This also facilitated minor cosmetic corrections such as the depth of lightening cuts, etc.

It was now mid-2005 and time to machine a steel Vz61 lower receiver and get it to ATF’s Tech Branch for validation as a legal semiautomatic receiver. Almost two years of work was now coming to this final step.

Manufacturing the Lower Receiver

The receiver is manufactured out of billet 4140 pre-hardened steel. This starts life as a 6.75 lb “hunk of metal” that measures 1.5 x 2.5 x 6.75 inches and is precisely machined down to three-quarters of a pound, an incredible 89% reduction in weight. To achieve this result, RT Manufacturing uses MasterCam CAD/CAM software which is directly connected via RS232 cables to two machines: a Haas VF2 and Hurco vertical machining centers.

While each machine can easily carve a complete Skorpion lower receiver by itself, so much time is consumed to make a receiver that it takes two machines running simultaneously to output a profitable production run. One machine simply could not mill a receiver fast enough.

The MasterCam software produces almost 15,000 lines of G-code to define a Vz61 receiver. In turn, this code controls each machining cut so that every steel billet requires almost five hours of dedicated machine time – and seven separate setups – to be converted into a receiver. Every single internal and external surface on the receiver is touched in some fashion by a carbide cutting tool. Each side of the receiver of this intensive machining takes approximately 45 minutes to make. There are six sides.

After the CNC work is done the lower receiver is still not completed. RT Manufacturing must still perform over 30 minutes per receiver of hand deburring with an air tool to remove all sharp edges. It is then tumbled in ceramic media for another 45 minutes to ensure all internal edges are truly finished. After that….the entire receiver is glass bead blasted to finalize the surface preparation.

Each receiver is then quality checked on a granite surface plate which allows readings to one millionth of an inch. However, for a firearm, this level of tolerance is unnecessary and in fact would lead to an unreliable and far too costly weapon. RT Manufacturing holds the Vz61 receiver production tolerances to +.0025” and for the critical pin holes to +.0005”. These are tighter tolerances than original Czech receivers. But there is still one more “real world” inspection to pass. Will the new receiver accept a Vz61 parts kit? RT Manufacturing verifies this by taking a kit and test fitting the mag well parts into the receiver. A factory mag must correctly lock up with minimal movement. The upper receiver is then slid into place to ensure no lateral deviation and also must smoothly mate with the rear of the lower receiver. Finally, the front takedown pin is snapped into its pin hole and must properly lock up. Upon passing all these inspections the new receiver is stripped and shipped for final finishing.

This final surface finish is a deep black oxide finish that goes well with either blued or powder painted parts kits. The firm which does this is a full time finishing service and has worked with RT Manufacturing for years. Thus, their processing quality and delivery schedule are a known quantity. However, if requested, RT Manufacturing will at no cost leave the receiver in-the-white if the customer wishes to finish it themselves.

ATF Certification of the Lower Receiver

After milling the first receiver in June of 2005, it was sent to ATF’s Tech Branch for examination and validation as a semiauto firearm. This is the single step that has caused more problems and concerns for so many manufacturers. However, Jack’s Vz61 lower receiver passed the first time through in just two months.

ATF issued their approval on 25 August 2005 and confirmed that any receiver which RT Manufacturing made to the specifications contained in that letter would be classified as a semiautomatic firearm. Jack had done his research very well and now had the formal government documentation to validate his work. While the specific internal modifications made to gain ATF approval are proprietary, a copy of the letter will be shipped with each Skorpion lower receiver to assure the end user of a legal firearm. Externally, the RT Manufacturing Vz61 Skorpion receiver appears to be an exact duplicate of the real thing. Side by side, other than the required US manufacturing markings and no folding stock dovetail, you cannot tell the difference.

Building the Skorpion Semiauto Pistol

The absolute first thing to do is obtain a parts kit. Prices have gone higher and availability is getting tight. SILLC of Nevada imported 200 Vz61 kits in the late 1990s and an additional 200 in 2003. These kits were “as new” when decommissioned and first class in all respects. SILLC is importing another group of 130 Vz61 kits but, after that, US government regulations may have shut the door. At a minimum, kits which might come in will not have barrels remaining intact. Yugoslav-made Skorpions, known as the M61(j), are still being produced but their availability is unknown. There are probably less than 550 Czech Vz61 parts kits currently available in the US. So, getting one is the first order of business.

Handling about 20 parts kits over the past six months, it appears that two slightly different variations of Skorpion were imported: One group was made in 1965 and contains all blued parts, while the second type was made in 1975-76 and has a tough, dark grey-blue powder paint finish. Both kits are exactly the same with regard to quality of manufacture and ease of assembly. Each kit comes with a 10-round magazine, lanyard, leather holster and cleaning kit. A special magazine deal is available where you can get two high capacity, factory 20-round mags and leather pouch for about $40.

The Skorpion as delivered from RT Manufacturing arrives in a sturdy cardboard tube and contains the receiver, a slave pin to ease trigger assembly, a trigger axis pin to replace the one in the kit and a small button-head screw which replaces the trigger guard rivet. After cleaning and laying out the parts, the sequence to build the Skorpion is:

1. Bolt hold open, magazine catch and ejector assemblies.
2. Trigger guard, pistol grip screw, rate reducer and bolt stop assemblies.
3. Trigger mechanism and safety selector.
4. Hammer and spring cover assemblies.
5. Bolt assembly and upper receiver.

Construction starts with removing all parts from the kit’s torched central section which contains the bolt hold open, magazine catch and ejector assemblies. Use a 1/16 inch punch and push down on the small detent pin that is at the rear of the ejector. This pin is spring-loaded so once you push it down, carefully slide the ejector forward and remove it; the detent pin and spring are now free to be taken out.

This ejector detent pin also cleverly retains the bolt hold open and magazine catch assemblies. Once this detent pin comes out, these two assemblies will pull out easily. Make sure each of their springs comes with them as these could inadvertently remain hidden inside the torched section due to congealed grease or metal movement from the demil procedure.

Reverse the process to insert them into the new Skorpion receiver. The order should be the bolt hold open, mag catch, and ejector assemblies. To verify all is correct, insert a magazine to ensure it locks up and releases correctly. The Skorpion has a tight well and you will have minimal magazine rocking.

The trigger guard, pistol grip screw/rate reducer and bolt stop assemblies are now installed into the new receiver. The original Skorpion had a riveted trigger guard while the new receiver uses a 4-40 buttonhead screw. Some trigger guards were slightly bent during demilling and thus, depending on yours, it may fit perfectly or require some slight bending/cutting to line the holes up. If the small curved tang on the trigger guard must be removed to obtain proper hole alignment, then do so as it does not affect functioning or looks. You must also enlarge the trigger guard rivet hole with a 1/8 inch drill bit to allow clearance for the screw. Finally, use a drop of blue Loctite and a 1/16 inch allen wrench to install the front of the trigger guard onto the receiver.

Insert the pistol grip screw/rate reducer assembly into the wooden grip, then through the large hole at the rear of the trigger guard. Screw this assembly into the receiver until it seats the wood grip into place. Insert a 1/8 inch punch into the two holes on the bottom cap to further tighten it. You could use blue Loctite but this is not necessary since a wave washer is holding it in place.

Next is the installation of the bolt stop assembly. Insert the “hat shaped” axis pin into its hole in the left side of the receiver and push it all the way through while capturing the rate reducer lever and bolt stop. Make sure the bolt stop has its detent pin assembly in place before doing this otherwise it will not cycle correctly.

The trigger mechanism is relatively easy to complete with a bit of patience. Using a 1/8 inch punch, tap out the original axis pin and remove the full auto controlling lever (aka the “FA sear”) on the right side of the assembly and bolt hold open connecting lever on the left side. Discard the FA controlling lever as it will no longer be used on this semiauto pistol; however, set aside the bolt hold open connecting lever as it will be reutilized. Next, insert the provided slave pin through the axis hole on the right side of the receiver, then through/capturing the remaining parts of the trigger mechanism, and into its corresponding hole on the left side, to temporarily fix it into place.

Now, slightly withdraw the slave pin back towards the right and drop the connecting lever back into place on the left side of the assembly. The forward tip of this lever must fit into the hole on the back of the bolt hold open button. Line everything up and tap the new axis pin into place from left to right. This will push out the slave pin while keeping all parts aligned. The single groove on this new axis pin must be on the left so the connecting lever can snap into it. Once again, the single groove on this new trigger pin must be on the left side.

Now, take the safety selector and insert it into position from left to right and rotate counterclockwise into place. You will have to depress the bolt hold open button to mechanically lower the connecting lever in order to give the safety selector enough entry clearance. To validate its proper installation, flip it back and forth from “0” to “1” several times. When installed properly you will see the bolt hold open go up and down.

The hammer assembly is installed by inserting the main spring into the main spring guide. This guide is the cylindrical housing attached to the front of the trigger assembly. Then, insert the main spring strut into the spring and slide the entire hammer assembly down into the receiver. Insert the flathead axis pin from right to left and you are complete. The hammer stop pin is then inserted through the receiver from left to right. Finally, drop the large and small detent pin assemblies into their holes on the bottom of the receiver and slide the spring cover over them. Make sure the pins fully snap into their respective holes in the cover.

To attach the upper receiver you use a small needle or dental pick to push in the tiny detent pin which is found on its left mounting arm. Push it in just enough so you can rotate the takedown pin and force the detent further back into its hole. Then, withdraw the takedown pin just enough (about 1/8 inch) to allow the upper receiver to be installed onto the mounting lug of the lower receiver. Push the takedown pin into this lug and then rotate it until the detent snaps back into position. The upper receiver is now locked onto the lower receiver.

Insert the complete bolt assembly into the upper receiver, drop into place the two cocking knobs and then slide it all the way forward. Swing the upper receiver down onto the lower receiver, push it back 1/4 inch until it stops, then snap the takedown pin all the way home. Congratulations, you have just built your Skorpion pistol.

Obtaining the Skorpion Lower Receiver

RT Manufacturing has invested many man-hours of time and research into this ATF-approved semiauto Skorpion receiver. It is the first one of this quality, and the first ever, to come onto the US market. With five hours of CNC machine time per receiver, an additional two hours for hand deburring, inspection, test fitting, tumbling, plus the black oxide finish, it is a high quality product.

The current retail price from RT Manufacturing is $645 and includes insurance and delivery to anywhere in the United States. Volume purchasers will receive pricing discounts and should contact Jack for more specifics. Add to this the cost of an original Czech Vz61 parts set and for less than $1,000 you have an iconoclast of the Cold War which will truly enhance a small arms collection. More than that, it is just pure fun to shoot with widely available ammunition.

Mods and Sods

The .32 ACP ammo that the Skorpion fires is a light recoiling cartridge. More importantly, the common 71-grain FMJ projectile is easily subsonic at approximately 900fps. This means the Skorpion is an excellent candidate for suppression. But, there are currently no suppressors being built in .32 ACP by the leading manufacturers such as Gemtech, SWR, etc.

RT Manufacturing is addressing this gap by optionally installing an H&K-style three-lug adapter to the muzzle of the Skorpion barrel and allowing a standard 9mm snap-on suppressor to be mounted. Though the 9mm aperture is inefficiently large for a slug measuring 7.65mm in diameter, it is dealing with substantially less expanding gas and the sound signature remains very quiet. Thus, for those owners who already have a 9mm suppressor of this type, there is now an additional weapon which can use it. RT Manufacturing will sell/install the adapter for a nominal charge and this option should really be looked into by the enthusiast.

Another option being investigated is a .22 conversion kit. While still in the initial planning stage, this possibility could greatly reduce the cost of firing the Skorpion. Since the factory barrel is pressed and then pinned into a steel trunnion, some form of .22 barrel liner is being looked at as a viable solution. Of course, the issues of magazine modifications, bolt, offset firing pin, spring rates, etc. must all be dealt with. This option is clearly further down the line but not outside the capabilities of the firm.

Finally, for those who possess the proper NFA authorization, RT Manufacturing will sell a fully automatic version of the Skorpion as a post-86 Dealer Sample firearm. This has already been tested and works as reliably as the original Skorpion. In fact, of the first production run of 50 Skorpion lower receivers, 15 of these are already spoken for as post-86 versions. As before, contact Jack for additional information on this option.

Conclusion

Rare, unusual, hard to “quite-really-define” what category it fits into, the Czech Vz61 Skorpion has been an enigmatic firearm since its shadowy introduction over 45 years ago. Ostensibly designed for armored vehicle crewman who needed a small and efficient firearm in their cramped quarters, it typically found its way into terrorist, police, insurgency and other paramilitary hands. Other than a handful imported into America, this situation has been clearly remedied by RT Manufacturing.

Their ATF-approved semiautomatic Skorpion lower receiver is a superbly designed piece of the machinist art. Externally it is an exact duplicate of the original version and is cleverly built to accept the drop-in of a Vz61 parts kit. Made of proper 4140 pre-hardened steel and cut on modern CNC milling machines to the highest tolerances, it is a delight to own and fire. RT Manufacturing has certainly done their homework on bringing this Skorpion to America.

Sources

RT Manufacturing Company Inc.
Attn: Jack Koziol
1000 Rand Road, Unit #212
Wauconda, IL 60084
(847) 487-7562
SILLC
631 N. Stephanie Street, #372
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 564-0521
surplusllc@aol.com
www.sillc.com

by Jess I. Galan

It had to happen sooner or later and it took the Russians to do it. As a matter of fact, the entire project seemed to be cloaked in secrecy at first, given the lack of solid information available during its initial stages. You would almost think that we were back in the Cold War days and that the project in question involved some deadly, super-secret weapon kept under tight wraps by the infamous KGB.

Late in 2002, however, well-known Russian gun manufacturer Baikal (Izhevsky Mekhanichesky Zavod) finally announced that their new MP-661K Drozd (small bird) CO2-powered BB machine pistol was in full production and ready for export. Indeed, the Baikal MP-661K Drozd was officially unveiled at the 2003 SHOT Show by its American importer and distributor, European American Armory Corporation (EAA), based in Sharpes, Florida.

There is little doubt that the MP-661K will do very well in the US market, as it is both a novel and fun gun that appeals to a wide cross-section of shooters. In fact, I dare say that even folks who don’t really consider themselves shooting enthusiasts, would be thrilled to plink away with this amazing little buzz gun.

At this point, let me dwell on a bit of history. Air- and gas-powered machine guns have been around for some time.

In the early days of World War II, some American companies produced BB-firing look-alikes of the .30 and .50 caliber Browning machine guns used by our armed forces. These air-powered BB machine guns were used by our military forces to train new recruits, quickly and inexpensively, in the basics of aerial gunnery. These trainers employed a car battery to operate the firing mechanism and shooting power was obtained from compressed air. The most well known of these wartime BB machine guns were the models made by the Mac Glashan Air Machine Gun Company in Long Beach, California.

In the mid-1970’s a small company called LARC, Inc., based in Miami, Florida, brought out a submachine-gun-sized full-auto BB gun powered by automotive-type Freon gas. The LARC M-19A – as this molded-plastic and aluminum BB gun was dubbed – was sold mostly by mail order and found a measure of popularity. However, its rather chancy reliability and feeble construction drove it out of the market after a few years.

It should be noted that the MP-661K machine pistol, like all air- and CO2-powered guns, does not fall under any federal restrictions, despite the fact that it is capable of full automatic fire. Powered by a standard disposable 12-gram CO2 cylinder – of the type commonly used in most CO2 guns – this unusual BB gun also requires six regular AA alkaline batteries to operate its firing mechanism. The batteries go in the hollow forend, just below the barrel, and provide power to activate the striker that acts upon the CO2 valve located at the top of the detachable magazine. The small CO2 cylinder is housed in the magazine, and the latter has capacity for up to approximately 30 air gun BBs. Both standard steel BBs and 4.5 mm (.177 cal.) European lead BBs can be used in the Drozd.

The MP-661K measures 19 inches overall with its detachable molded shoulder stock installed, while removing it reduces the overall length to 13¾ inches. The buttstock fits snugly into dual recesses at the rear of the receiver and can be detached by simply giving it a sharp pull. Weighing a mere 3½ pounds, fully loaded and with its stock in place, this gun compares favorably in size and heft with several compact submachine guns and machine pistols meant for serious social affairs. With its shoulder stock removed, the MP-661K bears more than a passing resemblance to the Polish RAK PM-63 machine pistol.

The entire body and shoulder stock of the MP-661K are made of a tough looking molded synthetic and that’s okay with me. A bright yellow finish is given to the lower half of the piece, apparently in an effort to make it look toy-like and thus avert possible objections to its importation by US authorities though an early production sample received for tests late last year had an entirely black synthetic body. Current production has only the upper half of the gun’s body finished in black. Given this strange-looking color combination, EAA decided to rename the MP-661K, calling it “Bumble Bee.” Whether called “Little Bird” in Russian or “Bumble Bee” in English, the fact is that the MP-661K is one truly amazing fun gun. Surprisingly for a gun intended for shooting BBs only, the blued steel barrel of the MP-661K is rifled. The magazine assembly is also made of steel with a blued finish.

As far as fire controls, the MP-661K has the selector on its left side and it consists of a sliding catch capable of going to three positions clearly marked 1, 3, and 6. These indicate semiautomatic, 3-round burst, and 6-round burst, respectively. There is a similar sliding catch on the right side. This control allows the shooter to select the cyclic rate for burst fire, giving a choice of 300, 450, or 600 rpm.

The battery-operated firing mechanism is activated by a vertically sliding switch on the left side, about a half-inch behind the selector. When in the ON position, a red LED indicator light located just in front of this switch lets the shooter know that pulling the trigger will activate the firing mechanism. Thus, this switch is really the gun’s manual safety, because when it’s turned off, the MP-661K cannot fire even with a fully pressurized and loaded magazine in place.

For a BB plinker, the MP-661K has been given a decent set of sights. The rear unit comes with a fairly small square notch element and is fully adjustable via slotted screws. An aperture piece is also included with the gun in case the shooter prefers to use the gun with the stock attached. Up front there is a rather massive blade molded integrally with the upper receiver. The rear section of the latter sports a dovetail section that allows installation of a compact red-dot or laser-aiming device for special ops against mice and other small pests.

The MP-661K Drozd/Bumble Bee on test performed admirably. With a fresh 12-gram CO2 cylinder in place and fully loaded magazine, semiautomatic fire from the shoulder, at 20 feet, produced groups averaging 1 inch across. Not bad at all for a BB gun with a barrel measuring just over 8 inches. Despite its relatively short length of pull, the gun is well balanced and feels remarkably solid. Its single-stage trigger was creditably smooth and crisp on let-off.

The muzzle velocity was chronographed, yielding an average of 332 fps, indicating that, compared to the vast majority of entry-level youth-grade BB guns; the MP-661K is a tad more potent. A dramatic demonstration of the gun’s power was given when it was turned loose on several empty soft drink cans set up about 20 feet downrange. With the switches set primarily on 6-round bursts at a cyclic rate of 600 rpm, the cans were quickly scattered and shredded with a few well-aimed bursts. Each 12-gram CO2 cylinder yields an average of 2½ to 3 full magazines before running dry.

Eye protection is a MUST when using this gun. Steel BBs rebound with significant force upon striking solid objects, and with this gun the chances of having a hail of BBs coming back at the shooter are obviously greatly increased.

Undoubtedly, the Baikal MP-661K adds a new dimension to backyard plinking with BB guns. Although definitely not in the toy category, despite its flashy color scheme, this unusual piece is “just what the doctor ordered” for folks longing for a bit of full-auto action that won’t break the bank and won’t require any BATF paperwork. My only advice to anyone buying one of these guns is to secure an ample supply of CO2 cylinders and BBs, because shooting this little chatterbox is truly addicting. Incidentally, the MP-661K comes with a handy device for quick-loading BBs into the magazine, a plastic bag containing approximately 200 BBs, plus spare O-ring seals and a clearly written instruction manual. Only one magazine is provided, but extra magazines can be purchased from the importer at reasonable cost.

Often referred to as “Pocket Machineguns”, the machinepistol is truly a unique piece of equipment among the many classes of fast firing weapons that have evolved through the years since the introduction of metallic cartridges. No one really knows who invented the very first machinepistol. Historical record shows that it was Beistigue Hermanos company of Spain that first introduced a machinepistol in the international market in 1927. Their entry is based on the very successful German Mauser Model 1896, most popularly known as the “Broomhandle”. While Mauser can be credited in perfecting a military class self-loading pistol strong enough to handle high-pressure loads and rapid-fire operation, it was the brothers Juan and Cosme Beistigui who took the design one step further. They developed a selective-fire weapon called “Royal” that became one of the most sought after battle pistols by Chinese warlords in the turbulent 1930’s.

Inspired by the success of the Royal particularly in the Far East, another Spanish firm Astra/Unceta entered the scene and developed their own version of a selective fire Broomhandle in 1927 called the model 900,901,902,903,904 and the last being the Model-F. The Model-F featured a cyclic rate reducer similar to that found on the Model-2 Royal machinepistol but is more refined and sophisticated.

Finally, Mauser introduced their selective-fire model. Ironically, the German firm was forced into developing a selective-fire Broomhandle. Mauser had no plans to design and produce such a model in the 1930’s, but initiated a crash development program because of the successful introduction of the Spanish-made machinepistols on the Asiatic market. The first model of the Mauser Broomhandle machinepistol was designed by Joseph Nickl, an Austrian hired by Mauser to redesign the existing semi-auto pistol to provide selective-fire operation. The Nickl designed machinepistol was produced in limited quantities between l930 and 1931 with approximately 4000 made. The first designation used by Mauser for these pistols is “Reihenfeuer Model R-713” or Rapid Fire Mauser Pistol. An improved version of the R-713 was designed by Karl Westinger. This new model was designated “Mauser Schnellfeuer” or Model 712. The Schnellfeuers were sold mostly to the Chinese warlords in the l930’s but were also used in the submachinegun role in World War II by Hitler’s elite Waffen SS.

Then came John M. Browning’s .45 automatic pistol. When compared to the Mauser Broomhandle, the U.S. pistol is more modern, portable and more balanced for one hand shooting. Once the Colt forty-five auto became standard U.S. army issue in l911, other manufacturers soon explored its other possibilities beyond just an ordinary military sidearm. As if history repeated itself, it was once again a Spanish gunmaker that first saw these possibilities of a foreign design and made good use of it.

Like several leading Spanish arms manufacturers in the 1920’s and 1930’s, notably Star, Llama and Astra; it was the STAR factory located in the city of Eibar that actively pursued the development of a series of selective-fire machinepistols based on the 1911 pattern. In 1917, the factory introduced its first cal.45 auto pistol bearing the tradename “Izarra” instead of “STAR”. This model was offered to the French government who placed a large order. However, the order was not filled because of the end of the First World War in l918. The manufacture of this pistol was then abandoned and the pistol was never produced except for a few prototypes that were used in the French demonstrations.

About the same year, Star decided to market a simplified version of the Colt 1911 pistol. The locking mechanism, external features and feed system were incorporated but not the trigger lockwork. Llama, on the other hand opted to copy the original 1911 in its overall format to include all its mechanical set up and external configuration. It’s a perfect 1911 clone but made with softer materials compared to Colt’s strong forged components.

While externally resembling the Colt automatic, the star pistol differs in trigger lockwork. Its trigger bar is externally mounted to the right side of the frame connected to a pivoting trigger. It has no separate disconnector like the Colt. Instead, the trigger bar has a raised hump and is depressed downward by the slide movement to disconnect itself from the sear after a shot is fired. The manual safety locks the hammer instead of the sear. To further simplify the Colt design, Star omitted the usual grip safety that blocks the trigger movement. Although the locking system, barrel arrangement and recoil spring assembly are completely identical to Colt’s, they are not interchangeable.

In 1930, the Star factory developed its first 1911 style machinepistol based on their full size semi-auto, the Model 1922. These pistols were chambered for the 9mm Para, 7,63mm (.30 cal. Mauser), .38 ACP, .45 ACP. The Spanish Guardia Civil selected the powerful 9mm Bergmann-Bayard cartridge for their service pistol.

All Star machinepistols incorporate a sliding-type fire selector mounted on a vertical dovetail at the right hand side rear of the slide where the grasping serrations were cut. When pushed upward, the weapon will fire semi-auto. On downward position, the gun will fire automatically as long as the trigger is held back or until the magazine is empty. The fire selector works in relation with the automatic tripping device mounted on the right side of the grip. The upper tip of the pivoting tripper is actuated by the protruding bottom end of the fire selector when set at full auto. The automatic tripping device will only make contact with the sear to trip the hammer mechanically at the very last stage of slide closure assuring that the slide and barrel are fully locked together before the hammer is tripped. The tripper assembly is neatly covered and secured into position by the grip panel. Star machinepistols are produced in different versions to include the standard models PD, AD and BD. Some models are equipped with detachable shoulder stocks, adjustable sights, long barrels and various hi-capacity magazines ranging from 15, 25 up to 32 rounds for 9mm and .38 ACP.

While the STAR machinepistols were considered very modern and sophisticated in their day, they deliver an excessive rate of fire of over 1000 rpm making it totally uncontrollable to shoot on full automatic. Accordingly, a very sophisticated rate of fire retarder was developed by the company to compensate this drawback and was incorporated on their last version; the “Modello Special” marketed in 1934. Unfortunately, despite all these marvellous features built into the Star machinepistols, they failed to attract wide market acceptance, although several countries in the Far East and Latin America have stirred limited commercial sales.

The first recorded full auto modification for the Colt .45 Automatic did not come from any manufacturer, rather; from an unknown gunshop in San Antonio, Texas operated by a young gunsmith named Himan S. Lebman. While lawmen and gangsters of the 1920’s admired the elegance and beastly beauty of the Tommy gun (Thompson SMG), Lebman also shared that same enthusiasm and dreamed of creating one himself. He began experimenting with converting sporting self-loading rifles and pistols to fire fully automatic as early as mid 1920’s, several years before the Spanish firm of Star started making their own.

During the 1928 revolution in Mexico, Lebman set up his gunsmith shop, supplying machineguns; rifles and even full auto converted weapons to Pancho Villa’s revolutionaries. This business venture was followed with his close association with the notorious John Dillinger gang, particularly with Lester Gillis, also known as Baby Face Nelson. Apparently, Lebman supplied at least two converted 1911 pistols to Baby Face and was working on a third – found by the F.B.I. still wired to a work bench in his shop when they arrested him in April 1934. Nelson had at least three full auto Colt .45’s, all of which are now in the F.B.I. collection. Two of the specimens, one of which was reported to have been the murder weapon of an F.B.I. agent, were seized when the notorious gang tried to shoot their way out of the Little Bohemia Motel in Wisconsin. The third Lebman-converted Government model was found when authorities raided Nelson’s hideout after the bloody encounter. This incident highly contributed to the enactment of the United States’ first Gun Control Act in 1934, requiring the registration of machinegun ownership to civilians.

Lebman’s experimentation in converting the 1911 to deliver full auto fire was quite extensive. All the various specimens taken from Nelson and from Lebman’s shop exhibit differences in mechanical arrangements as well as external features that included the addition of front grips and muzzle brake devices, something not explored by both Mauser and Star companies when they produced their machinepistols. Lebman was definitely one bright gunsmith who had envisioned what an ideal machinepistol should look like in order to be effective and controllable despite its excessive rate of fire and powerful .45 ACP cartridge.

The last conversion Lebman had developed prior to his arrest was perhaps the most reliable. This model featured a selective fire mechanism that was remarkably ingenious in both concept and mechanical arrangement. The F.B.I. loaned this pistol to the U.S. army in the mid 1930’s for extensive testing and evaluation at the Springfield Armory for its possible military application. Although ultimately Lebman’s machinepistol was not considered for military use, the army concluded that the converted weapon was by far the most reliable full-auto conversion of the 1911 service pistol. When the army returned the pistol to the F.B.I., the original fire selector button was lost; a regular screw replaced it. The conversion technique used by Lebman in this pistol became the basis for Colt’s later developments of the full auto 1911, which started in 1938 and lasted until 1949.

With Lebman’s converted pistol having caught the U.S. army’s attention in the mid 1930’s, it is quite possible that it became an inspiration to the Colt company who eventually undertook a program dedicated solely in the development of selective fire 1911 in various format incorporating many of the features found on the Lebman converted pistols. The threat of the Second World War is another reason that can be added to Colt’s sudden interest in exploring the possibilities of selective fire 1911 machinepistols and carbines for military applications. Colt’s research and development team for this project was headed by William L. Swartz and Horace J. Kennedy. Kennedy’s patent (2,462,505) filed July 28, l949 was a derivative of the Lebman design incorporating a split disconnector system. While many of Colt’s experimental select-fire 1911 weapons systems showed great potential, they failed to gain the interest of the military simply due to the fact that cheaper and more effective submachineguns like the Greasegun and Sten proved more desirable in actual combat conditions.

After WW II, millions of 1911 service pistols scattered throughout the world as carried by the GI’s in many war fronts. Browning’s .45 auto produced by Colt and other U.S. companies under contract during the war flooded the Asian theatre. One of the many principal recipients of the vast surplus guns are the Philippine army and constabulary scouts formed by the U.S. government after the country’s liberation by Gen. Douglas MacArthur in 1946. The author virtually grew up with the 1911, being the first training gun his father had taught him to shoot using a .22 conversion kit which started on his 6th birthday. My dad, an undercover operative for the Criminal Investigation Service (CIS) in the 1960’s owned and treasured a pair of Remington-Rand .45’s. These guns saved his life many times from the 7 attempts on his life. He retired with his trusted tools in the late 1980’s and today he still finds comfort and peace of mind at night knowing his beloved pair of big bores are still there when called upon.

Needless to say, my dad is my hero and inspiration in my growing up with guns. In the turbulent 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, he proved himself many times in the face of death and came out alive. Often, our home became a sanctuary to many people whose life was being threatened by corrupt politicians and hired goons. Today, he still lives a poor man and returned to farming, while many of his colleagues retired wealthy and powerful. He is truly an honest man who served his community beyond his call of duty. I could never be more proud of my dad for standing up for what he believes in.

While in the service, my dad has encountered and confiscated vast numbers of illegal weapons ranging from locally made imitation guns, to sophisticated converted automatic rifles, shotguns and pistols of both domestic and foreign make. Back in the late 60’s to the early 70’s prior to the declaration of Martial law in 1972 by President Marcos, political bodyguards often carried compact submachineguns, namely the UZI, Ingrams, pistolized Thompsons and chopped up M2 .30 carbines. On several occasions, in my high school days, I noted several converted army-issue 1911’s being carried by high-ranking officers operating in the rebel infested areas of central Luzon. Both the Ilocos province (Marcos’ hometown) and Danao of Cebu in the Visayas island are noted for their underground workshops producing all sorts of imitation guns as well as full auto conversion specialists with anything that shoots semi-automatically.

Prior to my entry in college circa l967, my dad brought home a converted 1911 confiscated from a hired political killer. The weapon was a Colt Government model in almost new condition. It was highly polished to appear like a stainless steel gun. The gun is very sharp looking and very well maintained. The weapon had a sliding type fire selector mounted at the rear right hand side of the slide that can be pushed up and down for the type of fire desired. The selector lever is attached to the firing pin stop that acted as the tripping shoulder for a separate auto sear. The hole for the firing pin stop is elongated to allow movement as controlled by the sliding fire-selector lever. The top of the extractor to the rear was modified to clear the connecting pin between the selector and firing-pin stop. The disconnector and sear appears unmodified. Visible was a full groove cut on the feed rail of the slide that allows the disconnector to maintain its upward position and not disconnect when the selector lever is on its upward position firing full auto. On its downward semi-auto position, the selector will cam the firing-pin stop with its added front stem extension riding over the disconnector, filling up a fraction of the groove at the rear. As the slide moves to the rear, the stem pushes down the disconnector to allow the hammer to engage the auto sear seated on the left side of the regular sear. As the slide homes into battery, a small step cut on the right side of the slide beside the firing-pin stop cams the top end of the auto sear releasing the hammer. The hammer will be automatically engaged by the regular sear holding it in fully cocked position until the trigger is pulled. In addition to its excellent workmanship which led me to believe that it was done in the more modern facility of Danao, the full auto pistol also came equipped with a well designed folding front grip and a muzzle brake. The conversion technique appears very sound and clean when compared to others that I have seen until the military government take-over in 1972.

Seventy years had passed since Lebman introduced his 1911 machineguns in history but yet John M. Browning’s masterpiece combat handgun still yearns to be totally explored in its ultimate form. Now that its high capacity format has been perfected in the form of the Para-ordnance, STI,SVI, Kimber, etc, the time is ripe to take a final look at its military and police potentials. This is the most dressed service pistol in existence today with vast arrays of enhancement devices readily available to include recoil reducing compensators, match grade barrels and hi-performance trigger groups. With these superb gadgetries completing the package, a new generation of 1911 machinepistols can now be put together utilizing the latest hi-capacity frame models. Add to that set-up a competition proven compensator device and a folding front grip and the end result could very well be the ultimate 1911 machinepistol for the 21st century that even John Browning himself would come to admire.

For machinegun collectors, the 1911 machinepistol is as rare as it can be. 1911 machinepistols and carbine prototypes like those ones made by Colt during WW II can fetch easily between ten to fifteen thousand dollars today. On rare occasion, a registered converted 1911 machinepistol will be offered for sale at a very high price equal to that of a Heckler & Koch MP5 submachinegun depending on the quality of workmanship and condition of the gun. Unfortunately, despite the popularity of the new generation hi-capacity 1911 today and the F.B.I. adopting it in numerous guises, still no manufacturer has gone one step further when other makers such as Glock, Beretta and CZ have all made selective-fire versions of their service class handguns. Perhaps some other time, John.

NOTE:

Part two of this series will cover the H&K VP-70 Beretta 93R, CZ-75 and Glock M-18 machinepistols (Design perspective of 21st century Machinepistols – beyond 1911.)

Many analysts found the CZ-75 a combination of the good features incorporated in such pistol designs as the Browning High-Power and the S&W M39. Especially the American gun writers found the internal machining unduly complicated but of relatively good quality. As the Czechoslovakian government of the time had enough service pistols for their military and police the sales efforts were export oriented. An export company named Merkuria found several end users in Central America and Scandinavia alike. All these volume sales and user feedback thereof were very important for the technical development of the basic model.

The basic CZ construction was later copied by several other gun producing companies as either direct clones like Swiss or Italian models, or as modifications like Israeli models. All of the pistol products based on the basic design have been popular. The original Ceska Zbrojovka factory still produces the CZ-75 in over ten different variations, from the compact model to a gunsmith-tuned IPSC competition model. The range of caliber include 9x21mm and .40S&W. An evolution model called the CZ-85 with an ambidextrous approach has found popularity in the sporting markets as an economical IPSC pistol.

One CZ-pistol model has received less public attention and this is due to the authority oriented specialty market. This small and fast paced selective-fire submachine gun, or machine pistol if you like, is based on the CZ 75B version of the standard pistol and is called 9x19mm CZ 75 Automatic.

Machine pistol or SMG

The terminology has been pondered upon before. Machine pistol gives us the impression of a service pistol-sized gun that delivers selective fire. On the other hand SMG (submachine gun) includes a larger amount of different weapon constructions offering full and semi-automatic fire and using service pistol calibers.

There has been a need to experiment with machine pistol constructions since the beginning of the modern self-loading pistol. Scrutinizing the more modern end of the history we can find products such as the H&K VP70, Beretta M93R or Glock-18 and all of these have found special applications by the authorities, police and military.

Perhaps it is not so surprising that Ceska Zbrojovka from Uhersky Brod brought their own small machine pistol to the market in the middle of 1990 to compete for these niche markets. As this small submachine gun is not equipped with a shoulder stock it should be compared to the Austrian Glock-18 machine pistol.

This CZ-modification shows practicality and sound technical solutions and it is clear that the project of design has had a suitable amount of resources to produce prototypes before the production series.

After initiating the project, the first selective-fire prototypes were made based on the newer CZ-85 ambidextrous model. The chief designer was Mr. Martin Kouba and the construction was presented at the 1992 IWA gunshow in Germany. This machine pistol design was not taken further and the basis for the next version was the CZ 75 pistol. Engineer Alexander Koten finished the actual CZ 75 machine pistol conversion during 1993 and after extended trials, production commenced with the marketing to military and police end users. This model was based on the modernized frame of the basic pistol and has been on the market since 1994, and aptly named 9x19mm CZ 75 Automatic sub-machine gun. Parallel to the prototype development of the CZ 75 Automatic Mr. Stanislav Strizik made a single-action selective-fire workshop prototype which, like the CZ-85 select fire was a project discontinued.

CZ 75 Automatic machine pistol

The CZ 75 Automatic is an all steel handgun. The barrel is hammered and machined, the slide and lower receiver are precision cast and machined. The trigger mechanism is double- and single-action. The user has the option of a first shot with either activating the hammer with the full double action press of the trigger or by cocking the external hammer and placing the selector on safe, for single action mode when needed. Even if the machine pistol has an external hammer it does not have a hammer release lever. This means that if the hammer is cocked it must be triggered and released under control of the thumb to place the gun in the double-action mode.

The locking mechanism of this pistol is no surprise as it follows the Browning principle of locking lugs on the barrel breech block connecting into recesses on the upper inner surface of the slide, when the slide is in its forward position. The connection is opened only after the short connected barrel-slide travels to the rear during the recoil cycle when a cartridge is fired. The breech end of the barrel is forced slightly down and stopped by the guiding pin, the connection unlocking letting the slide retract the full movement of its cycle. The force of the return spring slows its speed and eventually returns it to battery in its forward position. During the retracting movement of the slide the cartridge case is extracted and ejected and when the slide goes forward it forces the next cartridge from the magazine into the chamber.

This small CZ 75 Automatic machine pistol has at least two technical solutions that merit special attention;

• 1. The external arrangement of the selector. The safety switch situated on the left side of the pistol functions as the selector lever. It incorporates a simple feature that prevents any unintentional rotation into the full automatic position. When the selector is in its uppermost position (pointing 10 o’clock) the pistol is set on safe. When the selector is turned to the middle position, a very logical horizontal position pointing into the firing direction (9 o’clock) and showing one red dot the gun is set at semi automatic fire.
  
  To place the selector lever into its lower position (8 o’clock) for cyclic fire the middle part of the lever must be first pressed in the firing direction to facilitate the downward movement of the selector. The lever has in effect to be pressed forward and downward, and in its lower position two dots are showing as a mark of full automatic fire mode.
  
  For example, the Glock-18 machine pistol does not have any safety locking of its selector lever. The Glock selector, which is placed on the rear of the slide’s left side is safeguarded from accidental cyclic fire with a long movement of the selector switch. When in semi automatic mode the lever points at 11 o’clock and only turning it counterclockwise into the position 7 o’clock will facilitate full automatic fire.
• 2. The spare magazine functions as the front grip. The front of the lower receiver has a machined rail, and on the left side a spring actuated small latch. The floorplates of the magazines have similar machined tracks as the rails in the frame and a small recess for the frame latch. If the machine pistol operator wants a substantially firmer grip for firing cyclic he can connect the reversed spare magazine from its floorplate to the underside of the lower receiver. This gives an ergonomic grip pointing slightly forward. The magazine is locked in place by the small latch. To release the magazine the latch has to be pushed upwards and the magazine slid off in firing direction.
  
  In comparison the Glock-18 smg does not have a front grip and can not even facilitate one and the Beretta M93 smg has a small foldable front grip in the lower receiver.

Tryout at the range

The semiautomatic features of the CZ 75 Automatic are in par with any requirements of a standard service sidearm. The optional integrally compensated barrel offers slightly lesser recoil-movement of the gun but on the other hand the markedly higher gun report due to the gas ports, is not worth the gain. The compensated barrel has six openings in the front part of the barrel, they open up and to the sides, three on both sides. Personally, I favor the standard barrel giving a slightly shorter total length.

The sightspan of the open sights is 155 mm and they utilize a white three-dot system, with one dot in the bead and two on either side of the rear notch.

The cyclic rate of the machine pistol is approximately 22-25 cartridges per second. This rate is so high that it is hard to decide on sound if it was a single shot or a two-cartridge burst. During an extended burst the cartridges are positively ejected to the right of the gun. Cyclic firing with this weapon offers a lot of torque to the supporting hands. A double handed grip is always recommended, and the operator should connect the front grip if the firing distance exceeds 15 meters. If the range is 10 meters or less it is possible to keep all hits on a target area of 1x 0.5m. The hits are divided over the total area. After practice it is possible to keep the length of the bursts at 2-4 cartridges and this increases hit probability for longer ranges. The fifteen cartridge magazine seems too short for the novice practicing full automatic firing with the CZ-75 A, but to keep the running temperature of the gun at reasonable levels during training it is good practice to let the gun cool down. The risks involved having a gun that is too hot a the “cook-off” effect on a chambered cartridge. That happens when the temperature of the chamber area of the gun is so high that it transfers to the powder charge in the cartridge and ignites it. At the very least an overheated gun is mechanically under great stress and the normal lubrication evaporates. The optional magazine holds 25 cartridges.

The gun is easy to strip for standard maintenance. Remove the magazine and check the chamber and remove any cartridge. Pull the slide to the rear so that the slide and receiver marks (at the rear left side) meet. The slide stop is removed to the left by pressing at the end of its axle on the right side, and pulling it out of the lower receiver. Let the slide carefully to the forward position and pull it off the lower receiver. The return spring and its guide can be released from below the barrel, and the barrel pulled out of the slide down and to the rear. The gun can be assembled after cleaning in the reversed order.

As a machine pistol the CZ 75 Automatic is a very interesting, well-designed and technically reliable small submachine gun. It remains to be seen in which direction the Czech company Ceska Zbrojovka will take its newest prototype weapons. Perhaps there eventually will be something in the Belgian caliber 5.7x28mm.

Please see the article on the Semi-Auto CZ-75 in this issue by Frank Iannamico…

By Frank Iannamico

The German machine pistol, or submachine gun, was first used in a limited capacity during the First World War when the German Army fielded their new MP18I submachine gun. The Germans were trying new tactics where storm troopers or Strumtruppen would sneak up on the enemy soldiers in their trenches, and spray them with 9mm fire. Awkward, slow firing bolt action rifles would provide little defense in repelling such a close quarter attack. WWI ended before the tactic was proven to be of any value. In 1936 the Germans gained additional experience with the submachine gun when German volunteers participated in the Spanish Civil War. The 1936 Spanish war was used by the Germans to test new weapons and tactics in preparing for what would become World War II. It was found that the close range firepower of the submachine gun would suit them well in their developing Blitzkrieg tactics. When WWII began with the Nazi invasion of Poland in 1939, a number of German soldiers were armed with the MP38. The MP38 preceded the more prolific MP40 model. It is the weapon from which the more famous MP40 evolved.

The MP38 was designed at the Erma-Werke factory in Erfurt, Germany in the late 1930’s at the request of the Heereswaffenamt (Army Weapons Office). The Heereswaffenamt was responsible for testing and accepting weapons for the Wehrmacht. The maschinenpistole requested was initially destined to equip armor crews and paratroopers. Both of these groups of soldiers needed a compact, high firepower weapon. Experience in the Spanish Civil war also further convinced the German high command (OKW) the value of such weapons in modern warfare.

The design of the MP38/40 is credited to two gentleman, Berthold Geipel and Henrich Vollmer, both of the Erfurter Werkzeng und Masichinenfabrik (Erma factory). Heinrich Vollmer was also responsible for the design of the unique enclosed telescoping recoil spring assembly first used in his Erma maschinenpistole of 1930. The MP38 was a revolutionary design. It was probably the first production weapon to use a folding buttstock, as well as a plastic material in place of wood. The MP38 was an entirely new concept on what a submachine gun should look like. All previous designs looked similar, like short barreled carbines. The MP38 had actually evolved from the earlier but little known prototype model, the MP36. (See SAR issue of 1/99)

Production of the new MP38 began at Erma Werk in the summer of 1938. Early Erma models were assigned the German production code 27. All German factories were assigned production codes rather than stamping the manufacturer’s name on the weapons. This was done to try to keep the source of various weapons from the Allies, especially in the early years of weapons production. This was because the WWI Versailles treaty had prohibited Germany from producing any military weapons. However, by the time the MP38 was adopted it was well known that Germany was illegally rearming her military. Early number codes eventually evolved into letter codes on later production, beginning in 1940 (Erma’s letter code was ayf). Production of the MP38 model continued until early 1941.

The MP38 features a vertical magazine housing that doubles as a front grip area for the weak hand. Pistol style handgrips made the weapon more ergonomic and controllable. Unlike previous designs, the cocking handle was placed on the left side of the receiver. The thinking behind the left side cocking handle was that the operator could cock the weapon without breaking his hand from the pistol grip, and keep his finger near the trigger. The magazine release button was also placed on the left side of the weapon for the same purpose. This would enable the magazine to be changed with the weak hand, and get the weapon back into action faster.

Another new feature was a resting bar located under the barrel. This bar was to aid in firing from the side of an armored vehicle or similar cover. Some early MP38 and MP40 examples have resting bars made from aluminum and even sheet metal stampings. The resting bars were later changed to a plastic fiber material. The plastic fiber worked better in absorbing the vibration created when firing while resting against the armor of a vehicle.

The MP38 was one of the few German designs to not use a metal barrel shroud. The MP38 uses an open “mass cooling” barrel, first seen on the early EMP machine pistol, a Vollmer/Erma design. The MP38 also has a threaded muzzle for the attachment of a blank firing device. A blank firing device restricts the amount of gas leaving the muzzle when firing blank cartridges. This allows the limited pressure of the blank cartridges to operate the weapon in full auto. Without such a restricting device the gun will not cycle with blank cartridges.

A threaded barrel nut protects the muzzle threads from damage. A unique, rare device seen on early MP38’s, are the hinged, flip up style metal muzzle caps (mündungschoner) designed to protect the weapon’s barrel from foreign objects when not in use. The caps slide over the muzzle and are attached by an L-shaped catch located in front of the sight. The catches are only seen on MP38 barrels. Later, a much simpler style of protective muzzle cap made from rubber was designed for use on MP40’s.

The revolutionary MP38 maschinenpistole was still made by the same time-consuming manufacturing methods of earlier weapons. The MP38 utilized many parts that were made from milled steel that required a great deal of time-consuming machine work to complete. The receiver tube, magazine housing, and even the housing for the recoil spring were made by such methods. Another disadvantage to these materials was weight. The MP38 receiver has longitudinal grooves milled into the receiver, and holes cut in both sides of the magazine housing to help reduce the weapon’s weight. These weight saving measures resulted into even more time consuming machining. The MP38’s grip frame was profile milled from an aluminum casting, a metal that was in high demand by the German aircraft industry. What the Wehrmacht needed was a weapon that could be produced with minimum machine labor and non-critical materials.

As the German Wehrmacht began its Blitzkrieg campaign by invading Poland on September 1, 1939, the MP38 underwent its initial baptism of fire with the German Army. There were 8,772 MP38’s in the Wehrmacht inventory at the beginning of the war. The weapon performed well, but some problems did arise. The most serious deficiency noted was the lack of a reliable safety. Many casualties were inflicted on German troops by the inadvertent dropping or mishandling of the MP38. As most of today’s subgun shooters are well aware, open bolt guns require very careful handling, as they can easily fire if dropped or carelessly handled. Some of the German troops learned this lesson the hard way.

The safety problem was soon conveyed back to the engineers at Erma Werk, who began immediately to look for a solution to this unforeseen problem. The fix was to design a new bolt handle assembly, which could be locked in the safe position on the receiver. A new notch was also cut into the receiver, to enable the new bolt handle to be locked in the forward closed position as well as the original safety slot. MP38’s that featured the new bolt handle, and the receiver modification were called the MP38/40 model. Many MP38s were returned to armorer’s shops to undergo the modifications. As an expedient method of making the MP38 safer until they could be upgraded, a leather strap was fashioned to keep the bolt in the forward position. This strap was secured in front of the barrel nut, and could be slipped over the original style MP38 hook-cocking handle. To fire the weapon the strap could simply be slid off of the bolt handle, allowing the weapon to be cocked and ready to fire.

By the war’s end practically all of the MP38s and a few early MP40s still in service that were originally manufactured with the early “hook” style of bolt handle were converted to the new, much safer “locking” bolt handle. An MP38 or early MP40 still retaining the hook style handle and unmodified receivers are quite rare today.

Although the MP38 was an excellent design, it, like the American Thompson submachine gun, was time- consuming to manufacture. The MP40 was designed to use sheet metal stampings in place of milled steel parts. The “sheet metal” MP40 would forever change the way military weapons were built. However, the MP40’s thin sheet metal receiver could be very easily damaged. A simple dent that would restrict the movement of the bolt could put the MP40 out of action. The Germans obviously felt that the advantages of the sheet metal construction far outweighed the disadvantages. The method of using sheet metal to construct weapons was not lost on the Americans and British who with the U.S. M3 and the British Sten took the process and simplified it even further. The Germans later in the war introduced their 7.92×33 caliber Strumgewehr that also used advanced stamped sheet metal construction.

Although the MP40 was made of inexpensive materials and required minimal skilled labor to manufacture, the MP40 was actually more expensive than the MP38. German Army records reveal that the cost of the MP40 was 60 Reichmarks while the MP38 had cost 57 Reichmarks per weapon.

The U.S. Collector market today has seen the price of original MP38 and MP40’s skyrocket over the last few years. Even MP40s and MP38s with new manufacture receivers (commonly called “tube guns”) are costing more than pristine, original “all matching” guns did just a short while ago. The MP38s are much scarcer than the MP40s and are usually priced higher. Although there were a few “new receiver” MP38s produced prior to 1986 they too are quite rare.

This article was excerpted from the book “The German MP40 Maschinenpistole”. The book is available from Chipotle Publishing 702-565-0746.