Covert Ops Led to Experimental Smith & Wesson Model 76 Submachine Gun

During the 1961-1975 Vietnam War, the United States Navy had begun to procure submachine guns for use by its SEAL teams; a special operations force operating in-country. SEAL teams often used foreign submachine guns for their more covert operations for plausible deniability. Unhindered by any political, official standards or requirements for their proposed submachine guns to meet, the SEAL’s weapon of choice was the reliable and accurate 9mm m/45, Swedish K submachine gun. One of the Navy requirements for a submachine gun class weapon was the ability to drain water quickly from the receiver.

Problems with the military procurement of the Swedish submachine guns were eventually encountered due to Sweden’s long-standing position as a neutral country, along with their outspoken protest of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

During the early spring of 1966, the U.S. Navy Department contacted Smith & Wesson representative Mr. George Ersham to inquire about the possibility of the U.S. company designing and manufacturing a weapon that would be similar in concept and operation to the Swedish K. By the fall of 1966, the Development Section of Smith & Wesson received an official written request from the Department of the Navy for the development of a new 9mm submachine gun. Corporation officials met with SEAL Team One at the Naval Amphibious Base Coronado, in San Diego, California, to discuss the project. During the meeting, Smith & Wesson officials were provided with a list of the characteristics desired in the proposed submachine gun. The rival Colt firearms company had the military market virtually sewn up at the time. Mr. Gunn recognized that a lucrative military order could help sustain his company’s future well into the 21st Century.

Mr. Dwayne Charron of the Research and Development Section of Smith & Wesson was chosen to head up the project. Mr. Charron was well qualified for the task, having a lot of experience with the development and design of many of the company’s firearms. The model designation assigned to the submachine gun project was the number 76. It was nothing other than a control number, having no other significance.

The X-Series Submachine Guns

Smith & Wesson routinely assigned a letter “X” prefix to experimental or preproduction projects. After a project had been developed and tested, blueprints were sent to the Engineering Department where final tolerances and dimensions were used to draw production blueprints. Firearms made from the prints were used to manufacture tool room models of the proposed gun. Those guns were designated with a letter “T” prefix for “Tool Room.” The letter “T” was occasionally used on a production weapon that had been modified.

The first experimental samples of the Model 76 were completed in the fall of 1966-1967 and were assigned serial numbers X-185 through X-219. The early X-185 gun lacked a buttstock and sights. On gun X-186, a folding stock and sights were added. Two X-prefixed guns, X-186 and X-219, were later modified for the caseless ammunition project. To make the weapon as light as possible, there was one prototype gun; X-188 was made with an aluminum alloy receiver. Later there was a request issued for nine additional aluminum receivers; these were serial numbered X-210 to X-218. Most of the receivers were not assembled into functioning weapons. Apparently, there were problems, and the aluminum receiver concept was abandoned.

By January 1967, a prototype weapon was completed and ready for extensive field-testing. At this point the magazine for the 76 project had not been developed, so modified Swedish K magazines were used. Due to cost considerations, it was decided not to key the barrel for consistent indexing with the receiver. This saved a few machining processes to the barrel and receiver. The weapon that was designed by the engineers at Smith & Wesson looked somewhat similar to the Swedish submachine gun it was to replace, but there were a number of differences. Primarily, the Smith & Wesson submachine gun was lighter in weight, more ergonomic, slightly smaller in size, handier, featured a more positive safety, and it was select-fire.

The T-Series Submachine Guns

During May 1967, the first 10 Tool Room submachine gun models had been assembled. They were assigned serial numbers T-1111 to T-1120. During testing, a few failure-to-feed stoppages occurred. The problem was traced to an oversized magazine housing and was easily solved by inserting a U-shaped piece of steel to align and secure the magazine.

The X and T models of the M76 were fabricated in a number of configurations for testing and evaluation purposes.

The production of the first test lot of 100 guns commenced on June 24, 1968. Each gun had a four-digit serial number with a “T” prefix. The “T” prefix indicated that the guns were completed in the Research and Development Department’s Tool Room and not regular production pieces. The serial numbers of the early pre-production models were marked on the left side of the magazine well. The “T” series models were often configured differently. Most of the T series guns lacked the barrel jacket as seen on production guns. The method of securing the barrel to the receiver was different on guns that lacked a barrel jacket. A barrel retaining catch was utilized, similar to that of the U.S. M3 submachine gun. The strut arms of the early stocks were straight while the later production models curved around the back of the receiver tube. The sides of the plastic grip were smooth. A total of 105 T prefix weapons were built by the Research and Development Department from November 1966 to April 1971. Most of the T-series weapons studied during the research for this article had a medium gray parkerized finish while most of the U-prefix production submachine guns were parkerized with a gray-green finish.

As the Tool Room models were refined, the factory began to fabricate fixtures and gages and provide drawings to outside vendors for components that were not made in-house.

After preliminary testing, a small lot of 100 Smith & Wesson T-series submachine guns were produced for further testing in-house and in the field. During the early months of 1968, the final design of the weapon began to materialize. After a few last-minute minor design changes were implemented, the weapon went into production as the Smith & Wesson Model No. 76–9mm Submachine Gun. In addition to the Navy contract, the Smith & Wesson Company had planned to offer its new American submachine gun to U.S. law enforcement agencies, for replacement of its aging Reising and Thompson weapons.

To facilitate manufacture of the M76 submachine gun, Smith & Wesson opened a completely new manufacturing facility called the Annex. Also, commonly known as Department 10, the 10,000-square-foot building was located on Stevens Street, in Springfield, Massachusetts. The new Smith & Wesson division began operations during 1968, specifically to manufacture the submachine gun. Department 10 had 20 employees in 1968 and was headed by foreman Lou Jarvis. While some parts were machined in the main plant, most of the welding and assembly was performed in the Annex building. Upon final assembly, the completed submachine guns were then transported back to the main plant for a final inspection before packaging and shipping.

The U-Series Production Model

The Model 76 submachine gun design was a basic, simple, but durable weapon primarily made from heavy sheet metal stampings. The receiver tube was produced from heavy 120-inch-thick seamless steel tubing. The inside of the thick receiver tube was broached (often-called “sand cuts”) to help prevent stoppages from sand or any foreign debris that may collect inside the receiver. The appendages: the sights, magazine housing and sling attachment points were heliarc-welded to the thick receiver tube.

The fixed sling loops were intended to employ the common U.S. issue M1 carbine sling. The ejector was also attached to the receiver tube by two vertical welds. The fixed magazine well was flared at the bottom for fumble-free insertion of a magazine. The trigger, trigger bar and sear were in a removable sheet metal housing that is located under the receiver tube. The trigger guard is also a simple steel stamping attached to the trigger housing by a single rivet. For use in Arctic climates, the trigger guard can be rotated out of position allowing the weapon to be operated with gloves or mittens. The Model 76 was following the concept of the World War II British Sten and U.S. M3 submachine guns: simple and cheap.

The 8-inch barrel can be easily removed for cleaning or replacement via a knurled barrel nut. A heavy, tubular shroud with 28 cooling ports was later introduced in order to protect the operator’s hands from an overheated barrel. The threaded barrel nut was incorporated as part of the shroud. The sights are calibrated for a 100-meter range and are nonadjustable. The Model 76 is capable of both semiautomatic and full-automatic fire, by means of an ambidextrous M16-style semiautomatic-automatic-safe selector lever.

The buttstock folds and locks to the left side of the receiver as to not interfere with the cocking handle if the weapon is fired with the stock folded. The Smith & Wesson 76 is finished in a military-style, medium gray-green phosphate; the M76 has an overall length of 20.25 inches with the stock in the folded position. With the stock extended the length is 30.38 inches. Loaded weight with a 36-round magazine is 8.67 pounds.

The first six production guns have unique serial numbers beginning with a letter “U” followed by six digits. These submachine guns were numbered U001001 through U001006. In June 1968, regular production began starting with serial number U101 until production ended with submachine gun serial U6100, built July 5, 1974.

The serial numbers of the production guns were marked on the right rear side of the receiver tube. There were a reported 6,000 production Model 76 weapons manufactured. A few minor variations appear in the production models. During 1969, the barrel jacket was changed from seamless tubing to a less expensive design made from a piece of flat sheet metal, which after cooling holes were punched into it, was rolled into a tube and welded along its seam. Another minor detail noted on some guns are two holes in the front of the magazine housing; the purpose of these holes is for a jig to hold the piece in place for a welding operation.

During July 1974, production of the Model 76 was terminated. The decision was made due to declining demand for pistol-caliber submachine guns, which were being replaced in law enforcement and military organizations by modern assault rifles.

The original retail cost of a Smith & Wesson Model 76 submachine gun in 1969 was $76.50. Today, all models of the Smith & Wesson M76 submachine guns are considered Curio & Relic firearms by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The United States Navy purchased a number of the Model 76 submachine guns and classified them: Navy Mark 24 Mod 0, NSN 1005-01-013-6050. Each of the weapons was issued with four magazines. The SEALs also requested that Smith & Wesson design a suppressor (silencer) for “their” Model 76s, to reduce the weapon’s report and muzzle flash. Smith & Wesson’s Dwayne Charron designed the Smith & Wesson M76 suppressor as a complete unit that would easily replace the weapon’s standard barrel.

The barrel inside of the Smith & Wesson suppressor has a series of ports to reduce the velocity of standard 9mm ammunition to subsonic levels and to eliminate the sound generated when the bullet exceeds the speed of sound after leaving the barrel. Mr. Charron received patent number 3,713,362 on June 30, 1973, for his suppressor design. Production of the suppressors built by Smith & Wesson was limited to a few units.

During a recent visit to the Springfield Armory National Historic Site Museum in Springfield, Massachusetts, Small Arms Review was granted access to the area of the museum where weapons not on display are stored. Only 16-percent of the museum’s collection is currently on exhibit.

One might wonder why some of the more unique, one-off firearms are not on display. I have asked this question of several museum curators over the years, and the answer is always the same. The average military museum visitor is interested in seeing a rifle or handgun that was issued to them, their father or grandfather. Most are not interested in one-of-a-kind prototypes.

High Standard T48 7.62mm FN FAL Rifle Serial Number HS-1

One of the rarest FN FAL rifles was manufactured by the High Standard Corporation, Hamden, Connecticut in 1954. The Belgian FN FAL rifle, as originally manufactured in Europe, was produced using the metric system of measurement. Canada, Great Britain and the United States all used the Imperial system of inches. Any rifle produced in these countries would need to adhere to their standard of measurement. One of the obstacles encountered with the Belgian rifle was that all the factory drawings were done using the metric system.

The Springfield Armory was busy with the T44E4 rifles and numerous other projects and decided to turn the task over to a commercial entity. Bids were taken for the project, and the contract was eventually awarded to the High Standard Corporation. As part of the agreement, High Standard was to manufacture at least 12 functional FN FAL T48 rifles from their final drawings. Harrington and Richardson received a contract and manufactured 510 inch-pattern T48 rifles for testing and evaluation.

Inland M1 Carbine Serial Number 1

The M1 carbine was manufactured during World War II, issued to primarily arm personnel who were not engaged in front-line infantry fighting. The carbine used a new 7.62x33mm cartridge with a 110-grain bullet at a muzzle velocity at approximately 1,970 feet per second. The carbine was designed to supply a more effective weapon to those who would normally be issued a handgun. The M1 carbine was manufactured by a large number of contractors. One of those contractors was the Inland Division of General Motors. In the museum’s holdings is the first production M1 carbine made by Inland, serial number 1, with two unusual characteristics: a “web” forward of the trigger guard and a corrugated curved butt plate. The first five tool room models of the Inland carbine were made by R.F. Sedley, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

T29 .30 Caliber Grease Gun Serial Number X38

The experimental T29 submachine gun was developed by the Guide Lamp Division of General Motors during the fall of 1944. The T29 is a straight blowback M3A1 “Grease Gun” chambered for the .30 carbine cartridge. The barrel is 14 inches in length; the overall length is 28.8 inches. Development was terminated with the introduction of the select-fire M2 carbine.

Savage Submachine Gun .45ACP Serial Number X-1

The experimental Savage submachine gun, caliber .45, was manufactured by Savage Arms, Utica, New York. Equipped with a folding spike bayonet, magazine and sling, this submachine gun shares many features with the production Reising M50 submachine gun and feeds from a 20-round Reising magazine. The weapon was designed in the 1940s by Eugene Reising for Savage Arms.

High Standard Submachine Gun .45 ACP Serial Number 7

The High-Standard Submachine Gun Caliber .45 was designed by Carl G. Swebilius of High Standard with the patents assigned to the corporation. The .45 caliber prototypes were made by High Standard; production UD42 9mm models were manufactured by Marlin for the United Defense Supply Corporation. Reportedly only seven weapons in caliber .45 ACP were made for submission to various testing boards.

Submachine Gun Thompson M1A1 .45 ACP Serial Number 1244194

Manufactured by Savage for the Auto-Ordnance Corporation, Bridgeport, Connecticut, this is a presentation M1A1 Thompson submachine gun with a polished blue finish. The serial number represents the total number of Thompson submachine guns; 1928, M1 and M1A1 models made by Savage. The weapon was donated to the Springfield Armory NHS by Savage Arms, Westfield, Massachusetts on October 17, 1978.

Swedish-K, 9mm Caseless Ammunition Serial Number 356615

A submachine gun that was introduced to the Navy SEALs at Fort Bragg and remained in their inventory through the Vietnam War, was the Swedish Model 45, also known as the m/45 or Swedish-K.

A Swedish-K submachine gun, serial number 356615, was converted by the U.S. Smith & Wesson Corporation to electrically fire caseless 9mm ammunition. The m/45 was followed by several S&W Model 76 submachine guns that were designed for caseless ammunition before the program was terminated.

Smith & Wesson Model 76, Caseless Ammunition Serial Number X219

Model 76 serial number X219 was one of several Model 76 submachine guns converted to fire caseless ammunition. The ammunition was fired electrically. Power was supplied by a 30-volt dry cell battery located in a compartment forward of the trigger guard. The magazine release lever was redesigned to clear the battery box. Note the on-off safety switch on the pistol grip (barrel is missing from the weapon).

U.S. Rifle, M1 Caliber .30 Serial Number 1

Manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts in May 1934, this is the first model shop semi-automatic, gas-operated (gas-trap) M1 Garand rifle with 8-round clip feed mechanism. Manufactured by semi-production, tool room methods in the Model Shop at Springfield Armory under direct supervision of John Garand. The cost to the government for the 80-model shop M1 rifles was $1,831.00 in 1934, or $32,268.51 in 2018 dollars.

U.S. Rifle, M1 Caliber .30 Serial Number 81

This M1 was manufactured by Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts in 1937. It is the first series production model M1 gas-operated, semi-automatic rifle with 8-round clip feed mechanism. Parkerized finish with many small parts blued. This is the first production line M1 manufactured in 1937 at a cost of $214.54. Serial numbers 1 to 80 were tool room models.

U.S. Rifle, T20 Caliber .30 Serial Number 1

The T20 was manufactured at Springfield Armory, Springfield, Massachusetts in October 1944. Experimental gas-operated, select-fire rifle, essentially a modified M1 adapted to a 20-round detachable BAR box magazine. The receiver was made .3125-inch longer than a production M1 to solve a problem feeding from the BAR magazine. The weapon was designed to fire from open bolt in the full-auto mode; closed bolt in semi-auto mode. The open bolt feature did not adequately solve cook-off problems.

Muzzle velocity was 2750 feet per second and cyclic rate of fire 500rpm. Weapon has an overall length of 44.5 inches, a barrel length of 24 inches and weighs approximately 10 pounds without accessories. Development of the T20 model was terminated in January 1945 with recommendations that minor changes and strengthening of various components be made. A rifle incorporating these minor design changes was designated as the T20E1.

Remington T22E2 .30 Serial Number 1

Concurrent with Garand’s work on the T20 rifle, a competitive contract was awarded to Remington Arms Company to develop an improved M1 rifle. Remington’s prototypes were designed around a standard length M1 receiver. Like the T20, the T22 used a BAR-style 20-round magazine. Manufactured and developed by Remington Arms, Ilion, New York. The T22E2 was essentially an M1 converted to select fire and modified for a detachable box magazine.

Belt-Fed German Fallschirmjagergewehr, FG42

After World War II ended, the idea to develop a new U.S. general purpose, light machine gun was renewed. A captured World War II German weapon, a late model FG42, was examined and adopted as a base design. The FG42 (Fallschirmjagergewehr, or Paratroopers Rifle) was a limited production, shoulder-fired, rifle caliber weapon intended solely for the German paratroop forces, produced from stampings and welding.

The mechanical solution for the conversion was engineered by the Bridge Tool & Die Works, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1946. The resulting weapon is a conversion of the Type 2 FG42 German paratrooper rifle with the belt feeding mechanism of the Maschinengewehr 42, a German, belt-fed general purpose machine gun, fabricated from sheet metal stampings. The Bridge Tool & Die conversion weapon is a gas-operated, blowback type combination—air-cooled; bipod supported; with forward handgrip and rear shoulder stock. The receiver cover is marked WaA 147.

T33 Clarke Arms Rifle Serial Number 8

The Clarke Arms Company of Boston entered their T33 series rifles in the U.S. Ordnance Department’s lightweight rifle competition. The T33 rifle development program was begun in March 1949. The weapon was a lightweight, selective full- and semi-automatic rifle. The purpose of the lightweight rifle program was to replace the M1 rifle. This project was suspended in late 1950, because the weapon lacked sufficient ruggedness and demonstrated poor performance under adverse conditions. The Clarke Arms Company dissolved on December 22, 1954.

T44 Rifle Serial Number 1

The first 7.62mm T44 rifles were built on .30 caliber T20 receivers. Spacers were used in the receiver to adapt the T20 receiver for the shorter 7.62mm cartridges. A new short receiver, specifically designed for the 7.62mm round, was introduced on the T44E4 model.

First Production M14 Rifle Serial Number 2000

The first U.S. M14 rifle off the series production line at the Springfield Armory in 1957 was serial number 2000. The presentation grade rifle was finished in a high polish blue with a fine black walnut wood stock.

M14E2/A1 Rifle Prototype, Springfield Armory M14 Serial Number 6488

The M14 rifle as issued, was very difficult to fire accurately in full-automatic. As a result, many were issued with selector locks, limiting their operation to semi-automatic-only. In attempt to design an M14 that could effectively use its full-auto feature, the USAIB/M14 was conceived at Fort Benning, Georgia, by Captain Durward D. Gosney. The Springfield Armory M14 Serial Number 6488 was fitted with an in-line pistol grip stock, wooden foregrip, muzzle stabilizer and commercial rubber recoil pad. In this configuration, the M14 demonstrated that the automatic fire accuracy requirements could be consistently achieved.

Due to size limitations, only a small portion of the unique firearms stored at the Springfield Armory Museum are featured in this article, as are the brief descriptions. Watch future issues of Small Arms Review for more in-depth articles and photos on many of these weapons.

Special thanks to Curator Alex MacKenzie and the entire museum staff.

For more information about the museum:

Springfield Armory National Historic Site
One Armory Square, Suite 2
Springfield, MA 01105-1299
Phone: 413-271-3976 Website: nps.gov/spar

When discussion turns to the “best of the best” Class Three weapons, the Swedish “K” is usually at or near the top of the List. It is known as the Carl Gustav, M-45 B, or Swedish K. The K stands for Kulsprute Pistol, which roughly translated from the Swedish means “bullet spurter”. This superb design was the result of excellent engineering and production at the Carl Gustufs Stads Gevarsfakturi at Eskilstuna, Sweden in the Post WWII years. (Carl Gustav is the name given to every King of Sweden, sort of like the Phantom or “Ghost Who Walks”, this also makes the Monograms much easier.)

In the 1950’s the export contracts for the “K” were very good for the Swedes. They sold a large quantity to the Egyptians, and eventually installed the equipment in one of the Egyptian’s factories in order to built them in-country. These are the “Port Said” (Sa-eed) models. Port Said is a major seaport city at the head of the Suez Canal. In 1952 the Egyptians overthrew the Monarchy of King Farouk and established the United Arab Republic; and placed in power an obscure Army Officer named Gamal Nassar. At this time they began to produce weapons for themselves, though still relying heavily on Swedish engineers.

I came to know this excellent weapon when I worked for the ill-fated Viking Program of Weapons System in Malden Massachusetts. Once, Bertil Johansson was brought over from Aimpoint in Sweden. Bert brought many interesting pieces with him, including the Swedish magazine; undoubtedly the finest magazine system in the world today. It feeds 36 rounds of 9mm as smoothly and reliable as any box feed system ever designed. The truncated body allows easy acquisition in the dark. Many other submachine gun designers have copied this format, or made actual “Clones” for their own submachine guns.

The elegance of the Swedish design is that there are elements of the crude Sten and sophistication of the MP-40 series, with the simplicity of wood and steel. The only anachronism in the design is a silly appendage for the attachment of a bayonet found only on the M-45C.

There are two main variations of the Port Said; the first being a direct copy of the M-45B. The other, not commonly seen, is a simplified version utilizing a crude collapsible wire stock. The one feature that endeared the m-45 B to the CIA was a sturdy man sized folding stock that remained rigid when opened.

The modified or simplified M-45 has an unshrouded 6” barrel, this variation is known as the AKABA.

I have what could be called a hybrid Swedish K/Port Said. It is definitely a mismatched gun. How does one tell? Quite simple, the Swedish guns have the Crown and C denoting national production. The parts are all numbered in Arabic numerals 1, 2, 3, etc. All of the Port Said parts are numbered in Farsi, and Arab language quite indistinguishable to western eyes. The Port Said in most of the photos accompanying this article is an original all Egyptian.

The Swedish guns are finished in high quality blue or in many cases a forest green so familiar to veterans of SouthEast Asia.

Now don’t get me wrong- my Swedish K/Port Said is still the most accurate and controllable SMG that I own. This gun cost me $189.00. Purchasing one today will cost you ten times that- plus! Original transferable guns are hard to come by- Wilson Arms registered a small quantity of receivers for these guns before the 1986 machine gun ban (Ban on manufacture for private ownership), and Recon Ordnance still has some that have been manufactured into complete transferable machine guns by gunsmith Stan Andrewski. There are some pre-86 dealer sample guns around, and occasionally some importer brings in a few for law enforcement use- they are very accurate and reliable, and make a fine submachine gun for a department on a tight budget. A few moments at the range comparing ease of use and accuracy of bullet placement with submachine guns that cost 5 times as much will quickly convince many doubters.

My favorite trick is to empty one entire 36 round magazine into a NRA B-2 target at 21 feet and have one large hole eliminating the black entirely. It is not hard to do, and the accuracy potential is there. It is my gun of choice for introducing novice shooters to the wonderful world of Class Three. In fact, this is the first SMG my wife Pat ever shot. It is safe, slow, reliable, and super accurate.

There are at least three variations of the Swedish K and two of the Port Said.

The M-45 B has an improved end cap and a removable magazine housing that when removed, allows use of the 50 round Suomi M-37 magazine, or the 71 round drums.

Specifications of M-45/Port Said

Caliber: 9mm (packed in 36 round boxes)
Magazine: Detachable box
Mag Capacity: 36 cartridges
OA Length: 31.8”, Folded 21.70”
Weight: 9.25 # Loaded
Cyclic Rate: 550-600 RPM
Type of Fire: Automatic only – slow rate allows singles.
Types of Action: A P I Blowback
Sights: Front Adjustable Post Rear Three Step Notch

The Suomi 50 Rd 4 column magazine alone and installed

AN INTERESTING ACCESSORY

One of the neat accessories Bertil Johansson brought with him was a combination Blank Firing/ sub caliber training Barrel.

If you have ever seen the movie “Invasion USA” with Chuck Norris, you have seen this device, but do you know its secret? It has a bulbous appendage buried in of all things, a flash hider. But how many of you know that this is removable to reveal a 5-mm sub caliber training barrel for barracks practice?

There are two types of blanks available for the Swedish K type submachine guns. One has a red plastic bullet and the other black plastic bullet. Imbedded in the red plastic is a 5-mm steel ball.

Indoors at 21 feet, the weapon fires in the full auto mode, and tiny holes appear on the target to point of aim at 25 meters. The smell of burning plastic permeates the air. The plastic bullet disintegrates about 5 meters from the muzzle. When functioning as blanks, the bulbous appendage would not only contain the steel pellets, but also the shredded plastic sabots.

I only had a fifty of each to fire and they both had the same recoil and accuracy. There was a lot of flash from the ejection part but fun to fire nevertheless.

The next time you see this in a movie you will be “in the know”.

MY WIFE’S FAVORITE MACHINE GUN;

The Swedish K series of submachine guns have a well-deserved reputation for controllability. Those of you who are married and want a good shooter for your wife to learn with, or a submachine gun to shoot together at the range- this might be just the one. It’s inexpensive, very controllable, a real pleasure to shoot. I am fortunate that my wife enjoys shooting, but the Port Said / K is certainly her favorite!