Country of origin |
Switzerland |
Entered service |
2004 |
Caliber |
9x19 mm Parabellum |
Weight (unloaded) |
1.4 kg |
Length |
523 mm |
Length (with folded stock) |
303
mm |
Barrel length |
130
mm |
Muzzle velocity |
~ 370 m/s |
Cyclic rate of fire |
900 rpm |
Practical rate of fire |
40 - 100 rpm |
Magazine capacity |
15, 20, 25, 30 rounds |
Sighting range |
? |
Range of effective fire |
50 - 100 m |
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The MP9 submachine gun
is a product of Brugger
& Thomet (B&T) company. It is a further development of the Austrian
Steyr TMP. In 2001 Steyr stopped
production of the TMP due to the lack of sales. Production licenses
were sold to the Swiss arms
manufacturer. The B&T company made over 19 engineering changes
to the Austrian weapon. Production of the MP9
commenced in 2004. Currently it is in service with Swiss army and
law enforcement forces. This submachine gun has been exported to
Bulgaria, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal,
Russia, Thailand, and possibly, some other countries.
The Brugger
& Thomet MP9 is a blowback operated, selective fire weapon, which
fires from closed bolt. This submachine gun is
chambered for a standard 9x19 mm Parabellum ammunition. The Brugger & Thomet submachine gun is
more compact than the
German
Heckler & Koch MP5 or similar designs. However this
SMG offers more controllable fire than automatic pistols. It falls in the
same niche as the Mini Uzi and
MAC-10.
Its compact size and light weight make this weapon suitable for law
enforcement teams and special operations units. The MP9 can be
easily concealed. However it looses to bigger submachine guns in terms of range
and accuracy.
The B&T MP9
comes with integral front grip and thus is more controllable during
fully automatic firing. This SMG can be fired single-handedly.
Housing of this weapon is made from lightweight polymer materials.
The MP9 has new trigger
safety, as well as ambidextrous safety/fire mode selector button,
located behind the trigger. An ambidextrous cocking handle is
located at the rear of the receiver. It resembles that of the
M16
assault rifle. It does not reciprocates when
the weapon is fired.
This
submachine gun is
fed from 15-, 20-, 25- or 30-round magazines. Magazines are housed
inside the pistol grip. Magazines are compatible with Brugger &
Thomet APC9 and P26 submachine guns, as well as TP9 pistol.
Translucent magazines are available for this weapon.
The main improvement of
the MP9 over the Steyr TMP is a side-folding stock and integrated
Picatinny-type scope rail, which accepts a wide variety of
sights and other tactical accessories.
This SMG
also has adjustable iron sights. This weapon has an effective range
of about 50 - 100 meters.
This
submachine gun is compatible with silencers.
Variants
Brugger &
Thomet TP9 pistol, is a semi-automatic only civilian version of the
MP9. Sometimes this weapon is referred as a carbine.
Brugger &
Thomet MP45 is a submachine gun version, chambered for .45 ACP
ammunition.
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