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Steyr
MPi 69 (Austria)
Caliber:
9x19mm Luger/Para This
submachine gun resembles the Uzi in some respects, but it is a totally
different and rather simpler design. It is currently in use by a number of
armies and police forces throughout Europe and the rest of the world. The
receiver is formed from bent and welded sheet steel and is carried in the
frame unit - steel with a molded nylon covering. The magazine feeds in
through the pistol grip, a convenient system in the dark, and the bolt is
of the 'wrap-around' or 'telescoped' type in which the actual bolt face is
well back within the bolt and much of the bolt mass is in front of the
breech at the moment of firing. This system allows the maximum mass for
the minimum bolt stroke and assists in producing a compact weapon. Cocking
is performed by pulling on the carry sling, which is attached at the
forward end to the cocking knob. This, at first sight, is open to abuse,
but a bracket welded in to the top of the receiver ensures that the
cocking action can only be performed when the sling is held at right
angles to the receiver, on the left-hand side. The normal pull from the
top of the weapon, as when slinging it over the shoulder, cannot move the
cocking piece. There
is a safety catch in the form of a cross-bolt above the trigger which
locks the trigger when set to safe; it is a three-position bolt; when
pushed across to the right so that a white 'S' protrudes, it is safe; when
pushed across to the left so that a red 'F' protrudes, it is set for
automatic fire. There is also a half-way position in which single shots
are possible. This safety catch is a weak piece of design since, except by
memorizing, it is impossible to know what the state is in darkness; it
would be better to have one end ribbed or knurled. The
third position is, in any case, superfluous; with the selector set to
automatic fire, a light squeeze on the trigger fires a single shot, and
this can be repeated as often as wanted. To fire bursts, a heavier squeeze
is required. There is no need to reset the selector lever at all, and one
can only assume that the central position has been put there as a safety
feature during initial training, so that an over-enthusiastic squeeze will
not produce a runaway gun. This two-stage trigger is also to be found on
the Steyr AUG rifle and takes some getting used to; many have found it a
hindrance to accurately shooting in the automatic mode. The
MPi 69 is easy to strip and reassemble, taking no more than 15 seconds in
either direction for a trained soldier. Strictures on the safety and
trigger apart, it is a well-designed, simple and robust weapon - and,
provided soldiers are trained to its peculiarities, a highly effective
one. Experience one TODAY at Midwest Gun and Range! Check back often as we frequently add new Machine Guns! |
