IMI Uzi
Overview
IMI Uzi
Left side view of Uzi sub machine gun with stock in folded position.
Source: www.machinegunbooks.com -
© Copyright lies with original owner
1958 - 1971 by FN
Belgium - Fabrique Nationale
South Africa - LIW
Rhodesia
Wooden stock Uzi in German military service
MP2A1
Folding stock Uzi in German military service
Description
Introduction
The Uzi is an early Cold War era sub machine gun of Israeli origin. It is one of the world's most famous firearms as it has been adopted by many nations and used in many conflicts. Nowadays some variants remain in production, but its 50 year old design suffers competition from newer designs.
Design
The design of the Uzi was inspired by the Czechoslovak Vz 23 sub machine gun. The Uzi uses a similar blowback design with wrap around telescoping bolt. This makes the overall length of the weapon much shorter and allows for a relatively long barrel. The Uzi consists mostly of stamped sheet metal. The receiver has grooves in which sand and dirt can settle to improve reliability. The magazine is housed in the pistol grip and a grip safety is fitted to prevent accidental firing. The full size variants fire from the open bolt.
Firepower
The Uzi fires the 9x19mm round from a 25 or 32 round magazine. All Uzi's are capable of semi-automatic and automatic fire. The cyclic rate of fire is 600 rounds per minute. The maximum effective range is 150 to 200 meters
Users
The first and foremost user of the Uzi was Israel. Additionally the Uzi was adopted by over 90 nations and was common in Europe, Africa and South America. The Uzi remains in use with many non-Western nations.
Details
IMI Uzi
Right side view of Uzi sub machine gun with stock in folded position.
Source: Uziel Galishto
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
IMI Uzi
A member of the Paratroop Regiment of armed forces of Niger with an Uzi in 1988.
Source: US Air Force (SSgt. Keith Walker)
Copyright: Public domain
IMI Uzi
A group of Peruvian Navy special warfare operators armed with full size Uzi.
Source: US Air Force (Rick Sforza)
Copyright: Public domain
IMI Uzi
Right side view of Uzi sub machine gun with wooden stock.
Source: www.world.guns.ru
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
IMI Uzi
Right side view of Uzi sub machine gun with stock in unfolded position.
Source: www.world.guns.ru
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Firearms based on the Uzi design
IMI Mini Uzi
The Mini Uzi is the first development from the full size Uzi, being introduced in 1980. As the name implies it is smaller and features a simpler stock design.
IMI Micro Uzi
The Micro Uzi is a further reduction in size. It is much smaller and the rate of fire is much higher due to the lighter bolt.
IWI Uzi Pro
The Uzi Pro is the latest design of the Uzi family. It was introduced in 2010 and features a polymer lower receiver and various accessory rails.
SOCIMI Type 821
The Italian SOCIMI Type 821 was introduced in the mid 1980's. It is closely patterned after the full size Uzi. At a glance both weapons are hard to distinguish. The design has been altered in several ways in order to make it lighter and simpler to produce.