MAC-10

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The MAC-10 (Military Armament Corporation Model 10) is a highly compact, Blowback operated, selective fire submachine gun (specifically, a machine pistol) developed by Gordon B. Ingram in 1964. It is a simple, low-cost design with few moving parts. This means that the MAC-10 is easily manufactured and maintained. However, the combination of its small size, a high cyclic rate of fire (approximately 1100 rounds per minute), and a history of ammunition feed problems make it rather undesirable as a military weapon.

The MAC-10 and its variants have gone through various changes over the years. For example, the weapon's semi-automatic version originally fired from an open bolt, but was converted to fire from a closed bolt due to the US government's concern that such firearms were too easily converted to fully automatic. The MAC-10 is often dubbed the "American Uzi", and is often mistaken for the Uzi. Both weapons share the same type of charging handle, telescoping bolt, and feed through the grip. Similarities end there though.

MAC-type pistols were first manufactured by the Military Armament Corporation, and later by RPB Inc., Sylvia/Wayne Daniel Inc., Cobray, and Jersey Arms. Cobray currently manufactures the required parts which are assembled into functional firearms by Leinad (Daniel spelled backwards). Leinad, because it assembles the MAC-10, is legally considered the manufacturer.

The MAC-10 is most common in the version chambered for .45 ACP rounds, but a number have been produced in 9mm Parabellum. MAC-11 and MAC-12 types are respectively chambered for 9mm Parabellum and .380 ACP rounds. In the United States, fully automatic MAC-10 machine pistols are NFA articles, and probably the cheapest automatic firearm available on the American market today. There are also a limited number of semi-automatic carbines based on the original MAC design. MAC-10 pistols may be easily converted to a carbine and vice-versa by interchanging commonly available parts.

The weapon's barrel is threaded for a suppressor, originally made by Sionics, or for barrel extenders, which make a useful forward gripping surface that doesn't heat up as a longer barrel or suppressor would.

1 Appearances in Popular Culture
2 See also
3 External links
4 Video links

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Appearances in Popular Culture

In fiction, the MAC-10 is commonly depicted being fired one-handed, however, it is nearly impossible to control if fired single-handedly, except in semi-automatic mode. The MAC-10 is cheap and easy to manufacture, therefore often shows up in depictions where a more relaible Uzi or MP-5 might otherwise be used. In reality, few military or police organizations ever adopted the MAC-10. Movie makers appear to be the largest user collectively of the MAC-10.

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