UZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL Cal. 9 mm PARABELLUM FABRIQUE NATIONALE G'ARWES BE GUERRE, S. A. HERSTAL-LIESE (BELGIUM) —__—_————TABLE OF CONTENTS Historical Background ................ 1 General Characteristics ................ 5 Functioning ..............000000005 10 Handling ....... Praca sierra arene sree 17 Exploded View ................. 22-23 Coron ee cae 25 Immediate Action And Stoppages ...... 26 Cleaning And Maintenance ............ 28 Stripping And Assembling ............ 30 PMOCESEOTROG Hpi pice cease aaaeUge List Of Components JHHistorical Background Although automatic weapons in the form of the early Maxim, Hotchkiss and Lewis designs first appeared in the late 1800's, and one form of early machine gun was actually used by the Confederacy during the Civil War, the submachine gun is uniquely a 20th Century weapon, like the guided missile and the submarine. The first true submachine gun, the Ltalian Villar Perosa, appeared in 1915. Originally designed for use in aircract, it was quickly adapted to use by ground troops. While it doesn’t fit today's image of an SMG, it did nevertheless presage better things to come. World War I had ground to a standstill in the trenches and probably would have ended in a negotiated settlement be- tween the Allies and the Central Powers had the U.S. not entered the war on the Allied side in the spring of 1917. The British SMLE and German M98 Mauser rifles which dominated the conflict were superb weapons for long range, deliberate fire, but they were hardly suited to the quick, close in work that resulted when one side decided to go “over the top” and assault the enemy’s trenches, While the U.S. relied heavily on the Winchester M97 shotgun, the Germans went to work on designing a compact, lightweight automatic weapon that could be used to achieve the same results. Even while pro- testing the “inhumane” shotgun the Americans were using, the Germans were developing the MP-18 (Mechinen Pistole 1918), The machine pistol handle was actually a misnomer, since the MP-18 looked very much like a conventional semi- automatic rifle, However, it was chambered for the 9mm Para- bellum pistot cartridge, and it was capable of automatic fire, so the term machine pistol can be justified by only a little misguided logic. Also, it has been reported that the GermansUZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL who were developing the first true assault rifle during World War II also refered to that arm as a machine pistol since Uitler had specifically forhidden development work on what, he considered a frivolous weapon. A little of the same ration- ale may have been applied 25 years earlier, although true machine pistols were themselves just barely off the drawing board at the time. ‘The MP-18's designers were well aware that a cartridge more powerful than the 9mm Parabellum was neoded to make their weapon more effective, but the demands of war ‘wore hardly conducive to spending a lot of time and money on R&D for a new cartridge. As a practical compromise, the already proven 9mm was selected. In the United States, Brig. Gen, John Thompson was also working on a submachine gun (which he Tabeled a “trench broom”) chambered for the 45 ACP cartridge. Despite the technological advances in arma- ment produced by two globat conflicts and numerous smaller wars, to say nothing of the luxury of plenty of time between wars for R&D, the 9mm Parabellum and .45 ACP remain the principal cartridges for use in subguns throughout the Free World, with the former being by far the most prolific. Although World War I ended before the MP-18 could really he given a fair trial under actual combat conditions, the Tittle evidence that was available indicated that the con- cept of the submachine gun was well worth exploring. OF particular interest is the fact that the ‘Tresty of Versailles specifically probibited Germany from developing and manu- facturing submachine guns and equipping her token army ‘that the treaty permitted with them. History was even more unkind in the case of field trials for the Thompson. According ‘to an interesting but doubtful legend, a crate of Thompsons bound for the front lines in France arrived at New York Harbor on November 11, 1918 — the very day the armistice ‘was signed. Although General Thompson continued working on his dream which would eventually be known worldwide as the “Tommy Gun", SMG development was, for all intents and purposes, a dead issue in the United States and Britian. Such was not the case in Europe, however, and numerous con- UZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL ‘inental arms firms were experimenting wth different designs, all of which bore a stzonger resemblance to semi-auto rifles than to the submachine gun as we know it today. These guns received their first real tests during the Spanish Civil War, along with a lot of German and Soviet aircraft which would be the mainstays during the opening battles of World War IT. Subguns proved to be especially well suited to house to house fighting and firefights in forested areas. As war clouds loomed over Europe in the closing days of the 1930's and ‘everyone became painfully aware of the fact that German re- armament was hardly of a strictly defensive nature, the United States and Britain continued to ignore the need for submachine gun development. On the moming of September 1, 1939, the world awak- ened to war bome by the scroaming ory of Stukes diving toward Polish cities below. That war would officially end six ‘years and one day later on the deck of an American battle- ship anchored in Tokyo Bay. During those si years, the submachine gun proved its value in wat from the steaming, malaria-infested jungles of New Guinea to the icy streets of ‘Stalingrad. Suocessive SMG designs began to evolve into the classic profile we know today — a large, detachable box magazine, 2 short barrel and collapsible buttstock. The American M3 “Grease Gun” is a perfect example of the type of weapons that emerged from the conflict. ‘The Israeli Uzi is what is known as a “second generation” SMG, being somewhat shorter and lighter than its predeces- ors. It was designed by Israel Galili, who borrowed heavily from several of the better Czechoslovakian designs, especially in his use of the telescoping bolt. Galili ean hardly be con- domned for copying the Czechs so closely. After all, it makes far more sense to copy ‘what works than to waste time on originality which may or may not produce the desired result. Galili added a few refinements of his own and came up with the Uzi, which is believed by many to be the finest sub- machine gun in the world, First ndopted for service in 1950, it has been the standard SMG in the numerous Arab-Israeli conflicts ever since. Originally equipped with x wooden butt- stock, it is now normally equipped with a collapsible metalUZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL stock, although the wooden one is available as an accessory item. Due to the constant demand for Uzi's, they are made under license by the FN plant in Belgium ag well as by Istacti Military Industries. The Uzi is a favorite of the American Secret Service and has been adopted by the military of a number of Free World nations, Indeed, the Uzi and Gordon Ingram’s MAC 10 are the SMG’s by which all others are judged. Since the infamous Gun Control Act of 1968 prohibits American civilians from owning foreign-made, fully auto. matic Uzi’s, « semi-auto version was introduced in this country in 1980, Within months, several enterprising firms were manufacturing parts which could be used to convert the semi-msto guns to full auto (legal with prior BATF appro- val), At least three books have also been written on the sub- ject. Other than the obvious differences in the select lever, ete., the weapons are essentially the same whether semi- or full auto and are handled and field stripped in the same manner. Although some ardnance experts are heralding the shot gum as the up and coming individual military weapon, it is doubtful if the submachine gun will ever totally disappear from the action spots of the world, even should hand held laser guns become a reality in the near future. Whethor in its original “home grown” IMT version or of F.N. parentage, you can expect to see the Uzi in action for a long time to come, The materia! that follows has been adapted from the original factory manual published by FN. Since its publica- tion, the cocking knob has been enlarged and the selector modified. The latter was necessary since the original selector would permit an occasional, random burst of full auto fire when it was set on semi-auto. 1, GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS }. Calibre. — The F.N. submachine gun is designed to fire the Luger 9 mm Perabetlum round. Many armies have used this cartridge for ¢ long time and it is now becoming universally stan- dordised. 2. Functioning principle. —- The blowback principle has been adopted for this weapon *. In this type, the breach is not mecha- nically locked but the breech block is relatively heavy ond its Fig. 2 “This is on application of the principle of equality of momentumUZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL mass prevents the breech from opening effectively until gos pres- sure in the barrel has fallen considerably. 3. Firing, ‘eutomatic: The weapon can be fired in two ways: either semi le shot) or fully automatic, The change lever is on the ‘eft side af the pistol grip. It can be set with the thumb of the right hand when this hond is holding the weapon. 4, Stability and hondiness. — Careful calculation of its centre of gravity and weight has made the weapon very steody when firing, which, in tuen, practically eliminates cny upward jerk ond reduces recoil considerably. The F.N. submachine gun is so designed that the soldier con cedvance with his weapon ready to fire held in one hand, teoving his other hond free for ony contingency. 5. Feed. — Location of the magazine in the pistol grip makes changing a magazine both simple and speedy. 6. Sights. — These consist of = A diopter rearsight, which can be tilted for settings correspond ing to distonces of 100 and 200 metres respectively A blade foresight, simultaneously adjustable for height and direction, Both sights are provided with protectors. The level of sight line cbove ground is very low, which allows the soldier to keep well under cover when firing. 7, Safety. — The F.N. submochine gun has a double sofety device — ©) The outomotic safety in the pistol grip, located at the rear ; this contact safety prevents both cocking the action and firing s0 long as the firer does not tighten his clasp on the pistol grip ‘and thus press the sofety. This device prevents release of the sear and thus any movement of the breech-block. UZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL b) The ordinary safety octs directly on the trigger and is ope- rated by the knob of the changeover lever, located on the left hand side, above the pistol grip. Fo. 3. foreign bodies in tho mechanism, ete. — ‘The weapon is practically weatherproof. The breech-block unit ‘envelops the rear part of the barrel and prevents anything per trating into the chamber, ‘The method of cocking the gun closes the caver slide and keeps foreign bodies out of the mechanism. ‘The decreased span of the breech-block bearings ensures thot ony particles of dust, sond or mud, that may have accumuleted, do not affect functioning of the weapon.UZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL 9. Stripping and ossembly. — Stripping for normal cleaning ‘and maintenance and reassembly can be done without using toals. Stripping is simple and quick. Barrel, cover, breech-block unit ‘and main spring con be dismantled ino few seconds. 10. Butt, — The F, N. submachine gun is usuolly fitted with « ‘metal butt, which can be extended, or folded into an inoperative position, as required (see fig. 1 & 2). ‘A wooden butt can be supptied, if preferred (see fig. 4). 11, Bayonet. —— A smoll bayonet can be fixed ; this is engaged by @ stud, Fig. 4 Fo. 5. UZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL 12. Stotistical dota. Weight. Gun, without magazine :-— co} whit metal butt 3.570 kg (7.8 Ibs) b) with wooden butt 3.500 kg (7.7 Ibs.) “"Standord” magazine, empty : 0180 kg (6 075.) "Standard magozine with 25 rounds : 0.500 kg (V.1 Ibs.) Overall fength of gua. ©) With metal butt extended : approx. 650 mm (25.5”) b) With metol butt folded: approx. 470 mm (18.5") ©) With wooden butt ‘approx, 635 mm (25") Bore. Length : 260 mm (10.2) Rifling, Ne of grooves: 4 Sight codtor: 309 mm (12.2") Cyclic rate of fire: Magazine. There are two types :-— — “Standard” Magazine, capacity 25 rds ; — 32rd Magazine. Cortridge. 650 pm. Length ; 29.70 mm (1.16") Weight : 12.10 grams (.43 075) Length of bullet : 15,70 mm (.62") Weight of bullet = 8.00 grams (28 or.) Weight of powder chorge: .40 grams 4.014 02.) b) Bolisical characters B.gram Bullet | 7.5 gram Baller ‘ 400 m/s, 425 ms {nitiot Velocity (Wo! 11312 tives | (1398 fe/seed 390 avis 415 mis. Vapor laser ay lee: 41279 Mhyseed | 367 fhisec) 65 tn 69 kom. ‘Mursle Energy (Eo) 1470 Hees | 1499 Hetbe 2500 kofem® (35,558 Ibs /sain} ‘wp t2 209 mates (218 yds) Maxinnurn Pressure Effective tonge1. FUNCTIONING Firing Cycle. ‘The gun is loaded and cocked, i. @. the breech-block is held in the rear position by the seor. 1. Forward movement of the breech-block. The action of pressing the trigger causes the sear to release the breech-block, which is pushed forward by the return spring. Feed. After moving forward about 25 mm, the underside (C 1) of the breech-block (C) contocts the bose of the uppermast cartridge in the mogazine (fig. 6) and pushes the round forward (MLL Fig. 6. As it moves, the cone of the bullet meets the feed camp (R), which guides it towards the chomber, thus disengaging the round from the mouth of the magazine. bi Chombering. The breech-block (C) continues its thrust on the bose of the round and chambers it (fig. 7). The neck of the cartridge case contacts the shoulder (F) of the chamber, which positians the round correctly in the chamber. O Firing. When the breech-block hos completed its forward movement, it forces the extractors to rise and the base of the cartridge 1s Positioned in the recess in the breech-block 0 UZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL, Fig. 7. Al this moment, the firing pin (P), which projects into the breech-block recess (C), strikes the percussion cop and fires the charge. 2. Backward movement of the breech-block. The pressure developed by combustion of the powder charge forces the bullet forwards and storts the rearward course of the breech-block. The initio! recoil is slowed down cue to the moss of the breech- block and only becomes effective ofter the bullet has left the barrel, 0) Extraction. During recoil, the extractor clow holds the cartridge case in the breech-block recess until the case contacts the ejector, ) Ejection. When the recess in the breech-block orrives at the level of the rear face of the ejection opening, the case contacts the ejector 4©), which projects into the recess’ and pivots the cose round the extractor and ejects it. (fig. 8 After this operation, the breechblock ocoils untit it strikes the rear of the body. The cartridges in the mogazine are thus released from the hold of the breech-block and rise under ection of the magazine spring, until the uppermost round is in contact with the mouthpiece of the magazine, nUZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL During the whcle of the recoil movement the return spring is, being compressed, After completion of its backword movement, the breech-block is pushed forward again under action of the return spring, but its movement is halted by the sear, if the change lever is set at repe- fition (R), cr the firing cycle cecommences if the lever is set at ‘automatic fire (A), 3. Trigge? Mechanism, ©) Automatic safely, pistol grip. —~ The safety sear fulfils two func- tions (fig. 9). 1¥ the mechonism is closed, the two pinions (G) of the sear are engoged in the two mid-way bents (C 1) in the breech-block and. the right-ongled front arm (S} af the automatic safety prevents their release. The breech-block (C) cannot then move towards the rear, which quards against the accidental firing of o shot on the rebound, in the event of a fall or similar shock. When this safety is compressed, its front orm moves beyond the two pinions ‘and the sear is tripped ; the breech-block will then travel to the rect and cocking con toke place. If the mechanism is open, the two pinions (G) of the seor are engaged in the two front bents (C 2) in the breech-block ond the front orm (S) of the safety again prevents their release. The breechblock (C) cannot then move forwards and any occidental firing of o shat, through shock, fall or inadvertent action on the trigger, is thus prevented, UZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL & By compressing the sofety, its fore arm moves beyond the two sear pinions, releasing the sear when the trigger is pulled to fire o shot. Ordinary Safely (Change Lever) The knob of the change lever is set in the rear position, ie ot safety (“S”). ‘The fore arm of the change lever (5) is then positioned below the trigger (D) (fig, 10). In this position, the trigger can not move downwards, the interme diote lever (1) is thus immobilised ‘ond consequently the sear (G) BUZI SMG OPERATION MANUAL b) Semi-cwlomatic fire ‘The change fever is set in the mid-woy position shot firing. for single ‘The fore arm of the change lever (5) is then positioned below the front shoulder (L 2) of the intermediate lever (fig. 11), When the automatic safety hes been compressed, finger pres- sure on the trigger pivots the upper arm (D 1) of the trigger down- wards (fig. 12) This in turn brings the intermediate lever downwards, as it is joined to the upper arm by a pin (A). At the some time, the intormediate lever depresses the sear by the action of the lever ramps (L 1) on the shoulders (G 1) of the sear {fig. 11). The shoulder (L_2) of the intermediate sear lever st the change lever (5) (fig. 13), The firer feels the Continued pressute on the trigger forces the intermediate lever t0 pivot round the joint pin (A) to the rear and the ramps (L1) of this lever depress the sear (fig. 13) slightly. The breech-block, pushed forward by the retum spring then trips the sear. ‘Towards the end of the front to rear rotation of the interme- diate lever its ramps (L 1) pass behinel the shoulders (G 1) of the sear, freeing it from the intermediate lever (fig, 14). “4 OPERATION MANUAL, Fig. 13, Fig. 14. ‘The sear, pushed upwards by its spring (R) is then in position, Sorina washer, focetight Bockstght Serew, backsicht Spring, backsight Cotchy cover + Spring, cotch cover Hondpuord, right Hondouerd, lett Screw, hendgvord Locknt, screw hondgudrd Nut, serew bocksight Cover ossembly Gocking lever Sprieg, cocking lever Stud, cocking lever handle Screw, stud aching lever Gocking handle Sprieg ‘wosher, Trigger ieome Sear Bin, seor 2) Spring, tigger frame Trigger Bin, veigger Spring, trigger Lever,’ intermediate, sear | Bin, intermestote sear lever ‘Change Tever| i Keb, oneroting change lever Sorina, plunger safety Automatic safety, pistol grip Spring, sofety Coieh’ mogetine Bin, catch magozine Sorina, cotch moscr ne Bist ‘aip, ight hall Prstot gro, lett hol! STA IS? STA 152 STA 153 STA 154 STA N55 STA 156 Sta 157 STA 158 STA 161A STA 1618 STAI U2I SMG OPERATION MANUAL, Pescrton Sere, pistol gro ir securing taper frame ‘Metal butt orsemaly Holding! Screw, butt ossembly cotch, Catch, butt b) BAYONET Ge, at, Boyoner Screw, essembly boyenat Not, screw esiembly bayonet aot ‘pring, plunger bayonet [Nut hunger bayonet ‘Scabbard, bayonet. | ‘Spring, seakberd bayonet Serew' spring seabbord, bayonet a7This Manual Was Provided To You By: CENTURY =| INTERNATIONAL L“ |ARMS INC. www.centuryarms.com