Austria's Take on the Uzi: Steyr MPi-69

[@IcebergTech]

T800: "Uzi 9mm?" Shopkeep: "No, this one's Austrian, like you. Steyr MPi-69." T800: "Nice"

[@450Garrett]

Nice

[@WindFireAllThatKindOfThing]

Nice

[@jbone9900]

Nice

[@LordStarbeard]

Ok, let's put this out on a tray

[@milesipka]

Noice...

[@michaels5210]

“We have Uzi at home… MPi-69” “Nice”

[@chemistryofquestionablequa6252]

Yeah, I certainly wouldn't complain about Austrian quality!

[@milkyyanks765]

nice

[@williammiao8862]

VERY NICE let's see paul allen's SMG

[@Blink3Y3]

nice

[@nameunavailable8134]

nice

[@davidoftheforest]

I remember reading Jane's gun guide RELIGIOUSLY as a kid. I'd see this gun and my friends would say "Uzi" and I'd go off on a tangent and nobody would listen hahaha

[@jasonfitzpatrick2197]

The rear sling bar should be attached to the safety, make the sling useful at both ends 😆

[@RadioactiveSherbet]

I disagree. That sling attachment to an integral function element of the weapon (the charging handle) seems not only dangerous, but frankly a bit silly and obnoxious. Putting the other end on the safety just doubles down on an already questionable concept. That's my two cents, which is probably only worth half a penny in reality. :P

[@animalmother9970]

​@@RadioactiveSherbet i think they were being sarcastic buddy

[@AshleyPomeroy]

@@RadioactiveSherbet It reminds me a bit of the front grip strap on the MAC M10. Given the timing I wonder if one of the designers saw a MAC M10 and thought "what if that strap was also a charging handle?"

[@RadioactiveSherbet]

@@animalmother9970 Thanks. I just now noticed the emoji. Whoops.

[@Papperlapappmaul]

@@animalmother9970 Not trying to be pedantic here, but I think it's safe to assume that Jason Fitzpatrick is a dude.

[@jamesgilbert124]

Steyr: Yo, lemme copy your homework. IMI: Okay, but change it up just a little so the teacher doesn't think you copied. Ian: It's academically dishonest, but it's a slick little SMG. Don't do it again.

[@t4nkychannel921]

Honestly though, at that point in time, copying the Uzi was almost like copying Richard Prior. You were either stealing from the Uzi or the MP-5... or you weren't very good. Only exception I can think of is the OG Skorpion.

[@laramyelliott2903]

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

[@jmalmsten]

I haven't touched neither a Steyr 69 or an UZI. But as a viewer that just likes watching different machines pulled apart... I honestly kind of like the simplistic philosophy of this gun. And... Is it really stealing if you don't try to hide it? :P

[@marcusott2973]

Steyr: Yo lemme copy you homework. Stoner: You heard what Ian said, here's my spare one but really change it up this time. Ian samples the AUG: Yo Steyr you put a lot of effort in being lazy, I like it...

[@wierdalien1]

@@marcusott2973 to be fair, that conversation could be have with the G36, SA80, The Singaporean thing

[@florianschwaiger5875]

I am so glad you are doing more Steyr guns! Greetings from Schladming Austria

[@ekscalybur]

MPi-69 was replaced primarily because the armorers finally got tired of soldiers saying "nice" every time they checked one out.

[@vorsch5093]

Nice

[@cerealata9035]

Nice.

[@josho5108]

I chose to read that in MRE Steve’s voice

[@JandRJarmsandammo]

Nice

[@theevenstevenchannel8220]

Nice

[@oler777]

I was so hoping he would have said “nice” after 69

[@Zajuts149]

I just realized that the telescoping bolt is basically just an internal slide, which you'd find on any automatic pistol:)

[@info3915]

I hate it

[@iradale4855]

It’s surprising how many firearms have them. They have their pluses and minuses. Extremely efficient from a design perspective in my opinion

[@DaveTex2375]

🤔

[@Verbose_Mode]

I have been enlightened. I see all.

[@onpsxmember]

@@info3915 Why?

[@johnevans347]

As a lefty, this set up is a perfect no-nonsense little package. Charging the gun with the firing and control hand adds a really nice level of control.. The sling is set up for over the rigshoulder for front sling carry, as well.

[@crumblethecookie6118]

This charging style work well with the german G3. At the end of the 80s the MPG (training device for shooting blanks) was not able to cycle most guns. It was forbidden to mount the sling on the charging handle. But there was a hole in the handle. It had the right size and seemed to be designed for this usage. Charging with the sling was fast and reliable in any shooting position used in normal training. We never used the sling to rest the gun against trees. Nor have we used the sling for carying in a training area. Maybe it will not work that well with a short gun and no lever of a charging handle.

[@enricopaolocoronado2511]

Not gonna like, this look so sleek compared to the regular Uzi.

[@christofincognito4530]

looks like straight from an 80s action movie

[@marcusott2973]

Wow this is a trip down memory lane, we used to get these when playing the OP force for other Austrian units. Never fired one at the range only with blanks during exercises, really looking forward to seeing Ian fire it at the range.

[@imadequate3376]

Was it a comfortable SMG?

[@majikmesa3786]

How did you like the sling charging handle?

[@marcusott2973]

@@majikmesa3786 well as the blanks kept producing stoppages it was quite practical. We used to jank on the strap and keep firing. But as they were basically noise making devices to us, I'm not really the right person to ask about how it handles as a carry weapon. I can bore you all night about the Stg77 and Stg 58 (Steyr Aug and FN FAL respectively) 😉

[@majikmesa3786]

@@marcusott2973 id be interested to hear your thoughts on the AUG, as I have no experience with them and I’ve heard a lot of mixed reviews. I own an FAL myself and I must say it is quite a fine rifle

[@marcusott2973]

@@majikmesa3786 as far as carrying an maintaining it compared to gods own bang stick, it's wonderful light, compact easy to clean. We used to take them in the showers to clean them, put them on the heating to dry, after that even the sergeants with their white gloves couldn't find anything. The AUG will run bone dry reliably. After watching a couple of mud tests over at inRange, I was looking forward to the Steyr mud test and I predicted where and why it would fail. As a grunt carrying it around I preferred it to the FAL, as a rifle I prefer the FAL. I'm very tall so it's length never bothered me that much as butt to muzzle it fits well between my shoulder and knee, so patrolling I never had the issues some of my shorter mates had. We used to have to take the FAL apart and back together, with our woolhats over our eyes in the cellar of our barracks, I'll always remember the sound of a spring going flying when someone didn't take that gas port off carefully enough. 😆

[@spindabear]

Its so much more efficient than the MP40, but the aesthetic greatness of still using an MP40 while playing 1960's rolling stones is more valuable.

[@MythicMagus]

I wasn't sure what Ian meant when he said the sling was essential. Making it the charging handle though? WOW that is a weird design decision.

[@wraithcadmus]

The way the back cover flips over the rear sight housing is cute.

[@georgg372]

my granddad joined the precursor to the Austrian Army (B-Gendarmerie) in I think 1952, when it was either becoming a farm-hand as second son or joining some service. in 1957 he left the Army and joined the then established rural-areas policing Gendarmerie. they went on classical foot patrols, him being the junior officer having to carry an M1 Carbine and German style steel helmet. from the sixties (afaik) they were actually using Israeli Uzis as long-gun at their station. they were using it until he retired in 1991 (there's pictures from the Austrian border Security Operation during Slovenia's War of Independence of Gendarmes carrying an Uzi). neither my grandfather nor my father and uncle saw the MPi 69 ever issued to them as conscripts in the late 1970s. they were using the Austrian FAL, PPsh-41s and MP-40s. I personally just got the AUG issued, so I assume those MPi-69s and -81s were probably issued to Special Forces only due to an abbundance of WW2-style sub-Machine Guns. my granddad loathed the Glock and the Steyr AUG and loved the Uzi and his personal FN Hi-Power. I find it amazing that those old pieces end up in private collections after being retired, outside of Austria, despite us not having the"strictest" gun laws, but some pretty hefty regulations on anything military surplus guns (you can't have 'em).

[@Tunnel_Rat69]

how someone can dislike the glock and aug is beyond me, but then again not everyones the same

[@georgg372]

@@Tunnel_Rat69 well...he was trained on the High Power for decades, his individual piece was in pretty decent shape. and G17 seemed to have teething issues in the beginning. AND of course above all it was new and away from traditional paths...once a fudd, always a fudd. I personally own a G45 and I adore it.

[@Jreb1865]

I don't like Glocks either. Nothing but a plastic accident waiting to happen...

[@VanderNugget]

What an excellent symbiotic relationship Forgotten Weapons has with Morphy and others like them.

[@someguynamedav7947]

Fun fact: Taiwanese also had their take on the UZI, which is designated: Type 77, which is a mix between the Mac-10 and the Uzi !

[@1nfamyX]

2:33 360° increments. If its offset to the left, 180° will put it offset to the right.

[@tommyblackwell3760]

I first came across this in Jane's Infantry Weapons around 1978, always thought it was a nice simple design and seemed a fairly private-proof execution. Thanks for giving us a closer in depth look at it!

[@paulalbe4587]

Ian your editing is so good now. These videos flow you can barely notice how many cuts are being made. Nice job.

[@Marcel_Germann]

Austria used the PPSh-41 before, designation MP-41, not to be confused with the German MP-41 from WWII. The interesting part is, in the book "Der Dienst im Bundesheer" by Karl Ruef, this is a handbook for the Austrian soldier with all kind of useful informations, in the edition from 1972 the MP-41 is still in there instead of this. It was in its original caliber 7.62 Tokarev, not converted to 9mm Luger. They used drum and stick magazines. Also interesting is, that the MPi 69 was delivered as "on-board armament" for the crew when Austria purchased the tank destroyer "Kürassier".

[@Arbiter099]

That sling swivel cocking is perfect action movie fodder

[@sorenlilienthal1368]

To the best of my knowledge, it, like the full auto AUG, has a trigger, that fires single shots when pulled half way and bursts, when pulled fully. Read that in one of the first German gun magazines (Deutsches Waffenjournal DWJ) in my possession, around 1972. The author, the late Siegfried F. Hübner, found this feature particularly useful in practical use.

[@tylerwilliams6022]

What you are talking about is called a "Progressive Trigger". I've always wondered how well they actually work in actual use. I don't think this Steyr has one, the sear arrangement looks rather pedestrian in design. That along with the three position safety is also telling. If it had an auto lock out it would be a separate two position safety.

[@kaveman9]

@@tylerwilliams6022 No, it is a progressive trigger. The center semi auto position simply stops the trigger from 'progressing' by blocking full travel of the trigger.

[@tylerwilliams6022]

@@kaveman9 Well there you go, didn't know there were any sub guns with that setup. Although I guess it's not a big leap considering it's made by Steyr. Did I miss this in the video or did Ian not go over it?

[@kaveman9]

@@tylerwilliams6022 I don't think it was mentioned in this vid but tomorrow's shooting vid does address it. Ian still does a better job than practically every reference book on the model, pretty much none of which even realize that there is a semi auto setting on the selector. Such a smooth shooting and handling gun(except for that funky sling arrangement). I've got mine set up with the 81 style cocking handle and it's one of my favorite subguns. Simple to swap over the charging handle and barrel nut w/forward sling mount,.....nice upgrade.

[@tylerwilliams6022]

@@kaveman9 Sweet, didn't know there was going to be a range demonstration video! I can agree that the cocking handle upgrade is a must. I was thinking you would be up shit creek if your sling broke in the middle of battle. Didn't look like there would be any meat to that cocking handle without the sling attached.

[@Darkstar-rg8ze]

My favorite weapon awesome job as usual Ian

[@starkindustries26]

The mpi-nice, I’d love to have one

[@garetz2011]

One day Forgotten Weapons will get a STAR Z84. I suspect it has multiple slots under its bolt but the gun is one of the most obscure SMGs on the web.

[@ekim000]

The sling as charging handle is a craptastic idea.

[@av0-cad03]

Yeah, not a huge fan personally

[@MeisterSpade]

They thought of a solution looking for a problem that doesn't exist...and made a problem. It's one of those "what were they thinking?" kinda deals.

[@lampreyjaws1736]

@@MeisterSpade im struggling to think of an advantage this would have over just a normal vertical charging handle. maybe easier to find in low light or combat conditions?

[@MeisterSpade]

@@lampreyjaws1736 I suppose that could be possible, but wouldn't ample training remedy that? I dunno, I just imagine some employee at Steyr snorting a line of elmer's glue at some company meeting and saying , "yeah man, wouldn't it be bitchin' if we made the charging handle and the front sling mount the same thing?"

[@adamcichon6957]

Shhhh... attach a monkey fist knot on the d-ring of the handle and change sling to the one point configuration... you'll be fine ;)

[@georgevavoulis4758]

Thank you Ian for making a video on this Steyr Mpi69

[@dylanwight5764]

Seems like a very efficient yet innovative design for its day, although one change I'd prefer is to swap the semi- and full-auto positions (which if the selector interacts with the sear should be a fairly easy change)

[@KingBattlon]

Not innovative at all, just a ripoff of the CZ Model 25.

[@Mrgunsngear]

Thanks

[@corvidconfidential8826]

Looks like a low poly videogame that combined the Mac 10 and the uzi as to avoid copyright or because they built the gun based on a picture they saw once while drunk last week and asleep

[@blackhornedmountainchicken3720]

Interesting possible fact, I've seen multiple game developers say that changing of names and (sometimes of) certain aesthetic features lands solely on the developers. I wish I could remember the exact interview but I do recall that they were from a well known/regarded AAA studio that had experience with first person shooters and they went on to say that if there is a problem with recreating essentially exact replicas of the firearms in engine they had never run into that particular problem nor had they ever heard or known any other developers who had run into any copyright troubles put forward by the firearm's manufacturer . So long story short it seems to be a self imposed censorship whether or not it's the devs or their corporate overlords I cannot recall; but I do remember them explicitly saying that they (being the studio who produced the game being used as a visual aid in their PowerPoint) could have just as easily used actual firearms in the game as not having real firearms (as far as they knew). Note: I will attempt to find said interview and if/when I do I'll link to it here: Also I forgot to mention that they also were unaware of anyone having to pay royalties to any manufacturer either. Obviously there testimony in no way should be taken as gospel but it's definitely an interesting take .

[@jorgscholze1994]

KK MPi 69 was the common name of 22. version of the AK47, wich one was used by the GST (Gesellschaft für Sport und Technik) in the GDR. Sorry for my english.

[@AtlantaFalconry]

There should only be one fully transferable MPI69 in the registry. I owned it in the late 1990s, sold it in 2000 or 2001 to a collector in CT who modified a spare safety to make it safe or full auto only bc of the state laws against select fire weapons. There should be a letter from ATF with said gun stating that it was the only one that made it in before GCA in 68 would make any imported mgs as dealer samples. They are an extremely smooth shooting gun and when I had it, it came with a matched suppressor. This is a very cool firearm, it was actually my first subgun, traded a Ww2 jeep for it when I was 21. I’m pretty sure I owned it early 1999 or so. If it was not this one, then there are at least two. When I sold it, the atf transferred it to the new owner as a sample and we had to send the letter to them to have the issue corrected and transfer as a fully transferable mg. Btw, if you ever want to play or do a video on a m30 4.2” mortar ( live) currently mounted in my M106a2, let me know. I also have a working 1964 M9-7 flame thrower.

[@mathiasstielzchen2227]

I'm Austrian, do own a Steyr pistol, and have never heard of this weapon until now. Thank you!

[@bigbelix]

Impressed how good the polymer of old guns hold up to the test of time compared to other polymer products

[@chriscarbaugh3936]

Always liked these! 👍

[@JS-ed2hg]

Another great video, I envy this guy with all the awesomeness he gets to review and shoot

[@_ArsNova]

I'm a simple man. I see double-feed magazines, I like the weapon.

[@GForce_Shutter]

Nice SMG

[@angst_]

how far can the charging handle be before stopping the bolt from being all the way forward? seems like if you accidentally put pressure on the sling while firing it would prevent the gun from actually firing.

[@evankline759]

Its there for leverage.... you're basically answering your own question.

[@martindonat3249]

i can see were they got the idea though , we used to to that with our G3 in the Bundeswehr as well , but there you only did it when it came handy

[@justindunlap1235]

It's a non-reciprocating charging handle. Which means it doesn't move with every shot. It only come back when you charge the weapon.

[@stevenhoman2253]

It charges and it is non reciprocating. No worries.

[@Khrrck]

@@justindunlap1235 Yeah, but if you hold it to the rear (either intentionally or by accidentally pulling on the sling) you keep the bolt from closing, no?

[@King-kf1mi]

I am high convinced you found your way into the storage safe of morphy auctions an your just running around fiddling with as many guns an making as many videos as you can before the staff find you an im loving it 🖤

[@FORDboy357]

Steyr MPi-*69* Nice 😎

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

I watched the whole vid, but I couldn't get my mind of that sling/charging-handle/accident-waiting-happen.

[@deanhankio6304]

Gun Jesus brought to us a very forgotten weapon However, The Devil removed the threaded barrel for a suppressor

[@jg8263]

A general idea I have had on wire stocks on submachine guns: set up the wire stock to charge the gun when pulled back. I have several ideas on how to do so, but all involve being non reciprocating (obviously) and leaving a charging handle in case one wants to fire with stock collapsed. How handy for quick deployment though if all you did was pull the stock, then rock n roll.

[@MrJob91]

Everytime you jump over an obstacle you eject a round from the chamber

[@broughswenson651]

I'm sure it's pretty rare to find a fully transferable MG that someone has bubba'd.

[@Tunkkis]

I very much like this one. I recall they used this gun as a model for the movie End of Evangelion.

[@torismegistos7111]

great gun selection, usp compact, g11, glocks, cz75

[@Tunkkis]

@@torismegistos7111 Oh yeah, a gun guys dream. I think they even had a Panzerfaust-3 in the mix.

[@adlertolentino8256]

This gun looks good but what's more interesting on this gun is that it has a simpler design

[@promiscuous5761]

Thank you.

[@tengu190]

TMP replaced the MPi somewhat, AUG 9mm was originally made for police.

[@nickoloes]

Just have one word to say: Nice!

[@RealCadde]

3:53 and here i was thinking the little button on the other side was a bolt lock that if pushed in would prevent the sling from cocking the handle. Might have been complex, but a grip safety (as in, you must hold the grip) to prevent the bolt from moving back could make it so this wouldn't be an issue? The plus side would be that if you let go of the grip safety while the gun fires, the bolt now stays closed? I dunno.

[@quironmiranda2591]

69 ‘nice’

[@rittergerni7565]

When i was Sergeant in the Austrian Army , these weapons had the Tank Crews of the Kürassier Tank destroyers and Austrain Special Forces " Jagdkommando "

[@Outstralian]

low-poly UZI

[@chrisreedy5577]

Am I the only one that kept thinking “Nice” throughout the first minute of the video?

[@rexxsimba]

I have a particular love for the newer version - the MPI 81 .... A bit of work on the cocking mechanism , better sights , barrel , high power ammo and you end up with a potent cheaper alternative to the HK MP 7 ... Is any manufacturer considering this possibility...???

[@pebo8306]

Steyr does not consider anything!They are to arrogant for any advise!The MP7 was dead on arrival!Obviously you are not aware that there is the Steyr TMP---which is now sold as the the "new"B&T";that is because Steyr themselves where to stupid and arrogant to do it themselves!

[@adamcichon6957]

MP7 shoots from a closed bolt, this thing is open bolt smg. They're two different animals...

[@pebo8306]

@@adamcichon6957 So what??5.7x28 caliber was DOA!Obviously you are not aware of the Steyr TMP---which is now sold as the"new"B&T!

[@adamcichon6957]

@@pebo8306 i'm very much aware of TMP (short blowback, rolling barrel locking mechanism), just little bit bigger than MAC 11, qite nice gun. Is Sitzerland issuing them instead of handgun, for some troops?? It's couple years since i'd read something like that in press article. I was pointing out something else, mainly that the MPi 81 is open bolt blowback gun and the MP7 is locking bolt gun, and simply by that fact, how really both those guns works, MPi 81 cannot be consider as alternative to the MP7.

[@CCW1911]

Scarce on the collector market but a lot of them were sold to LEO in the US early 90s very cheaply, around $200 IIRC. My PD got the 69 and 81, I picked the 81 for myself and found it to be a great SMG although I wanted a MP5 of course. The guys using the 69 version had no problems with the sling cocking piece, being open bolt it's not a big deal. With just a little practice it's easy to shoot semi or auto with the progressive trigger, first part trigger pull semi all the way back for auto.

[@pietrokania8684]

Now I want a channel called Forgotten Slings...

[@john-paulsilke893]

It’s almost like the owner of this gun wanted to make it into a Styer TMP with that foregrip.

[@milesipka]

For videogame fans, the submachine gun labelled as an "Uzi" in the infamous "Operation Body Count" game looks closer to an MPi-69 if you examine the inventory picture and the sprite onscreen. Since the MPi-69 is essentially an Austrian Uzi, this is pretty much accurate.

[@milesipka]

You can also copy my comment to apply to the MP-81 as that one is an MPi-69 without a sling and thus slightly more accurate to the OBC game's "Uzi".

[@TheGM-20XX]

MPi-69 DUUUUUDE! *guitar riff*

[@williammiao8862]

MSRP:420

[@ssjaken]

This is a really NICE gun.

[@stfsgtking]

The Uzi is my favorite smg so this was a great video. Very cool smg 👍

[@anthonytilleman3576]

Walter: You didn’t think I was rolling out there naked did ya?

[@MrBlueBurd0451]

Honestly the previous owner is a very smart man, I've always thought Uzis and other such 'minimalist' submachineguns would benefit greatly from vertical frontgrips. Too bad about the damage to the original weapon, but it's an actual upgrade, so I can excuse the man.

[@tylerwilliams6022]

I always thought the Steyr TMPs looked rather slick with their integral foregrip. I always felt that something like that in 9mm when used in conjunction with pulling the sling taught would make a very stable platform. The drive in movie assassin in the film Heat does the exact same thing with his TMP.

[@AtlantaFalconry]

It’s not really damaged as the receiver is the original part, the stocks are easy to find and replace. I used to have a transferable MPi 69, might have been this one as the serial number seems familiar. Had it in 1999 to about 2000 2001

[@BradKaboord]

I like the simplicity of it. All but the charging sling mount bit.

[@TheCleansingx]

If it's the 60s and you're using a MP40 you know you're in a James Bond movie

[@MattCaliber]

I actually got to shoot an original model uzi at a local shooting range. Shot it on full auto and it was fun.

[@unbearifiedbear1885]

MPi-69 .....Niceee

[@planes124]

Nice looking SMG

[@mcklub]

Is it inspired by Uzi or by CZ's gun that Uzi itself is based on?

[@asdfghyxcvbn1806]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine He was talking about vz. 23/25 and vz. 24/26.

[@parsaautomatica]

So you're saying this super duper rare gun can shoot up to 200m?! Sure lemme add a vertical grip to the gun. Now I can shoot targets at 200m!

[@HiPhi1975]

why shouldnt a 9mm smg not be able to hit man size targets @200m? i have done that even with a 9mm handgun!

[@sunmakergg]

now all it's missing is a vertical grip and you've got a jankP7

[@normanmccollum6082]

I was worried about if the charging handle reciprocates with the bolt, that protective tab could end up flipping over and the front sight would cause the bolt to fail to open at all assuming the front sight guard can handle the full impact of a cartridge. Basically acting as a locking lug. But it's non-reciprocating so that's a non-issue. Could even hold the protective blade in place in front of the front sight guard with your thumb and it should still run just fine by the sounds of it! So the only real worry I'd have is it getting in the way while trying to pull the bolt back. I mean, it's weird and unnecessarily complicated, plus if your sling gets sheared off a certain way then it may be difficult to work the bolt back, but honestly it seems reasonable to me. Makes sense to go with something more conventional in '81 I guess (though at that point, honestly, why are you still using SMGs instead of assault rifles?) but I feel confident that the platform served well during its twelve years. If the safety was able to lock the bolt safely in the forward position, could even do away with that 'protective blade' altogether! Keep in safe when traveling, then turn the safe off and lock the bolt back when it's party time. If there was an empty mag bolt catch that prevented the bolt from dropping without any ammo in the mag, then it's even less of an issue and the reload process is made all the easier since you just need to swap out the mag! So if the firearm is operating properly, you only have to pull the bolt back once and away you go! Bolt-locking safety and empty magazine slide/bolt stop. With those features, it'd be perfect. But again, even in 1969, the trend towards assault rifles had already been ongoing for over a decade with Russia halting production of SKS and going full-on AKM! Americans were rocking the M16A1! The Czechs had their AMAZING vZ.58 the year before the AKM existed! Granted the British apparently wouldn't get started developing the L85 until the '70s and even by 1981 I guess was still going hard with the L1A1 Rifle and Canada wouldn't adopt the AR platform as the C7 Rifle and C8 Carbine until the mid-'80s or so, but still. Assault rifles seem to be generally superior to SMGs. Maybe the SMGs have a few small boons compared to assault rifles, the biggest that come to mind is that they lend themselves more to the use of suppressors because the ammo tends to be near subsonic anyhow, but really assault rifles have SO many benefits over sub-guns. Superior accuracy, energy, penetration (including body armour penetration), all without having ammo that's particularly heavier nor while having much more recoil. In fact 7.62x39 weighs less per-cartridge than .45 ACP, and 5.56 is very comparable in weight to 9x19. In terms of 9mm vs 5.56, we're looking at something like 3-4x the accuracy, and in close quarters 5.56 appears to be more devastating than 9x19 (see Gauge Grosskreutz, specifically his right bicep). So does 5.56 have more felt recoil than 9x19 in an SMG? Like perhaps comparing the M4 to MP5 in terms of recoil? Maybe a bit more recoil but to my knowledge both recoil quite mildly. All this yet you can carry basically the same amount of ammo! It just strikes me, since the STG's development (and technically the Fedorov Avtomat before it around the time of WWI which I personally regard as being the first assault rifle), it took as much as 30+ or even 40+ years for some nations to come around to the understanding that assault rifles are generally superior to semi-auto rifles with full-sized cartridges (FN FAL, G3, M14) and submachine guns. Both have some of their own unique benefits compared to assault rifles, but it seems as though for the majority of applications, an assault rifle can do as good a job or better than those two alternatives. Semi-auto rifles are better at range and penetration, yes. SMGs are better at making full use of suppressors, yes. But most combat, to my knowledge, does not occur at ranges where battle rifles can outshine over assault rifles and generally suppressors aren't used. So again, MOST applications, assault rifle is as good or better. That's my perspective anyhow, feel free to share your own if it differs! This was a fun comment to write!

[@normanmccollum6082]

@@LOLHAMMER45678 Seems like a very well-informed reply. Nice.

[@DarkestVampire92]

I'm guessing the idea is that once you identify your target, you bring the gun up and as you do you extend it outwards a bit more to cock it, kinda like old 1911 techniques that cock the gun as you draw it, which modern shooters would likely shy away from thinking they might accidentally discharge.

[@adamcavanaugh4940]

Or they would shy away from it because it is unnecessary and pointless on a weapon designed to be carried cocked and locked. Carrying hammer down, or even worse empty chamber is stupid.

[@DarkestVampire92]

@@adamcavanaugh4940 Fair enough in the case of the 1911, but with an open bolt submachine gun like this thats not really possible. Unless i missed it, it doesn't even have a safety notch to carry it ready to go, just a trigger block which then still requires you to bring the bolt back.

[@adamcavanaugh4940]

@@DarkestVampire92 yes, they are exactly nothing alike. And it would be safer to carry it with the bolt charged, and safety on, than to have it dangling on the negligent discharge strap that could pull it back far enough to strip off and chamber a round firing it without engaging with the sear. It's just a bad idea even if you can rotate it to catch on the sight wings, it still moves and doesn't look tight. It's asking for problems.

[@aegis3d]

Wow that charging handle was a surprise!

[@Crangaso]

Beautiful 🔫. Sling cocker, interesting. A knob instead of the ring & sling with a single point sling attachment at the rear would be better IMO.

[@geodkyt]

...and that's why the MPi-81 replaced it. Conventional charging handle? Check. Able to mount a single point sling at the rear, without having to keep a 2 point also mounted just to cock the gun? Check.

[@dylanwight5764]

Charging knobs can be hard to grip properly in cold weather with thick gloves. The sling is a deliberate choice to provide extra grip for a weapon designed to be used by the various Gebirgsjäger (light alpine) units of Austria, Germany and Switzerland.

[@geodkyt]

@@dylanwight5764 Yes, and the Good Idea Fairy proved to be such a good idea that on their very next procurement cycle, the Austrian Army specifically said, "That Good Idea y'all had 12 years ago? Don't do that, because it causes more problems than it solves."

[@Stevarooni]

Connecting the sling to a moving part? Come on, Austria. You're better than that!

[@NS-hs6lt]

Non-reciprocating, but still a dumb idea. Still a moving part so I guess you are right.

[@pebo8306]

Yeah!It was called "Steyr 81"

[@shelbysolko7783]

Steyr not only made the MPi-69 on the take against Uzi. They made the TMP on the take against the US Mac-10.

[@azkrouzreimertz9784]

I just love simple and efficient firearms. i do wonder if we are ever going to see a return of stamped, easy to manufacture weapons.

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

If WW3 happens, we will. This seems like a good thing to give to support units like the P90 and MP7 were designed to be.

[@88porpoise]

@@extragoogleaccount6061 I don't know. We are probably at a point where injection molded polymers make more sense than stamped metal. Also this doesn't meet the primary requirement of the MP7/P90, to defeat body armour.

[@KuruGDI]

Small note from Austria: The ordinary infantry troops don't even see the successor of the successor of this gun. All they have is their Steyr AUG (to be fair that's to be expected). But even the SOF does not the successor anymore. They use the FN P90 as far as I know.

[@rittergerni7565]

Das stimmt nicht, Ende der 90er Anfang der 2000er habe ich diese Waffe bei Besatzungen des Jagdpanzers Kürassier, bei Kradmeldern sowie den Jagdkommando gesehen

[@KuruGDI]

@@rittergerni7565 Die Panzerbesatzung des Kürassier, die Kradmelder sowie das Jagdkommando sind natürlich genau jene, die ich ich mit "ordinary infantry troops" gemeint habe...

[@great_deception]

Everything Austrian is always high quality and forward thinking. Who the hell wants a junk Uzi after handling this?

[@Kaia-da-cat]

That's actually a cool looking little gun, something I could see James bond grab off someone and take out an entire platoon with one mag🤣.

[@obiwankenobi2749]

My local police station has a ton of those things lying around since they replaced them. I got to hold and dry fire one

[@frankbrowning328]

So many really good ideas and then there's that silly sling/charging handle system

[@imadequate3376]

It's like a Glock went back in time and banged an Uzi and this is their love child.

[@GondolaofBenisCity]

The overall design of this looks like the Uzi being combined with the profile of the Desert Eagle. It's as if IMI caught wind of this gun's existence while developing the design of the DE several years later after the SMGs creation, and the first thing they happened to notice was the shape of the polymer frame. I'm kinda diggin this as a nice alternative to the Uzi, but good lord, the front sight leaves are bent out of shape. Can't wait to see it fired though.

[@makeintoschu]

@@0neDoomedSpaceMarine IMI rifened DE as well

[@Jesses001]

Seems like it would work well enough. Simple to make, but not so simple that it is a junk tube gun. I am not digging that "charging handle" setup though. In the field I would find a way to clamp something onto that and find someplace else to stick that end of the sling.

[@nealgold8442]

Great video and content

[@rittergerni7565]

And Motorcyclist Soldiers used in the 90s thus Gun . The German Name is " Kradmelder"

[@rhaynesify]

The charging handle would’ve made more since if they kept the grip safety that locked the bolt.

[@thebbqbandito2868]

It looks like a uzi yet it’s close to mac-10/11 size. Super cool!

[@levinav2297]

slick looking than the soup can uzi.

[@alexdemoya2119]

if that gun shop owner had one of these for arnie he wouldnt have been killed

[@fredbloggs5902]

Nah, it was not having the Phased Plasma Rifle in the 40-Watt range that sealed his fate.

[@454FatJack]

Front Postsight just like Uzi

[@hugebartlett1884]

Looks to me more like the Spanish Star from which Uzi developed their gun,doing away with the cocking strap.