Madsen M50: From the Korean War to Star Trek

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During World War Two, Madsen (DISA) manufactured a licensed copy of the Finnish Suomi (see: • Danish M1941 Suomi SMG ). When the war ended, they wanted to replace this with a more modern, inexpensive design of their own. The result was the Model 1946 Madsen, a creative clamshell design of stamped parts. It is a very simple blowback, open-bolt 9x19mm SMG that perfectly fit the post-war era. The M46 version was sold to a few countries, and after some continued development and refinement the M50 version was demonstrated to a public audience in November 1950. This pattern was even simpler than before, and proved a popular gun for many unaligned countries in Central and South America and Southeast Asia - so much so that it remained in production until the 1980s. A bunch were imported into the US in the 1950s and 1960s, and they found a home in the movie industry, where they were often used in fantasy/sci-fi films to avoid having guns that would be recognized by American movie audiences.
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[@TheWtfnonamez]

That might be the coolest weapon disassembly I've ever seen.

[@M65V19]

Just like plastic 6mm bb gun.

[@fjallaxd7355]

Yeah it's really cool.

[@rhemorigher]

I was watching and thinking "I'm sure it's perfectly good, but I can't see how anyone would be excited to have one of these over a competitor. How would you sell this to someone?" And then he unscrewed the nut. Yep, that'd do it.

[@VeraTR909]

@@rhemorigher Yea you can just imagine some dignitaries peering over the sales persons table going "...oooooh" upon that reveal while nodding their heads

[@AshleyPomeroy]

The incredible thing is that it's almost as simple as a Sten gun, but it comes with a loading tool and spare parts as well.

[@Eric-vs2he]

Madsen M50 🤝 Sterling SMG Being used by space armies

[@dallesamllhals9161]

AS a dane(well, Jutland) Sterling Anyday!

[@thekraken1173]

⁠@@dallesamllhals9161 As a person with symmetry obsession, I would take Madsen anyday

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@thekraken1173 Well, as a Royal Life Guards* (Denmark) I've ever only tried the m/45 Carl Gustav. *1998-2007

[@skylongskylong1982]

@@dallesamllhals9161The only sterling’s smg I really liked were the gold plated version ordered by a Middle East Leader in the seventies. They had a secured cage containing them at their Dagenham factory U.K. waiting for shipping. I presume were gold plated , and not made fully out of gold.

[@dallesamllhals9161]

@@skylongskylong1982 sry' I don't like gold........plated or whatever! Do You like Dane Law?

[@josho5108]

1950-2250 is an impressive service life

[@numazuchi]

For anyone wondering: Star Trek (TOS) Season 2, Episode 25 "Bread and Circuses"

[@PatrickLink]

At the end of the episodes two guards were pumping Kirk and Spock's cell with two of these while they were being beamed up.

[@williestyle35]

Thanks for this, I could not remember which episode had the Madsen. I had it conflated with the episode about Nazism...

[@numazuchi]

@@williestyle35 They use MP40s and P38s in "Patterns of Force"

[@MrBullethead63]

I always wondered what subgun they were using in that episode!

[@Ms95670]

don't forget one of the "Planet of the Ape" movies "Battle For" (I think). The original. I remember as a kid wondering why the Ape had a Roman machine gun.

[@DrSabot-A]

The Madsen M50's export success is honestly greatly underrated. They sold thousands all over the world, one in particular is to Indonesia. They pretty much equipped every single armed force in the country, from the army to the police to the armed women's battalion. Madsen even printed their manuals in Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai. Funny thing, i remember visiting a museum and they used Ian's video of the M50 from so long ago as their demo reel.

[@lamia197]

When I was in the Korean military, on the Korean War anniversary. One of the Korean veterans was telling us a story. One of the friends he made was from Thailand. He told me his friend had a gun that opened up like a book and always had a small stick about the length of a pencil. I think I now know what the gun is and what the stick was used for. lol

[@J.j.C-bb9nb]

Neat!

[@bglenn2222]

What was the stick used for?

[@lamia197]

@@bglenn2222 Stick it between the trigger guard and the safety thing. Or that is my theory. lol

[@surlyogre1476]

@@bglenn2222 The magazine reloader?

[@richieb7692]

​@@bglenn2222 put the stick in the charging handle slot so it doesn't fire when you release the bolt from the grip safety.

[@alexdemoya2119]

These are the voyages of the forgotten weapons. To seek out new (old) firearms lost to time.

[@robgoodsight6216]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@anaxis]

to seek out left-handed designs and new operating systems...

[@willflint8443]

Make it so.

[@CMDRSweeper]

And "Soon to be forgotten weapons" if we are to take his episode on the FS2000 for an example.

[@ragingjaguarknight86]

"To boldly go where no gun has gone before!"

[@DavidtheNorseman]

My thought was, "Wow, if you needed a definitive example of 'Not over-engineered' this would be it...sort of like the Goldilocks thing...not too complicated, not too cheaply made...just right...". Thanks again, Ian, for educating us 🙂

[@TheZinmo]

Your thoughts were my thoughts.😀

[@andersjjensen]

Danish pragmatism. Many of the Danish design furniture items, from the same era, follow the same approach. Clean lines, but not outright minimalistic. Avoid complicated production steps, and hide what needs to be somewhat advanced out of view. Choose good, but not exotic, materials. Give it a nice, but not fragile, finish. This has lead to some timeless classics that are still in use today. My TV stand is one of them. It was originally a narrow coffee table with a magazine shelf. It was made in 1954.

[@trooperdgb9722]

Agree wholeheartedly! The inclusion of the mag loader and spares inside the "clamshell" is even more "elegant". Great presentation, fascinating gun!

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

No wonder why it could run 20k rounds without problems, this gun is the definition of” keep it simple, stupid” and I love it

[@dallesamllhals9161]

So: Simple = Stupid? And you're from? (Klaphat!)

[@siggimund]

@@dallesamllhals9161 It's a well known saying/design principle also often used in software engineering called the "KISS principle" (Keep It Simple, Stupid) Notice the comma. This is the (rather harsh) professor/teacher addressing the student (the "stupid"), (Så æd lige din klaphat, brormand. Edit: Eller bedre endnu, tag den med når vi tæsker svensken i parken 5. juni i en såkaldt "friendly" 😁)

[@johanmetreus1268]

@@dallesamllhals9161 it ain't stupid if it works

[@andersjjensen]

@@dallesamllhals9161 Before you call people klaphat you should probably check your English skills. The KISS principle is well known. All OP forgot was the obligatory comma: "Keep it simple, stupid!". As in, calling someone stupid for not keeping it simple. (Opfør dig ordenligt online Dalle-dreng).

[@Darth-Nihilus1]

@@siggimund I forgot the comma 🙃 thank you for pointing that out 😉

[@tomparatube6506]

Never saw a simpler fieldstrip. A couple unscrewing turns, one lift and u see all the innards. Amazing simple. Bravo Madsen and Denmark!

[@mrbyamile6973]

Amazingly simple, but that magazine lever safety would have been the first thing to go if I was issued this thing.

[@tomparatube6506]

@@mrbyamile6973 That's arguable, but redesigning that protruding safety w something of equal functionality and manufacturing cost would be hard.

[@mrbyamile6973]

@tomparatube6506 I agree, this thing was obviously made with simplicity and cost cutting in mind. I just think any defensive weapon should be capable of being fired one handed. If you were injured in battle it would be nice to fire it right or left handed and not require both. That being said, I would love to own that thing. Great piece of history and a blast to shoot.

[@tomparatube6506]

@@mrbyamile6973 "... injured in battle... not require both": Never thought of that. Excellent point ! 👍👍👍

[@Arthurzeiro]

I've seen suitcase guns, but this is the first gun suitcase, cool design.

[@mkupkatx]

Ian, Great video. It brougback memories. I was fortunate as an American soldier with a Danish mother to attend the Danish JaegerKorps Patrol course in 1986. We were given Madsens the first week for the Swim test which consisted of a full flip from the 5m platform entering the water face first arms extended hold the Madsen in front with elbows locked, then swimming 500m breast stroke with the Madsen slung over our backs. We also had rubber stock padding instead of leather, which was used for pushing down electric fences when training in the farmland of northern Jutland.

[@billjamison2877]

That has got to be the simplest gun to clean and disassemble ever made!

[@kyuzotatsuya9641]

I do love engineering solutions like this - cheap, simple and effective

[@daveh7720]

That's why I enjoy guns in general. They've been around long enough that the technology isn't just mature, it's gone through centuries of continuous improvement. Great engineering isn't just about what you can put in, it's also about what you can leave out and still get the job done.

[@brooxeyyy]

This thing looks like someone just scaled up a LEGO figure gun

[@G-Mastah-Fash]

LEGO is a danish company so you might be onto something here.

[@kimmikkelsen9601]

And just like Lego... it just works... hi hi

[@kbjerke]

LEGO scaled *down* the Madsen!

[@marcondespaulo]

One my gijoe figures had one of these. I was surprised by the manufacturing simplicity. A properly equipped shop could made this by the hundreds each day.

[@ohredhk]

The clamp shell design was common with toys made with sheet metals in the 50's

[@TheMajorActual]

I used to know a prop-guy in Hollywood who had five Madsen's (in additional to an astounding number of other Class 3 weapons). I'm sure he's long-passed by now, but opening his secure rooms were like opening the Sacred Vaults....

[@amerikhan8507]

Probably the same ones used in Which Way to the Front, Star Trek, and the Godfather.

[@TheMajorActual]

@@amerikhan8507 He may have done something in The Godfather, but the others were well before his time. I know he provided some of the guns for _Wanted: Dead or Alive (1986),_ but most of his films were strictly B-grade or lower. He kept himself solvent, though, by training tactical security teams for nuclear power plants.

[@AshleyPomeroy]

@@TheMajorActual "Be very, very careful what you shoot"

[@DiggingForFacts]

@@TheMajorActual "Most things in here don't react too well to bullets"

[@user-zi1ev2xj6c]

Two Madsen M50s are used in The Godfather by Corleone hitmen to kill Philip Tattaglia and a prostitute in bed. There's a few seconds in the film of close-up when they prep the Madsens before the hit.

[@cykelgert1450]

Ohh yeah, I remember now. Classic scene in a classic movie :-)

[@fraiday7292]

Also in Part II towards the beginning when the attempted hitmen pump bullets into Michael and Kay's bedroom. You see Rocco pick one up.

[@bbqsauce8854]

That’s where I remember it from too 👍🏻

[@shable1436]

Now are y'all just googling this by now now, because I've read several comments on which shows and movies used them, and using Google is cheating to look then 😂post

[@williammontroy9024]

Lol damnit I thought I was gonna be all cool and advanced and say this !!! You jerk ! LMAO 🤣 well played sir

[@mikehipperson]

What a wonderfully simple and effective design. It makes the STEN look positively prehistoric!

[@Perfusionist01]

I am of an age that I remember seeing a lot of Madsens being used in movies or on TV. The movie "Ice Station Zebra" used Madsens to arm the Russian paratroopers, and Darren McGavin even carried a double Madsen (two fastened together side-by-side) in 1970s "The Challenge".

[@orangelion03]

"The Challenge"! I'd forgotten that one!

[@jon9021]

Yes!

[@devjaxvid]

You beat me to it! Was going to mention the dual Madsens. One with ball, one with shot shells.According to the movie. I doubt even if they had 9mm shot shells they would be worth a damn in a Jungle.

[@daleupthegrove6396]

The Madsen appears briefly in the opening scene of the 1967 film 'Tobruk.' Its shown on the handlebars of French motorcycle troops.

[@patrikhjorth3291]

I'm genuinely impressed by this gun. Simple, no-nonsense, reliable. The video doesn't say anything about accuracy, but it looks like it would be about as accurate as any other similar weapon = enough to serve its purpose.

[@shable1436]

I saw that feed ramp and was like oh potential jammer

[@andersjjensen]

@@shable1436 Nope, they run forever on standard 9mm FMJ Parabellum. And the repeatability of the barrel nut is within the expected precision of standard loads.

[@jeromethiel4323]

You don't buy these for accuracy, you buy them because they are cheap, and poorly trained troops can maintain them, use them, and occasionally hit the target. That and simple means cheap to maintain usually. Heck, the original 1911 was loose as hell, and it was made that way intentionally, to reduce the chance of dirt "gumming up the action." I own two GI 1911's, and they rattle when you shake them. Never FTF or FTE, though. Accuracy isn't great, but it's a sidearm. You want accuracy, use the rifle. That's what it's there for.

[@andersjjensen]

@@jeromethiel4323 In the Danish army these were used by motor cycle scouts, CQC assault squads, the Jægers, etc. Those aren't "poorly trained troops" by any stretch of the imagination. The M50 will hit a torso target at 75m all day every day. And yes, it's very easy to do singles with - the slow rate of fire was deliberate.

[@davefellhoelter1343]

About a "red ryder" but cheaper to make?

[@Vicky-lv6hg]

The Omega Man gun with Charlton Heston ! 👌🏻.

[@orangelion03]

Chuck used a S&W Model 76 in Omega Man, but there was a M50 in his armory.

[@cyrusfreeman9972]

I thought that was a Swedish K/S&W... Now I need to go watch it again.

[@tommyt8998]

Come out, Morgan!

[@lakrids-pibe]

The Omega Man gun was a swedish kulsprutepistol m/45 from Smith & Wesson. It has a lot in common with the danish Madsen, I think. Same spartan 50s stamped metal design philosophy.

[@judsongaiden9878]

@@cyrusfreeman9972 The Swedish K was the design inspiration for the S&W M76, so you're not far off.

[@rong1924]

Ian should do an episode on "The Guns of Star Trek" There's more than you'd think.

[@craighansen7594]

I do remember Capt Kirk having a 1911 in one episode.

[@daviddegeorge2667]

Would think that would be more Royal Armouries.

[@BleedingUranium]

Well, I did just recently add quite a bit of missing stuff and more detail to the TOS IMFDB page (first two seasons, S3 soon). :P

[@DarkestVampire92]

I would love if he were to do an episode where he goes over the many iterations of the phasers over the years. Type 1, Type 2 and Type 3 phasers- Aka subcompact, pistol, and rifle.

[@thunder2434]

I've seen a sheetmetal toy version of this gun and thought the clamshell was just how the toy worked. I never realized it was based on a real gun design. Being able to open like that sure must be handy when cleaning the gun. :)

[@rotwang2000]

The Madsen is the weapon of choice for Villain Henchmen or SF shows that need an SMG that looks properly out of this world.

[@petesheppard1709]

To me it screams 'Drug Cartel' or 'Mercenary'.

[@Ivan-gr8ut]

Fun fact; The Madsen nearly beat the Sterling in the UK SMG trail to replace the STEN and could have ended up being one of the most famous SMG ever.

[@johan8969]

Same thing happened with the Pedersen vs Garand trial. Just the story of Danish weapon designs. Close but no cigar.

[@vincentmueller3717]

It's strange to me that it's taken all these years to make a video on the M50, as it was such an integral part of my childhood. Madsens were on Star Trek, most Planet of the Apes, every other Mission: Impossible (companion piece to the Astra 400/600), and who could forget Jill St.John rocking one while in heels and a bikini in Diamonds Are Forever....sorry, brainfog for a second there. Madsens were to the 60's what Uzi's were to the 70's, and MP5's to the 80's. I just assumed that it was in the catalog from years ago, and I'll get to it. Thanks for the coverage.

[@aidanfarnan4683]

The magazine tool and spare parts stored in the pistol grip is so very, very cool.

[@bglenn2222]

'Simplicity is the sign of truth' is a statement one of my engineering mentors used to say. This weapon is the embodiment of that statement.

[@stalhandske9649]

Occam's Razor at work.

[@nickwilkinson7728]

Simple ,well designed, I like the grip safety, especially when the weapon is slung around other gear.👍

[@KnockinOnYourDoor]

Y'all are familiar with the c96 pistol in star wars .. now get ready for the madsen in startrek. The more you know.

[@Za_Fill_1_1]

In The new star trak?

[@DarkestVampire92]

The Vector CP1 is another one of those guns that just shows up everywhere because it looks spacy and futuristic... and well, the Calico series of weapons. Calicos are actually in Star Trek First Contact, for instance.

[@KickyFut]

Thank you *so much* for that re-assembly! It usually irks my ADD when you take a gun completely apart, then just leave it there. In my head canon, you just leave the parts there on the table, put on your sunglasses, and walk out the door... The Weapons Forgotten.😅

[@no48bus]

Diamonds are for ever. I remember looking the guns in the film as a child

[@dansharpe2364]

Danish Design. Even when done to manufacture cheaply it's still clever, simple and functional

[@Swindle1984]

This thing is incredibly simple and incredibly clever. If they had a more functional stock and a stripper clip guide like the Czech Vz24 series, it'd be the perfect guerrilla gun: cheap to mass produce, easy to maintain, and extremely user friendly.

[@xray86delta]

😂 I've been fascinated by the Madson Model 50 ever since the Star Trek episode "Bread and Circuses". Once again, Ian, you nailed it!

[@JohnHughesChampigny]

For me it was running across it in "small arms of the world". After having seen pages of stuff with wood furniture or overly complex trigger mechanisms, weird takedown instructions I was like: "This is the one that does it right". Just before I saw it I'd visited Ford's plant in Dagenham and I could just imagine the press I'd seen stamping out door panels for a Ford Cortina stamping out multiple clamshell halves for the M50.

[@Rex1987]

not Madson, but Madsen :P

[@excrubulent]

20,000 rounds in 2 hrs at a rof of 550 rpm means the gun spent ~30% of that 2hrs with the trigger held down in full-auto. That is impressive. Also with 32rd mags that's 625 mags.

[@cleidsonaraujopeixoto163]

Before the invasion of Denmark, what the Brazilian Army says is that one of our diplomats took away a bunch of full blueprints away from german hands, including the one for this subgun. In retribution (recognition), Madsen autorized us to make It in .45 ACP - the INA subgun Ian mentions. In common ball .45 ACP, the INAs behaved terribly, giving the gun the nickname of INA - Isto Não Atira (This don't shoot). Our forces started to issue hotter cartridges for the INAs and the problem went away.

[@alexdemoya2119]

Very cool. And good on the diplomat. Small english tip: "Retribution" has a negative connotation, its like revenge. "In recognition" would make more sense.

[@cleidsonaraujopeixoto163]

@@alexdemoya2119 Got It! TKS!

[@greycatturtle7132]

Oh my thats a great history

[@johanmetreus1268]

denmark was invaded in 1940

[@mauropellegrini8085]

The story is true, but the person was not a diplomat. It was a Brazilian army officer by the name of Plinio Paes Barreto Cardoso. In 1949, as a retired general, he would become the CEO of INA. @cleidsonaraujopeixoto163 and others reading portuguese, can find this story on the best article I am yet to read on extinct Brazilian arms factories, "Antigas fabricas de armas no Brasil - Rev. 2", available on line. Just Google the title.

[@maximthemagnificent]

Always admired this design's elegance.

[@stephenandersen4625]

As someone of Danish descent, I am proud that we took our place in cheap, stamped-steel, manufacture! 🇩🇰

[@MikkelL03]

Hi Ian. You did a pretty decent job at saying "Madsen" like we do in Denmark. Not perfect, but very good for someone not speaking danish.

[@CheeseDanish85]

Yeah now he just needs to learn to swallow syllables faster!

[@java230]

I love how it's so simple, but well thought out.

[@kenibnanak5554]

I saw Palace police guards carrying these in front of the palace in Venezuela back in the 60s. I am of the opinion it is an underrated gun that could probably find buyers today if they made them again.

[@gagemason3865]

Add some screws and a polymer body it and would most definitely be a signature Kel-Tec design

[@petesheppard1709]

It's cool to hear the 'D' drop in and out of Ian's pronunciation of 'Madsen'. It shows that he's a regular guy and not a pure academic. 😎

[@prdubi]

I've seen this in the inventory of several NFA dealers from the 80s to 2000s at the SOF conventions. They stayed cheap for a long time as everyone recognized the MP40, Stens, and Thompsons. Then when all of those sold, the only ones left were the M11s, Reislings, and Madsens. Then when M11s became popular due to the Slow-fire fad and then Lage, the only ones left was the Reisllings, Madsens and then the Stens became popular again due to tube registered tubed receivers getting released and people building those into Stens. Then into 2000s, the Reisslings and Madsens were disappearing. Now today, all I am seeing from the last of my NFA dealers in Oregon are M11s, M2 Carbines, and a smattering of WWI belt-feds. In the end, Ian is right, they don't get much love. And people feel very underwhelmed with it after firing it because of its low rate of fire. But gosh darn it, they are super cool to shoot in my opinion and great for beginners.

[@kimhdfxsts]

I carried the M50 in the early 90's serving as a Sergent in the Danish army. It was called the Cykel pumpe "bicycle pump " The rate of fire dramatically increases when you tighten up the return spring. "I've heard "😁

[@hansjrgenfrederiksen4065]

Hvor brugte man Madsen i start 90 erne ? Spørger af ren nysgerrighed , kan umiddelbart kun huske M44 og M49 fra hæren , Hjv dengang.

[@kimhdfxsts]

@@hansjrgenfrederiksen4065 Hovedsageligt blev de udleveret til panser personl, men også til befalingsmænd .

[@samuel-JF1981]

Iam, take a look about I.N.A. (Indústria Nacional de Armas), a Brazilian guns manufacture and its relationship with the Madsen SMG... It's a very interesting history! Basicaly, a brazilian army officer called Plínio Cardoso was at the factory when the germans invaded the country, so the company handed the designs over to Plínio, who would return to Brazil and keep the designs safely away from Europe. After the end of the war, the Brazilian officer returned to Denmark to return the designs, which began manufacturing the Madsen M-46 submachine gun soon after. In recognition of his work, the company granted him the rights to manufacture the weapon in Brazil. It was build in 45acp in Brazil, but didn't works great in this caliber... So, much later (in 1983) IMBEL (Brazilian FAL manufacturer) started to convert the old guns to original caliber, 9mmP.

[@lancerevell5979]

One of my alltime favorite subguns since I first saw it in my high school daze - early 1970s, in W.E.B. Smith's book "Small Arms of the World". Seen it in several movies over the years.

[@michaelb6729]

The Omega Man gun with Charlton Heston ! 👌🏻

[@Limpopo]

That one is actually a Smith & Wesson 76.

[@williestyle35]

​@@Limpopo yep. Which was meant to copy the Madsen

[@paleoph6168]

​@@williestyle35the Swedish m/45, not the Danish Madsen.

[@Randomly_Browsing]

​@@williestyle35 that's an entirely a different gun

[@JohnMinehan-lx9ts]

That was a S&W licensed version of a Karl Gustav (The "Swedish K') . . . .

[@user-kr7yh8vw9m]

This might be one of the best forgotten weapons i've ever seen. The Madsen M50 doesn't get as much recognition as many other smgs and i'm glad you made a video as an appreciation for this exotic firearm.

[@MakCurrel]

Thanks for the pronunciation. With love from Denmark.

[@matthewarkell3029]

This gun is seriously cool genuinely impressed and surprised this didnt get more sales really.

[@suddenwall]

So thats why its in The Godfather! Thanks for explaining the prop house history Ian

[@Sd1v8v]

They were also used in the Vietnam war by south Vietnam and us special forces

[@orangelion03]

The Wiki entry for the M50 lists all of its movie and television appearances (plus INA). First time I saw the Madsen was probably Ice Station Zebra...used by Rooskies paratroopers. My brother and I made wooden copies of the M50, SW 76 (Omega Man), and Sterling (When 8 Bells Toll). Furring strip, closet rods, and curtain rods =)

[@regstrup]

I’m from Denmark and remember as a child seeing the Danish Police sometimes armed with the M50. The funny part is, that the Police not only had the M50 but also the US M-1 Carbine until they were both replaced with the H&K MP-5.

[@arjen7024]

that clamshell design is brilliant, nobody would ever want this on any weapon that requires marksmanship, but for an SMG it's just right

[@j.e.pedersen9615]

No bullshit functional. Safe or Full Auto. Danish Design for the win

[@ulfosterberg9116]

It was the same with the Swedish m45. The slow cyceling made it easy to shoot singles. But tactically one shoot groups of three.

[@jeffturnbull9661]

I remember an (4th season) episode of The Man From UNCLE in which Illya uses an M50 to escape some bad guys, but he shoots it the "cool way", his left hand supporting the firearm by holding the shoulder strap just above the magazine, but in now way depressing the safety, movie magic? the gun shot fine

[@TheZinmo]

A great example of great engineering.

[@amerikhan8507]

Was also in the Jerry Lewis classic "Which Way to The Front?". I had seen the film as a kid and had always wondered what kind of SMG it was.

[@Kneon_Knight]

I have never seen any firearm that I would consider idiot proof, but this little honey comes within a cat's whisker of being so.

[@mace8873]

Well, you know what they say - "Nothing is fool proof to a sufficiently talented fool", but I'd say you'd have to be somewhat of a Grade A world champion idiot to screw up with this one. I mean _utterly_ moronic, as in too-damn-thick-to-stand-upright-and-breathe-at-the-same-time kind of stupid...

[@MUCKLEECH]

Still one of the best (if not, the best) gun channels on YT. Never change a thing sir

[@mglisty]

amazingly easy to disassemble. Beautifully engineered.

[@robviousobviously5757]

007 Bond gun... appreciated along with the Swedish K, S&W 76 & MAC series...

[@Dinstyvmorsa8539]

Your old video on this smg was where I first was made aware of its existance. Love the design. Nice to see you made an updated video!

[@fecklesstech929]

Whenever I hear the term "machine pistol", the Madsen 1950 instantly comes to mind.

[@AkioHabana]

Oddly enough an actor by the name of Virginia Madsen played in Star Trek Voyager

[@williestyle35]

Yep. The Madsen connection continues...

[@jwc00789]

And she is gorgeous!!!

[@thekraken1173]

It is all part of the plan

[@bakkskive]

The barrel nut is actually quite smart. It has a 45 degree taper at the bottom of the threads to squeeze the receiver halfs together, and the fingers at the end squeeze the barrel back with spring tension. Smart soloution to add some allowance and avoid having to produce the components with perfect mating.

[@joshua7233]

That gun is like a book. Incredible to be able to see exactly how everything lays inside.

[@The_Modeling_Underdog]

A deceptively brilliant design in all of its simplicity. Loved it.

[@akmarksman]

A lot of these stamped SMGs would be extra cool if they offered a suppressed barrel as a option.

[@OldManAndTheSeaOfTooManyCats]

Brilliant simplicity. I recognize these from so many movies…

[@PalKrammer]

A simple, but good design that works well. That is something to be proud of.

[@keithdorset3824]

So elegantly simple. Love the clamshell and parts storage.

[@sgtommyc]

The fact that they sold well in SE Asia is probably down to a very tight band between the Royal houses of Denmark and Thailand, dating back to the mid 19th century. I can easily see a Danish trade delegation visiting Thailand, shortly after the war, gifting the king a hundred or so brand new SMG's for his newly formed army, making all the generals wanting what the king has 😄

[@billykershaw2781]

Wow, simple, efficient, low rate of fire, like it,..... would like to see one on the range...100 yards... I'm a Brit, so I'm quite happy just watching....

[@thelaughinghyenas8465]

Absolutely fascinating design. I really am impressed and am glad you brought it.

[@bt3411]

I've never been impressed by a single one of these el cheapo stamped wartime guns, but this thing is rad!

[@Too_Many_Kittens]

That's an absolute genius design, low tech and high reliability.

[@TheFanatical1]

Not only is this an incredibly useful design from the perspective of everyone making it and using it, it also lends itself more ably to "this is how the gun works, and I can show you directly" than nearly any other design featured on this channel. Well done, Danes.

[@efrain4330]

I actually was amazed when it opened like a lunchbox 😮 someone needs to remake this

[@theoduce1695]

Wrist watches are usually worn on non dominate wrist because of several reasons: 1. Up until the 1980's watches were expensive and to minimize wear having them on the non dominate hand did that. i. e. The watch is not banged up reaching for something, like inside a car engine or inside a computer etc. 2. The watch is sometimes caught and interfers with movement. Like a fast draw of a gun. 3. The watch also allows the wrist to be grabbed more effectively , it makes it harder to slip out of a persons grabbing your wrist. Just a little FYI, is there any other reasons I missed? Ian keep up the good work.

[@channingwalmsley9738]

I’m so glad to see an updated video on this! I’ve always loved the simple construction and overall look of them. No shooting any more ):

[@denialdesign]

I just watched an episode of The Six Million Dollar Man "Ballinderry" and the guards were using Madsen M50s and then this popped up on my feed ten minutes later!

[@exuberance3973]

The M50 was also one of the reference models for a few of the submachine guns in Destiny 2

[@CAGECS]

I am from denmark and its very interesting to learn about these native weapons. I never knew denmark manufactured their own guns, thanks for the video!

[@Mr.T711]

Interesting piece, the engineering and production aspects are a unique combo.

[@Vtarngpb]

Thanks Ian!

[@cybersoldier2010]

On the movie, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, the gorilla army, under the command of General Ursus, carried a submachine gun; it was in fact, Madsen submachineguns with a thumbhole stock/pistol grip and furniture set up, to make look like a simian gun; same as the converted m-1 carbines that were outfitted with a thumbhole stocked furniture. They were used only once in that movie. However, they were brought back, as regular guns, for the movie, Battle for the Planet of the Apes.

[@jjforcebreaker]

Super interesting story, and cool lil gun. Thanks, Ian!

[@stormthrush37]

I like the design of this stock. It has the capability of functioning like a forward hand grip when folded as well as an additional way of carrying the gun. How well this works in practice if it's only a friction fit is a good question to be fair. On an unrelated note that is such a strange design for taking the gun apart. A clamshell design? I like it, don't know how well it works in practice, but definitely unique to be certain. I guess it kind of makes sense, this in place of a weld all around the middle seam of a stamped gun like the Grease Gun.

[@TurboDog73TX]

What a nice, simple piece. Thanks for showing it to Us.

[@GR46404]

Thanks, Mr McCollum. This was very well done, on an interesting gun. Just what I come here for!

[@sdhubbard]

I like these late war, post war stamped submachine guns. Absolutely ingenious in their simplicity!

[@FIREBRAND38]

Good stuff, Ian. the _Star Trek_ episode was *Bread and Circuses* filmed when the show was still produced by Desilu. Madsen's were also used in Desilyu productions like _Mission Impossible._ After Desilu was sold to Paramount in 1968 you can also find Madsen M50s during the Baptism Scene near the end of _The Godfather_ in 1972. Near the beginning the character of Rocco Lampone is in a hotel room re-assembling his weapon. Near the end he and another torpedo burst into a room and spray the people within with their SMGs.

[@moonlightserenade6292]

Madsen M50 & Swedish K were the most goodlooking postwar era submachine guns, before arrival of HK MP5. Just can't get enough of the look of it.

[@jamesdouglas8760]

When you opened it up,"Wella!". First thought, at the factory with trained personnel, they must have literally crapped these out fast. Easy assembly, with a different vibe about it. Seems more like a Shop Project in school. Practical, uncomplicated, serviceable. Looks like something you would see in the tool dept. at Home Depot. I would think of Cheese, Chocolate, or pastry when every I would read or hear Denmark or Danish. Now I will think of this too..............thanks Ian, for the experience clam shell crap, better than escargot!

[@2011Kestrel]

I remember seeing a gun like this in a late 70’s early 80’s action comedy movie when I was a kid. The bad guys were using them, and the good guys (using revolvers) would shoot the bad guys, pick up the machine guns and use them against the bad guys. Even as a kid, not recognizing this gun took me out of the movie. It’s really cool finding out what it was after all these years.

[@Tekdruid]

That's actually remarkably clever in saving on parts that don't need to withstand a lot of pressure.