Uzi

The Uzi is an Israeli AA open bolt submachine gun named after its designer Major Uziel Gal. The bolt is retracted by a handle on top of receiver cover. Some types of Uzis have a mechanism for catching and locking the bolt if it's pulled back beyond the magazine. Uzis for police and military use fire as soon as a round is chambered due to their open bolt feature.

The Uzi encompasses 2 external security features:

· A lever at the top of the grip: If the lever is set to S (safe), the weapon cannot be fired.

· Grip safety: this is at the rear of the grip and prevents accidental firing of rounds if the weapon is dropped.

Since the Uzi does not have a hammer or an internal cocking system, its trigger is solely used to control the bolt in the case of a submachine gun or the firing pin in the case of semi auto.

A release lever button located on the pistol grip is used to release the magazine. The lever is designed such that rigorous or careless handling of the weapon would not cause the magazine to be ejected.

Stock

There are a number of stocks that come with an Uzi. A stock made of wood with a metallic butt plate was once used by the Israeli Defence Forces. One comes with a straight hollowed comb and a flat butt. These hollows are intended for the oil bottle and cleaning rod. Another has a straight comb and angled butt. The third type has curved comb and angled butt.

Magazines

The first magazines for the 9 millimeter Uzi were 25-round. Later on a 32 round magazine was adopted as the standard. Both mini and micro Uzis have a 20 round magazine.

Caliber

An operator wishing to change the caliber version of some Uzis namely the .22 Lr and the .41 AE has to change the bolt, magazine and barrel of the weapon.

Some caliber conversions kits also exist for the.40 SW and 10 millimeter auto. These and the 9x19mm Parabellum round calibers have a bolt-face that is very similar so conversion is easier since the bolts of the guns are the same.

Operational use

Uzis were used by rear troops, officers, tankers and artillery troops as personal weapons. Its compact size and firepower made it a must have for any Israeli military personnel. Its demerit is limited range (approx. 50 meters or 160 feet); this is a disadvantage where the enemy has longer range weapons.


Variants of the Uzi

USG (Uzi Submachine Gun)

A standard Uzi that has a 250 millimeter barrel and a firing rate of 600 rounds per minute.

Mini-Uzi

Slightly smaller version of a regular Uzi. Its length is 600 mm long or 360 mm long when the stock is folded. With a weight of about 3 kilos and a 950 round per minute firing rate coupled with an effective range of 100 meters, the Mini-Uzi is favorite to many.

There also exists an improved micro Uzi called the Uzi-Pro. It's smaller and made entirely of polymer hence lighter.

The Uzi has been around for a long time, and though newer and better machine guns are available in the market, its history, ingenuity and obvious advantage when close quarter combat is the only option ensures that this weapon will be around for some time.