Uzi
The Uzi ( /ˈuːzi/ ⓘ; Hebrew: עוזי, romanized: Ūzi; officially cased as UZI) is a family of Israeli open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine guns and machine pistols first designed by Major Uziel "Uzi" Gal in the late 1940s, shortly after the establishment of the State of Israel. It is one of the first weapons to incorporate a telescoping bolt design, which allows the magazine to be housed in the pistol grip for a shorter weapon.
| Uzi | |
|---|---|
Uzi submachine gun | |
| Type | Submachine gun Machine pistol (Mini Uzi, Micro Uzi) |
| Place of origin | Israel |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1954–present |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars |
|
| Production history | |
| Designer | Uziel Gal |
| Designed | 1950 |
| Manufacturer | Israel Military Industries Israel Weapon Industries Licensed by:
|
| Produced | 1950–present |
| No. built | 10,000,000+ |
| Variants | See Variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.5 kg (7.72 lb) |
| Length |
|
| Barrel length | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Cartridge | .22 LR .41 AE .45 ACP 9×19mm Parabellum 9×21mm IMI |
| Action | Blowback, open bolt |
| Rate of fire | 600 rounds/min 950 rounds/min Mini Uzi 1200–1500 rounds/min Micro Uzi |
| Muzzle velocity | 400 m/s (1,300 ft/s) (9mm) |
| Effective firing range | 200 m |
| Feed system |
|
| Sights | Iron sights |
The Uzi prototype was finished in 1950. It was first introduced to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) special forces in 1954, and the weapon was placed into general issue two years later. The IDF supplied Uzis to rear-echelon troops, officers, artillery troops and tank crews, as well as a frontline weapon by elite light infantry assault forces.
The Uzi has been exported to over 90 countries. Over its service lifetime, it has been manufactured by Israel Military Industries, FN Herstal, and other manufacturers. From the 1960s through to the 1980s, more Uzi submachine guns were sold to more military, law enforcement and security markets than any other submachine gun ever made.