IMI Uzi

Uzis are compact weapons that have been manufactured by the IMI or Israel Military Industries Ltd. Uziel Gal designed the first Uzi submachine gun that was manufactured by IMI and FN Hertal. Later it designed and manufactured smaller and newer machine pistols that had the properties of the semi-automatic handgun and the submachine gun.
What's interesting is that G.I. Joe uses the Uzi submachine and it is a part of many of its action figures.

These weapons designed after the 1948 Arab-Israeli War, were based on the CZ Model 25, and proved to be simple to use and economical to manufacture. The first model was accepted in 1951 and was used by 1956, when it was a big success.

Design variants were introduced and the range was widened. The underlying principle was to ensure that the magazine could be loaded so that tracer rounds could alternate with regular rounds. This was because in actual operation, the Israeli army takes aim by walking the tracers onto the target.

The IMI Uzi range is extensive and all the guns are known for their reliability and accuracy. Armed forces from over 20 countries rely on these. It also has also been build under a license by FN in Belgium.

The Uzi submachine guns weigh about 3.5 kg or 7.7 pounds and 470 mm or 18.5 inches and 650 mm or 25.6 inches in long, with extended stock. It uses a 9mm Parabellum, 22 LR, .45ACP, .41AE cartridge. With an open-bolt, blowback action its rate of fire is 600 round per minute. The ejector port closes when it is decocked, preventing entry of dust and dirt. The telescoping bolt makes for a heavier, slower-firing bolt, in this shorter and well-balanced weapon.

Israeli rear- troops, officers, artillery troops and tankers use the Uzi submachine gun as a personal defense weapon and the troops have won many battles using these guns. Recently the Galil assault rifle has replaced it. This is because the Uzi's sometimes get jammed in the sandy environment of the desert.

There are many variants to the Uzi gun and these are really small and lethal. The Mini Uzi is 360 mm or 14.17 inches long and was first introduced 1980. It has a side-folding stock and with a small forward handgrip. Though less than a kilogram when unloaded, it can fire 950 rpm, or about 16 rounds a second. The Micro Uzi, as the name suggests is even smaller, at only 250 mm or 9.84 inches. In fact it is only a little larger than a standard pistol. Firing from a closed bolt position, it has side-folding stock like the Mini, though there is no forward grip. It weighs less than 2.2 kilograms when unloaded, but it can fire at an amazing rate of 1250 rpm, that means it can unload a 20 round magazine in 0.96 seconds. Special counter terrors Uzi's have also been designed. The Para Micro Uzi has side-mounted charging handle, and with provisions for bottom-mounted Picatinny rails. With an angled pistol grip, it can accommodate a 33-round GLOCK 18 magazine. The Uzi Pistol is a semi-automatic version of stock or a recoil compensator. Uzi Carbine, is a semi-automatic version with a longer 400 mm 16 inch) barrel. These have been designed for civilians. The distinctive Uzi design shows that lethal guns can be made even in small packages. Though the Israeli army is phasing it out, it is still the weapon of choice for many armies around the world.