laststandonzombieisland

From the time the German Bergman MP 18 hit the trenches in the Great War until XM-177/CAR-15 style shorty ARs became a big thing in the 1980s, the submachine gun was king of close-quarters battle.

However, in the past 50 years or so, and especially after the introduction of the .300 Blackout offered such great short barrel performance in an AR platform, the SMG has been seen as something that is just kind of quaint. A holdover from storming Omaha Beach on D-Day or taking down terrorists while dressed like a ninja.

Well, not so fast there. Two pieces of news in the past week have shined a spotlight on the fact that the SMG is still alive and kicking, and still pulling down contracts.

First, from NYC, comes details that the NYPD’s Corrections division just ordered $91,000 worth of HK MP5 submachine guns for use by special response teams at Riker’s Island.

Next, the Sao Paulo (Brazil) Police have just purchased 700 select-fire B&T APC9-G PRO models equipped with MBT folding and telescoping stocks, Glock-compatible lower receivers, RQD suppressors, and Aimpoint ACRO P2 optics on B&T QD mounts. As noted by B&T, “These compact weapon systems are chambered in 9mm, allowing cartridge commonality between the division’s service pistols and its new submachine gun.”

Added to this is all the buzz around the B&T APC9K after it won the Army’s Sub Compact Weapon contract in 2019 (later doubled down by the USAF).