Colt 9mm SMG
Colt's Manufacturing · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1982
Also known as: Colt Model 635, Colt M635, Colt SMG, R0635
Overview
The Colt 9mm SMG (officially Model 635) is an American 9x19mm submachine gun built on the AR-15/M16 platform, developed by Colt's Manufacturing in the early 1980s. By adapting the M16 receiver to a closed-bolt blowback action and accepting a magazine well block to use Uzi-pattern 20- or 32-round magazines, Colt produced a compact PDW-class weapon that retained M16 manual-of-arms familiarity for crews and law enforcement already trained on the platform. It became one of the most widely adopted submachine guns in U.S. federal law enforcement and saw service with USMC personal security details, the U.S. Marshals Service, DEA, and several foreign militaries.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2600 g (91.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 730 mm (28.74") |
| Folded Length | 648 mm (25.51") |
| Barrel Length | 267 mm (10.51") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 396 m/s (1299 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 583 J (430 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 900 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety Selector, Closed Bolt Operation
- Features: Select Fire, Ar15 Pattern, Telescoping Stock, Uzi Pattern Magazines, Magazine Well Block Adapter, Iron Sights
Variants
- Colt Model 633 — Compact
- Colt Model 639 — Burst Fire
- Colt Model 635 — Select Fire
Service history
Operators
- United States Marine Corps
- United States Marshals Service
- Drug Enforcement Administration
- Diplomatic Security Service
- Argentine Army
Conflicts
- War on Drugs (1982-present)
- War in Afghanistan (2001-2021)
- Iraq War (2003-2011)
Production
Production years: 1982-present
Production figures not publicly disclosed; widely fielded by U.S. federal LE and military personal security details
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Henry Tatro
Notes
The standard Model 635 fires from a closed bolt at approximately 900 rounds/min with full-auto capability; the Model 639 substitutes a three-round burst, and the Model 633 is a 7-inch barrel compact issued to DEA. Hydraulic buffer kits reduce cyclic rate to 650-850 rpm.
Background
The Colt 9mm SMG owes its existence to a U.S. Department of Energy requirement in the early 1980s for a controllable submachine gun for nuclear materials couriers, who already trained extensively on the M16; rather than learning a wholly new platform like the H&K MP5, Colt's solution preserved muscle memory by simply rechambering the M16 receiver to fire 9mm Parabellum from the bolt face.