PA3-DM
Fábrica Militar de Armas Portátiles "Domingo Matheu" (FMAP-DM) · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1970
Also known as: PA3, PA3-DM
Overview
The PA3-DM is a 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun designed in the late 1960s by Magín Almará and produced from 1970 by the Argentine state arms factory Fábrica Militar de Armas Portátiles "Domingo Matheu" (FMAP-DM) in Rosario. Modeled heavily on the Israeli Uzi, it is an open-bolt, blowback-operated weapon using a telescoping (wraparound) bolt that encloses much of the barrel to keep the overall length compact. The magazine feeds through the pistol grip, which incorporates a grip safety. The design used stamped sheet-steel construction and was offered with either a fixed plastic stock (FMK 4) or a retractable wire stock (FMK 3 / PA3-DM).
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 4300 g (151.7 oz) |
| Overall Length | 690 mm (27.17") |
| Folded Length | 520 mm (20.47") |
| Barrel Length | 290 mm (11.42") |
| Sight Radius | 320 mm (12.60") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 40 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 396 m/s (1299 fps) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 650 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
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: Grip Safety, Manual Safety
- Features: Telescoping Bolt, Wraparound Bolt, Magazine In Pistol Grip, Retractable Stock, Stamped Steel Construction
Service history
Operators
- Argentine Army · adopted 1970
- Argentine Federal Police
Conflicts
- Falklands War (1982)
Production
Estimated total produced: 15,000 · Production years: 1970-1978
Approximately 15,000 units delivered by FMAP-DM; later standardized in service as the FMK 3.
Origin
Country of origin: Argentina
Designer: Magín Almará
Discontinued: 1978
Notes
DATA-INTEGRITY NOTE: The requested record framed this as a Chilean FAMAE weapon, but research across militaryfactory.com, thefirearmblog.com and corroborating sources shows the PA3-DM is an ARGENTINE design by FMAP-DM ("Domingo Matheu", hence the -DM suffix), not a product of Chile's FAMAE. The id/name/filename were retained as specified, but the manufacturer, country_of_origin and history reflect the factual Argentine attribution. The PA3-DM lineage was standardized as the FMK 3 (retractable wire stock) and FMK 4 (fixed plastic stock); roughly 15,000 were produced 1970-1978.
Background
Argentina sought an indigenous submachine gun to replace its license-built copies of the American M3A1 "Grease Gun". The Product Engineering Department of FMAP-DM, led by designer Magín Almará, drew on the proven Uzi layout to create the PA3-DM, which saw service with Argentine forces during the 1982 Falklands War.