FBP m/976
Fábrica de Braço de Prata · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1976
Also known as: Pistola-Metralhadora FBP m/976, FBP M/1976
Overview
The FBP m/976 is a Portuguese 9x19mm submachine gun produced by the state arsenal Fábrica de Braço de Prata and adopted in 1976 as an evolution of the earlier FBP m/948, which it replaced in Portuguese service. A simple blowback weapon firing from an open bolt, it added a combined safety and fire-mode selector lever above the trigger to give selective single-shot and full-automatic fire, along with a grip safety that locks the bolt in either the forward or rearward position. It retained the telescoping bolt and stamped steel receiver of the FBP lineage together with the M3-style collapsing steel wire stock, and featured an L-shaped flip-up rear sight graduated for 50 and 100 metres.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3120 g (110.1 oz) |
| Overall Length | 850 mm (33.46") |
| Folded Length | 657 mm (25.87") |
| Barrel Length | 250 mm (9.84") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 36 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 390 m/s (1280 fps) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Blued |
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, Fire Selector
- Features: Telescoping Bolt, Collapsible Wire Stock, Stamped Steel Receiver, Flip Up Rear Sight, Select Fire
Service history
Operators
- Portuguese Armed Forces · adopted 1976 · as m/976
Production
Production years: 1976-1980s
Late development of the FBP family, eventually replaced in Portuguese service by the Heckler & Koch MP5.
Origin
Country of origin: Portugal
Designer: Fábrica de Braço de Prata
Notes
Improved late-production member of the FBP submachine gun family, succeeding the m/948 and select-fire m/963. Magazines were available in 32- and 36-round capacities; the design optionally accepted a screw-on barrel jacket.
Background
The FBP series traced its origin to a 1940 design by Major Gonçalves Cardoso; the m/976 was the last and most refined member of that lineage, adding selective fire and a grip safety before the family was retired in favour of imported MP5s.