Hafdasa C-4
Hispano-Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles SA · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1938
Also known as: Ballester-Rigaud C-4, HAFDASA La Criolla C-4, HAFDASA C.4
Overview
The Hafdasa C-4 is an Argentine blowback submachine gun developed in the late 1930s by HAFDASA (Hispano-Argentina Fábrica de Automóviles SA). Part of the Ballester-Rigaud «La Criolla» family of submachine guns and carbines, it fired from an open bolt in 9x19mm Parabellum or .45 ACP and was built around a forged aluminium-alloy receiver. Its most distinctive feature was a twin-compartment box magazine assembled side-by-side in a common housing, letting the shooter swing the unit to feed from either compartment in succession.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3200 g (112.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 780 mm (30.71") |
| Barrel Length | 292 mm (11.50") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 50 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 396 m/s (1299 fps) |
| Effective Range | 150 m (164 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Aluminum |
| 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: Manual Safety
- Features: Select Fire, Open Bolt, Finned Barrel, Muzzle Compensator, Dual Compartment Magazine, Forged Aluminum Receiver
Service history
Operators
- Argentine Army
- Argentine Navy
- Argentine Presidential Guard · adopted 1950
Production
Production years: 1938-1950s
Production remained limited; the weapon was used by the Argentine Army, Navy, and Presidential Guard
Origin
Country of origin: Argentina
Designer: Arturo Ballester and Rorice Rigaud
Notes
The C-4 shared the forged aluminium frame of the earlier C-2 and was offered with fixed wooden, folding metal, or full rifle stocks. Production was limited and surviving examples are scarce.
Background
The C-4 was the select-fire flagship of an entire HAFDASA «La Criolla» family that grew out of the same firm that built the Ballester-Molina .45 pistol. Its unusual dual-compartment magazine effectively doubled on-board ammunition by letting the operator pivot to a fresh side without a full reload.