Mendoza HM-3
Productos Mendoza S.A. · Submachine Gun · In Production · 1990
Also known as: HM-3
Overview
The Mendoza HM-3 is a compact 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun of Mexican origin, manufactured by Productos Mendoza S.A. and put into production in the 1990s. It operates on a simple blowback principle from an open bolt, using a wrap-around bolt that extends forward over the barrel to keep the overall length short. The magazine feeds through the pistol grip, and a horizontal side-folding stock doubles as a forward grip when collapsed. A grip safety and a combined safety/fire-selector switch are provided. Owing to strict Mexican export laws, it was never officially exported and served almost exclusively with Mexican military and police forces.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2690 g (94.9 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3350 g (118.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 635 mm (25.00") |
| Folded Length | 400 mm (15.75") |
| Barrel Length | 255 mm (10.04") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| 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, Fire Selector
- Features: Wrap Around Bolt, Side Folding Stock, Magazine In Grip, Compact Design
Service history
Operators
- Mexican Armed Forces
- Mexican Police Forces
Conflicts
- Mexican Drug War (2006-present)
Production
Production years: 1990s-present
Manufactured by Productos Mendoza S.A. for the Mexican domestic market; total production figures are not publicly documented.
Origin
Country of origin: Mexico
Designer: Hector Mendoza
Notes
Reported specifications vary slightly by source: barrel length is given as 255mm (10 in) by Forgotten Weapons, while Modern Firearms lists 225mm and an overall folded length of 400mm. The combined safety/fire selector sits on the right side above the trigger. A family of variants is reported (HM-3, HM-4, HM-3 Short/Long, HM-3 Mini/Bulldog, and a semi-automatic HM-3S police carbine with closed-bolt operation and polymer furniture), but they are not catalogued separately here.
Background
The HM-3 was designed by Hector Mendoza, son of Rafael Mendoza, continuing Mexico's indigenous small-arms tradition that traces back through Rafael Mendoza's light machine guns to Manuel Mondragon's early self-loading rifles.