Milkor BXP
Milkor (Pty) Ltd · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1988
Also known as: Blowback eXperimental Parabellum, Mechem BXP
Overview
The Milkor BXP is a South African blowback-operated submachine gun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. Developed by Andries Piek during South Africa's arms-embargo era as a domestic alternative to imported designs, it is a compact open-bolt weapon firing from a folding steel stock at a high cyclic rate. The name BXP stands for 'Blowback eXperimental Parabellum', reflecting both its operating principle and its chambering. It was adopted by South African military and police forces and produced in both full-automatic and semi-automatic forms.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2500 g (88.2 oz) |
| Overall Length | 607 mm (23.90") |
| Folded Length | 387 mm (15.24") |
| Barrel Length | 208 mm (8.19") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Select Fire |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 1000 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| 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: Grip Safety, Manual Safety
- Features: Side Folding Stock, Threaded Muzzle, Ambidextrous Controls, Compact Design
Variants
- Milkor BXP Semi-Auto - Semi Automatic Carbine
Service history
Operators
- South African Defence Force · adopted 1988 · as BXP
- South African Police
Conflicts
- South African Border War (1966-1990)
Production
Production years: 1988-2000s
Serial production began in the late 1980s; exact totals are not publicly documented.
Origin
Country of origin: South Africa
Designer: Andries Piek
Notes
Originally produced under the Mechem brand and later by Milkor and Truvelo Armoury. The compact receiver and folding stock allow the weapon to be fired one-handed like a machine pistol. A grenade-launching muzzle attachment and suppressor were offered as accessories.
Background
Conceived under the international arms embargo against apartheid-era South Africa, the BXP was a homegrown answer to the sanctions that cut the country off from foreign submachine guns like the Uzi and MP5.