Orița M1941
Uzina Mecanică Cugir (UMCMC) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1941
Also known as: Orita 1941, Pistol-mitralieră Orița model 1941, Orița mitralieră, Orita SMG
Overview
The Orița M1941 was the first Romanian-designed and manufactured submachine gun, named for Captain Marin Orița of the Romanian Army Military Technical Corps with significant contributions from Czech engineer Leopold Jašek. A blowback, open-bolt selective-fire weapon chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum, it featured a milled steel receiver, a long 287 mm barrel, and a fixed wooden full stock. It was manufactured at the Uzina Mecanică Cugir works and entered Romanian Army service in 1943.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3460 g (122.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 894 mm (35.20") |
| Barrel Length | 287 mm (11.30") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 380 m/s (1247 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 538 J (397 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Polished 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, Fire Selector
- Features: Open Bolt, Milled Steel Receiver, Fixed Wooden Stock, Tangent Rear Sight, Detachable Box Magazine, Selective Fire
Variants
- Orița M1948 — Improved Model
- Orița M1949 (Paratrooper) — Folding Stock Paratrooper
Service history
Operators
- Romanian Army · adopted 1943 · as Orița model 1941
- Romanian Police
Conflicts
- World War II (1943-1945)
Production
Production years: 1943-1965
Production figures are not reliably documented. The Orița was manufactured at Cugir Arsenal and remained in Romanian service for two decades until replaced by the AKM-pattern PM md. 63 in the 1960s.
Origin
Country of origin: Romania
Designer: Marin Orița
Discontinued: 1965
Notes
Despite the M1941 designation, the Orița did not enter service until 1943 due to development delays. Romania initially used MP 28s and Beretta M1938s before fielding the Orița. The improved M1948 variant retained the wooden stock; a rare paratrooper M1949 variant added a folding metal stock. The Orița remained in Romanian service until replaced in the 1960s by the AKM-pattern PM md. 63.
Background
Romania's first home-grown submachine gun was largely the work of a Czech engineer named Leopold Jašek, who had fled the German annexation of Czechoslovakia and brought his expertise to the Cugir Arsenal. The official Romanian credit went to army Captain Marin Orița, but Jašek's influence is visible in the milled construction reminiscent of pre-war Czech designs.