Orița M1948

Uzina Mecanică Cugir (UMCMC) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1948

Also known as: Orița Model 1941/48, Orita M1948, Orita MD1948

Overview

The Orița M1948 is a Romanian blowback-operated submachine gun, a modernized wartime variant of the Orița M1941 chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. The 1948 update replaced the manual safety with a bolt-locking grip safety, reinforced the wooden stock with a metal wrist, and removed the semi-automatic selector so the weapon fired fully automatic only. It served the Romanian Army into the 1950s and remained in reserve stocks for years afterward.

Specifications

Weight (empty)3450 g (121.7 oz)
Overall Length894 mm (35.20")
Barrel Length278 mm (10.94")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Stage
Magazine Capacity32 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity390 m/s (1280 fps)
Muzzle Energy481 J (355 ft·lbf)
Effective Range200 m (219 yd)
Rate of Fire600 rpm
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
Stock MaterialWood
FinishBlued

Calibers

Features

Base model

Orita-M41

Service history

Operators

Conflicts

Production

Production years: 1948-1950s

Produced at the Cugir and Copșa Mică facilities as a refit of the M1941 pattern

Origin

Country of origin: Romania

Designer: Marin Orița, Leopold Jašek

Discontinued: 1965

Notes

The M1948 designation reflects the post-war refit of the M1941 pattern; sources also refer to the type as the Orița Model 1941/48. Barrel and length figures are shared with the M1941 base design.

Background

Named for Captain Marin Orița, the Orița was Romania's principal domestically designed submachine gun of World War II; the 1948 modernization kept the wartime pattern in service through the early Cold War before Soviet-pattern weapons displaced it.