SIG MP48
Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft (SIG) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1948
Also known as: SIG MP 48, MP48
Overview
The SIG MP48 is a Swiss 9x19mm blowback submachine gun introduced by Schweizerische Industrie-Gesellschaft in 1948 as its post-war design, firing from an open bolt with a telescoping wrap-around bolt to keep the weapon compact. It featured a distinctive forward-folding magazine housing that swung under the barrel to double as a safety and reduce carrying length, a collapsing steel-wire buttstock, and a progressive trigger giving semi-automatic fire on a short pull and full-automatic fire on a full pull. Built with simplified precision-cast manufacturing, it sold only in limited numbers and evolved into the later SIG MP310.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2350 g (82.9 oz) |
| Overall Length | 735 mm (28.94") |
| Folded Length | 610 mm (24.02") |
| Barrel Length | 200 mm (7.87") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 40 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 380 m/s (1247 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 481 J (355 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 900 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| 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: Folding Magazine Safety, Progressive Trigger
- Features: Telescoping Wrap Around Bolt, Forward Folding Magazine, Collapsing Wire Buttstock, Rotary Drum Rear Sight, Precision Cast Receiver
Variants
- SIG MP46 - Wooden Stock
- SIG MP310 - Polymer Stock
Service history
Operators
- Chilean Armed Forces
- Swiss police forces
Production
Production years: 1948-1972
Produced in limited quantities; principal export sales to Chile and to Swiss police organizations before the MP310 succeeded it
Origin
Country of origin: Switzerland
Discontinued: 1972
Notes
The progressive trigger doubled as the fire-selector: a short pull fired single shots and a long pull fired full-auto. Folding the magazine forward under the barrel rendered the weapon safe and reduced its stowed size. Commercial success was limited despite the sound engineering.
Background
The MP48's magazine could be folded forward to lie flat under the barrel, shrinking the gun and making it safe at the same time - a clever feature that failed to win the commercial success SIG hoped for, earning the design a reputation as the moment 'SIG cheaped out.'