SITES Spectre M4
SITES S.p.A. (Società Italiana Tecnologie Speciali) · Submachine Gun · Out Of Production · 1984
Also known as: Spectre, SITES Spectre, Spectre M-4, Sites Model 4
Overview
The SITES Spectre M4 is a compact Italian 9×19mm submachine gun introduced in 1984, distinguished by being the world's only mass-produced SMG with a double-action / single-action hammer-fired closed-bolt mechanism. Designed by Roberto Teppa and Claudio Gritti, it features a decocking lever instead of a manual safety, a proprietary 4-column 30/50-round quad-stack magazine, a top-folding stock, and a uniquely engineered 'forced convection' two-piece bolt that pumps air around the slotted barrel shroud to dissipate heat. Adopted in limited numbers by Italian special forces (GIS), Swiss police, and a handful of other agencies, production ceased with SITES' bankruptcy in 1997, with brief Swiss continuation by Greco Sport S.A. (founded by co-designer Gritti) until ~2001.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2900 g (102.3 oz) |
| Overall Length | 580 mm (22.83") |
| Folded Length | 350 mm (13.78") |
| Barrel Length | 130 mm (5.12") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Double Action |
| Trigger Type | Double Action Single Action |
| Magazine Capacity | 50 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 395 m/s (1296 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 580 J (428 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 850 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Matte Black |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: 30 Round Quad Stack, 50 Round Quad Stack
- Safety mechanisms: Decocking Lever, Double Action Long Pull
- Features: Closed Bolt Firing, Linear Hammer Da Sa, Decocking Lever, Top Folding Wire Stock, Ambidextrous Controls, Forced Convection Cooling Two Piece Bolt, Slotted Finned Barrel Shroud, 4 Column Quad Stack Magazine
Variants
- Spectre M4 SMG — Select Fire
- Spectre P — Semi Auto Pistol
- Spectre C — Semi Auto Carbine 16in
- Falcon — Italian Civilian
- Ranger — Civilian Sub Carbine
- Spectre-HC — Us Civilian Market
Service history
Operators
- Italian GIS (Carabinieri SF) · as Spectre M4
- Swiss police agencies · as Spectre M4
- Croatian forces (Yugoslav Wars) · adopted 1991 · as Spectre M4
Conflicts
- Yugoslav Wars (1991-1995)
- Italian counter-terrorism operations (1980-1995)
Production
Estimated total produced: 10,000 · Production years: 1984-2001
SITES Italian production 1984-1997 (bankruptcy); Swiss continuation by Greco Sport SA until ~2001.
Origin
Country of origin: Italy
Designer: Roberto Teppa, Claudio Gritti
Discontinued: 2001
Notes
Source variance on folded length (130 mm in militaryfactory appears to be a transposition of barrel length). The double-action / single-action mechanism is the defining feature - operator can carry chambered with hammer down and fire via long DA pull (revolver-style). Also chambered in 9x21mm IMI, .40 S&W, .45 ACP in limited late runs. Production ~10,000 estimated.
Background
The two-piece bolt acts as an air pump ('forced convection'), drawing cooler air through the slotted forend to mitigate barrel heat and cook-off during sustained fire - a unique engineering solution. The unusual 4-column 50-round quad-stack magazine was inherited from American Power Magazine designs and is unusually fat but only marginally longer than a 30-round stick magazine. The Spectre became a poster child of the U.S. Assault Weapons Ban movement in the 1990s, severely limiting its civilian-market reach.