Steyr MPi 69
Steyr-Daimler-Puch AG · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1969
Also known as: MPi69, Steyr MPi69
Overview
The Steyr MPi 69 was an Austrian 9x19mm submachine gun developed by Steyr-Daimler-Puch and adopted by the Austrian Army in 1969. Heavily influenced by the Israeli Uzi, it used a stamped sheet-steel receiver, a wrap-around telescoping bolt, and a magazine inserted through the vertical pistol grip. Its most distinctive feature was the absence of a conventional charging handle: the weapon was cocked by pulling rearward on its carrying sling, which attached directly to the bolt. A progressive two-stage trigger allowed semi-automatic fire on a short pull and full-automatic fire on a long pull.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3130 g (110.4 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3430 g (121.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 670 mm (26.38") |
| Folded Length | 465 mm (18.31") |
| Barrel Length | 260 mm (10.24") |
| Sight Radius | 326 mm (12.83") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Progressive Two Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 25 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Effective Range | 150 m (164 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Frame Material | Polymer |
| 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: Cross Bolt Safety, Selector Safety
- Features: Sling Cocking Mechanism, Telescoping Bolt, Telescoping Wire Stock, Magazine In Pistol Grip, Stamped Steel Receiver, Progressive Trigger Fire Selection
Variants
- Steyr MPi 81 — Conventional Charging Handle
- Steyr MPi 81 FPW — Firing Port Weapon
Service history
Operators
- Austrian Armed Forces · adopted 1969 · as MPi 69
- Hellenic Police
- Saudi Arabian Armed Forces
- Royal Thai Police
Production
Production years: 1969-1990
Over 5,000 units reported ready by 1970 (Small Arms Review); total production across MPi 69 and MPi 81 described as many thousands
Origin
Country of origin: Austria
Designer: Karl Wagner
Discontinued: 1990
Notes
Sources disagree on the named designer (militaryfactory credits 'Stowasser'; Small Arms Review credits Karl Wagner and Karl Moser). Rate of fire is most commonly cited at 550 rpm, though Small Arms Review gives 400 rpm. The MPi 81 successor replaced the sling-cocking system with a conventional left-side charging handle and raised the rate of fire to around 700 rpm.
Background
The MPi 69 has no cocking handle at all: you charge it by yanking back on its own carrying sling, which is bolted straight to the bolt. Built as Austria's homegrown answer to the Uzi, it was overshadowed both by the Uzi and HK MP5 abroad and by Steyr's own AUG rifle at home, which siphoned away the Austrian Army adoption it was meant to win.