Steyr TMP

Steyr Mannlicher GmbH · Personal Defense Weapon · Out Of Production · 1992

Also known as: Tactical Machine Pistol, Taktische Maschinenpistole

Overview

The Steyr TMP (Taktische Maschinenpistole / Tactical Machine Pistol) is a compact 9×19mm select-fire machine pistol developed by Friedrich Aigner at Steyr Mannlicher in 1989, entering production 1992. It pioneered an all-polymer machine-pistol shell paired with a short-recoil rotating-barrel locking system inherited from the Steyr GB pistol - atypical for an SMG-class weapon and chosen to tame muzzle flip in the very compact, stockless package. An integrated vertical foregrip provided controllability during full-auto bursts (cyclic ~875 rpm), and the threaded muzzle accepted a suppressor. Despite technical merit, the TMP saw limited commercial uptake - roughly 2,000 TMPs and 1,000 SPPs were produced before Steyr Mannlicher's new ownership culled underperforming product lines.

Specifications

Weight (empty)1300 g (45.9 oz)
Overall Length282 mm (11.10")
Barrel Length130 mm (5.12")
Height162 mm (6.38")
Width45 mm (1.77")
Sight Radius188 mm (7.40")
Action TypeShort Recoil
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSelect Fire
Magazine Capacity30 rounds
Magazine TypeDetachable Box
Muzzle Velocity380 m/s (1247 fps)
Muzzle Energy540 J (398 ft·lbf)
Effective Range100 m (109 yd)
Rate of Fire875 rpm
Barrel RiflingPolygonal
Frame MaterialPolymer
Slide MaterialSteel
Barrel MaterialSteel
FinishMatte Black

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Production

Estimated total produced: 3,000 · Production years: 1992-2001

~2,000 TMPs + ~1,000 SPPs total estimated. Limited commercial uptake.

Origin

Country of origin: Austria

Designer: Friedrich Aigner

Discontinued: 2001

Notes

Source variance on muzzle velocity (370/375/400 m/s); 380 m/s used as midpoint. Designed by Friedrich Aigner specifically. SPP semi-auto civilian variant lacks the foregrip. In 2001 Steyr sold the entire TMP design and rights to Brügger & Thomet (reportedly for one Austrian Schilling) - B&T applied 20+ design changes and released the result in 2003 as the B&T MP9.

Background

In 2001 Steyr sold the entire TMP design and manufacturing rights to Swiss firm Brügger & Thomet - reportedly for one Austrian Schilling. B&T applied 20+ design changes (side-folding stock, full-length Picatinny rail, redesigned trigger safety, refined ergonomics) and released the result in 2003 as the B&T MP9, which became widely adopted by SOF, executive-protection details, and police globally. The TMP is therefore the direct ancestor of the modern MP9/TP9 family.