Suomi KP/-26
Oy Tikkakoski Ab · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1926
Also known as: Konepistooli m/26, Suomi M/26, KP m/26
Overview
The Suomi KP/-26 (Konepistooli m/26) is a Finnish blowback, open-bolt submachine gun and the first production design of master armorer Aimo Lahti. Chambered in 7.65x21mm Parabellum and fed from a curved 36-round detachable box magazine, it was a selective-fire weapon with an adjustable buffer that let the operator tune its cyclic rate. Roughly 100 examples were built, making it the direct developmental predecessor of the far more numerous and successful Suomi KP/-31.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3120 g (110.1 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3760 g (132.6 oz) |
| Overall Length | 914 mm (35.98") |
| Barrel Length | 352 mm (13.86") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 36 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 381 m/s (1250 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 438 J (323 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 500 m (547 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 750 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Wood |
| Finish | Blued |
Calibers
- 7.65x21mm Parabellum · primary — also known as .30 Luger, 7.65mm Luger, 7.65mm Parabellum
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Fire Selector, Bolt Safety Notch
- Features: User Removable Barrel, Adjustable Buffer, Curved Box Magazine, Tangent Rear Sight, Selective Fire
Service history
Operators
- Finnish Defence Forces · adopted 1926 · as Konepistooli m/26
Production
Estimated total produced: 100 · Production years: 1925-1930
Approximately 100 units built; a rare early Lahti design that led directly to the KP/-31
Origin
Country of origin: Finland
Designer: Aimo Lahti
Discontinued: 1930
Notes
Notable as one of the first submachine guns with a user-removable barrel. A small number were also produced in 7.63x25mm Mauser. Production was very limited, serving primarily as a proving ground for Lahti's later KP/-31.
Background
The KP/-26 was Aimo Lahti's first production firearm and pioneered a user-removable barrel and an adjustable recoil buffer that let the shooter dial the cyclic rate up or down. Only about a hundred were made before Lahti refined the concept into the legendary KP/-31.