UZI
Israel Weapon Industries · Submachine Gun · In Production · 1954
Also known as: IMI UZI, MP2, UZI SMG
Overview
The UZI is an iconic Israeli submachine gun designed by Uziel Gal in the early 1950s and first introduced to Israeli Defense Forces in 1954. Developed after the Arab-Israeli War of 1948, the UZI incorporated innovative design elements from earlier Czech submachine guns, featuring a unique open-bolt blowback action with a wrap-around telescoping bolt that slides around much of the barrel. This revolutionary design allowed the UZI to maintain a full 260mm barrel length while achieving an extremely compact overall length, with the center of mass positioned ahead of the breech for improved control. Chambered primarily in 9x19mm Parabellum, the UZI is constructed largely from stamped sheet metal with grooved receivers designed to trap contaminants and enhance reliability in harsh conditions. The weapon features a grip safety to prevent accidental discharge, a folding metal stock for compactness, and iron sights graduated for 100 and 200 meters. With a cyclic rate of 600 rounds per minute and feeding from 20-, 25-, or 32-round detachable box magazines, the UZI became one of the world's most widely adopted submachine guns, seeing service in over 90 countries and achieving legendary status for its reliability, simplicity, and effective design. Though the Israeli military phased it out of frontline service in 2003, the UZI platform continues in production with modern variants and remains a staple of law enforcement and special operations units worldwide.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 3500 g (123.5 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 3800 g (134.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 650 mm (25.59") |
| Folded Length | 470 mm (18.50") |
| Barrel Length | 260 mm (10.24") |
| Height | 133 mm (5.24") |
| Width | 32 mm (1.26") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Trigger Type | Select Fire |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 400 m/s (1312 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 596 J (440 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 600 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 254 mm (10.00") |
| Number of Grooves | 4 |
| Frame Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Steel |
| Finish | Phosphate |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
- .45 ACP — also known as .45 Auto, 11.43x23mm
- .41 Action Express — also known as .41 AE
- .22 Long Rifle — also known as .22 LR, 5.6×15mmR
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Grip Safety, Manual Safety Selector
- Features: Wrap Around Bolt, Telescoping Bolt, Stamped Steel Construction, Folding Stock, Select Fire, Open Bolt Firing, Grooved Receiver, Compact Design, Iron Sights
Variants
- Mini UZI — Compact
- Micro UZI — Compact
- UZI Pro — Modernized
- UZI Carbine — Semi Auto Civilian
- UZI Pistol — Semi Auto Civilian
Service history
Operators
- Israel Defense Forces · adopted 1951
- German Bundeswehr · as MP2
- Belgian Armed Forces
- Belgian Gendarmerie
- Royal Netherlands Army
- Portuguese Armed Forces
- Irish Garda Síochána
- Sri Lanka Army
- United States Secret Service
- South African Defence Force
Conflicts
- Suez Crisis (1956-1956)
- Six-Day War (1967-1967)
- Yom Kippur War (1973-1973)
- South African Border War (1966-1990)
- Falklands War (1982-1982)
Production
Estimated total produced: 10,000,000 · Production years: 1950-present
Over 10 million UZI-family weapons produced across all variants. Licensed production in Belgium (FN), South Africa, and other countries. Adopted by over 90 nations.
Origin
Country of origin: Israel
Designer: Uziel Gal
Notes
The UZI's name comes from its designer, Israeli army officer Uziel Gal, who developed the weapon at the request of the IDF. The design was heavily influenced by the Czech vz. 23 and vz. 25 submachine guns, particularly the pistol-grip magazine configuration. The UZI was manufactured under license in Belgium by Fabrique Nationale, in South Africa, and in Rhodesia. West Germany designated it the MP2. The weapon's distinctive wrap-around bolt design, where the bolt telescopes around the barrel, was revolutionary and allowed for exceptional compactness without sacrificing barrel length. The original models featured either a wooden fixed stock or a folding metal stock, with the folded length being just 470mm. The UZI has been chambered in multiple calibers including 9x19mm Parabellum (most common), .45 ACP, .41 Action Express, and .22 LR for training purposes. Various magazine capacities exist from 10 to 50 rounds depending on caliber and application. The Mini UZI (1980) and Micro UZI (1983) further reduced dimensions for covert operations and personal protection, with the Micro featuring a cyclic rate of 1,200 rpm. The modern UZI Pro (2010) introduced polymer construction, a closed-bolt firing system, side charging handle, and accessory rails while maintaining the iconic profile.
Background
Designer Uziel Gal specifically asked that the weapon not bear his name, but the Israeli military named it the UZI anyway. The weapon gained worldwide fame when a US Secret Service agent was photographed brandishing one during the 1981 assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan. The UZI's revolutionary telescoping bolt design, where the bolt wraps around the barrel, allowed a full-length barrel in a weapon compact enough to hide under a jacket.