Walther MPK
Carl Walther GmbH · Submachine Gun · Discontinued · 1963
Also known as: Maschinenpistole Kurz, Walther MP, MP-K
Overview
The Walther MPK (Maschinenpistole Kurz, 'short machine pistol') is a select-fire, open-bolt, blowback-operated submachine gun chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum. Introduced in 1963 alongside the longer-barreled MPL, it was developed by Carl Walther GmbH to meet a West German police requirement for a compact, reliable, and easily produced weapon. The MPK uses a shorter 173mm barrel and folding wire stock, feeds from a 32-round box magazine, and fires at roughly 550 rounds per minute. It saw service with West German police and naval forces as well as several foreign militaries and US special forces units stationed in Germany.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 2800 g (98.8 oz) |
| Overall Length | 659 mm (25.94") |
| Folded Length | 373 mm (14.69") |
| Barrel Length | 173 mm (6.81") |
| Action Type | Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Open Bolt |
| Magazine Capacity | 32 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Detachable Box |
| Muzzle Velocity | 365 m/s (1198 fps) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Rate of Fire | 550 rpm |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| 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
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic, Full Automatic
- Feed systems: Detachable Box Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Manual Safety, Trigger Block
- Features: Select Fire, Side Folding Stock, Open Bolt Operation, Forward Charging Handle
Variants
- Walther MPL — Long Barrel
Service history
Operators
- West German Police · adopted 1963
- United States Army Special Forces
- Mexican Navy
- Portuguese Armed Forces
Conflicts
- Operation Eagle Claw (1980)
Production
Estimated total produced: 27,000 · Production years: 1963-1987
Approximately 27,000 MP-series guns (MPK and MPL combined) were produced before production ended in the mid-to-late 1980s.
Origin
Country of origin: Germany
Designer: Carl Walther GmbH
Discontinued: 1987
Notes
The MPK and MPL are identical apart from barrel and handguard length; the MPL's longer barrel gives it greater effective range and its iron sights are graduated to 200m. The Walther MP series was used by police during the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Background
In 1960 the West German police issued a requirement for a new submachine gun emphasizing compactness, reliability, and ease of manufacture. Walther answered in 1963 with the MPL and MPK, distinguished only by barrel length. The compact MPK was favored by special forces and intelligence operators, including US units stationed in Cold War Berlin.