SOCIMI Type 821
Overview
SOCIMI Type 821
Left side view of SOCIMI Type 821 with stock in folded position.
Source: TheTranc -
© GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Description
Introduction
The Type 821 is a sub machine gun of Italian origin. It was developed and marketed by SOCIMI which entered the firearms business through a joint venture with arms manufacturer Luigi Franchi. The Type 821 was produced in limited numbers. At the moment of introduction the market for rather simple sub machine guns for military use was declining in favor of intermediate cartridge firearms. The law enforcement moved towards high quality and proven sub machine gun designs with the ability to mount accessories, such as the MP5.
Design
The Type 821 design is heavily inspired by the Israeli Uzi, but it is not a direct copy. The design of the receiver allows it to be lighter than the Uzi and the side folding stock is simpler to use. The Type 821 is a blowback operated firearm. The charging handle is located on top the receiver and the pistol grip features a grip safety.
Firepower
The Type 821 is chambered for 9x19mm Parabellum. It uses 32 round magazines that protrude from the pistol grip. The cyclic rate of fire is rather low at 550 rpm. The Type 821 is select fire, being able of semi-automatic and full automatic fire. The maximum effective range is quoted to be 150 to 200 meters.
Users
The Type 821 was acquired in small numbers by Italian law enforcement. The Italian national police have used it for several years in some of the tactical teams, including the well known NOCS. It seems that these weapons were replaced in active service by other sub machine guns, including the MP5, since the 1990's. Reportedly the Type 821 was sold in limited quantities to other nations, possibly as test batches. It was not formally adopted by other nations.
Details
SOCIMI Type 821
Right side view of SOCIMI Type 821 with stock in folded position.
Source: TheTranc
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
SOCIMI Type 821
Left side view of SOCIMI Type 821 with stock in extended position.
Source: TheTranc
Copyright: GNU Attribution Share Alike license
Related articles
IMI Uzi
The SOCIMI Type 821 is closely patterned after the Israeli Uzi. At a glance both weapons are hard to distinguish. The design has been altered in several ways in order to make it lighter and simpler to produce.