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MAT-49



Overview

MAT-49

Left side view of MAT-49 sub machine gun.
Source: www.06pescadou.free.fr - © copyright lies with original owner

Origin
France
Type
Sub machine gun
Entered service
1949
Status
Obsolete
Development
Late 1940's
Developer
France
Pierre Monteil
Production
1949 - 1979
Producer
France - Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle (MAT)
Number produced
About 1 million
Designations
Pistolet Mitrailleur MAT-49
Notable users
France

Description

Introduction

The MAT-49 is an early Cold War era sub machine gun of French origin. After World War 2 the French army was rearming itself and the war showed that sub machine guns were of great use. In 1949 several designs were tested, including one from Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle (MAT). The MAT design was chosen and was named the Pistolet Mitrailleur MAT-49.

Design

The MAT-49 is a compact recoil operated sub machine gun. It fires from the open bolt position. A unique feature is the magazine housing that can fold forwards to reduce the size of the weapon. The magazine housing also functions as a forward grip. The stock consists of a retractable metal wire in similar fashion to the US M3 Grease Gun.

Firepower

The MAT-49 fires the 9x19mm round from 32 round magazines. For arid conditions 20 round single stack magazines were available. The MAT-49 fires full-automatic only at a cyclic rate of fire of 600 round per minute.

Users

The MAT-49 was produced in large quantities as it was adopted by the French military and law enforcement and it was exported to many nations under French influence. Nowadays it is mostly an obsolete weapon that has been replaced by most users. In French service it was replaced by the FAMAS assault rifle.

Variants

MAT-49

Right side view of MAT-49 sub machine gun.
Source: www.06pescadou.free.fr - © copyright lies with original owner

MAT-49
The MAT-49 is the standard variant and by far the most common. Three production types can be distinguished, but their specifications are very similar. The second model has an improved safety system and the third and final model has a metal pistol grip. A very small quantity was produced with a fixed wooden buttstock.
MAT-49/54
The MAT-49/54 was developed for police use and saw limited production. It features a longer barrel and a fixed wooden stock. Some have been produced with two triggers to allow for semi-automatic fire and full-automatic fire. For the prison services a MAT-49/54 was produced with standard length barrel.

Details

Facts MAT-49 MAT-49/54 MAT-49/54 SB
General
Origin
France
Type
Sub machine gun
Caliber
Caliber
9x19mm Parabellum
Feed system
32 round detachable magazine
Barrel length
228 mm
Rifling
4 grooves, left hand twist
Muzzle velocity
365 m/s
Operation
Action
Recoil operated, fires from open bolt
Fire selector
0 - 1 - F
Rate of fire
600 rpm
Dimensions
Stock type
Retractable wire stock
Length
0.72 m stock extended
0.46 m stock retracted
Weight
3.5 kg empty
4.18 kg loaded
Sights
Mechanical
Iron sights, hooded blade front and flip aperture rear
Range adjustment
50 m or 100 m

Media

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In regular French police service the Beretta M12 sub machine gun replaced the MAT-49.

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