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List of Urcean service weapons: Difference between revisions
List of Urcean service weapons (view source)
Revision as of 15:52, 24 February 2023
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===SMP-3=== | ===SMP-3=== | ||
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The '''SMP-3''' was a {{wp|submachine gun}} in service from 1936 to 1943. | [[File:German MP wooden stock.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A [[Second Great War]] vintage SMP-3 submachine gun.]] | ||
The '''SMP-3''' was a {{wp|submachine gun}} in service from 1936 to 1943. Chambered in {{wp|9x19mm}}, it was designed and primarily produced by the [[Royal Hunting and Munitions Company]]. Over 10 million were produced. It was designed to be made primarily of {{wp|stamped metal}} and replaced the far more expensive and complex SMP-2. Among other features, it included a select fire switch. | |||
After the [[Second Great War]], large surpluses of the SMP-3 began to be sold off, primarily versions with full auto capability removed. In particular, [[Fino Family Arms]] purchased a large number of select fire military surplus and converted them to semi-automatics, doing so initially on profit motive and later on a government contract. The Fino conversions, marketed as "surplus carbines", would prove so popular that Fino purchased the rights to the weapon from the Royal Hunting and Munitions Company in [[1955]], beginning to manufacture and sell a number of replacement parts and after market parts. In [[1957]] surplus "carbines" were sold with newly manufactured longer barrels. By [[1962]] Fino's surplus supply was largely exhausted. Manufacturing new carbines continued for a time but proved unprofitable, and by 1970 all SMP-3 related products were discontinued. | After the [[Second Great War]], large surpluses of the SMP-3 began to be sold off, primarily versions with full auto capability removed. In particular, [[Fino Family Arms]] purchased a large number of select fire military surplus and converted them to semi-automatics, doing so initially on profit motive and later on a government contract. The Fino conversions, marketed as "surplus carbines", would prove so popular that Fino purchased the rights to the weapon from the Royal Hunting and Munitions Company in [[1955]], beginning to manufacture and sell a number of replacement parts and after market parts. In [[1957]] surplus "carbines" were sold with newly manufactured longer barrels. By [[1962]] Fino's surplus supply was largely exhausted. Manufacturing new carbines continued for a time but proved unprofitable, and by 1970 all SMP-3 related products were discontinued. | ||
Due to the familiarity of servicemen with the weapon and the low price for which it was available, the civilian "carbine" proved popular despite its clear shortcomings. The weapon was most used by the postwar generation for training youth to use weapons, for leisure and competition shooting, and for hunting, although it was not suited for this task. The weapon was a popular "utility" rifle for civilians until more modern commercialized versions of the [[SAR-40]] became available. After many semi-automatic rifle competitors came on the market by 1975, most civilian SMP-3s fell into disuse and were later discarded. By the 1980s, these weapons had a poor reputation in the memory of the public and were mostly remembered as cheap surplus conversions with little practical utility. | Due to the familiarity of servicemen with the weapon and the low price for which it was available, the civilian "carbine" proved popular despite its clear shortcomings. The weapon was most used by the postwar generation for training youth to use weapons, for leisure and competition shooting, and for hunting, although it was not suited for this task. The weapon was a popular "utility" rifle for civilians until more modern commercialized versions of the [[SAR-40]] became available. After many semi-automatic rifle competitors came on the market by 1975, most civilian SMP-3s fell into disuse and were later discarded. By the 1980s, these weapons had a poor reputation in the memory of the public and were mostly remembered as cheap surplus conversions with little practical utility. | ||
The weapon design had a number of post-war enthusiasts among both servicemen and those who used the "carbine" variety as their first experience. A number of experiments were undertaken by civilian enthusiasts and eventually Fino designers about possible adaptations of the platform. As the primary designer and manufacturer of the [[SAR-40]], Fino had little interest in fielding a competitor, and it discouraged the adaptation of the SMP-3 platform for other calibers. Despite this, designers came up with a select fire prototype necked down to {{wp|.223}} with an adapted magazine and magazine well to fire the weapon. The resultant "Fino Automatic Carbine Prototype" (commonly referred to as FACP) was deemed to have "passable" functionality. Testing and further prototypes were formally shut down by Fino corporate leaders in [[1958]]. Despite average test results, the FACP would go on to assume legendary status among firearms enthusiasts, gaining the reputation of a "SAR Killer", and among these circles it became common belief that Fino shut the weapon down due to its superiority in testing, later fabricating the mediocre test results. FACP enthusiasts would diminish by the 1980s, with a minor revival in the belief forming as a result of the {{wp|internet}}. Various .223 conversions made in the 1990s and 2000s definitively disproved the theories as well as the service viability of such a weapon. | |||
Following a wave of interest in Second Great War era weapons and appearance of the SMP-3 civilian carbine in period pieces in the early 2010s, Fino Family Arms began to produce and sell limited numbers of "Grandpa's Gun Carbines", newly manufactured SMP-3 carbines. The Grandpa's Gun Carbines feature a number of improvements over true original surplus carbines, including a longer barrel, better sights, and improved ergonomics. | Following a wave of interest in Second Great War era weapons and appearance of the SMP-3 civilian carbine in period pieces in the early 2010s, Fino Family Arms began to produce and sell limited numbers of "Grandpa's Gun Carbines", newly manufactured SMP-3 carbines. The Grandpa's Gun Carbines feature a number of improvements over true original surplus carbines, including a longer barrel, better sights, and improved ergonomics. | ||