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Pistols, PDWs, and SMGs

PieterCoetzee

Professional
I realize most of us wont have a real world tactical need for a handgun, let alone a PDW, or SMG. That being said, WHEN they are needed, nothing else will do. So many of us carry and train with a handgun, even though we hope to never need one. The last few years of mostly peaceful protesting, have given me cause to wonder if on some days, something more than a pistol might be comforting.
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Something more than a pistol but not quite a rifle. If I thought I needed a rifle, Id want a Grenade Launcher... I first became acquainted with the Pistol type PDW with the early FLUX designs on the Glock pistols. Flux capitalized on the Stocked Pistol concept that dates back some 200+ years. The peak of the concept was seen primarily in the Mauser Broomhandle, Luger and Browning Hi Power (amongst a few others)

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As a replacement for a rifle the Stocked Pistol is wanting BUT as an improvement over a handgun a Stocked Pistol shines. A Stocked Pistol provides the four points of contact (hand hand shoulder cheek) of a rifle for better stabilization and recoil mitigation. The problem has always been how to carry the stock when not fixed to the pistol. Early designs made the stock hollow so it became the holster. That was novel but it made drawing the pistol impossibly slow in an " I need it now" emergency.

Thankfully original designs of the Broomhandle, Luger, and Hi Powers with stock fittings in the grip are exempt from NFA regulations by their age. So if you can find one (and afford it) there are no restrictions beyond normal handgun regulations

Post WW2 the Stock Pistol continued with a few twists. Enter the Beretta 93R. Essentially a Beretta 92 with a 3 shot burst mechanism, a folding front grip, and a detachable folding stock.

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HK brought us the VP70, an early polymer double stack 9mm pistol with a detachable stock. Without the stock, it was a conventional semi automatic handgun. Once the stock was attached the VP70 had a 3 shot burst capability
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About that same time the VZ61 SMG was introduced. The VZ61 fits into a grey zone. Its carried in a holster, has a conventional pistol grip, and is chambered in 32acp. It has an attached stock that folds over the top of the gun. When holstered the VZ61 can only use the 10 round magazine; but outside the holster there are 20 round magazines.
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There were/are other pistol size SMGs (Ingram M-10) but the VZ61 is lightweight enough to use used one handed and carried in a holster. The "Mac 10" and its smaller brother M11, are small enough to holster, in fact there was some talk about making the M10 an official military "handgun". The M10 is heavy by any standards and its 1200 RPM feed rate is cool but somewhat limiting beyond the confines of a telephone booth. M10s were available in 45acp and 9mm, with the M11 in 380acp

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Pistol size SMGs are easy to carry and can be a gem in the right circumstances. The came the Pistol PDWs. FLUX abandoned the Glock for the SIG 320s fire control unit, making a purpose designed PDW. The SIG/Flux is as small as the HK MP5k but with a stock/brace and significantly lighter and the ability to carry extra ammo "on board". The SIG/Flux combo is a really nice option when wanting to carry something more than a pistol. Flux also makes a P365 version which is able to be carried in a holster.
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Im a huge fan of the MP5K. In its original form it has no stock and was meant to be fired with both hands pushing forward against the sling worn cross body. It is an effective shooting method at close range (which is why it was designed). Later a folding stock was added, reclassifying it as the MP5K-PDW. The "K" and "PDW" are great SMGs, if a bit heavy by 21st century standards. Ive carried a MP5K in a shoulder holster. Its do-able with a 15 round magazine in the gun and two 30 round mags as a counter balance, do-able but heavy
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I think most of those would make your pistol an illegal SBR? Maybe not. In any event, why not just run a braced pistol that would share mags with your chosen pistol? Wouldnt that be easier, more direct, a better platform to run better optics, a light and so on, while being something smaller than a rifle?

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The S&W FPC

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The Kel-Tec Sub-2000. From personal experience I can say that this will fit in a computer bag or laptop backpack.

Here is an actual braced pistol:

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It's adorable.
 
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Not long after Flux switched to SIG as their primary design. Recover Tactical released a Glock option. The Recover 2020 is a slim polymer clam shell with a folding stock/brace that can be concealed with its holster

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I think most of those would make your pistol an illegal SBR? Maybe not. In any event, why not just run a braced pistol that would share mags with your chosen pistol? Wouldnt that be easier, more direct, a better platform to run better optics, a light and so on, while being something smaller than a rifle?

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The S&W FPC

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The Kel-Tec Sub-2000. From personal experience I can say that this will fit in a computer bag or laptop backpack.
The FLUX and Recover 2020 system are NOT a NFA items.

Folding rifles like the Keltec and S&W are options but NOT small and require time to "assemble" (unfold). Still they do offer 16" barrels and transfer as rifles for locations where handguns can be an issue
 
Binary and FRT (triggers) bring some handguns closer to the SMG realm. Franklin Armory (and others) make a LEGAL Binary trigger for Glock pistols, effectively doubling (+) the fire power by firing when the trigger is pulled and again when released. Its a LEGAL (in most places) option for rapid fire.

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A few companies have released FRTs for the MP5 and even one for the Beretta 92
 
Hahaha if you think the Recover stock/brace is short, you shout try the VZ61. The truth is all Stocked Pistols and pistol sized SMGs have SHORT stocks. They arent meant for precision shots but to offer a more stabilized aim
I have shot one, almost bought a scorpion years ago. they are pretty small.
 
I have shot one, almost bought a scorpion years ago. they are pretty small.
Code 4 Defense makes a kydex holster for the VZ61. It is concealable under a normal cover garment; but a lot to carry. I worn one to see how do-able it could be. Yes its "do-able" but not my first choice. On the plus side, it draws fast if needed.
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Regarding the Binary VS a FRT. Ive heard reports that FRTs can be "defeated" by pulling the trigger too hard under stress? I had an early FRT (Tac Con) trigger that worked fine when you pulled "just right" but when pulled too hard (as in under stress) it fired ONE shot like a normal trigger and had to be released and repulled for a second shot. The Binaries "always" work, yes slower but repeatable even under stress
 
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I have no problem with braced pistols like above but I put them more into the full size "Go To War" class of SMGs (Sterling, M3 Grease Gun) then the pistol size PDWs/SMGs. When it comes to FULL Size SMGs Im a fan of the Colt DOE
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If Im going to a AR based Pistol for carry in PRE all out Troubles I might want a folding buffer tube adapter
 
So bags and back packs are options for carrying larger PDWs and certainly better than leaving the better weapon at home when needed. I have them and use them; Im not opposed but I think the smaller "wearable" Pistol size PDWs offer some advantages in tense but pre all out troubled times

Can you walk around with a bag/backpack? Can you shop wit it? Where do you store it while at work? ....and how fast can you deploy it from the bag under stress, whole being shot at?
 
Of course if you are one of the really cool guys, youll have a pistol that you can convert into a rifle with a stock, scope, and suppressor
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and carry the accessories on your belt

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Maybe youll even get your initial on the grip
 
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