Machine carabiners
Maschinenkarabiner ( MKb for short ) is the now outdated term for military handguns with the possibility of single and continuous fire . The tactical properties of the MKb correspond to those of submachine guns at a short distance (up to 200 m) , to those of rifles at medium (up to 400, with a telescopic sight also up to 600 m) and to those of machine guns in continuous fire with bursts of fire up to this distance . A medium cartridge is usually fired for this purpose . The MKb differ from submachine guns, which usually have an unlocked spring-mass lock, in that they have a (partially) locked lock .
As a recoil or gas pressure loader, machine carbines have the same loading principle as other machine weapons. They can be of a classic design (tube, lock with locking track in the housing and underlying trigger mechanism and shoulder rest) as well as a bullpup design.
The effectiveness of a weapon is determined by the caliber , the load and the length of the barrel . The projectile of the medium cartridge 7.92 × 33 mm short used in the assault rifle 44 had the same diameter as that of the Ordonnanzpatrone 8 × 57 IS , but a significantly lower recoil due to the reduced charge.
Concept formation
The designation machine carabiner is made up of the defining word machine and the basic word carabiner . The former describes the automatic functioning of the lock. The latter describes the external shape and ballistic performance as a weapon with, compared to normal rifles, a shortened barrel and reduced ballistic performance. The word describes the corresponding weapons more precisely than the suggestive term assault rifle.
particularities
The term machine carabiner was coined by the SIG , which produced the two machine carabiners MKMO and MKPO ( M aschinen k arabiner, M ilitary / P olizei, case ejection: above ) from 1935 . These two weapons fired the very powerful 9 × 25 mm pistol cartridge .
The concept of a fully automatic handgun that could be operated by a shooter, was no heavier than an infantry rifle and could also be controlled with continuous fire, was further developed and finally led to a type of weapon that is now commonly referred to as an assault rifle . The term assault rifle was coined by Nazi propaganda during World War II and has gained acceptance today, especially through the American name English assault rifle . The actually correct machine carabiner is considered out of date.
Legal situation
Situation in Germany
In Germany, private individuals are prohibited from owning fully automatic weapons. They are regarded as weapons of war , the possession or trafficking of which is punishable by imprisonment for up to 10 years.
Situation in Austria
In Austria, machine carbines fall under Category A (“Prohibited weapons and war material”) of the Austrian Weapons Act . This means that private individuals are generally prohibited from acquiring, owning and using them. However, according to Section 18 of the Weapons Act , the Federal Minister for National Defense can grant a special permit to reliable persons aged 21 and over. In addition, the consent of the Federal Minister of the Interior is required.
Situation in Switzerland
In Switzerland, machine carbines fall under the term serial firearms according to the Weapons Act, Article 5 , the acquisition and possession of which is prohibited. This also applies to those that have been converted into semi-automatic weapons. In addition, the law prohibits shooting with serial firearms. The cantonal authorities may, in justified individual cases, e.g. B. for collectors, issue special permits. These permits contain regulations that are regularly checked by the authorities. So are u. a. Keep the bolt and weapon "separated and protected from access by third parties".
literature
- Peter R. Senich: German assault rifles until 1945. Motorbuch-Verlag, Stuttgart 1998, ISBN 3-613-01866-7
- Ian V. Hogg , John Weeks: Military Small Arms of the 20th Century. Expanded, updated illustrated Encyclopedia of the World's small Caliber Firearms. 7th edition. Krause Publications, Iola WI 2000, ISBN 0-87341-824-7 .
Individual evidence
- ↑ Günter Wollert, Reiner Lidschun: infantry weapons yesterday . (1918-1945). In: Illustrated encyclopedia of infantry weapons from around the world . 3. Edition. tape 1 + 2 . Brandenburgisches Verlagshaus, Berlin 1998, ISBN 3-89488-036-8 , weapons, p. 392 ff .
- ↑ Dieter Handrich: Assault Rifle 44 . Blaufelden 2008, Chapters 4 and 5.
- ↑ Appendix 2 (to Section 2 Paragraphs 2 to 4) Weapons List, Section 1 (Prohibited Weapons), 1.2.1.1. (Fully automatic machines)
- ↑ Federal Law on the Weapons Police (Weapons Act 1996 - WaffG) on the website of the legal information system of the Republic of Austria .
- ↑ § 18. (2): “The Federal Minister for National Defense and Sport can [...] approve exceptions to the prohibitions in paragraph 1. Such exemptions require the agreement of the Federal Minister of the Interior. "