Combat Submachine Gun
| 27 March 2010
The submachine gun is an automatic or selective-fired shoulder weapon that fires pistol-caliber ammunition. The concept of the submachine gun dates back to World War I; the trench warfare of this war required effective and compact weapons for short-range fighting in trenches; additionally, a lightweight and maneuverable fully automatic weapon was desirable to complement light machine guns in both defensive and offensive scenarios, to cover the last 200 meters of assault on enemy positions.
Commonly used modern examples include the ubiquitous HK MP5, the Colt SMG and the Uzi.
Topics covered include, but are not limited to:
- Selection, care and maintenance of the entire system, to include the SMG itself and its parts (sights, small parts, etc.), sling, optics, etc.
- Marksmanship
- Proper presentation
- Reloads
- Malfunction clearances
- Positional shooting
- Down-and-disabled shooting
- Lowlight/night fire
- Stress fire
- Movement
- Use of cover/concealment
- CQB and ECQS techniques, to include weapons retention
- Combat mindset and how the body works under stress
- Transitioning to handgun, and vice versa
Gear list:
- Submachine gun
- Minimum of 3 magazines
- 500 – 700 rounds per day, depending on courses being taught and class size
- Quality sling. Single-point and 2-points slings types are both welcome
- Minimum of 1 magazine pouch, 2 preferred
- Handgun with holster, minimum 1 spare magazine with pouch and 100 rounds of ammunition
- Hand-held and/or weapon-mounted “white light”
- Clothing and footwear appropriate for the weather
- If you are military/LE, it is preferred that you use your duty gear, body armor and other ancillary equipment that you will use on duty. Train like you fight!