.45 ACP Submachine Guns

The MAC-10 (Military Armament Corporation Model 10) is a compact, blowback‑operated submachine gun designed in the late 1960s for close‑quarters combat and personal defense. Emphasizing extreme simplicity, the weapon uses a straight‑line, telescoping bolt and minimal parts to achieve a high rate of fire—approximately 1,100 rpm in .45 ACP and 1,200 rpm in 9 mm. Its primary purpose has been law‑enforcement and paramilitary use, though it also found a niche among civilian collectors. The MAC‑10’s distinguishing features include its short, stubby barrel, a folding wire stock, and a distinctive vertical foregrip that doubles as a heat sink. Its reputation is mixed: praised for compactness and ease of manufacture, but criticized for poor controllability and excessive muzzle climb. The design’s unique blend of high cyclic rate, inexpensive production, and iconic silhouette has made it a cultural symbol of the “compact SMG” concept.

The Thompson submachine gun, often called the "Tommy Gun," is a blow‑back, selective‑fire SMG designed in the early 1920s to provide a high‑rate, close‑quarters firepower platform for law‑enforcement, military, and civilian markets. Its hallmark is the exceptionally fast cyclic rate of 600–1,250 rpm, achieved through a heavy bolt and a simple open‑bolt blow‑back system. The weapon’s distinctive vertical‑handguard, cut‑away rear sight drum, and iconic wooden stock set it apart visually. Originally chambered for .45 ACP, the Thompson was praised for its stopping power and reliability, gaining a reputation as both a feared gangster weapon and a beloved "trench broom" in World War II. Unique features include a two‑stage trigger for semi‑automatic fire, a built‑in compensator on the barrel, and interchangeable 20‑, 30‑, and 50‑round drum magazines, making it versatile for both rapid suppressive fire and controlled single shots.

The Uzi is a family of Israeli open-bolt blowback-operated submachine guns designed by Uziel Gal in the late 1940s. One of the most recognizable firearms in the world, it has been adopted by military and law enforcement agencies in over 90 countries.

The Kriss Vector is an American submachine gun manufactured by Kriss USA. Its most distinctive feature is the patented Super V recoil mitigation system, which redirects recoil energy downward rather than into the shooter's shoulder, dramatically reducing muzzle climb and felt recoil.

The M3 is a .45 ACP submachine gun developed by the United States during World War II as a cheaper, faster-to-produce alternative to the Thompson submachine gun. Its distinctive appearance earned it the nickname 'Grease Gun.'

The Heckler & Koch UMP (Universale Maschinenpistole, 'Universal Submachine Gun') is a blowback-operated submachine gun developed by German manufacturer Heckler & Koch in the late 1990s. Designed as a lighter and more cost-effective alternative to the roller-delayed HK MP5, the UMP is chambered primarily in .45 ACP, though versions in 9×19mm (UMP9) and .40 S&W (UMP40) are also available. It features extensive use of polymer for the receiver and furniture, a side-folding stock, and Picatinny rails for accessory mounting. The UMP has been adopted by various law enforcement agencies and military units worldwide.

The Reising M50 is an American submachine gun designed by Eugene Reising and produced by Harrington & Richardson. It features a unique delayed-blowback operating system with a toggle-lock mechanism derived from the Savage 1907 pistol design. Unlike most SMGs of its era which used open bolts, the closed-bolt Reising offered greater accuracy in semi-automatic fire.

The Lanchester is a British submachine gun manufactured by the Sterling Armaments Company during World War II. It was a direct copy of the German MP 28 designed by Hugo Schmeisser, modified for the .45 ACP cartridge. The Lanchester featured high-quality machined construction, a distinctive wooden stock, and a side-mounted magazine. It was primarily used by the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.