ARES FMG
| ARES FMG | |
|---|---|
 Unfolded and folded FMGs |
|
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin |  United States |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States Secret Service |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Francis Warin, Eugene Stoner |
| Designed | 1986 |
| Manufacturer | ARES Incorporated |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2.09 kg (4.61 lb) |
| Length | 503 mm (19.8 in) extended / 262 mm (10.3 in) |
| Barrel length | 220 mm (8.7 in) |
|
|
|
| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 650 rounds/min |
| Feed system | 20, 32-round box magazine |
The ARES FMG is a folding submachine gun designed by Eugene Stoner while he was an owner of ARES Incorporated. Stoner designed the gun for concealment and covert use, describing it as a “businessman’s personal defense weapon”. Allegedly, Stoner had the idea of a defense weapon for VIPs and CEOs following the numbers of kidnappings of many of such persons in South America during the early 1980s. While the design was finalized, and a few functional copies produced, the FMG never entered full production.
The weapon has a unique architecture, in that it is designed to be folded into a box shape, but it can be unfolded and made ready to fire in a matter of seconds. When folded, the size is about the same as a cigarette carton, and the appearance is deliberately similar to an old-fashioned metal commercial radio. It can be fitted with a small fake antenna if necessary.[1]
The Ares FMG can be folded with its 20-round magazine loaded. A 32-round magazine was also available, but its use prevented folding the weapon.
The weapon inspired a Russian, and a Ukrainian copy.
While descriptions of a fictional "ARES II FMG" exist on the web,[2] the actual ARES FMG was only chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum.[1]
[edit] Similar weapons
- PP-90 – Russian 9x18mm Makarov folding submachine gun by KBP (1990s).[3]
- UC-M21 – 9 mm folding submachine designed by Dave Boatman in the late 1980s. It was used in the film RoboCop 2.
- Magpul FMG-9 - 9 mm submachine gun using some Glock parts, unveiled at the 2008 SHOT Show. [5]
[edit] References
- ^ a b Popenker, Max R.; Oleg Volk (2005). "Ares FMG / folding submachine gun (USA)". World.Guns.ru. http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg70-e.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ^ Kitsune (2001). "Tomlinson Industries ARES II FMG". Kitsune's Web Page. http://www.kitsune.addr.com/NinjaSpies/NinjaSpies-Equipment/TI_ARES_II_FMG.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ^ Popenker, Max R. (2005). "PP-90 submachine gun (Russia)". World.Guns.ru. http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg10-e.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ^ Stolper, Yuri (2005). "Goblin (Ukraine)". World.Guns.ru. http://world.guns.ru/smg/smg43-e.htm. Retrieved 2007-11-29.
- ^ Crane, David (2008). "MagPul FMG 9: Prototype 9mm Folding Submachine Gun". Defense Review. http://www.defensereview.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1098. Retrieved 2008-02-14.
