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 Francis Warin of Port Clinton Ohio while he worked at ARES Incorporated. Ares at the time was owned by Eugene Stoner. A common mistake is that people assume Eugene Stoner designed the weapon when in fact, he simply owned the company. Proof of this is that Francis Warin is the only person listed on the Patent. Patents list anyone that has made even a small contribution to a patent. Francis designed the gun for concealment and covert use, describing it as a “businessman’s personal defense weapon”. Allegedly, Franceis 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. Two prototypes exist.
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 UZI magazine loaded. A 32-round magazine was also available, but its use prevented folding the weapon. The original prototype was designed to uze a WWII German MP40 magazine. The second prototype used UZI magazines and had a three shot burst mechanism as well.
The weapon inspired a Russian, and a Ukrainian copy that is almost identical except for caliber, magazine and folding sights that were added.
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.
