Madsen M-50
| Madsen Model 1950 | |
|---|---|
 Model 1950 is lower center in the picture | |
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | Denmark |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1950 – 1980s |
| Used by | See Users |
| Wars | Korean War Malayan Emergency Vietnam War Salvadoran Civil War The Troubles Colombian Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Dansk Industri Syndikat |
| Designed | 1950 |
| Manufacturer | Dansk Industri Syndikat |
| Variants | M/46, M/53 |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.15 kilograms (6.9 lb) |
| Length | 795 millimetres (31.3 in) with stock open |
| Caliber | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 550 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 380 m/s (1,200 ft/s) |
| Feed system | Magazine 32 rounds |
| Sights | Single aperature set for 100 m (110 yd) |
| References | |
The Madsen M-50 or M/50 is a submachine gun introduced in 1950. It was produced by the Danish company Dansk Industri Syndikat of Copenhagen, Denmark. The company was otherwise known as Madsen after its founder Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen.
Overview
This firearm was a modified variation of the M/46. The only major improvement was the simplified retracting handle. Introduction of the M/50 occurred on November 7, 1950 at Mosede, Denmark, until 1953.[1]
The M/50 is made of stamped sheet metal. It is an open bolt design which means it fires when the bolt is in the locked back open position with a fixed firing pin. The M/46-M/50 share a unique design: the firearm is stamped from 2 pieces of sheet metal which are shaped with an integral rear pistol grip and magazine housing. The two pieces fit together like a clam shell with the hinge at the rear of the pistol grip. The firearm is held together with a barrel locking nut which is threaded onto the fore section of the two receiver halves. The pistol grip is hollow, providing storage space for a magazine loading tool.[1]
The folding stock is made of tubular steel covered with leather and folds onto the right side of the firearm. The M/50 fires in full-auto only. It also features a safety lever,( also known as grip safety ), unusually placed in front of the forward magazine housing. To fire the M/50 the operator must grip the magazine housing and hold down the safety lever.[2]
Users
Argentina[3]
Bolivia[4]
Brazil (produced under license as the INA Model 953 in .45 ACP)
Chile[5]
Colombia[6]
Denmark[1][4]
El Salvador[3][4]
Guatemala[3]
Indonesia[7]
North Vietnam[8][failed verification]
Nicaragua[6]
Paraguay[6][4]
South Vietnam[9]
Thailand[5]
United Kingdom: the M-50 underwent intensive trials in 1951-1952 against the BSA model 1949 and the Sterling submachine gun. The latter was eventually selected.[10]
United States In use with Green Berets serving alongside Montagnards in Mike Force units [11]
Venezuela[5][4]
- Non State Users
References
- ^ a b c Peterson, Phillip (18 October 2013). Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide. Krause Publications. pp. 76–. ISBN 978-1-4402-3692-1.
- ^ Jones, Richard D.; Ness, Leland S. (2010). Jane's Infantry Weapons. pp. 81–82, 87.
- ^ a b c Schwing, Ned (5 November 2005). Standard Catalog of Military Firearms: The Collector's Price and Reference Guide. Iola, Wisconsin: Krause Publications. pp. 74–75. ISBN 0-87349-902-6.
- ^ a b c d e "Dánský samopal Madsen M 1950" [Danish submachine gun Madsen M 1950]. vhu.cz (in Czech). Vojenský historický ústav Praha.
- ^ a b c Hogg, Ian V. (2001). Submachine Guns. Greenhill Books. pp. 49–50. ISBN 978-1-85367-448-8.
- ^ a b c Gander, Terry J.; Hogg, Ian V. Jane's Infantry Weapons 1995/1996. Jane's Information Group; 21 edition (May 1995). ISBN 978-0-7106-1241-0.
- ^ Fitzsimons, Bernard (1978). The Illustrated encyclopedia of 20th century weapons and warfare. New York: Columbia House. p. 1817.
- ^ https://wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com/2015/07/10/wwii-german-weapons-during-the-vietnam-war/
- ^ McNab, Chris (19 March 2013). America's Elite: US Special Forces from the American Revolution to the Present Day. Osprey Publishing. pp. 276–277. ISBN 978-1-78200-316-8.
- ^ Moss, Matthew (29 Nov 2018). The Sterling Submachine Gun. Weapon 65. Osprey Publishing. pp. 15–18. ISBN 9781472828088.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - ^ Rottman, Gordon L. (25 Jul 2002). Green Beret in Vietnam 1957–73. Warrior 28. Osprey Publishing. p. 41. ISBN 9781855325685.
{{cite book}}: Invalid|ref=harv(help) - ^ https://vimeo.com/274848982
- Nelson, Thomas B. The World's Submachine Guns. International small arms publishers: Cologne, Germany, 1963.
External links
- Madsen M1946 / M1950 / M1953 at Modern Firearms