Milkor BXP
 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (April 2018) |
| Milkor 9mm BXP Sub-Machine Gun | |
|---|---|
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | South Africa |
| Service history | |
| Used by | South African army and Police forces[1] |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Andries Piek |
| Designed | 1980s |
| Manufacturer | Milkor (Pty) Ltd[2] Truvelo Armoury |
| Produced | 1984–present |
| Variants | BXP BXP Tressitu |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 2.5 kg (5.51 lb) |
| Length | 607 mm (23.9 in) stock extended / 387 mm (15.2 in) stock folded |
| Barrel length | 208 mm (8.2 in) |
| Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Caliber | 9mm |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | ~1000 rounds/min |
| Effective firing range | 50–100 m |
| Feed system | 22 or 32-round detachable box magazine |
| Sights | Iron sights Single Point IR sight |
The BXP (was also marketed as the "panther"[citation needed]) is a 9×19mm submachine gun developed in the mid-1980s by the South African company Milkor (Pty) Ltd. It was qualified with Armscor in 1984 and then marketed by them for Milkor (Pty) Ltd. Due to international arms embargoes against South Africa due to apartheid, the country was forced to design and manufacture their own weapons. The weapon was intended for use by security forces.
Design details
The weapon has the same T-shape as Uzi- and MAC-10 submachineguns, and is manufactured in semi-automatic for security and automatic for military use. The automatic version fires from the open bolt, while the semi-automatic version fires from the closed bolt. Both versions are blowback operated. The bolt wraps around the rear of the barrel when closed, saving on overall length. The cocking handle is located at the top of the receiver. The BXP has an ambidextrous safety lever and a separate fire mode selector built into the trigger. The military-use version can be fired in single-shot mode by partially pressing the trigger, or in full-auto mode by fully pressing the trigger. There is also an interceptor notch that catches the bolt if it is released during the cocking but prior to activating the sear. The weapon is coated with a rust-resistant coating which doubles as a dry lubricant.
Owing to a wide variety of muzzle devices (including silencers, heat shields, and even rifle grenades), the weapon can be used to fire non-lethal and explosive projectiles by the means of blank cartridge, as well as normal ammunition. The BXP also features an underfolding buttstock, made from stamped steel. The standard sights are of open type, but the BXP can be equipped with laser aiming modules and collimating sights.
The gun fires at a relatively high rate of about 1000 rounds per minute, and is well-balanced and reasonably accurate with a barrel length of 208 mm (8.2 in). It can be fired single-handedly by folding the stock forward to form a solid foregrip.
Users
South Africa: Entered service with the South African Armed Forces in 1984.[3] Also used by the South African Police Forces.[citation needed]
See also
- Cobra submachine gun
- Patria submachine gun
References
- ^ http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Submachine-Guns/Milkor_BXP_SMG.htm
- ^ "Milkor BXP South African SMG [Submachine Gun]". Kitsune.addr.com. Retrieved 2013-09-11.
- ^ Miller, David (2001). The Illustrated Directory of 20th Century Guns. Salamander Books Ltd. ISBN 1-84065-245-4.