Modern Firearms - Smith & Wesson SW 76 submachine gun (original) (raw)

Submachine guns - Introduction
Argentina
FMK-3
Australia
Owen
F1
Austria
Steyr-Solothurn MP.34
Steyr MPi 69
Steyr TMP
Steyr AUG para
Belgium
Vigneron M2
FN P90
Bulgaria
Shipka
Chile
FAMAE S.A.F.
China
Type 64
Type 79
Type 85
Chang Feng
Type 05
Croatia
Agram2000
Czech republic
Zk-383 new
Skorpion vz.61
Sa.23
Denmark
Madsen m/50
Finland
Suomi M/31
Tikkakoski M/44
Jati-matic
France
MAS-38
MAT-49
Hotchkiss "Universal"
MGD PM-9
Germany
MP.18,I Schmeisser
MP.28,II Schmeisser
MP.35 Bergmann
EMP.35 Erma
MP.38 MP.40
MP.41 Schmeisser
Walther MPL & MPK
HK MP5
HK MP5K
HK UMP
HK MP7 PDW
Hingary
39M 43M new
Israel
UZI / MiniUzi / MicroUzi
Italy
Beretta M1938
Beretta M12
Franchi LF-57
Spectre M4
Japan
Minebea M-9
Poland
PM-63
PM-84
Russia / USSR
PPD-40
PPSh-41
PPS-43
PP-19 Bizon
PP-19-01 Vityaz
PP-90
PP-91 Kedr / Klin
PP-93
PP-90M1
PP-2000
AEK-919K Kashtan
OTs-02 Kiparis
SR-3 Veresk
Singapore
ST Kinetics CPW new
South Africa
BXP
South Korea
Daewoo K7
Spain
Star Z-62 Z-70B
Star Z-84
Sweden
Carl Gustaf M/45
CBJ-MS PDW
Switzerland
SIG MKMS MKPS new
SIG P-48 MP-310 new
Steyr-Solothurn S1-100
W+F Lmg.-Pist 41/44 new
B+T MP 9
Ukraine
Elf
Goblin
TASCO 7ET9 7ET10
UK
Sten
Lanchester Mk.1
MCEM-2
Sterling L2 L34
USA
Thompson
Reising M50 M55
M3 and M3A1
UD M42
Ingram M6
Ingram MAC M10 and M11
Colt mod.635
American-180
Ares FMG
Smith&Wesson; M76
Ruger MP9
Calico SMG
Kriss Super V™
Vietnam
K-50M new
Yugoslavia (ex)
M49
M56
MGV-176

all texts and some pictures
copyright © 1999-2008
by Max R. Popenker
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Smith & Wesson SW Model 76 submachine gun (USA)

Smith & Wesson M76 submachine gun, left side; shoulder stock opened

Smith & Wesson M76 submachine gun, right side; shoulder stock folded

The Smith & Wesson company is most famous for its long line of world-class revolvers, which was complemented by semi-automatic pistols since early 1950's. It is less known fact that this company was also engaged in development of other small arms, including long guns and selective-fried weapons, for police and military use. The story of Smith & Wesson submachine gun began in around 1966, when US Navy failed to obtain a batch of Swedish Carl Gustaf M/45 submachine guns for clandestine operations in South-East Asia. The peaceful Sweden blocked the sales of war materiel to USA, and US Navy went for domestic source of 9mm submachine guns. Seeing the need of US Navy, S&W decided to jump to the bandwagon and produce a gun for Navy, and done so in 1967, producing a clone of Swedish M/45 submachine gun. However, by this time Navy dropped its requirement, and only several thousands of new submachine gun, designated as S&W Model 76, were manufactured for police and civilian sales until 1974 (before 1986, law-abiding citizens of US were able to legally purchase newly made selective-fired and full automatic weapons under NFA-34 legislation). At about the same time, Smith & Wesson company was researching the possibility of use of caseless ammunition with electronic ignition. For this purpose, in 1968 S&W engineers developed a prototype submachine gun based on Model 76, but with alterations necessary to fire electrically-primed caseless ammunition of 9mm caliber. The experimental gun looked much like the prototype, but it had a rectangular battery housing below the receiver, in front of trigger guard, which contained two 12-volt batteries. The gun fired quite well, but ammunition was a source of serious problems, as its caseless design provided no protection from elements or rough handling.
Later on, a very close copy of S&W M76 was made in both selective-fire and semi-automatic only versions by small US company MK Arms. This version was designated as MK-760.

Smith & Wesson Model 76 submachine gun is blowback operated, selective-fired weapon which fires from open bolt. The receiver is made from steel tube, with the pistol grip, and magazine housing welded to its bottom. The trigger housing with ambidextrous safety / fire mode selector switch can be removed from below the receiver during full disassembly. The feed is from double-stack magazines, inserted from below, ejection is to the right. Versions of Model 76 were made with or without perforated barrel jacket. The sights consisted of fixed blade front and fixed aperture rear, both mounted on receiver and protected by side "ears". The shoulder stock was made from steel wire and folded forward and to the left to save lenght.

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