MAC-10

Quality 0.50 · 1 view · Updated 2 months ago

American machine pistol

title: "MAC-10" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: [".45-acp-submachine-guns", "9mm-parabellum-submachine-guns", "cold-war-firearms-of-the-united-states", "machine-pistols", "military-equipment-of-the-vietnam-war", "simple-blowback-firearms", "submachine-guns-of-the-united-states", "telescoping-bolt-submachine-guns", "weapons-and-ammunition-introduced-in-1970"] description: "American machine pistol" topic_path: "geography/united-states" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC-10" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American machine pistol ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox weapon"]

FieldValue
nameMilitary Armament Corporation M10
image[[Image:MAC10.jpg
captionMAC-10 (.45 ACP) with suppressor and without magazine.
originUnited States
typeMachine pistol
Submachine gun
is_rangedyes
service1970–present
used_bySee Users
wars{{plainlist
*Invasion of Grenada<ref name"Grenada"}}
designerGordon Ingram
design_date1964
manufacturerMilitary Armament Corporation
production_date1970–1973
unit_cost$120
number
weight2.84 kg empty without a suppressor
length{{plainlist
*{{convert269
*{{convert295
*{{convert548
*{{convert545
*{{convert798
part_length146 mm
width{{plainlist
*{{convert50
*{{convert54
cartridge{{plainlist
actionStraight blowback
rate{{plainlist
*1,200–1500 rounds/min. (9mm){{cndate
*1,090 rounds/min. (45 ACP){{cndate
velocity{{plainlist
range{{plainlist
*70 meters (9×19mm Parabellum){{cite weburl
max_range100 meters (for .45 ACP)
feed{{plainlist
*30-round detachable box magazine (.45 ACP)<ref name"Operation and Maintenance Manual"/
*32-round detachable box magazine (9×19mm)<ref name"Operation and Maintenance Manual"/}}
sightsIron sights
::

| name = Military Armament Corporation M10 | image = [[Image:MAC10.jpg|300px]] | caption = MAC-10 (.45 ACP) with suppressor and without magazine. | origin = United States | type = Machine pistol Submachine gun | is_ranged = yes | service = 1970–present | used_by = See Users | wars = {{plainlist|

The Military Armament Corporation Model 10, officially abbreviated as "M10" or "M-10", and more commonly known as the MAC-10, is a compact, blowback operated machine pistol/submachine gun that was developed by Gordon Ingram in 1964. It is chambered in either .45 ACP or 9mm. A two-stage suppressor by Sionics was designed for the MAC-10, which not only abates the noise created but makes it easier to control on full automatic (although it also makes the gun far less compact and concealable).

Military Armament Corporation never used the "MAC-10" nomenclature in its catalogues or sales literature, but "MAC-10" is frequently used by Title II dealers, gun writers, and collectors. For a decade, the semi-automatic pistol version of the weapon was forbidden in the U.S. under the assault weapons ban enacted by Congress in 1994.

Design

The MAC-10 is built predominantly from steel stampings. A notched cocking handle protrudes from the top of the receiver, and turning the handle 90°, locks the bolt, and acts as an indicator the weapon is unable to fire. The MAC-10 has a telescoping bolt, which wraps around the rear face of the barrel. This allows a more compact weapon and balances the weight of the weapon over the pistol grip, where the magazine is located. The MAC-10 fires from an open bolt, and the light weight of the bolt results in a rapid rate of fire. In addition, this design incorporates a built-in feed ramp as part of the trigger guard (a new concept at the time) and, to save on cost, the magazine design was recycled from the M3 Grease Gun. The barrel is threaded to accept a suppressor, which works by reducing the discharge's sound without attempting to reduce the speed of the bullet. The .45 ACP models are well-suited for this, as most .45 loads are naturally subsonic, as opposed to the specialized subsonic loads usually required for suppressed 9mm weapons. At the suggestion of the United States Army, the suppressor also acts as a foregrip to inhibit muzzle rise when fired. Ingram added a small bracket with a small strap beneath the muzzle to aid in controlling recoil during fully automatic fire. The original rate of fire for the MAC-10 in .45 ACP is approximately 1090 rounds per minute. That of the 9mm is approximately 1250, and that of the smaller MAC-11 in .380 ACP is 1500 rounds per minute.

Noting the weapon's poor accuracy, in the 1970s, International Association of Police Chiefs weapons researcher David Steele described the MAC series as "fit only for combat in a phone booth".

Suppressor

One of the features that brought early attention to the MAC-10 was its sound suppressor, designed by Mitchell WerBell III of Sionics. The suppressor uses a two-stage design, with a wider first section followed by a narrower second section, giving it a distinctive stepped profile.

When used with subsonic ammunition, the suppressor substantially reduces the sound of firing. Under these conditions, the mechanical noise of the bolt cycling is often more noticeable than the muzzle report. Standard .45 ACP ammunition is subsonic and commonly used with the suppressor.

A heat-resistant Nomex cover can be fitted over the suppressor, allowing it to be used as a forward gripping surface while protecting the user from heat buildup.

During the 1970s, U.S. export restrictions on suppressors led several international customers to cancel orders, as the suppressor was a key feature of the MAC-10. This reduction in sales was one factor that contributed to the financial failure of the Military Armament Corporation.

The original Sionics suppressor measures approximately 29.1 centimetres (11.44 inches) in length, has an overall diameter of 5.4 centimetres (2.13 inches), and weighs about 0.54 kilograms (1.20 pounds).

Calibers and variants

While the original M10 was available chambered for either .45 ACP or 9mm, the M10 is part of a series of machine pistols, the others being the MAC-11/M-11A1, which is a scaled-down version of the M10 chambered in .380 ACP (9×17mm); and the M-11/9, which is a modified version of the M-11 with a longer receiver chambered in 9×19mm, later made by SWD (Sylvia and Wayne Daniel), Leinad and Vulcan Armament. Law enforcement bureaucracies such as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) consider MAC-11 variants such as the Leinad PM-11 to be part of the "MAC-10 class pistol".

In the United States, machine guns are National Firearms Act items. As the Military Armament Corporation was in bankruptcy, a large number of incomplete sheet metal frame flats were given serial numbers and then bought by a new company, RPB Industries. Some of the previously completed guns, which were already stamped with MAC, were then stamped with RPB on the reverse side, making it a "double stamp" gun.

RPB Industries made many open-bolt semi-automatic and sub-machine guns before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) seized roughly 200 open-bolt semi-autos during the drug wars of 1981. The ATF insisted that all future semi-automatic firearms were to be manufactured with a closed-bolt design as the open-bolt semi-automatics were considered too easy to illegally convert to full automatic operation.

A semi-automatic variant, the MkIII/IV/V was marketed to South American countries where "military" calibers were forbidden for civilian sales were chambered in .30/.41/.50 Ingram and available as semi-automatic pistols/carbines.

Wayne Daniel, a former RPB machine operator, purchased much of their remaining inventory and formed SWD, designing a new weapon which was more balanced, available either fully or semi-automatic with his new BATFE-approved closed bolt design.

There are several carbine versions of the M-11/9 and Cobray and SWD manufactured a smaller version chambered in .380 ACP as a semiautomatic pistol called the M-12.

Today, while the civilian manufacture, sale and possession of post-1986 select-fire MAC-10 and variants is prohibited, it is still legal to sell templates, tooling and manuals to complete such conversions. These items are typically marketed as being "post-sample" materials for use by Federal Firearm Licensees for manufacturing/distributing select-fire variants of the MAC-10 to law enforcement, military and overseas customers.

1994 assault weapons ban in the U.S.

The civilian, semi-automatic pistol version of the MAC-10 was affected by the U.S. Federal Assault Weapons Ban enacted in 1994. The ban remained in effect until 2004.

Although the civilian MAC-10 differed mechanically from the original military submachine gun, it still met the law’s definition of an assault weapon. It was derived from a design originally intended for automatic fire. It also exceeded the unloaded weight limit of 1.4 kilograms (50 ounces). The civilian MAC-10 weighs approximately 2.84 kilograms (100.16 ounces).

The pistol also featured a threaded barrel capable of accepting accessories such as a suppressor or flash suppressor. In addition, it used magazines with capacities of up to 32 rounds.

In response, Wayne Daniel redesigned the M-11 platform to comply with the ban. The revised design removed the threaded barrel and modified the magazine release to accept only 10-round magazines. This compliant version was marketed as the PM11/9.

Foreign copies and derivatives

BXP

The BXP is a 9mm submachine gun developed in the mid-1980s by the South African company Mechem (currently a division of Denel, formerly under ARMSCOR) and brought into production in 1984. Due to international arms embargoes of Apartheid South Africa, the country was forced to design and manufacture their own weapons. The weapon was intended for use by security forces. The manufacturing rights have changed hands several times, passing from Mechem to Milkor Marketing and later to Truvelo Armoury, the current manufacturer ().

Cobra carbine

The Cobra carbine is a semi-automatic firearm of Rhodesian origin manufactured during the Rhodesian Bush War Era as a self-defense weapon for farmers and is chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum round. The layout of this weapon is somewhat based on the Uzi submachine gun.

Patria submachine gun

The Pistola Ametralladora Patria is a close copy of the MAC-10 and features a cooling jacket/barrel extension much like the South African BXP. It was developed by Major Luis Ricardo Dávila, of the Argentine Air Force, and protected by national Patent n° 220494/5/6/7 on 20/08/1980. It uses 9mm rounds for easy transportation and can be operated in either hand. A similar earlier Argentine weapon based on the MAC-10 was also designed in 1977 by manufacturer Domingo Matheu, the Pistola Ametralladora MPA.

Enarm MSM

The Enarm MSM (Mini Sub Metralhadora or Mini Submachine Gun) was a submachine gun of Brazilian origin based on the Uzi and MAC-10 weapons, made by ENARM. It was chambered in the 9×19mm Parabellum round and also came with a foregrip. Although the weapon performed well in trials, it was discontinued due to the company disbanding due to "internal disruptions".

Section Five MAC-10

Section Five Firearms Ltd of Tunbridge Wells, Kent in the UK manufactured a MAC-10 variation in 9×19 Parabellum in the 1970s. They only accept 9×19mm Uzi magazines and are equipped with a folding or a special fixed polymer stock.

Users

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/15/MAC-10_Users.png" caption="Map with MAC-10 users in blue]]"] ::

  • Bolivia{{cite book| last = Ezell| first = Edward| author-link = Edward C. Ezell| title = Small Arms Today| publisher = Stackpole Books| volume = 2nd| edition = | date = 1988 | pages = 65| language = English | isbn = 0811722805| jfm =}} 160 9mm MAC-10s manufactured by RPB Industries for use by Bolivian Customs.
  • Brazil: Used by GRUMEC
  • Chile
  • Colombia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Greece
  • Guatemala
  • Honduras
  • Iran: Used in small numbers by SAVAK agents
  • Israel
  • Mexico: Used by police
  • Morocco: Used by GISGR, DGST and DGED
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa: Used by South African Special Forces (Recces) during the Angolan Civil War and South African Border War
  • Spain: Used by various police forces
  • United States: Was used by special forces, including LRRPs and Navy SEALs, in the Vietnam War and the Invasion of Grenada; MAC-10s are located in the inventories of Delta Force and the 492nd Special Operations Wing

Former Users

  • Jordan: Formerly used by police forces
  • Lebanon: Formerly used by police forces
  • Malaysia: Formerly used by the Special Actions Unit, Royal Malaysian Police, now on display at the Police Museum
  • South Korea: Issued to special forces in the 1970s, later replaced by the Daewoo K1
  • Thailand: Formerly used by police forces
  • United Kingdom: Used by the SAS and 14 Intelligence Company on operations in Northern Ireland
  • Uruguay: Formerly used by general officer's bodyguards, later replaced by Mini-Uzi
  • Yugoslavia: One of the first buyers (along with Chile)

Non-state users

  • Forces_Libanaises_Flag.svg Lebanese Forces
  • Flag_of_the_Ulster_Volunteer_Force.svg Ulster Volunteer Force: semi-auto weapons bought in US and illegally converted to full-auto, then smuggled from Canada

References

References

  1. Lee E. Russel. (1985). "Grenada 1983".
  2. Miletich, John. (2003). "Homicide Investigation: An Introduction". Scarecrow Press.
  3. McNab, Chris. (2009). "Firearms". Parragon.
  4. "MAC Ingram M10 / M11 (USA)". Weapon.ge – Modern Firearms Encyclopedia.
  5. "Operation and Maintenance Manual: Military Armament Corporation". Military Armament Corporation.
  6. (1985). "Modern Warfare". Marshall Cavendish Books.
  7. (January 2016). "Manufacturing History of Ingram-MAC Type Firearms". Chipotle Publishing, LLC.
  8. McNab, Chris. (20 November 2011). "The Uzi Submachine Gun". Osprey Publishing.
  9. Jack Lewis. (28 February 2011). "Assault Weapons". Gun Digest Books.
  10. Walker, Robert E.. (2012). "Cartridges and Firearm Identification". CRC Press.
  11. (14 January 2021). "New warrants in Idd's case reveal car search and investigation of possible link to brother's case". MSN News.
  12. L. DeNiro, Vincent. (February 20, 2024). "Rare Full Auto M-10 (Aka MAC-10) .45 ACP Carbine".
  13. "Инграм".
  14. Larson, Erik. (27 July 2011). "Lethal Passage: The Story of a Gun". Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group.
  15. Shideler, Dan. (2011). "Gun Digest 2012". Gun Digest Books.
  16. "Select-Fire (Fully Automatic) conversion information".
  17. Spitzer, Robert J.. (1 January 2001). "The Right to Bear Arms: Rights and Liberties Under the Law". ABC-CLIO.
  18. (1999). "Impacts of the 1994 Assault Weapons Ban, 1994–96". U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute of Justice.
  19. "9mm Cobra, Rhodesian MAC-10/Uzi Hybird [sic]". Gun City Gun Shop.
  20. ARMAS Y GEOESTRATEGIA, Vol.2, N° 6, Mayo 1983
  21. Las Pistolas Ametralladoras Fabricadas en Nuestro País¨, N°172, Enero 2004
  22. (2017-01-26). "The MSM compact subgun: Guns of Nelmo Suzano".
  23. (2001). "A MAC History Lesson".
  24. (27 January 2009). "Jane's Infantry Weapons 2009/2010". Jane's Information Group.
  25. "World Infantry Weapons: Brazil".
  26. (1975). "Brassey's Infantry Weapons of the World, 1950–1975". Bonanza Book.
  27. Hogg, Ian. (1989). "Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989-90, 15th Edition". Jane's Information Group.
  28. (21 June 2021). "Silah Report Podcast V33: Iranian Submachine Guns (1941-1979)".
  29. (2014-12-28). "wiw_sa_mexico - worldinventory".
  30. (2015-01-28). "wiw_af_morocco - worldinventory".
  31. B, Eric. (June 25, 2025). "POTD: Força Aérea Portuguesa With MAC-10".
  32. Diez, Octavio (2000). ''Handguns: Armament and Technology''. Lema Publications, S.L. {{ISBN. 84-8463-013-7.
  33. (1 September 1989). "Terrifying Three: Uzi, Ingram And Intratec Weapons Families". [[Paladin Press]].
  34. Ryan, Mike. (6 May 2008). "The Operators: Inside the World's Special Forces". Skyhorse.
  35. Trevithick, Joseph. (19 December 2017). "The US Air Force Still Has At Least One MAC-10 Submachine Gun".
  36. (2016-05-31). "wiw_me_jordan - worldinventory".
  37. (2016-03-12). "wiw_me_lebanon - worldinventory".
  38. (27 May 2016). "Royal Malaysia Police Museum".
  39. "The Evolution of K1/K2 Families in the ROK Military – Small Arms Defense Journal".
  40. (2016-03-12). "wiw_as_thailand - worldinventory".
  41. (2016-10-05). "wiw_sa_uruguay - worldinventory".
  42. Christopher, Foss. (1977). "Infantry Weapons of the World". [[Charles Scribner's Sons]].
  43. (2016-03-03). "Lebanese Forces : The Weapons: Sub Machine Guns (SMG)".
  44. (28 April 2017). "On legacy, Mrs May seems determined to play a cute political game of her own".

::callout[type=info title="Wikipedia Source"] This article was imported from Wikipedia and is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License. Content has been adapted to SurfDoc format. Original contributors can be found on the article history page. ::

.45-acp-submachine-guns9mm-parabellum-submachine-gunscold-war-firearms-of-the-united-statesmachine-pistolsmilitary-equipment-of-the-vietnam-warsimple-blowback-firearmssubmachine-guns-of-the-united-statestelescoping-bolt-submachine-gunsweapons-and-ammunition-introduced-in-1970