Farewell to Uzis..

Link!

Israel's military is phasing out the legendary Uzi submachine gun, calling it antiquated and replacing it with more sophisticated, electronics-outfitted weaponry, an army spokesman said Wednesday.

But the Uzi, a national icon and the country's most famous contribution to the arms industry, will still be produced and exported, to the presumable delight of drug dealers, secret service agents and Hollywood action heroes alike.

Israel's military took the simply constructed, half-century-old weapon out of frontline units two decades ago, but continued to issue it to some elite units and soldiers carrying heavy gear who needed a light weapon for self-defense.

Now the army says it will dump it altogether.

As of this week, "we're no longer training soldiers on the Uzi," said army spokesman Capt. Jacob Dallal. "Basically, it's antiquated," he said of the 9-mm weapon.




"IMI Para Micro Uzi" (latest of Uzis..)

Israel Military Industries Uzi

Used by dozens of countries for almost five decades, the Israeli Military Industries (IMI) family of Uzi 9 mm Sub Machine Guns (SMG), is one of the world's oldest and most famous series of firearms still in use today. This especially unique since the basic design of the Uzi stayed almost the same over the years.

The first variant, the standard (long) Uzi, was introduced in the mid 1950's and almost immediately become a symbol of the tough and young fighting county of Israel. The first version of the standard Uzi was equipped with a fixed wooden stock, which few years later was replaced with a steel folding one.

The standard Uzi SMG was widely spread in the Israeli Special Forces (SF) as a primary weapon from the mid 1950 to the late 1960, when it was largely replaced by the AK47.

In the mid 1980's IMI presented the new member of the Uzi family - the Mini Uzi. Like often happens with an Israeli made hardware, the weapon was first sold only to the Israeli SF. Few years later after gaining considerable combat reputation it was offered globally.

The smaller member in the family, the Micro Uzi, was introduced in the early 1990's. It was intended mainly for security and SF personnel interested in handgun frame weapon yet with a more potent fire power. Another role intended for the Micro Uzi was as a personnel Defense Weapon (PDW) for airborne and armored crews personnel. In the Israeli SF, however, many operates didn't like the Micro very small frame and stayed loyal to the Mini Uzi.

Another version was also presented at that time - the Uzi Pistol - which is basically a semi auto only Micro Uzi and lacks the Mini Uzi folding stock.

Despite the Uzi being one of the leading weapons in its class, unlike other western units, the Israeli SF were always more in favor of using potent assault rifles rather then SMG. While SMG are ideal for civilian short range usage and CQB scenarios, in military applications their inherently short range and low penetration against body armor are major disadvantages.

The Uzi family is currently in very limited use in Israel. The only models used are the Mini Uzi and Micro Uzi (mostly the Micro one) and are mainly being used by the rappelling and fast roping elements of the Israeli CT units as well as for undercover applications. These SF elements need a compact gun to allow them ease of movement in tight spaces, yet maintaining a more effective firepower then the average handgun.

Now the army says it will dump it altogether.

As of this week, "we're no longer training soldiers on the Uzi," said army spokesman Capt. Jacob Dallal. "Basically, it's antiquated," he said of the 9-mm weapon.



Well,

Its no 'big deal' then as nobody seems to have any interest in it.



Sorry for posting.



Bye, bye Uzis!



*edit*

For Uzi, must have one here.. (actually 2..)



[Edited on 18-12-2003 by FULCRUM]

Good, the uzis all old anyway. Nobody likes that gun anymore.

Any idea what they are replacing it with, such as something new by the same company, or perhaps moving to HK like the rest of the world

I love the UZI its a neat little weapon, you hade it underneath your jacket

Para-Uzi!

• The Para Micro Uzi features several new important improvements compare to the old version, reflecting the changes in modern firearms design since the first Micro Uzi was produced in the early 1990's:
  
  
• The single most important modification is the integration of a standard M1913 Picatinny rail to an IMI product. With most of the world using the M16 assault rifle and MP5 SMG series, most accessories are developed in order to be mounted on them. On the other hand, the Uzi series have become less and less used in the world, and all its accessories needed a special custom made adapter to be fitted on it. Thus, an operator using the Uzi only had a handful of accessories to pick from that he can mount on his weapon. The introduction of the Picatinny rail, a world standard in many different common firearms (M16, MP5, and FN Minimi to name a few) opened endless accessories' mounting options on the Para Micro Uzi. The rail has been placed on both the receiver (mainly to host various day and night optics), and on a special arm extending under the barrel (mainly to host flashlights and laser pointers).
  
  
• The entire pistol grip and magazine well have been redesign. The new version can now take standard Glock 17 9 mm handgun 17 rounds magazines, as well as a special 33 rounds Glock like magazine. This allows interchangeability with issued handguns, especially in Unit YAMAM, in which the Glock 17 is standard issued secondary weapon.
  
  
• The cocking handle has been moved to the left side of the receiver instead of top it allowing the mounting of accessories as well as smother operation.
  
  
• While any kind of accessories that can be fitted on a Picatinny rail can be mounted on the Para Micro Uzi, the original configuration tailored made to the operational requirements of the Israeli CT units, include three items: Tasco Optima miniature reflex sight, IMI GM sound suppressor and an Meprolight laser pointer.
  
  
• Several other changes have been made such as self illuminated front and rear night sights, made by the Israeli company Meprolight, and threads along the barrel for mounting a suppressor.

This seems as quite modern SMG to me..

And also,

Russians are just starting to make these mini-SMGs..
(started in late 1980s, issued first of these in early 1990s.. are now in use..)

Like KLIN, KEDR and others..

And still security forces in Russian (special dechaments..) use Stechkin APS (rapid fire) pistols..



And IDF is throwing em away?

With what are they going to replace those?

AR-15 type of mini-ARs?

With no stock?

I dont think so..

Uzis,

Especially mini- and micro- are good for CQB and other CT task like rappelling etc..

Cause they are easily used by one hand..

Other hand remaining free..



*Edit*

And HK weapons really arent suited for that..

Well maybe MP7/PDW is but that is it..

Also IMI Magal and Tavor (Micro TAR..) arent suited for tasks that Uzis were used..



[Edited on 18-12-2003 by FULCRUM]

Ever since the MP-5 came out the Uzi has been losing popularity, especially since the MP-5 with the folding stock option (making it very concealable) came out.

Ho # i used to have an MP 5 i mean the airgun style i cant remember what i did with it.

Yes..

But how about that one hand firing of the HK weapons?

None of these are well ballanced for that..
(except PDW/MP7..)

And Mirco/Para-Uzi seems like almost perfect for the job..

Dosent that gun shoot 9mm bullets?
I think some bigger guns are in store.
The mp5 small too.
They need something bigger.

Originally posted by Eternal
Dosent that gun shoot 9mm bullets?
They need something bigger.

Kills just fine,

Belive me..



*Edit*

And has low-recol..



[Edited on 18-12-2003 by FULCRUM]

what about the micro tavor? are they replacing uzis with that?

If you want hitting power with one hand, get a .45 cal MAC-10 by Ingram. Wow, that thing can unload fast....

Like i said..

Micro TAR (Tavor..) wouldnt be well suited for some of the tasks that Uzi is used for.. like the 'rope games'
(Rappelling/fast rope..)

Pyros,

MAC-10 isnt produced anymore..

And anyhow,

Micro Uzi was also awailable in .45 ACP..

Maybe they will take BXP?


BXP..

Its modern..

And it is from South Africa..

Israelis do much weapons R&D and business with South Africans anyways..

Originally posted by Eternal
Good, the uzis all old anyway. Nobody likes that gun anymore.

what the fu*k are you talking about...

I LOVE THE UZI!!!!

Eternal