SAR 18#6

Above Top: TNW’s carbine only charges from the right side, but the user can switch
ejection to either left or right. The magazine release is the circular button toward the
front of the magazine well. We found this release difficult to manipulate in a hurry, and
easy to bump on accident while manipulating the weapon.
Above Bottom: The Thureon GA carbine places the ejection port and charge handle on
opposite sides. The right handed gun is “charged” with the left hand. The scope rail and
receiver are machined from a single billet. We appreciate the oversized ejection port as
it makes for easy visual inspection and, if need be, the operator can get a tool inside to
clear a malfunction.
fired a high velocity low impulse cartridge,
featured large magazine capacities,
and automatic fire capabilities;
but only after the submachine gun had
proven its worth. The assault rifle was
only a logical next step for the SMG; it
had greater effective range. The German
MP43(44) and STG 44 assault
rifles were the immediate descendants
of the submachine gun. Today’s military
and law enforcement have kept the submachine
gun in service; mostly among
SWAT and Special Forces units. The
most notable and successful examples
would be the ubiquitous Heckler & Koch
MP5 from Germany and the infamous
Uzi, from Israel. Most people would be
hard-pressed to name any others. But
can the average “Joe” get his hands on
an SMG? The high price and legal restrictions
on a transferrable submachine
gun pushes many consumers out of
that market. The closest many will get
to owning one will come in the form of
a semiautomatic pistol caliber carbine;
referred to herein as a “PCC.”
Many major arms maker have offered
a PCC at one time or another.
Ruger and Marlin both made excellent
PCCs in years past. Beretta, Calico,
Kel-Tec, and Hi-Point offer their own
unique PCCs – all incorporating very
advanced design and materials. The Auto-Ordnance
Thompson, Kriss Vector,
FN PS90, and the HK 94 (and clones)
represent true submachine guns that
have been recreated in non-NFA configurations
for the civilian market. Do-ityourselfers
have fostered a huge market
for rebuilding old war surplus guns from
parts kits. Salvaged Sten, Sterling, and
Suomi semiautomatics have become
quite common. There exists a family of
devices that can be affixed to an existing
handgun to render it a carbine; suggesting
improved accuracy and handling
characteristics that exceed the basic
pistol. These are available from companies
like FAB Defense, Command Arms
Accessories, Hera Arms, MechTech and
SIG Sauer. All but the MechTech employ
the pistol’s existing short barrel, and require
an NFA tax stamp for legal use.
And the inherent accuracy, range, and
effect of the pistol are not necessarily
enhanced by simply adding a stock.
Some firms that manufacture the AR-15
produce the AR rifle in pistol calibers.
They either create a new receiver to
accept the pistol magazine, or install a
magazine adapter. The barrel, bolt, and
some internal parts are also replaced in
these converted rifles. But the platform
is not purpose-built, and the resultant rifle
maintains the size and weight of the
basic AR-15. At times, this is desirable,
SAR Vol. 18, No. 6 86 Nov., Dec. 2014