In 1950, sixty-two years ago, the sub-machine gun engineered by the Israeli Army major Uziel Gal following the 1948 Arab-Israeli war first entered service with the Israeli commandos, and two years later it was distributed to standard infantry troops, aircrewmen and vehicle crews: it was just the beginning of the legacy that today sees the UZI as the quintessential sub-machine gun. The standard UZI version has been declared obsolete and withdrawn from IDF service in 2003, following the introduction of the bull-pup 9mm X95, a pistol-caliber version of the Micro-Tavor assault carbine; despite this fact, the legend of the UZI is far from over: tens of thousands of sample are still in use in its homeland and millions probably abroad, as countless Countries at some point started either licensed or unlicensed production of this simple yet hellbent-reliable firearm. The Israeli IWI - Israel Weapon Industries, Ltd., formerly the “Magen” (“Small Arms”) division of IMI - Israel Military Industries, privatized in 2005 and since been under the management of the Sami Katsav Holding, still believes in the potential of this half-century design, and recently made it subject of a long overhauling procedure, whose first, prototype results were seen at the 2010 EUROSATORY defense expo in Paris (France), while the final version was launched on the market at the 2011 and 2012 New Delhi (India) DEFEXPO and Santiago (Chile) FIDAE exhibitions. The new version is called “UZI-PRO”.
Developed in cooperation with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the 9x19mm UZI-PRO sub-machine gun is an exceptionally lightweight and compact sub-machinegun designed to become a top choice is an ideal solution for both concealed or openly carried use – for law enforcement, VIP protection and Special Forces.
Ergonomically designed and easy to use by right or left-handed users, it is direct-blowback operated and fires from the closed bolt to offer maximum accuracy and safety.
Featuring an entirely polymer lower receiver/frame with enlarged, Tavor-style trigger guard for easier “winter” (gloves) handling, the UZI-PRO is equpped with a top MIL-STD-1913 “Picatinny” rail for optics and two tactical accessories rails located at the two sides of the barrel. The cocking handle has been moved to the left side of the metal upper receiver for faster handling, and the magazine release system has been re-engineered, moved from the pistol grip heel to a more standard pistol-position, allowing for a quicker release; the magazine will now fall out of its well freely, pushed down by its own weight, when the button is pushed, and the user will be able to perform speedy reloads much like he/she will be used to do with his/her service pistol. Right over the pistol grip, at quick thumb reach, is the three-positions switch that dubs as a manual safety and provides for either semi-automatic and full-automatic fire; the UZI-PRO will fire up to 600 rounds per minute, at a muzzle velocity of approx. 300 meters per second.
The new weapon weighs 2.32 kg and has a length of 529 mm with an extended stock, and 30 cm while collapsed; the stock features an adjustable cheek-riser, is entirely polymer-made folds on the right side of the receiver, still its design will prevent it from being a hindrance to the functionality of the UZI-PRO even when folded. Also available for the UZI-PRO is an specifically-designed quick attach/detach sound suppressor that will result extremely effective in dampening both the noise signature and the muzzle flash; definitely a must-have accessory for military operations in buildings and other confined spaces.
For further information
IWI - Israel Weapon Industries, Ltd.
P.O Box 63 - Ramat HaShron
47100 Israel
Tel.: +972-3-7606000
Fax: +972-3-7606001