Idea for PDW

[sniperdoc]

I have an idea for a PDW (Select Fire for MIL, Semi for "regular people"); it's a Bullpup based
on the M1 Carbine, chambered in .22 Spitfire (.30 Carbine necked down to .224, somewhat more powerful than the 5.7×28), in a synthetic stock with Picatinny rails to accept various accessories and sighting systems, threaded barrel,etc.
This could alleviate the dependency on firearms manufactured by non-US Manufacturers (which could become a very real problem for the Military in the future) as well as allowing a US based company to sell these to Allies.
Unlike the development of a totally new weapons system, which can take years, this weapon could be put into production almost immediately, as the M1 Carbine is already a proven system, and the Cartridge has been around for well over 50 years.

Thoughts?

[Strangeranger]

The HK53K checks all the boxes for a rifle-caliber PDW and the MP5K does the same in a pistol caliber. No need to add additional calibers to the ammunition supply stream and the capability to produce either of them here in the US exists. Also worthy of note is the fact that carbine receivers have a rather limited service life when used in full-auto mode.

[sniperdoc]

The HK53K checks all the boxes for a rifle-caliber PDW and the MP5K does the same in a pistol caliber. No need to add additional calibers to the ammunition supply stream and the capability to produce either of them here in the US exists. Also worthy of note is the fact that carbine receivers have a rather limited service life when used in full-auto mode.

I appreciate your input. There are also the many variants of the M16, including in 9mm. I have used both. My thoughts were of an American made PDW to replace the ballistically inferior variants, which use proprietary ammo vs "standard" ammo.

[slimshady]

A major design requirement of a PDW I would think is it being the size of a large pistol, so it can be holster carried like a sidearm. The MP7 for example, has a stock so it has higher hit probability than a pistol, yet not much bigger. The long grip to accommodate the ammo is a drawback, and if size/weight could be reduced a bit you would likely have the "standard pattern" PDW for use by support personnel, pilots, etc. If it took P90 mags on top the grip could be more ergonomic and the overall size wouldn't change much.

Ammunition was chosen to penetrate helmets and body armor, and proprietary ammo makes the manufacturer extra $$$ beyond the initial sale. The .GOV/.MIL has little concern for cost, they will always just take more from us as they need it.

[sniperdoc]

Yes, the overall portable length would be shortened a bit by making it pistowl-sized w/ a folding/collapsible stock, and I would not be opposed to that if that's what it takes, but a Bullpup would allow a longer Barrel, thus higher velocity.
While a P-90 (1 of my dream guns) Mag would indeed make for a smaller package, reload time would be slower.
I agree that Govt costs are, for such a small purchase, irrelevant, the fact that the proposed weapon would require very little modification from an existing system, thus a short time to test,
the proposed weapon should take only a few months, vs several years, to be approved

[A&S Conversions]

From my perspective the PDW concept never really took off. As a bullpup your idea sounds is sound but it would be a solution looking for a problem. I don't think that it would be that much of an improvement. The HK MP7 is more compact and can be carried in a holster instead of on a sling. If you want to develop something old with an update, the Mac style family of RRs with a tungsten enhanced bolt could be holstered and improved.

The 53K might be compact but the 5.1" barrel would not be practical with NATO spec ammo. Being a 53K owner, the flash can be so big and bright, I have been blinded by the flash in bright daylight. After the first round is fired, in low light conditions, I could not see anything for several seconds. The 53K is a lot of fun at a machinegun shoot, but I would be in real trouble if I was going to defend myself, especially in low light conditions using a 53K.

Scott

[slimshady]

A new round that fits the standard mag could be developed optimized for the bbl length of the 53K, if it was .223 based then likely all that would be required is a new bbl and maybe locking piece. Maybe even a larger caliber to increase effectiveness downrange, although that would likely be a detriment to the AP factor.

[Hey...]

A new round that fits the standard mag could be developed optimized for the bbl length of the 53K, if it was .223 based then likely all that would be required is a new bbl and maybe locking piece. Maybe even a larger caliber to increase effectiveness downrange, although that would likely be a detriment to the AP factor.

They have a round for that. 300blk.