What’s the rarest original UZI variant you’ve seen in person?

[saferunner]

Curious what rare UZI variants members here have come across. Model A oddities, early SMGs, export markings, etc.

 

[RoverDave]

Several, most of which are pictured in my book: first UZI SMG prototype number 000001, two prototypes of the semi-auto UZI Carbine, pre-production Model A Carbine and UZI Pistol, prototype UZI Model 201 (which later became the Ruger MP9), prototype of UZI Pro machine Pistol (which is nothing like the current production UZI Pro Pistol), UZI First Responder, Croatian ERO (copy of the UZI SMG).

Here's a photo I took of a factory cut-away UZI Model A Carbine.

 

[Jtm35a2]

GET THE BOOK!!!
I can’t say it enough. I am not a book guy, but absolutely loved it. So much uzi information in one place. If you took the time to search for and buy an uzi, then you definitely need the book.

 

[Ben Dover]

The Book is an UZI Bible... You NEED this book!!

 

[Jtm35a2]

And while you’re at it, get the MAC book too.

 

[SecondAmend]

"The Terrifying Three" by Duncan Long covers the Uzi, MAC, and also the Intratec firearms so I suggest getting a copy of it as well as The Uzi Examined and MAC Man.

MHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[K2]

Hi All,

Not glamorous but found what looked like a mini uzi SBR, solid stock (not folding or wood IIRC), with about a 14" barrel with something on the end. It came to the US that way as it was (at the time) a pre-sample SBR. When it came out of the safe I didn't think much of it. I should have talked one of my local SOT friends into buying it.

Enjoy,

K2

 

[TSPC]

I have a unique Mini Uzi closed bolt where the striker assembly is held back after every shot while on full auto. It has a lower with a split sear that holds the striker back until the bolt is closed, which causes the striker to releases. I think this is in Dave’s book.

 

[MeanSOT]

I have a unique Mini Uzi closed bolt where the striker assembly is held back after every shot while on full auto. It has a lower with a split sear that holds the striker back until the bolt is closed, which causes the striker to releases. I think this is in Dave’s book.

View attachment 42673

This is a grail item and very cool to see! The Uzi Pro SMG utilizes a similar mechanism to slow down the FA rate of fire if I remember correctly. The Pro pistol has a similar split/secondary sear but a bit different. After looking at my pro pistol it appears the secondary sear surface is machined into the striker assembly rather than the bolt.

Edit: Did not look close enough at the back end of the striker LOL. That is a very unique bolt I am not versed in. This was my cue to buy the book and it should be here next week

 

[AKarms]

I have the IWI (not imi ) side charger mini uzi featured in Dave’s book. I bought it as a torch cut parts kit and made it fully functional again. It’s currently in top charger configuration until I can get a registered closed bolt for it, then it will be a full auto side charger again. I’ve never seen another IWI branded mini uzi in the US. I bought the book after i built this and recognized the serial immediately. Iwi was founded in 2005 so these were never imported as firearms. I have a post sample original side charger bolt I could use in it but the charger is on the wrong side and I don’t want to modify it

 

[David van Lent]

I have a unique Mini Uzi closed bolt where the striker assembly is held back after every shot while on full auto. It has a lower with a split sear that holds the striker back until the bolt is closed, which causes the striker to releases. I think this is in Dave’s book.

View attachment 42673

Could you post some extra photo’s please? I like the idea of this delayed firing mechanism. In theory this makes it a closed bolt in full auto too.

 

[RoverDave]

Hi All,

Not glamorous but found what looked like a mini uzi SBR, solid stock (not folding or wood IIRC), with about a 14" barrel with something on the end. It came to the US that way as it was (at the time) a pre-sample SBR.

That's the First Responder, imported by UZI America in 1997. It had a Galil flash hider on the barrel.

 

[RoverDave]

I have a unique Mini Uzi closed bolt where the striker assembly is held back after every shot while on full auto. It has a lower with a split sear that holds the striker back until the bolt is closed, which causes the striker to releases. I think this is in Dave’s book.

These Mini UZI bolts work extremely well. I got one in a Mini UZI parts kit I purchased and tried it in my Vector Mini UZI. Wow, it was nice. A closed bolt setup is normally a lot faster than an open bolt setup, but this slowed if down to be similar to an open bolt if not a little slower. The one I had was a side cocker so I had to remove the cocking handle mounted to the bolt in order to shoot it in the Vector.

 

[RoverDave]

I have the IWI (not imi ) side charger mini uzi featured in Dave’s book. I bought it as a torch cut parts kit and made it fully functional again. It’s currently in top charger configuration until I can get a registered closed bolt for it, then it will be a full auto side charger again. I’ve never seen another IWI branded mini uzi in the US. I bought the book after i built this and recognized the serial immediately. Iwi was founded in 2005 so these were never imported as firearms. I have a post sample original side charger bolt I could use in it but the charger is on the wrong side and I don’t want to modify it

Nice! I was always tempted to turn in Mini UZI or Micro UZI into a side cocker but couldn't bring myself to cut the receiver.

 

[Alaska_Shooter]

I have the IWI (not imi ) side charger mini uzi featured in Dave’s book. I bought it as a torch cut parts kit and made it fully functional again. It’s currently in top charger configuration until I can get a registered closed bolt for it, then it will be a full auto side charger again. I’ve never seen another IWI branded mini uzi in the US. I bought the book after i built this and recognized the serial immediately. Iwi was founded in 2005 so these were never imported as firearms. I have a post sample original side charger bolt I could use in it but the charger is on the wrong side and I don’t want to modify it

Any ideas how the parts kit made it into the country? The history of the international arms market always fascinates me

 

[Jmacken37]

RD, did you ever get to meet Uzi Gal?
Yes on the book. Great read and a wealth of detailed information.

 

[amphibian]

I took this picture at Spring Knob Creek of 2004. This was at Andrew Clyde's booth.
Post sample (full auto, closed bolt) .40SW First Responder
Maybe he still has it?

 

[strobro32]

I would put a speaker in that stock.

 

[AKarms]

Any ideas how the parts kit made it into the country? The history of the international arms market always fascinates me

No idea. Imported somehow at some point

 

[dubagel]

I was fortunate like Rover Dave to see all of the Uzi’s and prototypes in person at the old IDF museum a few years ago in Tel Aviv before they closed the museum. His book is fantastic.