Minebea PM-9
{{short description|Japanese machine pistol}}
{{Self-contradictory|about=service adoption and production date|1=Minebea PM-9|date=February 2024}}
{{update|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name = Minebea PM-9
| image = 9mmMP Airsoft Gun 20101202-01.jpeg
| image_size = 300
| caption = 1:1 airsoft replica of a Minebea PM-9
| origin = Japan
| type = Submachine gun
Machine pistol
| is_ranged = yes
| service = 1990–present
| used_by = Japan
| wars =
| designer =
| design_date =
| manufacturer = Minebea Co.
| unit_cost = 440,000 yen (2021){{cite web | url=https://toyokeizai.net/articles/-/422914?page=2 | title=スクープ！住友重機械が機関銃生産から撤退へ | date=15 April 2021 }}
| production_date = 1999–present
| number =
| variants =
| cartridge = 9×19mm Parabellum
| caliber =
| action = Blowback
| velocity =
| range = 100 m
| max_range =
| sights = Iron sights
| ref = https://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/neae/6d/equipment/wapc.html {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2024}}
}}
The Minebea PM-9 Submachine Gun, known officially in the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) as the {{Nihongo|9mm Machine Pistol|9mm機関拳銃|Kyumiri Kikan Kenjū}} or as the M9,{{cite web|url=http://tag.vis.ne.jp/jsdf/soubi/jgsdf/9mmkikanjyu.html|title=9mm機関拳銃|language=Japanese|accessdate=2009-01-26}} is a Japanese-made submachine gun and machine pistol. Analogous to the Israeli IMI Mini-Uzi, it has the same telescoping bolt as the Mini-Uzi, but differs in its appearance, operation and handling.
Although the PM-9 nomenclature is widely used among non-Japanese firearms communities, there have been no public records or confirmations of its official use. As such, it is mostly referred to in its full name or its shorthands, and less so in the supposed alphanumeric nomenclature in Japanese texts.{{cn|date=December 2019}}
History
The PM-9 is produced by the Nippon Miniature Bearing Company, otherwise known as Minebea. The design is analogous to the Mini-Uzi submachine gun.{{cite web|url=http://www.avis.ne.jp/~hide-y/guntrue/guntruemain.html|script-title=ja:演習場で大活躍！自衛隊の火器（本物）|language=Japanese|accessdate=2008-09-02|archive-date=2009-04-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090428000731/http://www.avis.ne.jp/~hide-y/guntrue/guntruemain.html|url-status=dead}} It was adopted in 1999 for non-frontline forces such as vehicle drivers, artillery personnel, some of its special forces units,{{cite web | url=https://modernfirearms.net/en/submachine-guns/japan-submachine-guns/minebea-m-9-eng/ | title=Minebea M-9 | date=27 October 2010 }} and some commissioned officers who were given priority for better equipment.{{cite web|url=http://www.clio.ne.jp/home/karaaki/hp/JSDF1.html |script-title=ja:自衛隊装備品倉庫 |language=Japanese |accessdate=2008-09-02 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210001230/http://www.clio.ne.jp/home/karaaki/hp/JSDF1.html |archivedate=2012-02-10 }} It replaced M3 submachine guns provided by the US to the JGSDF. However, there is not a lot of production due to high procurement costs.
Though it has been the official submachine gun for more than a decade, {{as of|2009|lc=y}} JSDF officials are looking at a possible replacement, as it is planned to phase it out in the near future. One possible replacement is the Heckler & Koch MP5. JMSDF and JASDF personnel continue to procure the PM-9https://warp.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/9382074/www.mod.go.jp/epco/supply/jisseki/choutatuyotei_buki.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=August 2024}} while procurement has stopped in the JGSDF with plans to replace the PM-9.{{cite web|url=http://homepage.mac.com/digigun/gallary/9mm_MP.html|title=ミネベア工業9mm機関け銃|language=Japanese|accessdate=2008-09-02|archive-date=2005-09-14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050914010217/http://homepage.mac.com/digigun/gallary/9mm_MP.html|url-status=dead}}
=Official use=
The JSDF uses the PM-9 as its official submachine gun. The 1st Airborne Brigade, the 12th Brigade and (formerly) the Western Army Infantry Regiment are the only units in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) known to be armed with the PM-9 as the brigade's main submachine gun.{{cite web | url=https://rikuzi-chousadan.com/soubihin/zyuukaki/9mmkikanken.html | title=9mm機関拳銃｜サブマシンガン･M9｜陸上自衛隊装備品｜陸自調査団 }}{{cite web|url=http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage65.html |script-title=ja:９mm機関拳銃 |accessdate=2009-01-13 |language=Japanese |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091021013400/http://militaryroom.chips.jp/newpage65.html |archivedate=2009-10-21 }} The PM-9 is reported to be in use in the JGSDF's Special Forces Group.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130128031902/http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/tokusyu.html |url=http://jieitaisaiyou.web.fc2.com/tokusyu.html |script-title=ja:陸上自衛隊唯一の特殊部隊 特殊作戦群の解説 |language=Japanese |accessdate=2012-11-28 |archivedate=2013-01-28 |url-status=dead }} The Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) uses it when conducting base security and by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) as a personal weapon issued for sailors.
Designs
The PM-9 differs in appearance from its Israeli counterpart in a few ways. A foregrip is mounted underneath the barrel of the PM-9 to aid fully automatic firing with a flash suppressor in place. It can also be modified to have a foldable stock, a detachable suppressor and a mounted reflex sight, though these modifications are most unlikely to be used in peacekeeping operations abroad, since such activities do not involve Japanese soldiers in combat situations.{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?u=http%3A%2F%2Fvostok.myftp.org%2Fmemo%2F2007%2F06%2Fpost_42.html&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=ja&tl=en|title=Translated page on modified Minebea PM-9 submachine gun|accessdate=2008-09-01}}
PM-9s were originally made with wooden pistol and foregrips; plastic is used on those currently in JSDF service.{{cite web|url=http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~tokkaken/japanSMG9.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070319221641/http://www3.ocn.ne.jp/~tokkaken/japanSMG9.htm |archivedate=2007-03-19 |title=9mm機関けん銃と参考文献の紹介 |accessdate=2009-11-04 |url-status=dead }} Machined steel is used in its construction.
The PM-9 can be fired in semi or full auto mode with safe mode under 「ア」「タ」「レ」.{{cite web | url=https://aobamil.sakura.ne.jp/Photo/9mmMP/9mmMP.html | title=9mm機関拳銃 }}
The submachine gun has no stock and the user must use it through grip alone.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Minebea PM-9}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20100325162700/http://www.mod.go.jp/gsdf/equipment/fa/0_26.html Official JGSDF Page]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Minebea Pm-9}}
Category:Japan Self-Defense Forces
Category:9mm Parabellum machine pistols
Category:Post–Cold War weapons of Japan
Category:Submachine guns of Japan