The Submachine gun is a dying breed in many ways.
Short carbines like the Daniel Defense Mk18 and LVAW (Low Visibility Assault Weapon) have largely replaced them in special operations units. While variations of the HK MP5 might still be taking up space in a few armories, they don’t seem to be drawn out very often.
The HK MP7 however, delivers performance above your standard submachine gun by utilizing a specially designed 4.6x30mm round. The specialty round is designed to minimize weight and recoil while increasing penetration of body armor.
The HK MP7 was in the hands of a few DEVGRU operators during the Bin Laden raid, and it’s easy to see why. It reaches out a little further (200 meters or so) and has better terminal ballistics with minimal recoil.
Sure, we can convert standard carbines into SBR rifles or even an AR pistol in some cases, but no carbine can get as short as the HK MP7. Or can they?
The Submachine Gun of the United States Secret Service
During the 1970s, the United States Secret Service replaced the Thompson submachine gun with the Uzi. The Uzi’s used by Secret Service agents had shorter-than-normal barrels that could be concealed inside the Samsonite briefcases that were carried by secret service agents at the time.
The Uzi was replaced with the HK MP5 in the mid-1990s. Counter Assault Teams (CAT) used the M4 carbine from the early 1990s through 2006 when they were replaced with the SR-16 Carbine which carries more firepower.
Currently, all agents of the United States Secret Service are trained on the FN P90 submachine gun and HK MP5 submachine gun.
Is The Submachine Gun Still Relevant Today?
The HK MP5 will remain an icon in the firearms industry. However, its age is catching up to it, given that the role of the traditional submachine gun has shrunk considerably.
The lightweight personal defense weapon now rules the block. The PDW is generally some form of an AR15 platform with a short barrel and chambered in either 5.56 or 300 Blackout. Constant improvements to this new platform have made it the go-to for law enforcement, federal agencies such as the Secret Service, and military special operations units. The personal defense weapon offers much better range, superior ballistics, and better penetration against soft body armor.
Though the submachine gun isn’t necessarily dead, the HK MP5’s time is coming to an end. Guns like the Maxim Defense PDX, Sig Sauer MPX, CZ Scorpion, and even the HK MP7 offer more modern options.
That said, the game-changing HK MP5 and other popular submachine gun platforms have paved the way for the new age of personal defense weapons such as the Maxim Defense PDX.
Maxim Defense PDX | A Civilian Personal Defense Weapon
The Maxim Defense PDX was born out of the SOCOM PDW solicitation. As a result, it’s designed to handle the needs of Tier 1 military units when operating in close quarters or low visibility operations. This means that it can absolutely handle anything that civilians want to put this firearm through.
The heart of the Maxim Defense PDX comes from the SCW stock system. This patent-pending system cuts down the length of the stock to a mere 4 inches from the standard AR-15 that only collapses down to 7 inches. This gives the PDX an overall length of just under 19 inches. It also only weighs 5 pounds, 11 ounces, unloaded. Additionally, the PDX features a custom integrated BCG with interchangeable buffer weights, based on the caliber and barrel length, to maximize performance and versatility without sacrificing functionality.
Maxim Defense also equipped the PDX with its HATEBRAKE Muzzle Booster. The HATEBRAKE reduces recoil, reduces the flash signature, and redirects gasses and concussion waves downrange away from the shooter. This improves the overall functionality of the gun and the shooter’s experience with short-barrel pistols and rifles. Available in 5.56, 300 Blackout, and 7.62×39, the Maxim Defense PDX is the ultimate choice for when concealment and personal defense are non-negotiable.
The Maxim Defense PDX is exceptionally easy to control, reacting like an angry hive of hornets when fired.
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