Another instalment of the Weapons of Modern Warfare this week, as I aim to cover the history behind the weapons that are new to the series before Black Ops 2 hits.
Time To Kill is taking a back seat for the time being – it’s work intensive to produce, and I’m focussing any spare effort towards the second episode of ‘Behind The Lines’. I’m also formulating an ‘end-game’ for wrapping up the Black Ops series before Black Ops 2 arrives – with 16 weapons left to cover, and a mere 25 Sundays left, I’ll have my work cut out for me!
Transcript
Hello, this is XboxAhoy – and these are the Weapons of Modern Warfare.
In this episode, we’re taking a look at the PM-9.
The Minebea PM-9 Submachine Gun, also known as the M9, is a new weapon to the Call of Duty series, making its debut appearance in Modern Warfare 3.
It’s a Japanese weapon, currently the machine pistol of choice for the Japan Self Defense Forces.
The weapon is manufactured by the Nippon Miniature Bearing Company – otherwise known by the contracted moniker: Minebea.
It replaced the aging US M3 ‘grease gun’ SMG that dates to World War 2, and is intended to fill a typical role for such a diminutive weapon – its compact size is ideal for tank and vehicle crews, and paratroopers.
The PM-9’s design is based entirely on that of the familiar and well-tested Israeli Uzi design – although much of the exterior and ergonomics have been altered, with integral foregrip lending to the weapon’s distinctive silhouette.
The Uzi design dates to 1948 – although the PM-9 itself only entered production in 1990.
The Minebea entered service in 1999 with non-frontline forces, for those roles where the JSDF’s assault rifle – the Howa Type 89 – is unnecessary or otherwise too unwieldy.
The PM-9 fires the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge – just like the Uzi.
Magazines are of a standard box type, typically with a 25 round capacity, and are inserted into the grip – again, identical to the Uzi’s operation.
The fire selector at the top of the grip allows for both single shots and full-auto operation, and will fire at 1100 rounds per minute during the latter – somewhere in the middle of the Micro-Uzi and Mini-Uzi’s fire rates.
The weapon is relatively lightweight, at just 2.8kg unloaded – and is correspondingly compact, with an overall length of just 399 millimetres, a little under 16 inches.
Barrel length mirrors that in the Micro-Uzi design, at 120 millimetres – perhaps limiting the weapon’s effectiveness at a longer range, but generally sufficient for the weapon’s intended role.
Despite its relatively recent adoption, the PM-9 is likely to be replaced in the near future – with its roots in the rugged yet dated Uzi design, a more modern personal defense weapon may yet take its place.
The Heckler & Koch MP5 is a strong contender to replace the weapon, being a similarly established design – and one that suits a wider variety of uses, albeit with a substantially higher cost per unit.
Nevertheless, the Minebea is an interesting weapon, and serves as a suitable Uzi analogue in Modern Warfare 3, with unparalleled rate of fire being its key trait.
A simple weapon: lightweight, and ideally suited to close quarter combat – this straightforward Uzi clone – shoots from the hip.
Thanks for watching, this has been XboxAhoy.
Join me for the next installment of The Weapons of Modern Warfare, when I’ll be covering a high-calibre rifle hailing from the United Kingdom.
Until then – farewell.