Thought I'd post this picture of an Uzi that I took recently for an upcoming article. Next to the Thompson SMG, I consider the Uzi one of the most fascinating and iconic subguns.

Designed in 1948 by Major (then Captain) Uziel Gal, the submachine gun that bears his name was adopted by Israel in 1954, and became general issue thereafter. Gal, whose first name means "God is my might", did not want his name affixed to his invention, but the Israelis overrode him on that.

The Uzi has been exported to over 90 countries, including the U.S. The U.S. Secret Service used them for years; who can forget the image of an agent standing near the scene where John Hinkley tried to assassinate President Reagan, with a half-unfurled Uzi at the ready? The Secret Service carried them in specially-built briefcases.

Although the principles used in the design of the Uzi were not new, Gal combined them into what many consider to be an ideal subgun. The telescoping bolt, "hand finds hand" placement of the magazine into the pistol grip, the easily replaceable barrel and the folding stock were all nicely put together. It's a totally reliable piece of ordnance.

Uzis have been made by Israel Military Industries, FN, and others, including the Chinese. Over ten million have been produced.

Some of you may have one or more of either the subgun or the semiauto version which fires from a closed bolt and has a barrel length of 16 inches instead of the standard subgun's 10. A "mini-uzi" and an "uzi pistol" have been produced.

Thought you'd like to see the photo!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Until his death a few years back , the good Col. (ret.) lived right here by me in Southeastern PA. He was well known in the local gun shops. But he was such a nice regular guy , the first few times I met and chatted with him , I didn't even know who he was. Not until a local shop owner let me know of his death and obituary in the local paper that he was THE Col. Uzi Gal.

The Uzi became so famous so fast. During the eighties even the common man on the street knew what an Uzi was.
I've often wondered if the Israeli commandos who raided Entebbe were armed with Uzi's. Anyone know?

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

Ron -

I just now referred to my copy of 90 Minutes at Entebbe, written by William Stevenson, to attempt to find out. Unfortunately, the author appears not to be a "gun person," misspelling Kalashnikov, etc. He does refer to an Israeli Commando firing a "submachine gun," and as the raid took place in 1976 when Uzis were general issue, one would have to assume they were the subguns mentioned. My best guess would be "yes."

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

Thanks for checking John. I did some searches referencing both Uzi and Entebbe and found no common thread.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

The Uzi is one of my favorite SMG's to shoot, but I really prefer the Mini-Uzi, especially suppressed shooting 147 gr. subsonic ammo; it surprises most folks when I tell them I prefer the Uzi and Mini to my MP5. An Uzi was the first SMG I purchased.

Regarding Entebbe, I seem to recall they used MAC 10 .45's, but wouldn't bet more than a dollar on that.

I had a norinco a few years ago. When it was in my hand I loved it when it went into the safe I couldn't care less about it. I found another that was made by imi and have got a hankering for another. I traded the norinco for a 30 carbine and boot. I think I got the better deal, but wish I had another to keep my open bolt mac 9 company. I think if it had been full auto I would have liked it better. I remember when I think vector arms were selling them for $600 a long with the baby uzi. Maybe I should give up some of my smiths for one. NOT! nice gun you have. Doeboy

Back around 1980 I was talking with the company attorney for RPB Industries. He told me that the commandos at Entebbe were carrying silenced MAC-11 submachineguns. The rescue plan required that the commandos be armed with silenced submachineguns, but there was no silenced version of the Uzi. The State Department approved an emergency export permit for the silenced MAC-11 submachineguns to arm the commandos.

I don't know how true this is. It is just what I was told. Personally, I would have preferred either a silenced Sterling or a silenced MP5.

Mac's? Who'd a thunk it?
There are some silenced versions of the Uzi (see Wikipedia) but I don't know when they were introduced.

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Regards, Ron
USASA 1965/69

"U.S. The U.S. Secret Service used them for years; who can forget the image of an agent standing near the scene where John Hinkley tried to assassinate President Reagan, with a half-unfurled Uzi at the ready? The Secret Service carried them in specially-built briefcases."

Saw a brief glimps of one out of the briefcase near the end of Nixon's term. Turned around to let the SS agent know I'd just recieved orders to ram a Bertram on the next pass if he continued to advance. Saw the agent had one arm wrapped around the top strap, and in the other was pointing that Uzi we'd heard about, but not seen, pointing down the bow beside me. Figured he was in on the deal!

Sure didn't guess that one. The Israelis had what was arguably then the best submachine gun in the world as their general issue at the time. Threading the Uzi's barrel for a suppressor would have been very easy. In fact quite a number were set up that way over the years. Interesting information!

John

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- Cogito, ergo armatus sum -

...like the old Thompson.

However, if going on a mission and given a choice between some of the modern sub-guns I've seen and the UZI...I'd grab the UZI and run!

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The Last Standing Knight

Always kinda liked them,but in modern times...I'd grab a FN P90 and use that.

that is really a very interesting story