AJ
US Veteran
I see all this hubub about PDW's. How many actually own one of these? To me a PDW is whatever firearm is within reach when and if I need one.
PDW's
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bigggbbruce
Member
I have a 3lb rock within reach at all times.
Rock185
US Veteran
Looks like some shooters just love the PDW concept. To me, these PDWs appear to be SMG wannabes. I agree with AJ.
Let's agree to disagree. I have a SIG MPX (9mm) that is an outstanding and compact SD firearm for home or vehicle.. I also built a .300 BLK pistol (also 8" bbl) with Silencerco Omega 300 suppressor. Too each their own!
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I've never seen the acronym "PDW". Something new?
OP
AJ
US Veteran
PDW = Personal Defense Weapon. I guess it is a new term.
Alpo
Member
I don't know how new it is. H&K's semi-automatic stockless version of an MP5 - H&K 94 PDW - was around before I retired in 2006. I don't know when they came up with that term, but it's been in use for at least 20 years.
gwpercle
Member
A Personal Defense Weapon can be anything ...
you could call my walking cane a PDW because I can beat heck out of someone with it ... actually it makes a Dandy PDW ... DPDW ... just stuff to talk about I guess !
Gary
you could call my walking cane a PDW because I can beat heck out of someone with it ... actually it makes a Dandy PDW ... DPDW ... just stuff to talk about I guess !
Gary
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Thank you all for the interpretation - I stay way behind on the acronyms, but I'm not sure I'm missing much. In this case, it appears to be just another gun...
As a civilian / commercial term it goes back to at least 2004 and the marketing of the ACS HEZI SM-1.
As a military term it goes back a lot farther and the M-1 carbine was functionally a "PDW" given how it was issued and employed.
The Israelis required their personnel to carry a personal defense weapon and as such it applied to reasonably small and portable weapons like the Uzi, MP5, Colt 9mm carbines and the shorter M16 variants like the XM-177.
Today, militarily speaking a "modern" PDW is by definition a "compact automatic weapon that can defeat enemy body armor, can be used conveniently by non-combatant and support troops and as a close quarters battle weapon for special operations and counter-terrorist organizations." In effect, as body armor has become much more prevalent they modified the term to address the need to defeat at least soft body armor.
That revision in the 1980s was the basis for the 5.7x28mm round and weapons like the FN P90, among other developments.
But in an armed citizen, home defense context where body armor is not normally a factor the old definition still works just fine.
So...no. It's not a new term at all. Even for civilian marketing purposes it still over 20 years old.
And its a lot smarter to be using a term like "personal defense weapon" than it is to use "assault rifle", "military style rifle", "military grade rifle" or "mil-spec rifle".
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As a home dense concept an AP5 or similar firearm makes a great deal of sense. An AP5 SBR for example is short, handles well, is very reliable, is easy to suppress, and looks intimidating to a potential home invader.
It's also in line with the PDW concept in that its easy to use an easy to shoot accurately by persons with limited training.
I'm not really seeing a downside.
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Grayfox
US Veteran
I have an Extar EP-9 which I guess qualifies as a PDW. Straight blowback 9MM. Light, easy to handle, quite accurate and inexpensive.
Honestly, I consider it more of a range toy. Fun to play with, but in a real situation I'd likely grab something else.
Honestly, I consider it more of a range toy. Fun to play with, but in a real situation I'd likely grab something else.
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It's a useful tool and has more practical accuracy than a pistol, but to my thinking - too big to carry and not much more powerful than a handgun in the same chambering. Where do I buy one? 
Try to get the anti 2A crowd to understand that none of the "assault rifles" or even pistols designed around semi auto rifles as light enough or compact enough to conceal and carry all day for criminal purposes.It's a useful tool and has more practical accuracy than a pistol, but to my thinking - too big to carry and not much more powerful than a handgun in the same chambering. Where do I buy one?
But...for home defense where it's not having to be carried all day, the size and weight doesn't matter much.
You're not wrong about the SMG reference.
I'm a better than average shot and can consistently hit a bottle target at 100 yards offhand at a timed fire pace with a handgun.
But, I am a lot more accurate and a lot faster with any of these 9mm firearms. And when the ranges get longer .357 leveel velocity out of a 9mm, and greater accuracy make a difference in temrinal performance and shot placement.
That was, not coincidentally the design concept behind SMGs like the MP5A2, the various Colt SMGs, and the Uzi. They optimized the 9mm ballistics, often with hotter ammo, and increased the effective range out to 100-150 yards. That lets the 9mm cover a lot of bases that a 9mm handgun can't quite reach.
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Guess I have enough assorted PDWs but been wanting a 4 legged one for some time. Planning on moving early fall and will look around and find one….
This is the way.
I've got a few PDW options to choose from if I want. Most will fit in a small backpack.
I have been seriously tempted by the FN P90 on several occasions. Then I realize that I can get 2 or 3 nice handguns for the same money. The temptation passes.
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AJ
US Veteran
We had HK MP5's that were fully silenced when I was assigned to the USMC Security Force Battalion. When it came to being indoors, I much preferred an M1911A1.
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Excellent article in the " Tactical Wire" email on the 1911. Check it out.
I prefer one of my LW Colt Commanders for PDW.
I prefer one of my LW Colt Commanders for PDW.
