BXP
Encyclopedia
The BXP is 9 mm submachine gun
developed in the mid-1980s by the South Africa
n company Mechem (currently a division of Denel
, formerly under Amscor
) and brought into production in 1988. Due to international arms embargoes of Apartheid South Africa, the country was forced to design and manufacture their own weapons. The weapon was intended for use by security forces. The manufacturing rights shifted from hand to hand several times during the years, passing from Mechem to Milkor Marketing
and later to Truvelo Armoury
, the current manufacturer (as of 2009).
, while the security use version fires from the closed bolt
. Both versions are blowback operated. The bolt wraps around the rear of the barrel when closed, saving on overall length. The cocking handle is located at the top of the receiver. The BXP has an ambidextrous safety lever and a separate fire mode selector built into the trigger. The military use version can be fired in single-shot mode by partially pressing the trigger, or in full-auto mode by fully pressing the trigger. There is also an interceptor notch that catches the bolt if it is released during the cocking but prior to activating the sear
. The weapon is coated with a rust-resistant coating which doubles as a dry lubricant.
Owing to a wide variety of muzzle devices (including silencers
, heat shields, and even rifle grenade
s), the weapon can be used to fire non-lethal and explosive projectiles by the means of blank cartridge, as well as normal ammunition. The BXP also features an underfolding buttstock
, made from stamped steel. The standard sights are of open type, but the BXP can be equipped with laser aiming modules and collimating sights
.
The gun fires at a relatively high rate of about 1000 rounds per minute, and is well-balanced and reasonably accurate with a barrel length of 208 mm (8.2 in). It can be fire single-handedly by folding the stock forward to form a solid foregrip.
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
developed in the mid-1980s by the South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n company Mechem (currently a division of Denel
Denel
Denel Ltd is a South African state owned aerospace and defence technology conglomerate established in 1991. It was created when the manufacturing subsidiaries of Armscor were split off in order for Armscor to become the procurement agency for South African Defence Force , now known as the South...
, formerly under Amscor
Armscor (South Africa)
Armscor , the Armaments Corporation of South Africa is a South African government-supported weapon-producing conglomerate that was officially established in 1968, primarily as a response to the international sanctions by the United Nations against South Africa that began in 1963 and...
) and brought into production in 1988. Due to international arms embargoes of Apartheid South Africa, the country was forced to design and manufacture their own weapons. The weapon was intended for use by security forces. The manufacturing rights shifted from hand to hand several times during the years, passing from Mechem to Milkor Marketing
Milkor Marketing
Milkor Marketing, renamed in 2007 as Rippel Effect Weapon Systems, is a firearm company known for formerly marketing the Milkor MGL grenade launcher and the Milkor Stopper 37/38 mm riot gun...
and later to Truvelo Armoury
Truvelo Armoury
Truvelo Armoury is a South African firearms manufacturer. It is a division of Truvelo Manufacturers Ltd and was established in 1994. The company produces a range of rifles and other small arms for military, law enforcement and civilian users.-Products:...
, the current manufacturer (as of 2009).
Design details
The weapon is manufactured in semi-automatic for security and automatic for military use. The military use version fires from the open boltOpen bolt
A semi or full automatic firearm is said to fire from an open bolt if, when ready to fire, the bolt and working parts are held to the rear. When the trigger is pulled the bolt goes forward, feeding a round from the magazine into the chamber and firing it...
, while the security use version fires from the closed bolt
Closed bolt
A semi or full-automatic firearm which is said to fire from a closed bolt is one where, when ready to fire, a round is in the chamber and the bolt and working parts are forward...
. Both versions are blowback operated. The bolt wraps around the rear of the barrel when closed, saving on overall length. The cocking handle is located at the top of the receiver. The BXP has an ambidextrous safety lever and a separate fire mode selector built into the trigger. The military use version can be fired in single-shot mode by partially pressing the trigger, or in full-auto mode by fully pressing the trigger. There is also an interceptor notch that catches the bolt if it is released during the cocking but prior to activating the sear
Sear (firearm)
In a firearm, the sear is the part of the trigger mechanism which holds the hammer or striker back until the correct amount of pressure has been applied to the trigger; at which point the hammer or striker is released to discharge the weapon...
. The weapon is coated with a rust-resistant coating which doubles as a dry lubricant.
Owing to a wide variety of muzzle devices (including silencers
Suppressor
A suppressor, sound suppressor, sound moderator, or silencer, is a device attached to or part of the barrel of a firearm which reduces the amount of noise and flash generated by firing the weapon....
, heat shields, and even rifle grenade
Rifle grenade
A rifle grenade is a grenade that uses a rifle-based launcher to permit a longer effective range than would be possible if the grenade was thrown by hand...
s), the weapon can be used to fire non-lethal and explosive projectiles by the means of blank cartridge, as well as normal ammunition. The BXP also features an underfolding buttstock
Stock (firearm)
A stock, also known as a buttstock or shoulder stock, is a part of a rifle or other firearm, to which the barrel and firing mechanism are attached, that is held against one's shoulder when firing the gun. Stocks are also found on crossbows though a crossbow stock is more properly referred to as a...
, made from stamped steel. The standard sights are of open type, but the BXP can be equipped with laser aiming modules and collimating sights
Red dot sight
A red dot sight is a common classification for a type of non-magnifying reflector sight for firearms that gives the user an aimpoint in the form of an illuminated red dot...
.
The gun fires at a relatively high rate of about 1000 rounds per minute, and is well-balanced and reasonably accurate with a barrel length of 208 mm (8.2 in). It can be fire single-handedly by folding the stock forward to form a solid foregrip.