Semi-Auto

The Avtomat Kalashnikova rifle of 1947, better known as the "AK-47", is perhaps the most easily recognizable weapon in the history of firearms. The infamy of the AK-47 is due to several factors; it is the most extensively produced firearm of all time, it is the platform from which many other successful weapon patterns have been based, and its ever-growing association with both military and radical groups world-wide.

The MP-5K is a compact version of the famous MP-5 submachine gun developed by the renowned German weapons manufacturer Heckler-Koch GmbH. The “K” designation refers to the German word “Kurz”, which means short. The MP-5K was developed in 1976 as an easier SMG to wield in close-combat for users involved in clandestine operations and/or special services such as personal defense. The MP-5K typically offers the ability to fire 15 or 30, 9mm rounds on either full-automatic or semi-automatic settings.

Based on the P220 model (the model it was replacing), the SIG Sauer P226 is a full-sized service pistol that almost beat out the Beretta 92F in becoming the next standard sidearm of the US Army (to replace the venerable M1911) during the mid-1980 trials. The P226 model operates almost identical to the P220 however is cosmetically different and operates using high-capacity, double-stack magazines. The P226 was the first pistol to be chambered to fit the new .357 SIG round which has become a surprising success in the USA.

The Colt Official Police was formally introduced in 1927 as a medium framed, double-action revolver with a six round cylinder and mostly chambered for the .38 Special cartridge. The Official Police is essentially a slightly modified version of the 1908 Army Special model, or “New Army”. Colt’s strategy behind the name change was to focus marketing to the law enforcement agency after the Army and other military branches began to adopt the U.S. M1911 pistol.

The M1 was designed due to a request issued by US Army in 1938 (which was postponed for 2 years), for a compact and lightweight shoulder firearm to replace service handguns for non-fighting troops. The M1 Carbine answered this call and can be considered a forerunner for the class of firearms known today as Personal Defense Weapons. Since the M1 was designed for troops off the front lines, the idea was to produce an efficient and transportable weapon with moderate power and minor recoil that will be simple to train non-infantry with.

The Steyr AUG (Armee Universal Gewehr or Universal Army Rifle) has been in development since the late 1960s, as a replacement for the venerable but obsolete Belgian FN FAL battle rifles. Production of the AUG by Steyr-Mannlicher AG & Co KG began in 1968 and has since been adopted by a multitude of armed forces including Australia, Austria, New Zealand, Oman, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, Ireland and others.