Madsen M-50

The Madsen M-50 or M/50 is a submachine gun introduced in 1950. It was produced by the Danish company Dansk Industri Syndikat of Copenhagen, Denmark.

== Overview == This firearm was a modified variation of the M/46. The only major improvement was the simplified retracting handle. Introduction of the M/50 occurred at Mosede Fort, from 7 November 1950, until 1953. The M/50 is made of stamped sheet metal. It is an open bolt design. The M/46 and M/50 share a unique design: the firearm is stamped from two pieces of sheet metal which are shaped with an integral rear pistol grip and magazine housing. The two pieces fit together like a clam shell with the hinge at the rear of the pistol grip. The firearm is held together with a barrel locking nut which is threaded onto the fore section of the two receiver halves. The pistol grip is hollow, providing storage space for a magazine loading tool. The folding stock is made of tubular steel covered with leather and folds onto the right side of the firearm. The M/50 fires in full-auto only. It also features a safety lever (also known as grip safety), unusually placed in front of the forward magazine housing. To fire the M/50 the operator must grip the magazine housing and hold down the safety lever.

Users

Argentina Bolivia Brazil (produced under license as the INA Model 953 in .45 ACP) Chile Colombia Denmark El Salvador Guatemala Indonesia North Vietnam Nicaragua Paraguay South Vietnam Thailand Taiwan United Kingdom: the M-50 underwent intensive trials in 1951–1952 against the BSA model 1949 and the Sterling submachine gun. The latter was eventually selected. United States In use with Green Berets serving alongside Montagnards in MIKE Force units Venezuela Non State Users Malayan Communist Party Brazilian Communist Party Ação Libertadora Nacional Ulster Defence Association Red Hand Commando Loyalist Volunteer Force Vanguarda Armada Revolucionaria Palmares Italian Mafia - large quantities of Madsen M-50s sold to various Italian Mafia crime families through the black market. Yakuza - large quantities of Madsen M-50s sold to various Japanese Yakuza clans through the black market.

References

Nelson, Thomas B. The World's Submachine Guns. International small arms publishers: Cologne, Germany, 1963.

== External links == Madsen M1946 / M1950 / M1953 at Modern Firearms