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SOCIMI Type 821-SMG

1984 COLD WAR MODERN

History

The SOCIMI Model 821-SMG is a rather unremarkable, no-frills submachine gun of the 1980s, developed along the lines of the popular Israeli UZI SMG. Externally, the product mimics many of the key qualities of the Israeli design, including the rectangular case, short barrel and pistol-style magazine.

The design proved to be efficient and stable, although it was only purchased by Italian police special forces in limited quantities. SOCIMI (Societa Costruzioni Industriali Milano) started out as a Milan-based manufacturer of urban transport systems and grew into a large company - eventually merging with the Italian gun group Franchi S. p. A. In SOCIMI's notable foray into the lucrative military defense sector, Franchi S. p. A. began working on UZI-inspired submachine gun products in 1983. Eventually, a design was forged and subjected to the necessary testing procedures before serial production began in 1984 and continued until 1989. Although an undisclosed number of units were eventually released, SOCIMI went bankrupt in 1992 before being acquired by Trolley Systems in 1993.

Ownership of Franchi S.p. A. was acquired by rival Italian firearms company Beretta.

Despite the obvious UZI influence, the Type 821 has undergone enough changes to be a unique and compelling submachine gun product in its own right. Unlike the heavy stamped steel casings of older UZIs from the 1960s, the Model 821 takes a more modern approach, using a one-piece alloy casing, resulting in a lighter overall weapon.

In fact, almost all major components of a submachine gun are forged from the alloy, including the grip and barrel. The bolt assembly is accessible from the rear of the receiver for routine cleaning and maintenance, and all critical working components are housed in a well-protected receiver. An ejection port is conventionally located on the right side of the receiver, while the trigger is protected by a thin ring that fits a gloved finger.

Finger grooves are molded into the pistol grip and top area, just above the thumb for a firm grip with one hand. A short front end sits in front of the handle, and a smooth or slightly grooved finish can be seen. The overall length of the gun is 600mm (stock extended), 400mm (stock folded).

The barrel assembly measures only 200mm, allowing the Type 821 to retain an extremely compact design (like the popular UZI). The total weight of this submachine gun is a manageable 5lb 6oz, and the weapon array is divided into six main components.

Significant UZI influences have been retained in the Italian design, including the front charging handle above the receiver, large front (adjustable lever) and rear (flip-aperture) sights, and grip safety. The stock is an internal design, presented as a single tube, hinged at one end (under the rear of the receiver, just behind the pistol grip), which folds to the right of the receiver when the stroke is tighter/need to deal with tables.

Otherwise, the stock folds up in the usual way and can be rested on the shoulder for a traditional three-point fire grip, enclosing the supporting hand under the front end.

The Type 821 was excellent in handling, demonstrating a balanced combination of weight and recoil, and resulting in a very stable firing platform that could be operated like a true "machine gun" with just one hand. Action is traditional recoil, and the three-position fire selector switch is located on the left side of the receiver, within reach of the main hand thumb. The gun's chamber fires the widely used 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridge, using a 32-round spring-loaded detachable straight-box magazine that, like the UZI series, is nested under the grip.

It has an effective range of less than 200 meters and a quoted rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute. Combined with its compact shape and unique balance characteristics, the Type 821 is an excellent weapon for close combat.

SOCIMI tested a miniaturized version of its Model 821-SMG, although the effort appeared to be fruitless, and the Model 821 submachine gun still has a limited existence today (2013). The product has not yet completed overseas sales.