Ingram Mac-10

The MAC-10 (Military Armament Corporation Model 10) is a highly compact, blowback operated, selective fire submachine gun (technically, a machine pistol) developed by Gordon B. Ingram in 1964.

It is a simple, low-cost design with few moving parts, making it easy to manufacture and maintain. The M-10 is one out of a series of machine pistols, the others being: the M-11A1, which is a scaled down version of the M-10 chambered in .380 ACP; and the M-11/9, which is a smaller 9mm version that has a longer receiver with a shorter profile later made by the SWD company.

The compactness and high rates of fire for these weapons (no less than 1000 rpm for the M-10 and 1600 rpm for the M-11A1) worked against them. Their small size made them difficult to hold, and this, when combined with their high rate of fire, made control challenging; this was a key factor in their never finding much success with the military. Also, their weight makes them uncomfortable to hold. However, they did see limited service in Vietnam with the Special Forces. They are still used today by some SWAT forces, the U.S. Army (only in Delta Force), the Brazilian Army's counter terrorist special forces, and security outfits.

Calibers
The MAC-10 is most common in the version chambered for .45 ACP rounds, but it was originally produced in 9mm Parabellum. In the United States, fully automatic MAC-10 machine pistols are NFA articles, and probably the least expensive (relative; Approximate cost as of 2006 is $4,000 US +/-) and most common automatic firearms available on the American market today. A large amount of sheet metal frame flats were given serial numbers before the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986, and this made it possible to continue manufacturing MACs for the civilian market. There are also a limited number of semi-automatic carbines based on the original MAC design. MAC-10 pistols may be easily converted to carbines, and vice-versa, by interchanging commonly available parts. Originally Erquiaga made the MAC 10 into a 9 mm caliber. The first MAC 10 was designed and fabricated in Southern California by Erquiaga Arms in 1962.

Suppressor
Probably the biggest reason for the original MAC-10 finding recognition was its revolutionary sound suppressor designed by Mitchell WerBell III (Sionics). This suppressor had a two-stage design, with the first stage being larger than the second. This uniquely shaped suppressor gave the MAC-10 a very menacing look. It was also very quiet, to the point that the bolt could be heard over the report of the weapons discharge. The suppressor also created a place to hold the weapon; this, combined with the weight it added, made the weapon easier to control. The weapon's barrel threads were originally intended for this suppressor, but many other attachments are used: compensators, barrel extensions, fake-suppressors, fore-grips, and so on. Also the First Stage Suppressor is much larger than the gun itself.

The Cobray Company was a manufacturer of sub-machine guns and semi-automatic handguns. Their models include the Cobray M-10 (45 ACP Caliber), M-11 (380 ACP Caliber). These were manufactured by SWD (Sylvia & Wayne Daniel).

Subsequent models were the M-11/9 (9mm Parabellum) and the M-12 (380 ACP). The M-10, M-11 & M-11/9 were available in both semi and full auto versions. The M-12 was a semi auto only.

After some legal troubles, the company changed its name to Leinad (Daniel spelled backwards),and produced the PM-11/9 (9mm) and PM-12 (.380). These guns being politically correct to conform with the ban on assault weapons that was then in effect.

The company has since gone out of business.

These type firearms were also manufactured by RPB Industries, Blackhawk Firearmes, and several others.