Tec-9
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In the late 1970s, George Kellgren at Interdynamic AB designed a submachine gun equivalent to, although very different from, the MAC-10, designated as the MP9, to pursue the same niches as the Ingram gun (lightweight, compact urban and counter-terrorism). The MP9 was meant as a cheaper, lighter, replacement for the Carl Gustavs M45 submachine gun: the Swedish K. The MP9 was even less successful than the MAC, with only one rumored government contract, with Rhodesia, which ceased to exist before the contract could be executed. Interdynamic turned to the US civilian market to recoup investment, redesigning the MP9 as a semi-automatic pistol, designated KG-9. After a few redesigns and a corporate buyout, the KG-9 became the TEC-9.
The Intratec TEC-9 is a semi-automatic pistol that gained notoriety for its association with criminal activity and its distinctive, military-inspired appearance. Introduced in the 1980s, the TEC-9 was originally designed by George Kellgren, a Swedish firearms designer, and was produced by Intratec, a Miami-based firearms manufacturer. Its design traces back to the 1970s with the Interdynamic KG-99, a Swedish submachine gun intended for military use. When that venture failed to gain military contracts, the design was modified into a semi-automatic version for the U.S. civilian market, becoming the TEC-9. Featuring a large magazine capacity and an intimidating look, the TEC-9 was marketed as an inexpensive alternative to more expensive handguns.
The development of the TEC-9 reflects trends in firearm manufacturing at the time, with an emphasis on cost-effective materials, like polymer frames, to reduce weight and production costs. Its blowback-operated system, which uses the force of gas from a fired round to cycle the next, allowed for a relatively simple and reliable mechanism. Despite being semi-automatic, the TEC-9's design gave it an appearance more akin to fully automatic military firearms, which added to its appeal among gun enthusiasts but also drew the attention of criminal organizations. The large-capacity magazines (often holding 32 rounds or more) and the gun's ability to be easily modified for fully automatic fire made it attractive to those seeking powerful firepower at a low cost.
The notoriety of the TEC-9 surged in the 1990s due to its use in high-profile crimes, most infamously the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, where it was used by one of the perpetrators. This association with mass shootings and gang violence led to significant public outcry. Consequently, the TEC-9 was banned under the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban, which targeted firearms with military-style features, although the ban expired in 2004. Despite its legal status fluctuating over the years, the TEC-9 has become emblematic of debates over gun control, earning a lasting and controversial place in American firearm history.
Related Weapons: Kimmel AP9
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1980's Assault Pistols and Civilian Submachine Guns
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