# Ruger MP9 > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ruger_MP9 > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Ruger_MP9.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_MP9 > Source revision: 1330875694 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) American submachine gun/machine pistol This article is about the Ruger MP9. For the updated TMP variant, see [Brügger & Thomet MP9](/source/Br%C3%BCgger_%26_Thomet_MP9). Ruger MP9 Type Submachine gun Place of origin United States Production history Designer Uziel Gal, Itzaak Yaakov, and Bill Ruger[1] Designed 1980s Manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co. Produced 1995–1996 No. built 1500 Specifications Mass 5.94 pounds (2.69 kg) (unloaded)[1] Length 14.8 inches (380 mm) (stock folded) 22 inches (560 mm) (stock folded)[1] Barrel length 6.8 inches (170 mm)[1] Cartridge 9×19mm Parabellum[1] Action Blowback[1] Rate of fire 600 rounds/min cyclic rate[1] Effective firing range Rear sight adjustable for 50 or 150 meters[1] Feed system 32-round box magazine[1] Sights Iron sights (peep rear sight and post front sight)[1] The **Ruger MP9** is a [9×19mm](/source/9%C3%9719mm) [submachine gun](/source/Submachine_gun)/[machine pistol](/source/Machine_pistol)[1] introduced by [Sturm, Ruger & Co.](/source/Sturm%2C_Ruger_%26_Co.) in 1995. The MP9 was designed by [Uziel Gal](/source/Uziel_Gal), designer of the [Uzi](/source/Uzi). ## History In the late 1980s, Gal, designer of the Uzi, improved his design. During this time, American gun manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., bought the rights to the Uzi. The MP9 entered Ruger's catalogs in 1995. However, despite recognition as the "improved Uzi" by its creator, the MP9 was not successful. The weapon was intended for American government agents for use in close quarters defense, but was not adopted. The MP9 saw use during the [Burundian Civil War](/source/Burundian_Civil_War).[2] ## Design The MP9 was designed by Gal as an attempt to improve upon the Uzi. The MP9 uses a hammer-fired closed-bolt design. Foundational elements, such as the blowback operating action, are similar with minor improvements for efficiency. Similar to the Uzi, the MP9 was designed around simplicity, with these combination of factors leading the MP9 to be named the "improved Uzi". Other changes Ruger and Gal designed included a change of materials. Development of polymers during the 1980s inspired the designers to adopt those materials: the lower receiver and pistol grip of the MP9 are manufactured from Zytel, a polymer designed during the 1980s. The polymer butt-stock connects to the frame via a polymer hinge. The MP9 has a three-position switch co-mingling the 'safety' and 'fire' selector: the upper position of the lever indicates the MP9 is "safe" (aka non-firing), the mid-position causes the MP9 to operate in semi-automatic mode, the bottom position switches the MP9 to automatic mode so the 32-round magazine can be emptied in three seconds. The MP9 has a firing-pin block to prevent an impact-related negligent discharge if it is dropped. The MP9 has a detachable barrel cushioned by a spring while the bolt was closed to reduce the effects of recoil. The MP9 cocking-handle is on top of the stainless-steel receiver. ## See also - [BXP](/source/Milkor_BXP) - [MPA submachine gun](/source/MPA_submachine_gun) - [Patria submachine gun](/source/Patria_submachine_gun) ## References 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-7) [***i***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-8) [***j***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-9) [***k***](#cite_ref-Wilson_1-10) Robert L Wilson (2008). *Ruger and His Guns: A History of the Man, the Company & Their Firearms*. Chartwell Books, Inc. pp. 282–288. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0785821031](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0785821031). 1. **[^](#cite_ref-SAS_2007_6_2-0)** [Small Arms Survey](/source/Small_Arms_Survey) (2007). ["Armed Violence in Burundi: Conflict and Post-Conflict Bujumbura"](https://web.archive.org/web/20210225022447/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2007/en/full/Small-Arms-Survey-2007-Chapter-06-EN.pdf) (PDF). [*The Small Arms Survey 2007: Guns and the City*](https://www.smallarmssurvey.org/publications/by-type/yearbook/small-arms-survey-2007.html). [Cambridge University Press](/source/Cambridge_University_Press). p. 204. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-521-88039-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-521-88039-8). Archived from [the original](http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/A-Yearbook/2007/en/full/Small-Arms-Survey-2007-Chapter-06-EN.pdf) (PDF) on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2018. ## External links - [Modern Firearms – Ruger MP9 SMG](https://modernfirearms.net/en/submachine-guns/u-s-a-submachine-guns/ruger-mp9-eng/) - [Jane's Guide Entry](http://www.janes.com/articles/Janes-Police-and-Homeland-Security-Equipment/Sturm-Ruger-MP-9-9-mm-sub-machine-gun-United-States.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111001184945/http://articles.janes.com/articles/Janes-Police-and-Homeland-Security-Equipment/Sturm-Ruger-MP-9-9-mm-sub-machine-gun-United-States.html) 2011-10-01 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) - [patent](https://www.google.co.in/patents/EP0127679B1) v t e Sturm, Ruger & Co. Rifles 10/22 American Rifle American Rimfire AR-556 Deerfield carbine Gunsite Scout M77 Mini-14 Model 44 Model 96 No. 1 No. 3 Police carbine Precision rifle SR-556 SR-762 Submachine guns MP9 Shotguns Gold Label Red Label Pistols American pistol Hawkeye LC9 LCP MK I MK II MK III MK IV P-Series Ruger-5.7 Security-9 SR-Series SR22 SR1911 RXM Revolvers Bearcat Bisley Blackhawk GP100 LCR Old Army Redhawk Security-Six Super Redhawk Single-Six SP101 Vaquero Wrangler Cartridges .204 Ruger .300 Ruger Compact Magnum .327 Federal Magnum .338 Ruger Compact Magnum .375 Ruger .416 Ruger .480 Ruger Subsidiaries Marlin Firearms --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ruger MP9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_MP9) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruger_MP9?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.