HISTORY
After World War 2 the French army was rearming itself and the war showed that sub machine guns were of great use. In 1949 several designs were tested, including one from Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle (MAT). The MAT design was chosen and was named the Pistolet Mitrailleur MAT-49. Mass production followed soon. The MAT-49 was used extensively during the First Indo-China war and Algerian War. It was adopted by over two dozen nations. From 1949 - 1967 a total of 700.000 MAT-49's were produced. The production continued for some time and probably reached over a million. In French service the MAT-49 was replaced by the FAMAS assault rifle starting in 1979.
DESIGN
The MAT-49 is a compact sub machine gun. It is recoil operated and fires the 9x19mm round at a low rate of fire. The MAT-49 was mainly issued with 32 round magazines, but for arid conditions 20 round single stack magazines were available. A unique feature is the magazine housing that can fold forwards to reduce the size of the weapon. The magazine housing also functions as a forward grip. The pistol grip is fitted with a grip safety. The MAT-49 fires full-automatic only. During production several improvements were made. Besides the MAT-49/54 with fixed stock three types of MAT-49 were produced. The second model has an improved safety system and the third and final model has a metal pistol grip.
PERFORMANCE
The MAT-49 proved to be a reliable weapon and was popular with the forces that used it. The MAT-49 is simple to operate and to maintain. Due to its low rate of fire automatic fire is very controlable. Compared to the MP5 the quality and accuracy are somewhat less, but it is a much cheaper weapon to produce. Given its simplicity, reliability and low cost the popularity among ex-French colonies is understandable.
After World War 2 the French army was rearming itself and the war showed that sub machine guns were of great use. In 1949 several designs were tested, including one from Manufacture Nationale d'Armes de Tulle (MAT). The MAT design was chosen and was named the Pistolet Mitrailleur MAT-49. Mass production followed soon. The MAT-49 was used extensively during the First Indo-China war and Algerian War. It was adopted by over two dozen nations. From 1949 - 1967 a total of 700.000 MAT-49's were produced. The production continued for some time and probably reached over a million. In French service the MAT-49 was replaced by the FAMAS assault rifle starting in 1979.
DESIGN
The MAT-49 is a compact sub machine gun. It is recoil operated and fires the 9x19mm round at a low rate of fire. The MAT-49 was mainly issued with 32 round magazines, but for arid conditions 20 round single stack magazines were available. A unique feature is the magazine housing that can fold forwards to reduce the size of the weapon. The magazine housing also functions as a forward grip. The pistol grip is fitted with a grip safety. The MAT-49 fires full-automatic only. During production several improvements were made. Besides the MAT-49/54 with fixed stock three types of MAT-49 were produced. The second model has an improved safety system and the third and final model has a metal pistol grip.
PERFORMANCE
The MAT-49 proved to be a reliable weapon and was popular with the forces that used it. The MAT-49 is simple to operate and to maintain. Due to its low rate of fire automatic fire is very controlable. Compared to the MP5 the quality and accuracy are somewhat less, but it is a much cheaper weapon to produce. Given its simplicity, reliability and low cost the popularity among ex-French colonies is understandable.