SCK Model 65 / Model 66 (New Nambu M66)

History

Due to the defeat of World War II (1939-1945), the war capability of the Japanese nation was severely limited by the victorious countries. However, in the context of the US-Soviet Cold War (1947-1991), the country was allowed to slowly develop a local arms industry, which resulted in some notable products, including the SCK 65 prototype submachine gun (submachine gun).

This weapon is Japan's first and currently only submachine gun after World War II.

The Type 65 was undoubtedly inspired by other existing foreign models, which had a similar appearance to the classic Swedish "Carl Gustav" series. It is loaded with off-the-shelf 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridges and operates via a recoil system (open bolt function). It is fed by a straight, detachable 30-round magazine that doubles as a foregrip.

Iron sights are fitted for some ranged accuracy, but this is a melee weapon through and through.

The basic design features a rounded rectangular receiver with a relatively short barrel assembly that protrudes some distance forward. The pistol grip is mounted at the rear end of the receiver and hangs below it in a typical fashion. The trigger ring is large enough to have direct access to the trigger itself, and the magazine is located some distance in front of the trigger group. There is a pull handle on the right side of the gun. The submachine gun has a dust cover over the ejection port that doubles as a safety catch (like the American M3 "Grease Gun"), and the grip also includes a safety mechanism similar to the Danish "Madsen" pistol.

Another Madsen-inspired feature appears to be the side-folding, dual-support skeleton folding stock.

Design work took place in 1965, and Shin-Chuo Industries (formerly Nambu Arms Manufacturing Company, now Minebea) built a series of prototypes that hoped the submachine gun would one day serve the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force's Soldier Service Force (JGSDF). The type was designed to replace the aging line of American M3 SMGs serving Japanese fighters at the time.

The original Type 65, also known as the "New Southern Type 66", weighed 4kg and had an overall length of 765mm. With the stock folded, the latter value has been reduced to 500mm for a more compact footrest. The barrel assembly is 155 mm long and has a rate of fire of 550 rounds per minute.

The 1966 Type 66 followed the development of the Type 65. This form was slightly redesigned internally with improved bolts and recoil springs to effectively reduce the weapon's rate of fire to 465 rounds per minute. Firearms are easier to control, especially fully automatic fire.

In any case, the JGSDF did not take the Model 65 into service and spent its life only in prototype and experimental form.

Specification

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Changes