S&T Motiv (Daewoo) K1

History of the S&T Motiv (Daewoo) K1

For many years, South Korea relied on foreign-made weapons for its military needs. However, a significant shift occurred when indigenous expertise allowed the country to develop its own military solutions. One notable creation was the K1, a compact assault weapon classified as either an assault carbine or submachine gun due to its design features. It was introduced to replace the aging American M3 "Grease Gun" submachine guns and became the standard submachine gun for the Republic of Korea Army in 1981. This weapon's development was initiated in response to a 1976 request by South Korean special forces for a versatile and powerful firearm suitable for close-quarters combat (CQB).

The K1 is known for its lightweight construction, durability, and substantial firepower. Manufactured by Daewoo, now known as S&T Motiv, since 1980, it features a foldable wire stock to reduce its length, making it more compact. Internally, the K1 employs a unique pneumatic system with a rotating bolt and direct impact operation, distinguishing it from the typical submachine gun recoil method. It can fire at rates between 700 and 900 rounds per minute, with a high muzzle velocity of 2,700 feet per second and an effective range of up to 250 meters, using 30-round magazines. While it originally had design issues like strong recoil, these were addressed with the improved K1A version introduced in 1982, becoming the standard. The K1 also has civilian versions available, such as the semi-automatic MAX-1 and the K1A1 with a longer barrel. Countries like Bangladesh, Papua New Guinea, Senegal, and South Korea have adopted the K1 submachine gun for their military and special forces, showcasing its reliability and versatility.

Specification

BASICS

Years of Service: 1981

Origins: South Korea

Manufacturer: ST Motive (Daewoo Precision) - Korea

Carrier: Bangladesh; Barbour New Guinea; Senegal; South Korea

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length: 838mm (32.99 inches)

Barrel length: 263mm (10. 35 inches)

Cured weight: 6.33 lbs (2.87 kg)

Action

Pivot

This system uses an internal mechanism to lock the breech or rear barrel assembly prior to firing.

Gas Power

Proposes a pneumatic system that typically consists of a cylinder and a rear drive piston that directs power to the bolt assembly.

CARTRIDGE & FEED

Caliber: .223 Remington

Rounds / Feed: 30-round detachable box magazine.

PERFORMANCE

Max Eff. Range: 820 ft (250 m | 273 yd)

Rate-of-Fire: 800 rds/min

Muzzle Velocity: 2,700 ft/sec (823 m/sec)

VARIANTS

XK1 - Prototype.

K1A - Improved production model.

MAX-1 - Semi-Automatic Fire Only model for civilian market.

K1A1 - MAX-1/K1A model form with longer barrel for civilian market.