LUSA (Lusitania)

History

The LUSA series of submachine guns appeared in the early 1980s, but never found widespread use due to their compact, repetitive fire service. Instead, it became the weapon of choice for some special forces, security companies, and private protection services that needed a product of this nature. The gun featured a robust design that incorporated proven modern firearm concepts of the time and was loaded with off-the-shelf German 9x19mm Parabellum pistol cartridges.

Its dimensions are manageable, measuring 23 inches when extended and 17.8 inches when folded, and the barrel is only 6.3 inches long.

Portugal began local licensing of West German Heckler & Koch firearms in the early 1980s, which contributed to the development of LUSA as a native Portuguese firearm. This means that the necessary mechanics and production processes of the gun can now be reviewed by Portuguese engineers and rebuilt for indigenous design purposes.

A compact submachine gun shape was then developed and this was the LUSA - named after the ancient Roman territory "Lusitania" located within the borders of modern Portugal. The weapon was manufactured in 1983 by INDEP (Industrias Nacionas de Defesa, EP).

Overall, the gun is actually constructed, although it uses a very deep "twin-barreled" receiver. Other aspects are traditional, such as the angled pistol grip with trigger assembly and forward-facing magazine. The short barrel allowed for minimal front protrusion, and as usual iron sights were fitted to the front and rear of the receiver. The tubular stock is collapsible, which helps it be compact and concealed.

The magazine accepts 10-, 18- or 28-round straight, detachable box magazines well and can also be used as a front grip. Internally, the magazine uses a double-layer cartridge assembly, compressed by a spring, to provide an inexpensive mechanical function when feeding the weapon.

The total weight is 6.17 pounds and the rate of fire is 900 rounds per minute. The weapon eventually supports laser sights and suppressors for precision and stealth work, respectively. This will attract more demanding customers, such as special forces.

On closer inspection, the trigger assembly and pistol grip are very similar to the German HK MP5 series of submachine guns. The fire selector lever allows the usual selection of such weapons, again mimicking the large visual guide lever on HK guns.

Since the bolt and barrel receiver were located in the lower part, and most of the bolt overhang and recoil spring had to be placed overhead, a deep "dual barrel" receiver was created. The sliding material then slides into the valley created by the decompression cylinder.

The original production model "LUSA A1" adopted this weapon to a limited extent. Two sub-variants of the brand were subsequently produced, one with a nut fixed barrel and the other with a fixed barrel, housed in a perforated barrel jacket, which aided cooling and indirect accuracy by creating a heavier front end. The "LUSA A2" followed in 1991 and retained the same form and function as the A1, but introduced an improved manufacturing process that resulted in a lighter and more compact weapon than the original. In 2004, INDEP sold its LUSA equipment to a buyer in the United States, who later formed LUSA USA.

The weapon was then resold and resold under the new brand in the U.S. civilian, police and military markets and shipped abroad. Several well-received meeting rooms were also introduced.

Specification

BASIC

Year of Service

1983

Origins

Portugal

Categories

Submachine Gun (SMG)

Manufacturer

INDEP - Portugal; LUSA USA - USA

Carrier

Portugal; US

Dimensions and Weight

Overall Length

584mm

22.99 inches

Barrel length

159mm

6.26 inches

Cured weight

6.17 lbs

2.80 kg

Attractions

Front and rear iron

Action

Recoil; choose fire

Backflush mode

The air pressure created by the rearward movement of the fired case provides the necessary bolt movement, case ejection and stripping of the new case from the magazine.

Cartridges and Paper Feeds

Caliber*

9x19mm Parabellum

Circle/Feed

10, 18 or 28 rounds detachable magazine

Performance

Rate of fire

900

Number of revolutions

Mile speed

1,280 ft/s

(390m/s)

VARIANTS

LUSA - base series designation LUSA A1 - 1983 model; two sub-models, one with nut locking barrel and one with perforated sheath section Fixed barrel. LUSA A2 - 1991 model; improved construction process; revised dimensions and weight.