How a Suomi KP/-31 Works | Finnish WW2 Submachine Gun

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Wikipedia: The Suomi KP/-31 (Finnish: Suomi-konepistooli m/31 or "Finland-submachine gun mod. 1931") is a submachine gun (SMG) of Finnish design that was mainly used during World War II. It is a descendant of the M-22 prototype and the KP/-26 production model, which was revealed to the public in 1925.

The Suomi KP/-31 is regarded by many[6] as one of the most successful submachine guns of World War II. It also had a profound effect on that conflict beyond Finland as the Soviet authorities, who had been dismissive of submachine guns, were persuaded of their deadly efficiency by the Finns after attacking them in 1939.[7] Its 71-round drum magazine was later copied and adopted by the Soviets for their PPD-40 and PPSh-41.[8] Though a relatively early design, the Suomi was a formidable weapon: highly controllable[9] and with accuracy superior to that of the mass-produced PPSh-41[8] at the cost of a significantly higher mass to absorb recoil, with the same exceptionally high rate of fire and an equally large magazine capacity.[8] Its one major disadvantage was its high production cost, which led to the later introduction of the KP/-44, a close copy of the Soviet PPS-43 but accepting the existing magazines and drums for the KP/-31.

The M-22 and KP/-26 were made by Konepistooli Oy, founded by Master Armorer Aimo Lahti, Captain V. Korpela, Lieutenant Y. Koskinen and Lieutenant L. Boyer-Spoof. The Suomi KP/-31 was designed by Koskinen and Lahti.

Type Submachine gun
Place of origin Finland
Service history
In service 1931–1998 Finland (in active service 1980s)
Used by See Users
Wars Chaco War[1]
Spanish Civil War[1]
World War II (Winter War, Continuation War, and Lapland War)[2]
1948 Arab–Israeli War[3]
Korean War[citation needed]
Production history
Designer Aimo Lahti
Designed late 1920s
Manufacturer Tikkakoski
Produced 1931–1953
No. built Approx. 80,000
Variants Kpist m/37, Kpist m/37-39, Kpist m/37-39F, Lettet-Forsøgs, Madsen-Suomi, Hispano Suiza MP43/44
Specifications
Mass 4.6 kg (10.14 lb)
Length 870 mm (34.3 in)
925 mm (36.4 in) (SJR)
740 mm (29.1 in) (bunker version)
Barrel length 314 mm (12.4 in)
Cartridge 9×19mm Parabellum
Action Straight Blowback
Rate of fire 750–900 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity 396 m/s (1,299 ft/s)[4]
Effective firing range 200m[5]
Feed system 20-, 36- or 50-round box, 40- or 71-round drum. Also modified German MP 38 & MP 40 32-round box magazine
Sights Front blade, rear notch