DESIGN
After the US announced that it had need for
a PDW, Personnel Defence Weapon, the company
Steyr-Mannlicher started to develop a weapon
that could compete with the P90, MP5-K, Mini
UZI and MP7. The widely used 9mm round, which
is a NATO standard round, was chosen. It
was called the TMP (Tactical Machine Pistol).
The TMP has the size of a large pistol. The
magazine is inserted into the pistol grip
to allow instinctive reloading. All edges
are smooth to prevent small injuries.
The TMP is also available in a semi-automatic
version. That version has no vertical grip.
It is called the SPP (Special Purpose Pistol).
A little fixed stock can be attached to both
weapons. The stock was designed for police
and SWAT units. |
| The TMP is the basic version. It fires semi-
and full automatic. It can be fitted with
a silencer and fixed stock. TMP stands for
Tactical Machine Pistol. The SPP is the semi-automatic
version and has no vertical grip. It can
be fitted with a silencer and fixed stock.
SPP stands for Special Purpose Pistol. |
PERFORMANCE
The TMP is a very compact and safe firearm.
It is a very controllable weapon, due to
the 9mm NATO round. The 9mm is also a drawback
of the TMP. The P90 and MP7 both use ammunition
that does the same amount of damage, has
the same amount of recoil as the 9mm, but
has far better armor piercing characteristics.
The TMP is most effective firing short bursts.
It has no shoulder stock. The very high rate
of fire allows the user to engage multiple
targets in a short period. A major drawback
is its short barrel. The barrel length is
the same as that of a pistol, thus the TMP
has the range of a pistol (25-50m). The short
barrel and the lack of a stock create a large
spread. The spread increases the probability
of hit at a range between 10 and 25 meters.
Beyond that range it is a nuisance.
The TMP allows for instinctive aiming because
of its shape and absence of a shoulder stock.
The TMP or SPP would be a great backup weapon
for snipers or specialists. The silencer,
which can be mounted easily on both SPP and
TMP, might give it a place in special operations
teams.
USE
- Users unknown. Probably used by Austrian
police units and Austrian army.
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