The Steyr TMP (Taktische Maschinenpistole, meaning "Tactical Machine Pistol") is a compact, magazine-fed, select-fire SMG, chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum. It fires from a closed bolt, and is known for its controllability during full-auto fire.
In 2001, Steyr sold the design to Switzerland manufacturer Brügger & Thomet, who developed it into the essentially-same MP9.
Design details[]
The TMP is a blowback-operated, locked breech design, with a rotating barrel. When the shot is fired, the bolt and barrel move backward slightly. This causes the barrel to rotate clockwise slightly, which unlocks the bolt and allows the weapon to cycle. The rotation is controlled by a small cam pin on the barrel that follows the spiral groove inside the receiver. The charging handle is located on the rear of the weapon.
Both the upper and lower receiver are made from polymer. The TMP has no stock, which precludes the firing of the weapon from the shoulder; it can be fitted with a wire stock, however. For additional stability, the TMP has a vertical foregrip.
The safety features on this firearm include an automatic out-of-battery safety (prevents firing out of battery), a drop safety, and the manual safety switch.
Variants[]
Steyr SPP[]
The civilian variant is the Steyr SPP. It has no vertical foregrip and is semi-automatic only.
Brügger & Thomet MP9[]
In 2001, Steyr sold the design to Swiss manufacturer Brügger & Thomet, who started producing it again under the name MP9. Its main differences include a folding stock and a Picatinny rail above the receiver. Its variants are the following:
- TP9: Semi-automatic only version of the MP9. Very similar to the Steyr SPP, but featuring an underbarrel picatinny rail.
- TP9-N: Later version of the TP9 featuring an empty socket in place of the foregrip, as well as an ambidextrous safety lever instead of a sliding one.[1]
- TP9 PRO: Improved variant with a side-mounted ambidextrous folding charging handle, new Picatinny rail, M-LOK slots on the left and right side, and flat-faced trigger,
- MP9-N: Variant with an ambidextrous selector lever instead of the cross-bolt push button selector.[2]
- MP45: Variant chambered in .45 ACP. It was displayed in 2011, and was seemingly never heard of again.[2]
- TP9-45: Rare semi-auto carbine chambered in .45 ACP.[3]
- TP380: Semi-auto derivative chambered in .380 ACP.
Gallery[]
