Information About

Tec-9




  name TEC-9
  type Handgun
  nation Sweden , USA
  era Modern
  platform Individual
  target Personnel
  prod Date Circa 1985 to 1994
  spec Type Handgun
  calibre 9 mm
  barrel From 76 mm to 127 mm depending on model
  ammo 9x19 mm Luger/Parabellum
  mag 10, 20, 32, 36 and 50 rounds
  action Blowback-operated , Semi-automatic
  muzzle Vel 764 m/s (2507 ft/s)
  weight From 123 kg to 14 kg depending on model
  length From 241 mm to 317 mm depending on model
  range 55 m


The Intratec TEC-9 is a Blowback -operated, Semi-automatic 9mm Parabellum caliber Firearm , classified by the Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, And Firearms as a Handgun . It is made of inexpensive molded Polymer and stamped steel parts. Magazines holding 10-, 20-, 32-, 36- and 50-round capacities are available. There are three different models, all of which are commonly referred to as the TEC-9, although only one model was actually sold under that name.


HISTORY

The TEC-9 was originally designed by Swedish company Interdynamic AB of Stockholm as the MP-9, intended as a cheap Submachine Gun based on the Carl Gustaf M/45 for military applications. Interdynamic was unable to acquire interest among governments, and the MP-9 never entered production. Unwilling to abandon the design, Interdynamic set up a U.S. subsidiary to market a semiautomatic version of the handgun to civilians. The MP-9 was redesigned by George Kellgren , and became the model KG-9, which represents the initials of the firearm's designers, George Kellgren and Carlos Garcia.

From its submachine gun heritage, the original TEC-9, model KG-9, featured an Open Bolt design which made it relatively easy to convert illegally to a fully automatic submachine gun. Criminals soon discovered this fact and the TEC-9 became associated in the public's mind with Gang violence, especially from Drive-by Shooting s.

The Bureau Of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, And Explosives (ATF) responded in 1982 by forcing Interdynamic — by then known as Intratec — to convert the design to a Closed-bolt action that would be harder to make fully automatic. The closed-bolt model was designated the KG-99 and was marketed at first as the TEC-9 and later as the TEC-DC9. The fearsome reputation of the TEC-9 kept its popularity high among criminals even though few if any were able to convert the TEC-DC9 to full auto.

The TEC-9 and TEC-DC9 variants were listed by name in the 19 firearms banned by name by the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban . {Link without Title} This ban caused the cessation of their manufacture, and forced Intratec to introduce a newer model called the AB-10 (for "After Ban") that lacked a barrel shroud and threaded muzzle.

The TEC-DC9 variant was among the weapons used by Eric Harris And Dylan Klebold in the 1999 Columbine High School Massacre . {Link without Title} Two years after Columbine, in 2001, Intratec went out of business and the AB-10 model production ceased. After Columbine, the TEC-9 became largely iconic and closely-aligned in the public's mind with respect to Columbine.

The use of the TEC-DC9 at Columbine in April 1999 also led California to amend its 1989 Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act (AWCA) later the same year, effective January 2000, to ban firearms having newly-introduced firearm features used at Columbine (e.g., pistols with barrel shrouds that enable handling guns firing large numbers of rounds). {Link without Title} {Link without Title} {Link without Title}


SEE ALSO

  • Intratec

  • Kel-Tec George Kellgren's current company.

  • Silveira V. Lockyer a court case involving California's Assault Weapons Control Act amendment of 1999, partially a result of the use of a TEC-DC9 at Columbine



EXTERNAL LINKS



MANUAL