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Suomi M-31 Smg




  caption Suomi KP-31
  name Suomi KP-31
  type Service Submachine Gun
  origin Finland
  era pre World War II, WWII and post WWII
  designer Aimo Lahti
  design Date first prototype in 1920 or 1921
  production Date 1931–1944
  service 1931–1982
  used By Finland , Sweden , Denmark and Switzerland among others
  wars the Winter War and WWII (or the Continuation War )
  spec Type Submachine Gun
  part Length 314
  cartridge 9 Mm Parabellum
  feed 20, 36, 40, 50 or 70 round
  action Blowback
  rate 750 - 900 rounds/min http://wwwgunsconnectfi/gow/suomikp5html
  velocity 396 m/s
  weight 46 kg
  length 870 mm
  variants Kpist m/37 (Swedish cal 9 x 20 mm SR Browning Long)<br>Kpist m/37-39 (Swedish with shortened barrel, cal 9 x 19 mm Parabellum)<br>Kpist m/37-39F (Finnish model, cal 9 x 19 mm Parabellum)<br>Madsen-Suomi (Danish model, cal 9 x 19 mm Parabellum)<br>Hispano Suiza MP43/44 (Swiss model, cal 9 x 19 mm Parabellum) among others
  number ~80000
  range ~200 m


The Suomi-konepistooli KP-31 (''Finland-submachine gun KP-31'') was a Submachine Gun of Finnish manufacture that was in service during World War II . It was a descendant of the M-22 prototype and the KP-26 production model, which was revealed to the public in 1925. The Suomi-konepistooli KP-31 is often abbreviated to just ''Suomi KP''.

The Suomi KP-31 is regarded by many as one of the best submachine guns of World War II and it was so successful that some features from the Suomi KP-31 were copied in the design of the Soviet PPSh-41 submachine gun, such as the magazine.Mosier, ''The Blitzkrieg Myth'', p.86. The accuracy compared to the mass-produced PPSh-41 is superior, thanks in part to a noticeably longer barrel, with the same Rate Of Fire and an equally large 71 round Drum Magazine . If anything, it also possesses superior durability over the similar Russia n SMG.

The M-22 and KP-26 were made by ''Konepistooli Oy'' (the name is Finnish for machine pistol), founded by Master Armorer Aimo Johannes Lahti , Captain V. Korpela, Lieutenant Y. Koskinen and Lieutenant L. Boyer-Spoof. The Suomi-submachine gun KP-31 was designed by the duo of Lieutenant Koskinen and Master Armorer Lahti.

The Suomi KP-31 went into serial production in 1931 by "Tikkakoski Oy" and most of these weapons were bought by the Finnish Defence Forces . The Finnish Defence Forces were equipped with about four thousand Suomi KP-31 submachine guns when the Winter War started.

A variant with an underslung Flamethrower was produced but not much is known about this.

Suomi was also manufactured under license in Sweden, Denmark, and Switzerland. Tank and pillbox variants were also developed and produced in Finland.


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