Skip to main content

The Uzi Submachine Gun History - 'Gun Stories'

His friends called him Uzi, but Major Uziel Gal never wanted that name attached to the firearm he designed. But the Israelis simply ignored his request, and the Uzi submachine gun, one of the most iconic firearms in history, came into being.

The Uzi was born into war. On May 14, 1948, the state of Israel came into being and was immediately attacked by the new country's neighbors. Although the fledgling Israelis beat back the attacks, it was evident that the new nation state needed a new firearm to replace the hodgepodge of surplus WWII weaponry then available.

Gal's inspiration for the Uzi was to be found in Eastern Europe. The Czech CZ25 submachine gun, designed in the late 1940s, utilized the telescoping bolt and a magazine that inserted into the pistol grip. Both those features would find their way into the Uzi.

Maybe the most famous appearance of the Uzi outside of Israel came in March of 1981 when a mentally unbalanced man named John Hinckley Jr. attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan with a .22 revolver. The President was seriously wounded from a ricochet. The iconic picture of that day shows Secret Service Special Agent Robert Wanko, Uzi in hand, watching over the crowd as the President and other wounded were evacuated. The Uzi remained the sub gun of choice for the Secret Service well into the 1990s.

Uzis were made in a number of different variations, including mini, micro and pistol version without a buttstock. The mini and the micro are still in production, and a variant of the micro, the Uzi Pro, remains popular with Special Forces units. In many ways, the Uzi defined the submachine gun. Rugged, reliable firepower for an increasingly complex worldwide battlefield.

Current Magazine Cover

Enjoy articles like this?

Subscribe to the magazine.

Get access to everything Guns & Ammo has to offer.
Subscribe to the Magazine

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Recommended Articles

Recent Videos

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Optics

Training Tips and Tools

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Optics

Simplicity vs Complexity

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Optics

Mounting a Red Dot

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Optics

5 Benefits of Red Dot Sights for Hunting

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Optics

Durability Test

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Optics

Product Spotlight - Acro P2

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Rifles

Gemtech GVAC

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Handguns

SDS Imports Tisas PX-9 Affordable Defensive Pistol

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Handguns

Walther PDP Professional Law Enforcement Exclusive Duty Pistol

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Rifles

Rossi R95 30-30 Hunting and Plinking Lever Action Rifle

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Accessories

Safariland IncogX IWB Holster: Editorial Roundtable 2023

Famous for its revolvers and 1911s, Colt entered the bolt-action arena with the all-new CBX Tac Hunter. Priced at $999, ...
Rifles

New Colt CBX Tac Hunter Premium Hunting Rifle

Guns and Ammo Magazine Covers Print and Tablet Versions

GET THE MAGAZINE Subscribe & Save

Digital Now Included!

SUBSCRIBE NOW

Give a Gift   |   Subscriber Services

PREVIEW THIS MONTH'S ISSUE

Buy Digital Single Issues

Magazine App Logo

Don't miss an issue.
Buy single digital issue for your phone or tablet.

Buy Single Digital Issue on the Guns & Ammo App

Other Magazines

See All Other Magazines

Special Interest Magazines

See All Special Interest Magazines

GET THE NEWSLETTER Join the List and Never Miss a Thing.

Get the top Guns & Ammo stories delivered right to your inbox every week.

Phone Icon

Get Digital Access.

All Guns and Ammo subscribers now have digital access to their magazine content. This means you have the option to read your magazine on most popular phones and tablets.

To get started, click the link below to visit mymagnow.com and learn how to access your digital magazine.

Get Digital Access

Not a Subscriber?
Subscribe Now

Enjoying What You're Reading?

Get a Full Year
of Guns & Ammo
& Digital Access.

Offer only for new subscribers.

Subscribe Now