Floro MK-9
Submachine gun
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Floro MK-9[b] is a submachine gun designed and formerly manufactured by Floro International Corporation (FIC). The weapon is marketed to local security forces as a low-cost alternative to imported submachine guns.
| FIC MK-9 | |
|---|---|
The MK-9. | |
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | Philippines |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1997–Present |
| Wars | Civil conflict in the Philippines |
| Production history | |
| Designer | Floro International Corporation |
| Manufacturer | Floro International Corporation |
| Produced | Estimated to be 1990s |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 3.18 kg (Empty, MK-9) 2.55 kg (Empty, MP-9) 3.2 kg (With Magazine) |
| Length | 64.5 cm[a] (Stock extended, MK-9) 65 cm (Stock extended, MP-9) |
| Barrel length | 46 cm (Stock folded, MK-9) 46.5 cm (Stock folded, MP-9) |
| Cartridge | 9×19mm Parabellum |
| Action | blowback, closed bolt |
| Rate of fire | 800-850 rounds/min |
| Muzzle velocity | 400 m/s (1,312 ft/s) |
| Effective firing range | 100 m (328 ft) |
| Feed system | 25 or 32-round magazine |
| Sights | Front Sight: Fixed Rear sight: Adjustable for windage Picatinny railing included |
| References | [1] |
History
According to Victorino Floro, who was the chairman of FIC in 1996, Gregory Floro approached the Philippine Army in March 1996 for testing and evaluating FIC-made small arms as part of the Self-Reliance Defense Posture (SRDP) program.[4] Two MK-9s were tested and reportedly passed the requirement for a 9mm submachine gun.[5] 75 MK-9s were delivered in two batches on October 6 and 7, 1997.[6] In April 1998, FIC was asked by the Armed Forces of the Philippines's Research and Development Center (AFP RDC) to rework the MK-9s with a heavy buffer assembly.[6] 65 MK-9s were returned to FIC to rework them and were resubmitted in September 1998.[6] In August 2000, FIC was told by the AFP that the 65 MK-9s failed their requirements, but FIC said that they are willing to rework them and were redelivered in January 2001.[6] 10 MK-9s were also delivered at no extra charge to replace the MK-9s that were provided to the AFP Office of the Chief of Staff Security Group in 1997.[7]
In a memo from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), the MK-9 was mentioned as being documented for potential recovery from ex-rebels and militiamen if and when they were turned in for firearms amnesty.[8]
Corruption case
The Floro MK-9 was reportedly sold to the AFP in 1997 under a P1,500,000.00 contract where 75 MK-9s were found to be allegedly defective according to a report filed from the Sandiganbayan under the Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act on September 27, 2004.[9] The court cleared Major Jose L. Barao Jr., Captain Henry G. Valeroso, and Victorino R. Floro, then FIC president, on April 27, 2018.[9][10] Colonel Artemio C. Cacal was cleared of graft after his death.[10]
The Sandiganbayan ruled that prosecutors did not prove the presence of undue injuries from the contract and providing Victorino with benefits.[10]
Design
The MK-9 series is a blowback-operated weapon,[11] made from steel,[12] chambered for the 9×19mm Parabellum cartridge. A black phospate reflective finish is used to coat the submachine gun, although its pistol grip is moulded with a black matt-polymer finish.[12] FIC discontinued plans to use a wooden buttstock for the MK-9.[12]
The MK-9 fires from a closed bolt with a selector switch allowing semi-automatic or full-automatic fire.[11] The upper receiver is a steel tube and the barrel is held in place by the perforated barrel jacket. A suppressor can be used when needed.[1]
The lower receiver and magazine housing consists of sheet metal. The extended magazine well has a plastic hand guard and doubles as a forward grip. It has the Uzi submachine gun-type magazine interface and uses 25 or 30-round Uzi magazines.[1][11] The MK-9 uses the firing mechanism of the M16.[11]
The cocking handle is on the left side of the upper receiver and incorporated with a dust cover.[11] The front sights are fixed and the rear sights have an adjustment knob for windage.[2] The upper receiver has a Picatinny rail installed, allowing telescopic and red dot sights to be used.[2]
Variants
Users
Philippines:
- Philippine Navy: Around 100 MK-9s ordered.[11] Known to be used by the Naval Special Operations Command.[11]
- Philippine Marine Corps: Tested by PMC for use by military police, armored vehicle crews and counter-terrorist units.[11]
Former
- Philippines: Formerly used by the Anti-Crime Task Force (ACTF), Armed Forces of the Philippines.[13]