Intratec TEC-DC9

Infobox Weapon
name=TEC-DC9


caption=
origin=Sweden, United States
type=Handgun
is_ranged=yes
service=
used_by=
wars=
designer=
design_date=
manufacturer=Intratec
unit_cost=
production_date=Circa 1985 to 1994
number=
variants=
spec_label=
weight=1.23 kg–1.4 kg depending on model
length=241 mm–317 mm depending on model
part_length=76 mm–127 mm depending on model
width=
height=
cartridge=9x19mm Parabellum
caliber=
action=Blowback-operated, semi-automatic
rate=
velocity=1100 ft/s (335 m/s)
range= 55mFact|date=August 2008
max_range=
feed=10, 20, 32, 36 and 50 rounds
sights=The Intratec TEC-DC9 (also known simply as the TEC-9) is a blowback-operated, semi-automatic 9x19mm Parabellum caliber firearm, classified by the U.S. 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 upwards of 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. This made it easy for the weapon to be converted to fully automatic fire, which, combined with its high magazine capacity and low cost, made it a popular weapon with criminals, especially street gang members. This led to the weapon acquiring a highly negative reputation with the general public, who began to associate it with violent crime.

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 among the 19 firearms banned by name by the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban. [ [http://www.bradycampaign.org/facts/faqs/?page=awb] ] 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. [ [http://www.cnn.com/US/9906/22/columbine.hearing/] ] Two years after Columbine, in 2001, Intratec went out of business and the AB-10 model production ceased.

California amended its 1989 Roberti-Roos Assault Weapons Control Act (AWCA) later in 1999, effective January 2000, to ban firearms having firearm features such as barrel shrouds. [ [http://www.ux1.eiu.edu/~cfib/courses/silveira.htm Silveira v. Lockyer, 2002, 9th Circuit ] ] [ [http://www.calguns.net/a_california_arak.htm A California AR/AK “Series” Assault Weapon FAQ… ] ] [ [http://www.csgv.org/document.cfm?documentID=2 Home - Coalition to Stop Gun Violence ] ]

ee 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

References

External links

* [http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg136-e.htm Modern Firearms]

Manual

* [http://www.nazarian.no/images/wep/205_tec9.pdf Nazarian's Gun Recognition Guide (MANUAL) Intratec 9 Manual (.pdf)]