SALW Guide

Global distribution and visual

identification

Zimbabwe
Country report
https://salw-guide.bicc.de
Weapons Distribution SALW Guide

Weapons Distribution
The following list shows the weapons which can be found in Zimbabwe and whether there is
data on who holds these weapons:

AK-47 / AKM G MAT 49 N

AK-74 U PPSH 41 G

Beretta AR70/90 G RPD G

Browning M 2 G RPG 2 U

Colt M1911 U RPG 7 G

DShk G RPK G

Dragunov SVD U Simonov SKS G

FN FAL G Sten gun U

FN Herstal FN MAG G Sterling L2A3 G

FN High Power U Steyr AUG U

HK G3 G Strela (SA-7 / SA-14) N

IGLA (SA-16 / SA-18) G Tokarev TT-30/TT-33 U

Lee-Enfield SMLE U UZI G

MAS 49 U Webley Mk. IV U

MAS 49/56 U

Explanation of symbols
Country of origin

Licensed production

Production without a licence

G Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by Governmental agencies.

N Non-Government: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is held by non-Governmental armed
groups.

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U Unspecified: Sources indicate that this type of weapon is found in the country, but do not specify
whether it is held by Governmental agencies or non-Governmental armed groups.

It is entirely possible to have a combination of tags beside each country. For example, if
country X is tagged with a G and a U, it means that at least one source of data identifies
Governmental agencies as holders of weapon type Y, and at least one other source confirms
the presence of the weapon in country X without specifying who holds it.

Note: This application is a living, non-comprehensive database, relying to a great extent on

active contributions (provision and/or validation of data and information) by either SALW
experts from the military and international renowned think tanks or by national and regional
focal points of small arms control entities.

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AK-47 / AKM
The AK 47 (Designed 1946-1948) is best
described as a hybrid of previous rifle
technology innovations: the trigger, double
locking lugs and unlocking raceway of the M1
Garand/M1 carbine, the safety mechanism of
the John Browning designed Remington Model
8 rifle, and the gas system and layout of the Sturmgewehr 44. There are many variants. The
weapons are used by the former Warsaw Pact countries, and they are still in service with
numerous armed forces, both regular and irregular. The model and its variants remain the
most popular and widely used rifles in the world because of its reliability under harsh
conditions, low production costs.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Cartridge 7.62 x 39mm
Length 870 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the AK-47 / AKM:

7.62 x 39mm
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 38.7 mm

Overall length 56 mm

AK-74
The AK 74 (Designed 1974) is an adaptation of
the 7.62mm AKM assault rifle and features
several important design improvements.
These modifications were primarily the result
of converting the rifle to the intermediate-
caliber 5.45x39mm cartridge, in fact, some
early models are reported to have been converted AKMs, with the barrel re-sleeved to

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5.45x39mm. The result is a more accurate and reliable rifle than the AKM. The AK-74 and
AKM share an approximate 50% parts commonality (interchangeable are most often pins,
springs and screws). There are many variants. The weapons are used by the former Warsaw
Pact countries, and they are still in service with numerous armed forces, both regular and
irregular. The model and its variants remain the most popular and widely used rifles in the
world because of its reliability under harsh conditions, low production costs.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system Gas operated, rotating bolt with 2 lugs
Cartridge 5.45 x 39mm
Length 943 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the AK-74:

5.45 x 39mm
Bullet diameter 5.6 mm

Case length 39.82 mm

Overall length 57 mm

Beretta AR70/90
The Beretta 70/90 system was developed for the Italian
army. The assault rifle AR70/90 was designed for the Italian
army infantry and entered into service in 1990. The AR70/90
is also designed to be fitted with a rifle grenade. It is known
for its reliability, which earned it the nickname “Excalibur”
by the Alpini mountain troops. It remains the standard rifle
of the Italian infantry, though it is currently being phased
out in favour of the newer Beretta ARX 160 assault rifle.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system gas, selective-fire
Cartridge 5.56 x 45mm / .223 Remington
Length 998 mm
Feeding detachable, box magazine

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The following ammunition can be used by the Beretta AR70/90:

5.56 x 45mm / .223 Remington

Bullet diameter 5.7 mm

Case length 44.7 mm

Overall length 57.4 mm

Browning M 2
The Browning .50 caliber machine gun has been used
extensively as a vehicle weapon and for aircraft armament. The
M2 fires from a closed bolt, operated on the short recoil principle.
Nearly 5 million items were produced.

Category Heavy Machine Guns

Operating system Fires from a short bolt, operated on the short recoil principle
Cartridge 12.7 x 99 mm NATO (.50BMG)
Length 1650 mm
Feeding Belt

The following ammunition can be used by the Browning M 2:

12.7 x 99 mm NATO (.50BMG)

Bullet diameter 13 mm
NO IMAGE
Case length 99 mm

Overall length 138 mm

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Colt M1911
Technically, the M1911, also known as Colt Government, is a
recoil operated, locked breech semi-auto pistol. It has single
action trigger with frame mounted safety that locks the
hammer and the slide. Hammer could be locked either in
cocked or in lowered position, allowing the gun to be carried in
"cocked and locked" state, with safety on, hammer cocked and
round chambered. Additional automated safety incorporated
into rear of the grip and locks the action when gun not held in the hand properly. The M
1911 was manufactured by many companies in many countries, partly in the original form,
partly modified, partly under license and partly without a license. It was exported to many
countries after WW II, and it was in service with the US armed forces for more then 70
years.

Category Self-Loading Pistols & Revolvers

Operating system Short recoil operated, closed breech, single action, semi-automatic
Cartridge .45 ACP
Length 219 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Colt M1911:

.45 ACP
Bullet diameter 11.5 mm

Case length 22.8 mm

Overall length 32 mm

DShk
The DShk was exported to many countries, and it can be
found all over the world because the gun is used in
many conflicts. The weapon was in service with several
armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be
found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

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Category Heavy Machine Guns

Operating system Gas operated, belt fed, air cooled, selective fire
Cartridge 12.7 x 108 mm
Length 1625 mm
Feeding Belt

The following ammunition can be used by the DShk:

12.7 x 108 mm
Bullet diameter 12.98 mm
NO IMAGE
Case length 108 mm

Overall length 147.5 mm

Dragunov SVD
The Dragunov SVD uses a short-stroke gas
piston and the gas chamber has a two-position
manual gas regulator. Barrels locked by
rotating bolt with three lugs. The safety is
somewhat reminiscent in its appearance to that of Kalashnikov AK-Assault rifles, although
the internal design of the trigger unit is different, and there is no provisions for full
automatic fire. The trigger unit is assembled on a separate removable base that also
incorporates a trigger guard. It is used by all former Warsaw Pact countries, and it is in
service with numerous armed forces, both regular and irregular. The Yugoslavian model
“Zastava Model 76” has a solid, non-skeletonized stock, and is chambered in 7.92x57mm.

Category Rifles & Carbines

Operating system Gas operated, short stroke, rotating bolt, semi-automatic
Cartridge 7.62 x 54mm R
Length 1225 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Dragunov SVD:

7.62 x 54mm R

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Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 53.72 mm

Overall length 77.16 mm

FN FAL
The FN FAL (Fusil Automatique Léger - Light
Automatic Rifle) is one of the most famous
and widespread military rifle. Because of its
prevalence and widespread usage among the
militaries of many NATO and first world countries during the Cold War, it received the title
"The right arm of the Free World". It can be found in both, the 7.62x51mm and, very rarely,
the 5.56x45mm NATO versions. The furniture may be wood, metal or plastic. There are
various barrel lengths. In the UK (L1A1), Canadian, Indian and Netherland versions, there is
no automatic fire mode. The gas system is fitted with gas regulator so it could be easily
adjusted for various environment conditions, or cut off completely so rifle grenades could
be safely launched from the barrel.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system Gas operated, tilting breechblock, select-fire or semi-automatic only
Cartridge 7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester
Length 1100 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the FN FAL:

7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester

Bullet diameter 7.82 mm

Case length 51.18 mm

Overall length 69.85 mm

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FN Herstal FN MAG
The Belgian FN MAG (Mitrailleuse d’Appui Général,
meaning general-purpose machine gun) entered into
production in 1958. It is one of the most widespread
machine gun designs and is used in more than 90
countries around the globe. It is still manufactured in
Belgium and produced under license in several
countries including Argentina, Egypt, the US and the
UK. It can be carried by infantry and is usually fired while mounted on a tripod.

Category Heavy Machine Guns

Operating system gas, automatic
Cartridge 7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester
Length 1260 mm
Feeding disintegrating metal link belt

The following ammunition can be used by the FN Herstal FN MAG:

7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester

Bullet diameter 7.82 mm

Case length 51.18 mm

Overall length 69.85 mm

FN High Power
The High Power is one of the most widely used military pistols of all
time, having been used by the armed forces of over 50 countries.
The pistol is often referred to as an HP (for "Hi Power" or "High
Power") or as a GP (for the French term, "Grande Puissance").
Technically, the High Power pistol, also known as Browning HP 35,
GP 35 or Model 1935, is a recoil operated, locked breech pistol. It
uses linkless barrel to slide locking invented by Browning. The
trigger is single action, with external hammer. Original HPs featured frame mounted safety
at the left side of the frame, that locks both sear and slide. Modern versions, since Mark II,
also featured ambidextrous safety levers, that are also more comfortable to operate.

Category Self-Loading Pistols & Revolvers

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Operating system Short recoil operated, locked breech, single action

Cartridge .40 S&W
9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 200 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the FN High Power:

.40 S&W
Bullet diameter 10.2 mm

Case length 21.6 mm

Overall length 28.8 mm

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

HK G3
The G3 constructed from Heckler & Koch (H&K) in
cooperation with a Spanish agency Centro de Estudios
Técnicos de Materiales Especiale (CETME) in the beginning
Model A & B, after further development, West German Army
(Bundeswehr) implemented this rifle. The furniture can be
wood or plastic. The plastic stock may be green, sand or
black. There is also a collapsing stock. The rifle is hammer
fired and has a trigger mechanism with a 3-position fire selector switch that is also the
manual safety toggle that secures the weapon from accidentally discharging.

Category Assault Rifles

Operating system Roller-delayed blowback
Cartridge 7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester

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Length 1023 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the HK G3:

7.62 x 51mm / .308 Winchester

Bullet diameter 7.82 mm

Case length 51.18 mm

Overall length 69.85 mm

IGLA (SA-16 / SA-18)

The main differences between the SA-18, the SA-16 and its
predecessor Strela-3 (SA-14) included an optional
“Identification Friend or Foe”-system to prevent firing on
friendly aircraft, an automatic lead and super elevation to
simplify shooting and reduce minimum firing range, a
slightly larger rocket, reduced drag and better guidance
system extend maximum range and improve performance
against fast and maneuverable targets, an improved lethality on target achieved by a
combination of delayed impact fusing, terminal maneuver to hit the fuselage rather than jet
nozzle, an additional charge to set off the remaining rocket fuel (if any) on impact, an
improved resistance to infrared countermeasure, and slightly improved seeker sensitivity.
Several guerrilla and terrorist organizations are also known to have Iglas.

Category Portable Launcher of Anti-aircraft Missile Systems

Operating system MANPAD
Cartridge
Feeding front-loaded

The following ammunition can be used by the IGLA (SA-16 / SA-18):

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Lee-Enfield SMLE
Rifles manufactured in the USA may have
"UNITED STATES PROPERTY” on the left side of
the receiver. Some of the Indian-made
weapons can be found using 7.62 NATO
caliber. The Lee-Enfield family of rifles is the
oldest bolt-action rifle design still in official
service. Lee-Enfield rifles are used by reserve
forces and police forces in many Commonwealth countries, particularly Canada, where they
are the main rifle issued to the Canadian Rangers, and India, where the Lee-Enfield is widely
issued to reserve military units and police forces. Many Afghan participants in the Soviet
invasion of Afghanistan were armed with Lee-Enfields (a common rifle in the Middle East
and South Asia).

Category Rifles & Carbines

Operating system Manually operated, rotating bolt
Cartridge 7.7 x 56mm R / .303 British
Length 1130 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Lee-Enfield SMLE:

7.7 x 56mm R / .303 British

Bullet diameter 7.9 mm

Case length 56.4 mm

Overall length 78.1 mm

MAS 49
The MAS-49 is a French semi-automatic rifle that
replaced various bolt action rifles as the French
service rifle. The MAS-49 and MAS 49/56 use a
direct gas impingement system with no gas
piston. In this system gas is vented from a port
on top of the barrel and piped directly into an
open cylindrical hollow located in front and on
top of the bolt carrier. The system has the advantage of not depositing gas fouling on the

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bolt itself, a separate part located underneath the bolt carrier.Many MAS-49/56 rifles were
imported as surplus in the USA and had been rechambered to fire the 7.62x51mm NATO
round.

Category Rifles & Carbines

Operating system Gas operated, tilting bolt
Cartridge 7.5 x 54mm
Length 1100 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the MAS 49:

7.5 x 54mm
Bullet diameter 7.8 mm

Case length 54 mm

Overall length 78 mm

MAS 49/56
The MAS-49 is a French semi-automatic rifle that replaced various
bolt action rifles as the French service rifle. The MAS-49 and MAS
49/56 use a direct gas impingement system with no gas piston. In
this system gas is vented from a port on top of the barrel and
piped directly into an open cylindrical hollow located in front and
on top of the bolt carrier. The system has the advantage of not
depositing gas fouling on the bolt itself, a separate part located
underneath the bolt carrier. Many MAS-49/56 rifles were imported as surplus in the USA and
had been rechambered to fire the 7.62x51mm NATO round.

Category Rifles & Carbines

Operating system Gas operated, tilting bolt
Cartridge 7.5 x 54mm
Length 1020 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the MAS 49/56:

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7.5 x 54mm
Bullet diameter 7.8 mm

Case length 54 mm

Overall length 78 mm

MAT 49
For some 30 years, the MAT 49 was widely used by
French military and police forces; it was used throughout
the Indochinese and Algerian campaigns. The weapon
can still be encountered in former French colonies in
Africa and Indochina. It should be noted that North
Vietnam once produced a local copy of the MAT 49,
chambered for 7.62mm TT rounds. MAT 49s
manufactured for police forces, had two triggers, allowing use of full-auto fire or single
shots, but most were manufactured as full-auto only.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, fired from open bolt
Cartridge 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev
9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 404 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the MAT 49:

7.62 x 25mm Tokarev

Bullet diameter 7.8 mm

Case length 25 mm

Overall length 34 mm

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

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Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

PPSH 41
The PPSh 41 was one of major infantry
weapons of the Soviet troops during the World
war 2. Retired from Soviet Army service soon
after the WW2, the PPSh was widely exported
to some pro-Soviet countries around the
world, including China, Vietnam and many
African countries. It was an effective, but somewhat crude weapon, reliable in combat but
not without certain flaws. It has an excessive rate of fire, and its drums were uncomfortable
to carry and prone to feed problems once the spring is weaken. The weapon was in service
with several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be found in many countries
in Asia and Africa. Nearly 6 million items were produced.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, fired from open bolt
Cartridge 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev
Length 843 mm
Feeding Drum magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the PPSH 41:

7.62 x 25mm Tokarev

Bullet diameter 7.8 mm

Case length 25 mm

Overall length 34 mm

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RPD
The RPD (Ruchnoy Pulemet Degtyarova -
Degtyarov Light MG) was one of the first
weapons designed to fire a new, intermediate
cartridge 7.62x39mm. During its service life,
the weapon was modernized several times.
The weapon was in service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can
be found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Light Machine Guns

Operating system Gas operated, full auto only
Cartridge 7.62 x 39mm
Length 1037 mm
Feeding Boxed belt

The following ammunition can be used by the RPD:

7.62 x 39mm
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 38.7 mm

Overall length 56 mm

RPG 2
The RPG 2 design is based on the German Panzerfaust anti-tank
weapon developed during World War II. It was made under license
by many companies in many countries (e.g. the B-40 in Vietnam), it
was exported to many countries, and it can be found all over the
world because the gun is used in many conflicts. The weapon was
in service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and
it can be found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Portable Anti-tank Guns

Operating system Recoilless launch / non rocket booster
Cartridge

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Length 650 mm
Feeding front-loaded

The following ammunition can be used by the RPG 2:

RPG 7
The RPG 7 was made under license by many
companies in many countries, it was exported
to many countries, and it can be found all over
the world because the gun is used in many
conflicts. The weapon was in service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular,
and it can be found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Portable Anti-tank Guns

Operating system Recoilless launch + rocket booster
Cartridge
Length 650 mm
Feeding front-loaded, manual reload

The following ammunition can be used by the RPG 7:

RPK
The RPK was made under license by many companies in
many countries. It was exported to many countries, and it
can be found all over the world because the gun is used in
many conflicts. The weapon was in service with several
armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be
found in many countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Light Machine Guns

Operating system Gas operated, magazine fed, air cooled, selective fire
Cartridge 7.62 x 39mm
Length 1040 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the RPK:

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7.62 x 39mm
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

Case length 38.7 mm

Overall length 56 mm

Simonov SKS
SKS is a self-loading Carabine. It utilizes a short-
stroke gas piston with its own return spring, and a
tilting bolt locking, where a bolt tips down to lock
onto the floor of the receiver. Charging handle is
attached to the right side of the bolt carrier and
moves when gun is fired. Safety switch is located
inside the trigger guard. The early model 50
weapons are shorter and are usually found without the bayonet. The SKS was an extremely
reliable, simple constructed weapon with two unique distinguishing characteristics: a
permanently attached folding bayonet, and a hinged non-detachable magazine. However, it
was incapable of fully automatic fire and limited by its ten round magazine capacity, and
was rendered obsolescent by the introduction of the AK-47 in the 1950s. The SKS was only
briefly a standard infantry weapon in front-line units of the Soviet Armed Forces before
being replaced by the AK-47 . The weapon was in service with several armed forces, both
regular and irregular, and it can be found in many countries in Asia and Africa. The SKS
remains popular on the civilian market as a hunting and marksmanship arm in many
countries, including the United States and Canada.

Category Rifles & Carbines

Operating system Gas operated, tilting bolt
Cartridge 7.62 x 39mm
Length 1020 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Simonov SKS:

7.62 x 39mm
Bullet diameter 7.92 mm

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Case length 38.7 mm

Overall length 56 mm

Sten gun
Prior to 1941 UK was keen to produce a own
submachine gun as an alternative Rate of fire
550 450 550 600 rounds per minute to the US-
Thompson submachine gun. Royal Small Arms
Factory, Enfield designed the STEN gun. In the
beginning, unreliable but extremely cheap and
easy to produce. After further development, the guns of 1942 and beyond were, in general,
highly effective weapons. In Germany, the STEN models “Potsdam” and “Neumünster” were
manufactured during WW II. In late 1944, the Mauser works in Germany secretly started
manufacturing copies of British Mk II Sten, apparently for diversion and sabotage purposes.
These weapons were intended to duplicate the British original as closely as possible, right
down to the markings. Also, during WW II some resistance groups in German-occupied
countries (DNK, FRA, NOR, POL) produced significant numbers of Stens.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, fired from open bolt
Cartridge 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 895 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Sten gun:

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

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Sterling L2A3
Sterling submachine guns , were purchased in more than 70
countries. However, it must be noted that these weapons
were rather popular among British troops because of their
relatively compact size, adequate firepower and accuracy
and good reliability. Special "high power, submachine-gun
only" ammunition was procured by British army for Sterling
submachine guns. This ammunition was absolutely safe in
Sterling submachine guns, but can cause extensive wear to many 9mm pistols designed for
commercial 9x19mm ammunition.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, select-fire, fires from open bolt
Cartridge 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 481 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Sterling L2A3:

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

Steyr AUG
The rifle is fully ambidextrous. It can be configured for
use by left-handed shooters by simply changing the bolt
for a left-handed one with the extractor and ejector on
opposite sides, and moving a blanking cap from the left
ejection opening to the right. The housing of the AUG
rifles, integral with the pistol handle and trigger guard, is
made from the high impact-resistant polymer, and is
usually of green or black color. The Australian Army's modified version of the Steyr AUG A1
is called F88 Austeyr. It is also used by the Falklands Defense Forces.

Category Assault Rifles

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Operating system Gas operated, rotating bolt

Cartridge 5.56 x 45mm / .223 Remington
9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 790 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Steyr AUG:

5.56 x 45mm / .223 Remington

Bullet diameter 5.7 mm

Case length 44.7 mm

Overall length 57.4 mm

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

Strela (SA-7 / SA-14)

The missile launcher system consists of the
green missile launch tube containing the
missile, a grip stock and a cylindrical thermal
battery. The launch tube is reloadable at
depot, but missile rounds are delivered to fire
units in their launch tubes. The device can be
reloaded up to five times. The Strela and its variants have been widely used in nearly every
regional conflict since 1968.

Category Portable Launcher of Anti-aircraft Missile Systems

Operating system MANPAD
Cartridge
Feeding front-loaded

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The following ammunition can be used by the Strela (SA-7 / SA-14):

Tokarev TT-30/TT-33
The TT looks like the Browning FN 1903, and the mechanism is
similar to the Colt M1911. In Hungary, the TT was modified and
produced for export to Egypt in caliber 9mm and with a safety
lock. For its time, the Tokarev TT was a formidable weapon, with
good penetration and effective range. It was of good reliability
and easy to maintain. What it lacked most, was the manual
safety and its grip shape was not too comfortable. It was in
service with several armed forces, both regular and irregular, and it can be found in many
countries in Asia and Africa.

Category Self-Loading Pistols & Revolvers

Operating system Short recoil operated, closed breech, single action, semi-automatic
Cartridge 7.62 x 25mm Tokarev
Length 194 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the Tokarev TT-30/TT-33:

7.62 x 25mm Tokarev

Bullet diameter 7.8 mm

Case length 25 mm

Overall length 34 mm

UZI
The UZI and the Czechoslovakian series Sa 23 to Sa 26 were the
first weapons to use a telescoping bolt design, in which the bolt
wraps around the breech end of the barrel. This allows the barrel to
be moved far back into the receiver and the magazine to be housed
in the pistol grip, allowing for a heavier, slower-firing bolt in a
shorter, better- balanced weapon. The pistol grip is fitted with a grip
safety, making it difficult to fire accidentally. There were built

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further variants, also as Military variants, such as Mini Uzi, Micro Uzi and Uzi Pistol. Mini-
and Micro-Uzi submachine guns were produced either in open-bolt or closed-bolt versions.
The Uzi was also copied respectively cloned and spread around the whole world.

Category Submachine Guns

Operating system Blowback-operated, fired from open bolt
Cartridge 9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)
Length 470 mm
Feeding Box magazine

The following ammunition can be used by the UZI:

9mm Parabellum (9 x 19mm)

Bullet diameter 9 mm

Case length 19.15 mm

Overall length 29.69 mm

Webley Mk. IV
The Webley Mk. IV was a standard issue service pistol for the
armed forces of the United Kingdom and British Empire and
Commonwealth for over 70 Years. All Webley top-beak
revolvers featured two piece frame, which hinges ("breaks")
down at the forward low end for ejection and loading. The
ejector is actuated automatically when the frame is broken
open, simultaneously removing all six cases from the cylinder.
The cartridges then can be inserted by hand. In the case of revolver being rechambered for
.45ACP round, half- moon clips are used to load the gun (two clips, each for 3 rounds).

Category Self-Loading Pistols & Revolvers

Operating system Double action revolver
Cartridge .455 British Service
Length 286 mm
Feeding Cylinder

The following ammunition can be used by the Webley Mk. IV:

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SALW Guide

.455 British Service

Bullet diameter 11.5 mm

Case length 19.6 mm

Overall length 31.2 mm

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 SALW Guide

Tagging of Sources
We believe that our Guide should be as transparent as possible without endangering the
confidentiality of our sources. Rather than name the exact source for each unit of data, we
have created tags so that users can at least know whether the data comes from a primary
or secondary source, and by which medium it can or has been found. All incoming data is
validated and then tagged by the project team at BICC before it enters our database.

Sources are tagged according to the following criteria:

1. Primary Sources:
These are presentations of facts. They are proof of an SALW event (e.g. a transfer, sighting,
misuse, etc.) because the source was created at the time of the event itself. Primary
sources as usually original documents such as transfer authorizations, firearms legislation,
or academic journals presenting results of a study on SALW holdings in a particular country,
for example. However, they can also be information offered by a person with direct
knowledge of an SALW event or who has documented an SALW event at the time that it
happened.

2. Secondary Sources:
These are interpretations or evaluation of facts. Secondary sources contain commentary
and analysis of SALW events that are documented in primary sources.

Sources are also tagged according to the dominant medium of delivery:

A. Written - the source is based on written words.

B. Oral - the source is based on spoken words.
C. Visual - the source is based on seen events or optical images.

These criteria make our tags two-dimensional. While the process of classifying sources is a
primarily subjective one, the project team at BICC has developed the following table to
serve as an example of possible sources within each category.

Table: Examples of sources on SALW distribution

Primary Secondary

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SALW Guide

Written • Fact books • Wikipedia

• Weapons Transfer • Literature reviews
authorizations • Training or safety manuals
• End-user certificates on gun control, ammunition,
• Transcripts of interviews, legal physical stockpile security
proceedings, speeches/ management)
presentations, meetings, • Minutes of meetings,
conferences or symposia conferences, symposia
• Newspaper articles • Indexes (e.g. Global
• Written correspondence (e.g. Militarization Index)
letters, emails, text messages, • Newspaper articles
etc.)
Etc.
• Blogs
• Peer-reviewed journal articles
• Treaties, constitution, laws
• Records of organizations (e.g.
annual reports)
• Surveys, questionnaires

Etc...

Oral • Interviews with experts, • Speeches, panel

including radio or telephone presentations, etc. on data
• Legal proceedings provided by experts
• Speeches or interventions by
Etc...
experts or national
representatives in government
or international meetings

Etc ...

Visual • Artifacts (e.g. the weapons • PowerPoint presentations on

themselves, ammunition) results found by experts
• Photographs of weapons,
Etc...
ammunition, etc.
• Videos (e.g. YouTube, those
recorded by mobile phone)
• Television documentaries, news
reports

Etc ...

salw-guide.bicc.de 27
About the Guide SALW Guide

Table: Example tags

Source (sample) Type of Medium of

source delivery

IHS Jane’s Weapons Infantry (2015-2016) primary written

Panel discussion of weapons use of non-state secondary oral

armed groups

Documentary on paramilitaries in Colombia primary visual

About the Guide

The Interactive Guide on Small Arms and Light Weapons is an open access tool,
designed to build knowledge on how to identify different types, makes and models of
commonly used SALW in organized violence; to collect data on the global and country-
specific spread of these SALW; and to describe some of their visual and technical
specifications.

The guide is not an exhaustive list of all SALW that are used around the world.

Global SALW control relies on, among other things, data and knowledge of the weapons
themselves. Our aim is that the Guide will be used to support national reporting duties on
SALW holdings; facilitate and ameliorate the collection of data on SALW; and increase
general knowledge of global distribution of SALW.

The interactive Guide was developed by BICC in close cooperation with the Bundeswehr
Verification Center (BwVC), and with the generous support of the Federal Foreign Office,
Germany.

Contact
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) gGmbH
Joseph Farha
Project Coordinator
Pfarrer-Byns-Str. 1
53121 Bonn
Germany

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SALW Guide Overall project coordination

E-Mail: joseph.farha@bicc.de
Internet: www.bicc.de

Zentrum für Verifikationsaufgaben der Bundeswehr (ZVBw) - Bundeswehr

Verification Center (BwVC)
Global Arms- and Proliferation Control Division
Major Laurentius Wedeniwski
Selfkant-Kaserne
Rue de Quimperle 100
52511 Geilenkirchen
E-Mail: LaurentiusWedeniwski@bundeswehr.org

Overall project coordination

Joseph Farha
Project Coordinator
Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC)

Responsible for all content (including photos):

Zentrum für Verifikationsaufgaben der Bundeswehr (ZVBw) - Bundeswehr Verification

Center.
Major Laurentius Wedeniwski: Small Arms and Light Weapons Guide (2016).

Responsible for design, editorial and technical implementation:

Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (BICC) gGmbH.

Technical management: Joseph Farha
Programming: Rolf Alberth

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