The UZI is probably the best known sub-machine gun of all time. Named after its designer Major Uziel Gal, it was developed in the late 1940s to equip the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). This example dates to 1965–1985.

The UZI fired 9mm pistol cartridges at a rate of 600 per minute and was famed for its reliability and stability. This was mainly due to the ‘telescoping bolt’, which is wrapped around the barrel, shifting the centre of gravity forwards. This compensates for the tendency for the muzzle to rise during automatic fire. The bolt position also allows the magazine to be housed within the pistol grip, resulting in a compact and balanced firearm. The addition of a retractable stock in the 1960s helped shorten the gun further, resulting in a weapon little bigger than a large automatic pistol. The UZI has proved very popular with police and defence organisations in more than 90 countries.