http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/531/F1_SMG_aimed.JPG http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/531/F1_SMG.JPG http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/531/F1.JPG http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/531/F1_SMG_diagram.JPG http://www.militaryimages.net/photopost/data/531/F1_manual.JPG Caliber: 9x19mm Luger/Para Weight: 3.26 kg unloaded Length: 715 mm Barrel length: 203 mm Rate of fire: 600 rounds per minute Magazine capacity: 34 rounds Effective range: 100-200 meters The F1 submachine gun has been designed at the Australian Lithgow Small Arms Factory by 1962. Originally known as X-3 prototype, it appeared in 1962 as possible replacement for obsolete and aging Owen submachine guns. It was adopted as F1 by mid-sixties, and served well until late eighties, when it was officially replaced by the 5.56mm F88 assault rifle, a license-made version of Steyr AUG. F1 was simple, reliable and popular weapon. F1 submachine gun is blowback operated, selective fired weapon which fires from open bolt. It uses tubular receiver with top-mounted magazine. Cocking handle is set at the left side of weapon, and does not reciprocate when gun is fired. Its slot is covered by sliding dust cover. Weapon is made in so-called in-line layout, and the front of the buttstock slides over the rear of the receiver, and is fixed there by special catch. For disassembly, gun is unloaded, then catch is pressed and buttstock pulled off the receiver toward the rear; then, bolt and return spring are removed. Sights are of fixed type, and due to top-mounted magazine are offset to the left. Rear sight is made folding for more comfortable carry. Unlike many other submachine guns, F1 can be fitted with standard rifle bayonet, which is attached to the right of the perforated barrel jacket. Original source:Modern Firearms - F1 submachine gun
Interesting that the site states that the F1 was simple, reliable and popular weapon. From what I've read this was not the case: Australian weapons, Viet Nam and since
I had to become familiar with the F1 in my ARes service and nobody I spoke with had anything good to say about it. It was inaccurate pulled high and right and the only time I ever heard anyone say anything nice about it was when it was handed back to the armoury with a "Thank heavens it's hiding again where's me SLR?"
Strange indeed, having used both I can say that the Owen is a superior weapon than most smg's in that it keeps on going in all conditions which is not the case with the F1. But the Owen is a longer, heavier weapon to carry, which some felt was the reason that it was superseded by the unreliable ( in dirty, sandy and jungle/muddy conditions) F1. Just check the history of all the Owens that were lugged around SE Asia while the F1 sat in the armouries. The F1 also misbehaved under auto fire, climbing up and generally shooting high, whereas the lovely little Owen I had posessed a fantastic, left/up compensator that made it a sweetie. Those Australians who perfected the art of gliding through the jungles and terrifying the enemy could have done a heck of a lot worse. At least the Owen kept firing when the F1 (and Sten and Thomson) stopped. Sure, it was longer, by virtue of it's two chambered action that kept all of the mud away, and if you were stupid, you could have an ND but it is an open bolt firing smg after all. Just pull up the barrel catch, pull off the barrel, rotate the bolt latch and slip out the bolt and spring from the front. That's it! No complicated firing pin bolt, noithing to break. Sure, 9mm rounds aren't the last word in power, but look at how this round is the now world over in the mostr advanced smg designs. This Evelyn Owen was a brilliant man, and Australian soldiers in the east, commandos and special forces had a special place for the Owen smg, and it was hanging on their shoulder, unlike the F1.
