The MGD PM-9

This weapon is more than a little eccentric, both in appearance and operation. But a little examination into the oddities of its operation may give some explanation to its unique appearance.


The aim of the designer seems to have been to create a weapon which had decreased recoil and which could also be easily concealable. The MGD PM-9 fires from an open bolt and is delayed blowback operated. It also has the options of single shot and fully automatic fire mode. It is interesting to note that it uses a flywheel (which explains the crank on the right side of the of the receiver) to add some weight to its very light bolt. The magazine housing accepts MP38/MP40 magazines, and can be folded forward like another French weapon of that time, the MAT-49.


Designed in the 1940s, the MGD PM-9 was produced by a French company named Merlin & Gerin. The designer of this weapon was an employee of M&G by the name of Louis Debuit, hence MGD (Merlin & Gerin, Debuit). Merlin & Gerin produced an unspecified number of guns, first chambered in 7.62x20mm long and then in 9x19mm parabellum. The MGD PM-9 never had any success and has not been known to be used by any military or police unit. In 1956 the German gun company, Erma Werke, considered building it but never did.