The CIA's shady suppressed Vietnam-era sub machine gun: The Carl Gustav M/45 with Jonathan Ferguson

Published on September 25, 2024
Duration: 17:00

This video details the suppressed Carl Gustav M/45, a Vietnam-era submachine gun with CIA connections. Jonathan Ferguson of the Royal Armouries highlights its unique features, including a single-diameter suppressor and sanitized markings for covert use. The M/45B variant's reinforced end cap and the standard model's 600 rpm rate of fire are discussed, alongside a comparison of suppressor designs and barrel porting.

Quick Summary

The suppressed Carl Gustav M/45, often called the 'Swedish K', was used by CIA-affiliated units in Vietnam. Its design features include 'sanitized' markings (serial numbers removed) for covert operations and a unique suppressor with barrel porting to reduce 9mm rounds to subsonic speeds.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Intro: Suppressed Carl Gustav M/45B
  2. 01:16CIA & Vietnam War Connection ('Swedish K')
  3. 03:15Standard M/45 Specs & Features
  4. 06:06Disassembly & Sanitized Markings
  5. 09:10Suppressor Design & Barrel Porting
  6. 11:41Barrel Comparison & Origin Speculation

Frequently Asked Questions

What distinguished the Carl Gustav M/45B variant from the M/45A?

The primary difference between the Carl Gustav M/45B and the M/45A variants is the reinforced end cap on the M/45B model, providing increased durability.

How was the suppressed Carl Gustav M/45 used during the Vietnam War?

The suppressed 'Swedish K' was famously associated with CIA operations and special units like MACV-SOG and Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War, used for deniable operations requiring non-US weapons.

What does 'sanitized' mean in the context of firearms like the M/45?

'Sanitized' refers to the practice of grinding off serial numbers and inspection marks from a firearm. This was done for weapons intended for clandestine use to hide their origin and make them untraceable.

How does the suppressor on the Carl Gustav M/45 work?

The suppressor features wire mesh baffling and uses four large ports near the chamber. These ports bleed off gas pressure, reducing the velocity of standard 9mm ammunition below the speed of sound, thus suppressing the gunshot.

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