Hill SMG/Pistol: Inspiration for the FN P90

Published on April 28, 2021
Duration: 15:40

The Hill SMG/Pistol, designed by John L. Hill, served as a crucial inspiration for the FN P90's unique feeding system. Despite its innovative horizontal magazine and downward ejection, the design was not adopted by the military. H&B Enterprises later produced semi-automatic pistol versions, showcasing a novel rotary turntable mechanism for cartridge alignment and a follower that prevents rounds from falling out.

Quick Summary

The Hill SMG/Pistol, designed by John L. Hill, served as a crucial inspiration for the FN P90's unique feeding system. It featured an innovative horizontal magazine with a special follower and ejected spent casings downward through the pistol grip.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Hill SMG/Pistol & FN P90 Inspiration
  2. 00:27Designer John L. Hill Background
  3. 01:09Development, Patents, and Military Testing
  4. 02:28H&B Enterprises and Pistol Production
  5. 03:00Design Variations and Calibers
  6. 04:59Unique Magazine Follower System
  7. 06:17Internal Operation: Blowback & Rotary Turntable
  8. 08:24Safety Features and Downward Ejection
  9. 09:35Operational Pros and Cons
  10. 11:33Legacy and FN P90 Connection

Frequently Asked Questions

What firearm design inspired the FN P90's feeding system?

The FN P90's unique magazine and feeding system was directly inspired by the Hill SMG/Pistol, designed by John L. Hill. Hill's innovative horizontal magazine and rotary feed mechanism laid the groundwork for the P90's later development.

How did the Hill SMG/Pistol eject spent casings?

Uniquely, the Hill SMG/Pistol ejected spent casings downward through the hollow center of its pistol grip. This design choice was innovative but could lead to reliability issues if the firearm was operated upside down.

Who produced pistol versions of the Hill SMG design?

After John L. Hill sold his patents, H&B Enterprises in Houston, TX, produced approximately 90 to 100 semi-automatic pistol versions of the design. These often featured a two-tone finish and were chambered in 9mm or .380 ACP.

What was the main innovation of the Hill SMG/Pistol's magazine?

The Hill SMG/Pistol featured a clear plastic horizontal magazine with a unique follower system. This follower prevented rounds from falling out when the magazine was detached, a significant design improvement for its time.

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