[DJ_JeremyX]

I hate it when the media does this in headlines. There is a huge difference between a "machine gun" and a "submachine gun". Like a difference between a truck and a golf cart.

A submachine gun is really nothing more than a large pistol. They fire pistol ammo. They're just bigger than pistols.

[MrNeutron1962]

"A submachine gun is really nothing more than a large pistol. They fire pistol ammo. They're just bigger than pistols."

Yes, they are just large, fully automatic pistols, you know, the most famous of all, the Thompson Sub-Machine gun, some pistol.

[LibTeeth]

Re:A submachine gun is really nothing more than a large pistol.

Ditto that. The MP-5 is a good subgun, mainly because its closed breech mode of fire doesn't disturb the sight picture on semi-auto shots. But as the police/SWAT units found out several years back during the North Hollywood robbery, even pistol ammo out of a longer SMG is pretty anemic compared to a centerfire rifle round. Good thing there were some civilain AR-15s nearby to be appropriated.