Madsen M-50

The Madsen M-50 or M/50 is a submachine gun introduced in 1950. It was produced by the Danish company Dansk Industri Syndikat of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Overview
This firearm was a modified variation of the M/46. The only major improvement was the simplified retracting handle. Introduction of the M/50 occurred at Mosede Fort, from 7 November 1950, until 1953.

The M/50 is made of stamped sheet metal. It is an open bolt design which means it fires when the bolt is in the locked back open position with a fixed firing pin. The M/46 and M/50 share a unique design: the firearm is stamped from two pieces of sheet metal which are shaped with an integral rear pistol grip and magazine housing. The two pieces fit together like a clam shell with the hinge at the rear of the pistol grip. The firearm is held together with a barrel locking nut which is threaded onto the fore section of the two receiver halves. The pistol grip is hollow, providing storage space for a magazine loading tool.

The folding stock is made of tubular steel covered with leather and folds onto the right side of the firearm. The M/50 fires in full-auto only. It also features a safety lever (also known as grip safety), unusually placed in front of the forward magazine housing. To fire the M/50 the operator must grip the magazine housing and hold down the safety lever.

Users



 * 🇦🇷 Argentina
 * 🇧🇴 Bolivia
 * 🇧🇷 Brazil (produced under license as the INA Model 953 in .45 ACP)
 * 🇨🇱 Chile
 * 🇨🇴 Colombia
 * 🇩🇰 Denmark
 * 🇸🇻 El Salvador
 * 🇬🇹 Guatemala
 * 🇮🇩 Indonesia
 * North Vietnam
 * 🇳🇮 Nicaragua
 * 🇵🇾 Paraguay
 * South Vietnam
 * 🇹🇭 Thailand
 * 🇹🇼 Taiwan
 * 🇬🇧 United Kingdom: the M-50 underwent intensive trials in 1951–1952 against the BSA model 1949 and the Sterling submachine gun. The latter was eventually selected.
 * 🇺🇸 United States In use with Green Berets serving alongside Montagnards in MIKE Force units
 * 🇻🇪 Venezuela


 * Non State Users


 * Malayan Communist Party
 * Brazilian Communist Party
 * Ação Libertadora Nacional
 * Ulster Defence Association
 * Red Hand Commando
 * Loyalist Volunteer Force
 * Vanguarda Armada Revolucionaria Palmares