MAG-7
Encyclopedia
The MAG-7 is a pump-action
shotgun
manufactured by Techno Arms PTY of South Africa since 1995.
The MAG-7 was developed as a close quarters combat
(CQB) weapon, which would combine the aspects of a compact submachine gun
and a pump shotgun
. The design incorporates a 5-round box magazine
that is placed within the pistol grip
. This, along with the research showing that standard 12 gauge cartridges provide more than adequate stopping power at the close ranges for which the weapon was designed, led to the use of a special 12 gauge cartridge measuring 2.36 inch (60 mm) in length. The use of the MAG-7 with these cartridges yields an effective range of 45 yards (41.1 m), although they have a proven lethality to 90 yards (82 m). The MAG-7 also has a detachable, top-folding sheet metal stock.
There were two models initially manufactured—the original MAG-7, and civilian-legal model, called the MAG-7 M1, which features a longer barrel and fixed wooden stock to comply with the requirements of the National Firearms Act
, and of the gun laws of many countries other than the United States of America, of a barrel length of 18 inches (457 mm) or more and an overall length of 26 inches (660 mm) or more. In this non-NFA configuration, however, the original concept of the weapon as an extremely compact hard-hitting tool for CQB and backup is defeated.
, above the pistol grip. The actuation of this lever is not possible without removing the left arm from the pump, and is difficult if the operator is wearing gloves. The same problem exists for the slide lock button. These problems were mainly found in the early models exported to the United States of America. The company then focused its attention on these issues and were solved by reducing the resistance of the safety lever and over-ride slide lock button. The user can now operate both levers effectively and easily without taking the left hand off the pump. Another issue that plagued the MAG-7 was the 7.7 Kgf trigger pull. It was also addressed by the manufacturer and reduced to an industry standard 3.5Kgf
requirement. Techno Arms also stocks these cartridges from No 5, AAA, SSG and the riot rubber bullet
.
, South Africa, as of March 2009 is active and is marketing the MAG-7 in three versions: the standard MAG-7, the civilian-legal MAG-7 M1, and the M7 Dual Riot, a combination weapon based upon the standard MAG-7, with a fixed metal stock and an up-mounted 37mm single-shot less-lethal launcher
with tilting barrel, extremely reminiscent of the widely popular South-African Milkor Stopper 37/38 mm riot gun
, which Techno Arms now also manufactures.
Pump-action
A pump-action rifle or shotgun is one in which the handgrip can be pumped back and forth in order to eject a spent round of ammunition and to chamber a fresh one. It is much faster than a bolt-action and somewhat faster than a lever-action, as it does not require the trigger hand to be removed from...
shotgun
Combat shotgun
A combat shotgun is a shotgun that is intended for use in an offensive role, typically by a military force. The earliest shotguns specifically designed for combat were the trench guns or trench shotguns issued in World War I...
manufactured by Techno Arms PTY of South Africa since 1995.
History and design
Close quarters battle
Close quarters combat or close quarters battle is a type of fighting in which small units engage the enemy with personal weapons at very short range, potentially to the point of hand-to-hand combat or fighting with hand weapons such as swords or knives...
(CQB) weapon, which would combine the aspects of a compact submachine gun
Submachine gun
A submachine gun is an automatic carbine, designed to fire pistol cartridges. It combines the automatic fire of a machine gun with the cartridge of a pistol. The submachine gun was invented during World War I , but the apex of its use was during World War II when millions of the weapon type were...
and a pump shotgun
Shotgun
A shotgun is a firearm that is usually designed to be fired from the shoulder, which uses the energy of a fixed shell to fire a number of small spherical pellets called shot, or a solid projectile called a slug...
. The design incorporates a 5-round box magazine
Magazine (firearm)
A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable . The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action...
that is placed within the pistol grip
Pistol grip
On a firearm or other tool, the pistol grip is that portion of the mechanism that is held by the hand and orients the hand in a forward, vertical orientation, similar to the position one would take with a conventional pistol such as the M1911....
. This, along with the research showing that standard 12 gauge cartridges provide more than adequate stopping power at the close ranges for which the weapon was designed, led to the use of a special 12 gauge cartridge measuring 2.36 inch (60 mm) in length. The use of the MAG-7 with these cartridges yields an effective range of 45 yards (41.1 m), although they have a proven lethality to 90 yards (82 m). The MAG-7 also has a detachable, top-folding sheet metal stock.
There were two models initially manufactured—the original MAG-7, and civilian-legal model, called the MAG-7 M1, which features a longer barrel and fixed wooden stock to comply with the requirements of the National Firearms Act
National Firearms Act
The National Firearms Act , 73rd Congress, Sess. 2, ch. 757, , enacted on June 26, 1934, currently codified as amended as , is an Act of Congress that, in general, imposes a statutory excise tax on the manufacture and transfer of certain firearms and mandates the registration of those firearms. The...
, and of the gun laws of many countries other than the United States of America, of a barrel length of 18 inches (457 mm) or more and an overall length of 26 inches (660 mm) or more. In this non-NFA configuration, however, the original concept of the weapon as an extremely compact hard-hitting tool for CQB and backup is defeated.
Service
Although the design concept was geared towards law enforcement and military close quarters combat scenarios, there was inadequate demand for the weapon in the due to some problematic design issues in its conception. One such design feature was safety lever on the left side of the stamped steel receiverReceiver (firearms)
In firearms terminology, the receiver is the part of a firearm that houses the operating parts. The receiver usually contains the bolt carrier group, trigger group, and magazine port. In most handguns, the receiver, or frame, holds the magazine well or rotary magazine as well as the trigger mechanism...
, above the pistol grip. The actuation of this lever is not possible without removing the left arm from the pump, and is difficult if the operator is wearing gloves. The same problem exists for the slide lock button. These problems were mainly found in the early models exported to the United States of America. The company then focused its attention on these issues and were solved by reducing the resistance of the safety lever and over-ride slide lock button. The user can now operate both levers effectively and easily without taking the left hand off the pump. Another issue that plagued the MAG-7 was the 7.7 Kgf trigger pull. It was also addressed by the manufacturer and reduced to an industry standard 3.5Kgf
Proprietary ammunition
The original 12 gauge × 60 mm cartridges are difficult to obtain, however Aguila Ammunition Company of Mexico's "Mini-Shells" can be substituted but will not function 100% with the MAG-7 magazine. 3 rounds can be usually be loaded and fired with some reliability. Standard 12 gauge cartridges can also be modified to comply with the 60 mm chamberChamber (weaponry)
In firearms, the chamber is that portion of the barrel or firing cylinder in which the cartridge is inserted prior to being fired. Rifles and pistols generally have a single chamber in their barrels, while revolvers have multiple chambers in their cylinders and no chamber in their barrel...
requirement. Techno Arms also stocks these cartridges from No 5, AAA, SSG and the riot rubber bullet
Rubber bullet
Rubber bullets are rubber or rubber-coated projectiles that can be fired from either standard firearms or dedicated riot guns. They are intended to be a non-lethal alternative to metal projectiles...
.
Current status
The manufacturer, Techno Arms (PTY) Ltd., located in South Hills, GautengSouth Hills, Gauteng
South Hills is a suburb of Johannesburg, South Africa. It is located in Region 9.South Hills is a suburb of Johannesburg that is mainly home to poor and middle class families. Local residents of South Hills refer to South Hills as "Storks", which is a mock name referring to all the unplanned...
, South Africa, as of March 2009 is active and is marketing the MAG-7 in three versions: the standard MAG-7, the civilian-legal MAG-7 M1, and the M7 Dual Riot, a combination weapon based upon the standard MAG-7, with a fixed metal stock and an up-mounted 37mm single-shot less-lethal launcher
Riot gun
A riot gun or less-lethal launcher is a type of firearm that is used to fire "non-lethal" ammunition for the purpose of suppressing riots. Less-lethal launchers may be special purpose firearms designed for riot control use, or standard firearms, usually shotguns and grenade launchers, adapted to...
with tilting barrel, extremely reminiscent of the widely popular South-African Milkor Stopper 37/38 mm riot gun
Milkor Stopper 37/38 mm riot gun
The Milkor Stopper is a riot gun used for riot control, designed to fire a 37mm cartridge, which can be a teargas canister or a rubber shot cartridge or explosive. It fires one shot before reloading. It opens at the breech like ordinary shotguns ....
, which Techno Arms now also manufactures.