Intratec TEC-DC9
Summary
| Country | 🇸🇪 Sweden |
| Category | Submachine gun |
| Manufacturer | Interdynamics AB |
Technical specifications
| Intratec TEC-DC9 | |
|---|---|
| Fire Rate | 1000 rounds/min. |
| Caliber | 9 x 19 mm Parabellum |
| Magazine | 10 - 20 - 32 - 36 - 50 rounds |
| Length | 317 mm (12.5 in) |
| Weight | 1.23 kg (2.7 lb) |
| Range | 55 m (180 ft) |
Description
The Intratec TEC-9, TEC-DC9, KG-99, and AB-10 are a series of blowback-operated, semi-automatic pistols developed by Intratec, the American subsidiary of Swedish manufacturer Interdynamic AB. The design began with the Interdynamic MP-9, a 9mm submachine gun intended for military use and based on the Carl Gustav M/45. After failing to secure government contracts, lead designer George Kellgren adapted the weapon for the US civilian market as an open-bolt semi-automatic pistol, removing the stock and foregrip to comply with the National Firearms Act of 1934. This initial US venture operated under the Interdynamic USA brand, which later became Intratec when Kellgren departed.
The design utilized inexpensive molded polymers and a mixture of stamped and milled steel parts. The open-bolt system of the initial KG-9 and KG-99 models featured an open-end upper receiver tube with bolt, springs, and buffer plate held by the plastic lower receiver. This configuration was limited to 115-grain 9mm ammunition, as heavier loads could cause the plastic lower receiver to fail. Later TEC-9 and AB-10 versions incorporated a threaded upper receiver tube and a screw-on end cap, securing the bolt components independently of the lower receiver and addressing this vulnerability to heavier ammunition.
Variants include:
- The initial open-bolt KG-9.
- The closed-bolt KG-99, which was mandated by the ATF due to the ease of converting the open-bolt system to automatic fire.
- The TEC-DC9, introduced from 1990 to 1994 after California's ban following the 1989 Cleveland School massacre. It featured a sling attachment point relocated from the side to a removable clip at the rear.
- The AB-10, a smaller version lacking a threaded muzzle or barrel shroud, was produced after the national ban imposed by the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban. It was initially sold with 10-round magazines while retaining compatibility with larger capacity magazines.
While initially conceived for military use, the design failed to attract government buyers. Instead, it entered the US domestic market. The KG-99 model gained exposure on the television show Miami Vice, where some were legally converted to full auto. The TEC-9 series became associated with criminal gangs, drive-by shootings, and mass shootings following incidents such as the 1993 101 California Street shooting and the 1999 Columbine High School massacre. It was reportedly used in other incidents such as the 1990 Nashville synagogue shooting and the 1994 Henry Daly Building shooting that resulted in fatalities among law enforcement personnel. The series is now banned in several US states. Improvised, illegally made machine pistols marked as "Intratec TEC-9" have been seized in Europe.