MAC-10
Compact, blowback-operated machine pistol developed by Gordon Ingram in 1964.
The Military Armament Corporation Model 10, officially abbreviated as "M10" or "M-10", and more commonly known as the MAC-10, is a compact, blowback operated machine pistol/submachine gun that was developed by Gordon Ingram in 1964. It is chambered in either .45 ACP or 9mm. A two-stage suppressor by Sionics was designed for the MAC-10, which not only abates the noise created but makes it easier to control on full automatic (although it also makes the gun far less compact and concealable). Military Armament Corporation never used the "MAC-10" nomenclature in its catalogues or sales literature, but "MAC-10" is frequently used by Title II dealers, gun writers, and collectors. For a decade, the semi-automatic pistol version of the weapon was forbidden in the U.S. under the assault weapons ban enacted by Congress in 1994.
- Class
- Submachine Gun
- Ammo Type
- 9x19mm Parabellum
- Magazine Capacity
- 30 Rounds
- Recoil Pattern
- Vertical climb with slight horizontal drift
- Mobility
- High movement speed while firing
Lore & Background
The MAC-10 is built predominantly from steel stampings. A notched cocking handle protrudes from the top of the receiver, and turning the handle 90° locks the bolt, and acts as an indicator the weapon is unable to fire. The MAC-10 has a telescoping bolt, which wraps around the rear face of the barrel. This allows a more compact weapon and balances the weight of the weapon over the pistol grip, where the magazine is located. The MAC-10 fires from an open bolt, and the light weight of the bolt results in a rapid rate of fire. In addition, this design incorporates a built-in feed ramp as part of the trigger guard (a new concept at the time) and, to save on cost, the magazine design was recycled from the M3 Grease Gun. The barrel is threaded to accept a suppressor, which works by reducing the discharge's sound without attempting to reduce the speed of the bullet. The .45 ACP models are well-suited for this, as most .45 loads are naturally subsonic, as opposed to the specialized subsonic loads usually required for suppressed 9mm weapons. At the suggestion of the United States Army, the suppressor also acts as a foregrip to inhibit muzzle rise when fired. Ingram added a small bracket with a small strap beneath the muzzle to aid in controlling recoil during fully automatic fire. The original rate of fire for the MAC-10 in .45 ACP is approximately 1090 rounds per minute. That of the 9mm is approximately 1250, and that of the smaller MAC-11 in .380 ACP is 1500 rounds per minute. Noting the weapon's poor accuracy, in the 1970s, International Association of Police Chiefs weapons researcher David Steele described the MAC series as "fit only for combat in a phone booth".
In Their Own Story
The dust of de_inferno choked the air as the eco-round began. The Terrorist team had pushed hard in the previous round, leaving the Counter-Terrorists with empty wallets. 'We don't have rifles,' the team captain muttered, checking his inventory. He switched to the MAC-10, the metallic click echoing sharply in the silence of the bombsite. As the enemy breached the mid-door, the CTs didn't retreat; they advanced. The MAC-10 roared, a deafening staccato that filled the narrow alleyway. Bullets tore through the smoke, and despite the weapon's notorious spread, the sheer volume of fire overwhelmed the attackers. It wasn't about precision today; it was about survival.
Reader's Guide
One of the features that brought early attention to the MAC-10 was its sound suppressor, designed by Mitchell WerBell III of Sionics. The suppressor uses a two-stage design, with a wider first section followed by a narrower second section, giving it a distinctive stepped profile. When used with subsonic ammunition, the suppressor substantially reduces the sound of firing. Under these conditions, the mechanical noise of the bolt cycling is often more noticeable than the muzzle report. Standard .45 ACP ammunition is subsonic and commonly used with the suppressor. A heat-resistant Nomex cover can be fitted over the suppressor, allowing it to be used as a forward gripping surface while protecting the user from heat buildup. During the 1970s, U.S. export restrictions on suppressors led several international customers to cancel orders, as the suppressor was a key feature of the MAC-10. This reduction in sales was one factor that contributed to the financial failure of the Military Armament Corporation. The original Sionics suppressor measures approximately 29.1 centimetres (11.44 inches) in length, has an overall diameter of 5.4 centimetres (2.13 inches), and weighs about 0.54 kilograms (1.20 pounds).
Did You Know?
- While the original M10 was available chambered for either .45 ACP or 9mm, the M10 is part of a series of machine pistols, the others being the MAC-11/M-11A1, which is a scaled-down version of the M10 chambered in .380 AC
- Law enforcement bureaucracies such as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) consider MAC-11 variants such as the Leinad PM-11 to be part of the "MAC-10 class pistol".
- In the United States, machine guns are National Firearms Act items. As the Military Armament Corporation was in bankruptcy, a large number of incomplete sheet metal frame flats were given serial numbers and then bought b
- RPB Industries made many open-bolt semi-automatic and sub-machine guns before the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) seized roughly 200 open-bolt semi-autos during the drug wars of 1981. The ATF in
- Semi-automatic variants, Mk III, IV and V were marketed to South American countries where "military" calibers were forbidden for civilian sales were chambered in .30, .41 and .50 Ingram respectively and available as semi
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the MAC-10 first appear in Counter-Strike?
It debuted in Counter-Strike 1.5 and remained a staple through CS 1.6 up to Counter-Strike 2. This long history cements its status as an iconic budget submachine gun across multiple game iterations.
What is the primary tactical role of this weapon?
Its primary function is serving as a reliable option for eco rounds when players cannot afford rifles. The weapon bridges the gap between pistols and heavy guns by offering rapid fire at a low cost.
How does the recoil pattern behave during firing?
Shooters must manage a recoil pattern characterized by vertical climb mixed with slight horizontal drift. Controlling this spray is vital for maintaining accuracy during sustained automatic fire.
What ammunition and magazine size does it use?
The weapon utilizes 9x19mm Parabellum ammunition loaded into a magazine holding 30 rounds. This capacity ensures players have enough bullets to clear rooms without constant reloading interruptions.
Does firing the MAC-10 affect movement speed?
Users retain high movement speed even while actively firing the weapon. This unique mobility advantage allows for aggressive pushes and quick repositioning during close-quarters combat scenarios.
Elsewhere in the Counter-Strike universe
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