Madsen M-50

The Madsen M-50 or M/50 is a model 1950 submachine gun produced by the Danish company Dansk Industri Syndikat otherwise known as Madsen after its founder Vilhelm Herman Oluf Madsen located in Copenhagen, Denmark. 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 on November 7, 1950 at Mosede, Denmark. The M/50 is made of stamped sheet metal. Its 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-M/50 share a unique design. The firearm is stamped from 2 pieces of sheet metal which are shaped with 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. It splits in half right down the middle of the top and bottom of the receiver. The entire 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 and a magazine loading tool can be stored there. The folding stock is made of tubular steel covered with leather and it folds onto the right side of the firearm. The M/50 fires in full auto only and it also has a unique feature, a safety lever in front of the forward magazine housing. To fire the M/50 you must grip the magazine housing and hold down the safety lever. Madsens have been sold to El Salvador, Guatemala, Venezuela, Colombia, Indonesia and several other nations and have been manufactured under license in Brazil in .45ACP caliber.