The MAT-49 had a short, retractable wire stock, which when extended gave the weapon a length of 720 mm, and the magazine well and magazine could be folded forward parallel to the barrel for parachute jump or with a 45° angle hence allowing a safe carry until the magazine well is brought back to vertical position before opening fire. Barrel length is 230 mm, with some police-issue weapons manufactured with extended barrels and non-retractable wooden stocks. As issued, the MAT-49 fires a 9x19mm Parabellum cartridge, using a single-column 20-round magazine for desert use or 32-round similar to the Sten magazine.
The MAT-49 is blowback-operated and box magazine-fed, with a rate of fire of 600 rounds per minute on full auto. The MAT 49/54, a modified MAT-49s manufactured for police forces, had two triggers, allowing use of full-auto fire or single shots, but most were manufactured as full-auto only. Minus magazine, the MAT-49 weighs about 3.5 kilograms, which makes it somewhat heavy for a submachine gun. The weapon incorporates a grip safety which is located on the backside of the pistol grip. The rear sights are flip-up and "L"-shaped, and marked for a range of 50 and 100 meters. Production ceased after the introduction of the FAMAS in 1979.
| Pistolet-Mitrailleur de 9 mm modèle 1949 (MAT-49) | |
|---|---|
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | France |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1949-1979 |
| Wars | First Indochina War Suez Crisis Algerian War Vietnam War 2011 Libyan Civil War |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 1949 |
| Produced | 1949-1979 |
| Variants | MAT-49/54 (Police Variant) 7.62x25mm Tokarev (NVA Converted) Silenced Variant |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 3.5 kg (without magazine) 4.17 kg (with 32 round magazine) |
| Length | 460 mm / 720 mm |
| Barrel length | 230 mm |
| | |
| Cartridge | 9x19mm Parabellum 7.62x25mm Tokarev (NVA Converted) |
| Action | Blowback |
| Rate of fire | 600rpm (9x19mm Parabellum) 900rpm (7.62x25mm Tokarev) |
| Feed system | 20, 32 rounds |
