MEMS M-52/60

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	Weapon: MEMS M-52/60 Type: Submachine Gun Country of Origin: Argentina Year Adopted: 1952 Overall Length (mm): 800.0 Overall Length (in): 31.5 Weight (kg): 3.30 Weight (pounds): 7.28

The MEMS M-52/60 was an Argentine submachine gun developed in the early 1950s by the Military Equipment Manufacturing Service (MEMS). Designed as a compact and reliable firearm for military and police use, it was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and featured a simple blowback operation with an open-bolt firing mechanism. The weapon was constructed primarily from stamped steel, making it both lightweight and easy to produce. It had a side-folding stock and used a 30-round detachable box magazine, making it well-suited for close-quarters engagements.

Production of the MEMS M-52/60 was limited, with only a few thousand units manufactured between 1952 and the early 1960s. The submachine gun was primarily issued to Argentine security forces, including the police and military units, though it never saw widespread use outside of the country. Its design was influenced by European submachine guns of the era, particularly the British Sten and the German MP40, both of which Argentina had experience with post-World War II. Despite its functional design, it was eventually overshadowed by more advanced models such as the FMK-3, leading to its gradual phase-out.

The MEMS M-52/60 remains a lesser-known firearm, with relatively little documentation available regarding its service history and operational use. While it never achieved international recognition, it played a role in Argentina's domestic arms industry during a period of increased self-reliance in small arms manufacturing. Today, surviving examples are rare and primarily found in private collections and military museums, serving as a testament to Argentina's mid-20th-century efforts to develop indigenous firearm designs.