Halcon ML-57

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	Weapon: Halcon ML-57 Type: Submachine Gun Country of Origin: Argentina Year Adopted: 1957 Overall Length (mm): 800.0 Overall Length (in): 31.5 Weight (kg): 4.20 Weight (pounds): 9.26

The Halcon ML-57 was an Argentine submachine gun developed in the late 1950s by the Halcon (Fabrica de Armas Halcon) company. Designed as an improvement over earlier Halcon submachine guns, the ML-57 was chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum and utilized a simple blowback action with an open-bolt firing system. It featured a wooden stock and a tubular receiver, giving it a rugged and utilitarian appearance. The weapon was fed by a 36-round detachable box magazine and was capable of both semi-automatic and fully automatic fire, making it versatile for military and law enforcement use.

Production of the Halcon ML-57 was relatively limited, with only a few thousand units manufactured. It was primarily issued to Argentine police forces and select military units during the late 1950s and 1960s. While it was never widely adopted by the Argentine Army, the ML-57 saw service in domestic security operations, where it was appreciated for its reliability and ease of maintenance. Despite its solid construction and effective firepower, it faced competition from more modern submachine guns, such as the FMK-3, leading to its eventual decline in use.

Although the Halcon ML-57 did not achieve widespread notoriety outside Argentina, it remains a notable example of the country's mid-20th-century arms development. It represents an era when Argentina sought to produce its own firearms rather than rely on foreign imports. Today, surviving examples of the ML-57 are relatively rare and are mainly found in the collections of firearm enthusiasts and military museums. While it never saw major combat, it played a role in Argentina's efforts to modernize its domestic firearm industry.