Carlo (submachine gun)
| Carlo | |
|---|---|
A Carlo seized by IDF forces. | |
| Type | Submachine gun |
| Place of origin | Palestine |
| Service history | |
| Used by |
|
| Wars | Israeli-Arab conflict |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 2000(?) |
| Manufacturer | Small metalworking shops |
| Produced | 2000(?)-present |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | variable |
| Length | variable |
| Barrel length | variable |
| Cartridge | Various cartridges |
| Calibre | Various calibers |
| Action | Simple (straight) blowback |
| Rate of fire | variable |
| Muzzle velocity | variable |
| Feed system | Various magazine capacities |
| References | |
The Carlo (Arabic: كارلو; [kar.lu]), also referred to as the Carl Gustav (Arabic: كارلوجستاف; [kar.lu.dʒis.taf]) is an improvised submachine gun manufactured by small workshops in the Palestinian territories. The design was inspired by and named after the Swedish Carl Gustaf m/45 and its Egyptian Port Said variant; however, the similarity is often only passing.
The weapon is used by various Palestinian militants, including Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades. It has also become popular with criminal groups in countries outside of the Levant, including in South American countries such as Brazil and Chile, Croatia, Ukraine, Italy, the Caribbean and Australia.
The Carlo's homemade nature makes it affordable on the black market, where it is purchased not only by Palestinians targeting Israelis, but also by Arab-Israeli gangs. The Carlo is cheap and requires little skill or equipment to manufacture, but it is inaccurate and prone to jamming and misfiring.