PARKER HALE - PERSONAL DEFENCE WEAPON (PDW)

I said sometime ago that I would put up some interesting ventures from papers found in the PH archive that I had the pleasure to place on computer for histories sake, that Parker Hale had going just before they collapsed in 2000.

This PDW was a trial weapon in 9mm manufactured by Parker Hale using 30 round UZI mags for ease, firing 400 rounds a minute, which was trialled at Hereford.
It was roughly the same size as the CZ75, bipod fitted, folding stock and a moderator. Could take an extended rifle barrel as an option. Laser sight and ring sights standard.
It was also trialled as an electronic system initially but technology was dragging behind at the time and therefore dropped during testing and trials.

Apologies for the white out part on the picture, but it is someone who is a friend and still alive today.
An interest piece, and shows how advanced Parker Hale were in the weapons market at the time, and sad to see such promising weapons systems go by the way made in the UK!!

Interesting they went with 9mm instead of 4.6mm-5.7mm. Was the 9mm part just for prototyping the action or was it the intended caliber of the weapon? Different projectiles?

Looks nice. Just like something I'd trust my life to.

The intention was to go with the BOZ round which never materialised

Would it make sense to have it in 9mm as that is a pretty standard round the world over for pick ups if you run dry.

It was a sad day when PH went down and I still own one of their rifles its the second one as the first was stolen, I found them very accurate and the finish bluing wise was a very deep and rich colour.

I was being a smarta$$. I wouldn't have those anywhere near me. It's just weird...

ROUGH SPECIFICATION:

Aircraft alloy machined body
Foldin stock
Cal 9x19
30 rd stick magazine
Hydraulic damper rate control (400 rounds per minute)
Removable feed ramp
Ambi safety catch by trigger guard
Safe action trigger (as per Glock) it passed the drop test
Picattini rail was part of the top plate
Ghost ring sights
Same weight as a Beretta 92F (unofficial)
Anodised matt black finish

It's a facinating piece Gil, many thanks for sharing this. It's important to remember these developments and record them for wider prosperity here.

I had no idea PH were actively pursuing this sort of Military development.