Польский пистолет-пулемёт PM 63 RAK

Polish submachine gun

The PM 63 RAK (often incorrectly referred to as Ręczny Automat Komandosów—"commandos' hand held automatic"; the name itself means cancer or crayfish in Polish) is a Polish 9×18mm submachine gun, designed by Piotr Wilniewczyc in cooperation with Tadeusz Bednarski, Grzegorz Czubak and Marian Wakalski. The RAK combines the characteristics of a self loading pistol and a fully automatic submachine gun.

Development of the RAK dates back to the late 1950s when the concept was first proposed at the Warsaw University of Technology in response to a requirement for a light hand held defensive weapon for rear echelon soldiers such as gun crews and vehicle drivers. After the death of the chief designer Piotr Wilniewczyc in 1960, the submachine gun’s development was eventually resumed and completed by the state operated Łucznik Arms Factory in the city of Radom, where it was produced until 1977. After close examination, the PM 63 was accepted into service with the People's Army of Poland and police in 1965 as the 9 mm pistolet maszynowy wz. 1963 ("9 mm submachine gun model 1963"). Small numbers of the weapon were exported to several Arab countries, Vietnam and the former East Germany. A slightly modified, unlicensed version of the PM 63 was produced by the People’s Republic of China as the Type 82, who sold the weapon to politically allied nations in Asia. The PM 63 is featured on the logo of the Afghanistan Liberation Organization.

The RAK is a selective fire straight blowback–operated machine pistol, fired from the open bolt position.

The firearm feeds from two types of double column box magazines: a short 15 round and long, 25 round magazine (the magazines are seated inside the hollow pistol grip).

Unknown amount donated by Poland and used in 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine. One captured by Russian forces.