Lusa submachine gun

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Lusa A2

Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Portugal
Production history
Manufacturer	INDEP
Produced	1983-
Variants	A1, A2
Specifications
Weight	2.8 kg (6.17 lb)
Length	584 mm (23 in) stock extended / 451 mm (17.8 in) stock folded
Barrel length	159 mm (6.3 in)

Cartridge	9x19mm Parabellum
Action	Blowback
Rate of fire	900 rounds/min
Feed system	28-round, double-stack box magazine
Sights	Iron sights

The Lusa is a compact 9x19mm Parabellum submachine gun developed by INDEP of Portugal in 1983. It's name is derived from Lusitania, which was the Roman name for the territory that is present day central and southern Portugal, and although it was originally intended for military use, it was well-suited for law enforcement and ended up being marketed to bodyguards, VIP protection and special operations units.

[edit] Development

In the early 1980s the manufacturing of the HK G3 and HK 21, under license from Heckler & Koch, by INDEP allowed for the import of German weapon manufacturing machinery and German technical know-how, which stimulated development of new firearms design in Portugal.

The Lusa shared the concept and design layout of the HK MP5 and Uzi submachine gun. As such, its trigger group is nearly identical to that of the MP5 and the barrel can be quickly changed, as in the Uzi. The bolt and carrier are one integrated unit.

The weapon never reached mass industrial production and work on it ground to a halt in 1992, at a cost of 2.5 million dollars. The MP5 soon replaced this weapon's intended usage in the Portuguese police forces.

In 2004, INDEP sold all the dies, tooling, fixtures and manufacturing rights to Stan Andrewski, owner of Stan's Gunsmithing in New Hampshire, Jerry Prasser, owner of Recon Ordnance in Wisconsin, and Ralph Dimicco, co-owner of Riley's Gun Shop. The company was named LUSA USA.

The LUSA has been approved by the BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives) and is for sale as a semi-automatic firearm to the civilian market. The amount of U.S. manufactured compliant parts has met government requirements.

The selective-fire model is available to law enforcement and government agencies, both foreign and domestic. Class III dealers can obtain a LUSA-A2 for demonstration purposes with the required LE demonstration letter.

As of 2006, LUSA USA offers conversion kits in both .22 Long Rifle and .40 S&W caliber. Another main objective will be a conversion to .45 GAP. Sight rails and non-retractable stocks are under development as well. Suppressors, manufactured by the well established John's Guns, are available from LUSA USA.