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{{Short description|Palestinian improvised submachine gun}}

{{Infobox weapon|is_ranged=yes||is_UK= no
{{Infobox weapon
| is_ranged = yes
| is_UK = no
| image =File:One of four Palestinian SMGs seized by IDF during Operation Brother’s Keeper.jpg
| image= Flickr_-_Israel_Defense_Forces_-_Improvised_Weapon_Captured_at_Checkpoint_Near_Nablus.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_size =300
|caption=Improvised "Carlo" captured near [[Nablus]] in 2006
| caption = Photo of a Carlo seized by IDF forces.
|name=Carlo
| name = Carlo aka. Carl Gustav
|type=[[Submachine gun]]
| type = [[Submachine gun]]
|origin=West Bank
| origin = [[West Bank]]
|design_date=2000(?)
| design_date = 2000(?)
|manufacturer= Small metal working shops
| manufacturer = Small metal working shops
|production_date=2000(?)-present
| production_date = 2000(?)-present
|used_by= Palestinian terrorists, Palestinian and Israeli criminals
| used_by = * Various Palestinian militants
* Palestinian and Israeli criminals
|wars=[[Israeli-Arab conflict]]
| wars = [[Israeli-Arab conflict]]
|spec_type=
| spec_type =
|caliber=variable
| caliber = Various calibers
|part_length=variable
| part_length = variable
|cartridge=variable
| cartridge = Various cartridges
| feed = Various magazine capacities
|feed= variable
|action= Simple (straight) [[Blowback (arms)|Blowback]]
| action = Simple (straight) [[Blowback (arms)|Blowback]]
|rate=variable
| rate = variable
|velocity=variable
| velocity = variable
|weight=variable
| weight = variable
|length=variable
| length = variable
<!-- For all -->| ref = <ref name="TOICarlo">{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/say-hello-to-carlo-the-cheap-lethal-go-to-gun-for-terrorists/|title=Say hello to ‘Carlo,’ the cheap, lethal go-to gun for terrorists|first=Judah Ari|last=Gross|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}</ref><ref name="SRCARLO1">{{cite web|url=https://silahreport.com/2017/07/13/the-carlo-of-palestine/|title=The "Carlo" of Palestine|date=July 13, 2017}}</ref><ref name="SRCARLO2">{{cite web|url=https://silahreport.com/2017/11/17/improvised-replica-firearms-from-the-west-bank/|title=Improvised Replica Firearms from the West Bank|date=November 18, 2017}}</ref>
}}
}}
'''Carlo''' ({{Langx|ar|كارلو}}) (also referred to as ''Carl Gustav''; Arabic pronunciation: كارلوجستاف, "Karlu Justhaf")<ref name="Guardian16">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/14/homemade-guns-carl-gustav-used-in-palestinian-attacks-on-israelis|title=Homemade guns used in Palestinian attacks on Israelis|date=March 14, 2016|website=the Guardian}}</ref> is an improvised [[submachine gun]] manufactured by small workshops in the Palestinian territories. The design was inspired by (and named after<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armamentresearch.com/craft-produced-carlo-pistols-used-in-tel-aviv-restaurant-shooting/|title=Craft-produced ‘Carlo pistols’ used in Tel Aviv restaurant shooting |website= [[Armament Research Services]]}}</ref>) the Swedish [[Carl Gustav m/45]] and its Egyptian ''Port Said'' variant, however the similarity is often only passing.<ref name="TOICarlo" /> The Carlo's homemade nature makes it affordable on the black market, where it is purchased not only by Palestinians targeting Israelis<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-palestinians-guns-idUSKCN0W41QS|title=Palestinians turn to makeshift guns in escalation of street violence|first=Dan Williams, Ismael|last=Khader|date=March 2, 2016|via=www.reuters.com}}</ref> but also by Arab-Israeli gangs.<ref name="Guardian16" /> The Carlo is cheap and requires little skill or equipment to manufacture, but it is inaccurate and prone to jamming and misfire.<ref name="TOICarlo" />


The weapon has also become popular with criminal groups outside of Israel, including Croatia, Brazil, Chile, Ukraine, Italy, South America, the Caribbean and Australia<ref name="TOICarlo" /> and by Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades.<ref name="SASICW">{{cite web|url=http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-improvised-craft-weapons-report.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123130217/http://www.smallarmssurvey.org/fileadmin/docs/U-Reports/SAS-improvised-craft-weapons-report.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=November 23, 2018 |title=SAS improvised craft weapons report |publisher=www.smallarmssurvey.org |date= |accessdate=2021-03-04}}</ref>
The '''Carlo''' (also referred to as ''Carl Gustav'') is a [[submachine gun]] manufactured by small workshops in the [[West Bank]]. The design has been inspired by the Swedish [[Carl Gustav m/45]] and its Egyptian ''Port Said'' variant, however the similarity is often only passing. Produced in several locations and often with second-hand gun parts, the specifications are not uniform. Typically the weapon is [[Automatic firearm|automatic]]. Often chambered for 9x19mm handgun cartridges, variants for .22 LR, .32 ACP, 9 x 18mm, and 5.56 x 45 mm are also produced. The weapon itself is cheap to manufacture but is inaccurate and prone to jamming and misfires.<ref>[https://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2016/03/carlo-homemade-rifle-attacks-palestinians-shin-bet.html Meet the Carlo], Al-Monitor, Shlomi Eldar, 17 March 2016</ref><ref>[http://www.newsweek.com/homemade-carlo-gun-becoming-weapon-choice-palestinian-attackers-468813 Homemade ‘Carlo’ gun becoming weapon of choice for Palestinian attackers], Newsweek, Jack Moore, 6 November 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.timesofisrael.com/say-hello-to-carlo-the-cheap-lethal-go-to-gun-for-terrorists/ Say hello to ‘Carlo,’ the cheap, lethal go-to gun for terrorists], Times of Israel, Judah Ari Gross, 16 March 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/mar/14/homemade-guns-carl-gustav-used-in-palestinian-attacks-on-israelis Homemade guns used in Palestinian attacks on Israelis], Guardian, 14 March 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/06/10/cheap-but-lethal-the-makeshift-gun-used-by-palestinian-shooters/ Cheap but lethal: the makeshift gun used by Palestinian shooters in Tel Aviv terror attack], Telegraph, Raf Sanchez, 10 June 2016</ref><ref>[https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21696515-angry-palestinians-are-turning-home-made-guns-deadly-diy The West Bank: Deadly DIY], The Economist, 7 April 2016</ref>


Since October 1, 2016, the Carlo was reported to be used in 68 attacks.<ref name="Guardian16" />
[[File:Flickr_-_Israel_Defense_Forces_-_Hand-Made_Gun_Found_on_Two_Children_in_Kabatiya.jpg|thumb|Improvised 2004 gun from [[Qabatiya]]]]

[[File:Flickr_-_Israel_Defense_Forces_-_Improvised_Weapons,_July_2010.jpg|thumb|Improvised weapons caught in 2010 near [[Beit Furik]]]]
==References==
== History ==
In 2000, the Carlo was first identified<ref name="Guardian16" /> by [[Israel Police|Israeli Police officers]], seen with Israeli-Arab gangs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-the-homemade-gun-thats-firing-up-the-intifada-1.5416424|title=Lethal weapon: The homemade gun that’s firing up the terror wave|website=Haaretz.com}}</ref>

On June 17, 2014, the IDF was reported that a raid in Nablus by [[Yahalom (IDF)|Yahalom commandos]] netted several Carlos in an arms cache.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armamentresearch.com/idf-recover-various-weapons-including-improvised-firearms-in-nablus/|title=IDF recover various weapons including improvised firearms in Nablus – Armament Research Services}}</ref>

On February 3, 2016, the Carlo was cited as the weapon used to shoot Israeli Border Police officer Hadar Cohen, which has some parts made from old pipes.<ref name="TOICarlo" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/border-police-officer-19-dies-after-jerusalem-terror-attack/|title=Border Police officer, 19, dies after Jerusalem terror attack|first1=T. O. I.|last1=staff|first2=Judah Ari|last2=Gross|website=www.timesofisrael.com}}</ref> On [[June 2016 Tel Aviv shooting|8 June 2016 Tel Aviv shooting]], two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Tel Aviv's [[Sarona Market]], killing four Israelis.<ref name="NW">{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/homemade-carlo-gun-becoming-weapon-choice-palestinian-attackers-468813|title=The homemade "Carlo" gun is becoming the weapon of choice for Palestinian attackers|date=June 11, 2016|website=Newsweek}}</ref> At the time, the Carlos were reported to have jammed up after being used at short range.<ref name="SRCARLO1" />

The Carlo has been spotted on March 14, 2016, in an attack against Israeli troops in Hebron.<ref name="Guardian16" /> Israeli law enforcement agencies, including Shin Bet, conducted raids on March 16, 2016, to crack down on underground gunsmith shops making the Carlo.<ref name="TOICarlo" />

On July 14, 2017, three [[Arab citizens of Israel|Arab-Israeli]] terrorists armed with Carlo submachine guns, [[2017 Temple Mount shooting|opened fire on Temple Mount]] murdering two [[Israeli Druze]] policemen, Haiel Sitawe and Kamil Shnaan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/temple-mount-attack-victims-identified-as-police-officers/|title=Police chief confirms two officers killed in Temple Mount shooting|date=July 14, 2017|website=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref>

== Design ==
[[File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Weapons Cache Found in Nablus.jpg|thumb|left|Several Carlos seized by IDF soldiers in Nablus in an arms cache during [[Operation Defensive Shield]].]]

Produced in several locations via underground workshops and often with second-hand gun parts,<ref name="SRCARLO2" /> the specifications are not uniform. Initially, it was made partially with scrapped pipes. Some more recent makes of the Carlo have been made with rifled barrels, raising the price from under $800 to nearly $4,000.<ref name="TOICarlo" />

Most of the parts needed to make the Carlo in recent years are taken from lost/stolen M4-type rifles and magazines, taken from IDF training areas or by breaking into someone's house who has a M4-type rifle to be cannibalized.<ref name="SRCARLO1" /><ref name="SRCARLO2" /> Others were made from rifle accessories that are easily purchased online,<ref name="SRCARLO2" /> and some even incorporate parts of [[Airsoft]] or [[paintball]] rifles.<ref name="NW" /><ref>{{Cite news|last=Gross|first=Judah Ari|last2=Tress|first2=Luke|title=Shin Bet: Israelis sold airsoft rifles, easily made into real ones, to West Bank|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/shin-bet-israelis-sold-airsoft-rifles-easily-made-into-real-ones-to-west-bank/|access-date=2021-05-18|work=www.timesofisrael.com|language=en-US}}</ref>

Often chambered for 9×19mm handgun cartridges, variants for .22 LR, .32 ACP, 9 x 18&nbsp;mm, and 5.56 x 45&nbsp;mm are also produced,<ref name="TOICarlo" /> but the presence of the latter is suggested to be impossible since samples of the weapon had 5.56 NATO magazines modified to house Uzi magazines or sometimes with pistol-based magazines.<ref name="SRCARLO2" /> Some of them were made with M16-type pistol grips and Uzi-based 25-round magazines.<ref name="SRCARLO1" /><ref name="TOICarlo" /> One instance of a Carlo seized has a STANAG magazine used to hide a 9x19 Uzi or a homemade magazine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://armamentresearch.com/improvised-carlo-submachine-guns-used-in-jerusalem-attack/|title=Improvised ‘Carlo’ submachine guns used in Jerusalem attack – Armament Research Services}}</ref> Others were based on the MP5 and the AK rifles.<ref name="TOICarlo" /> They can only fire in full auto in an open bolt with the ejection port on the left side and the charging handle on the right side.<ref name="SRCARLO1" />

The Carlo, made to be compact, was best used by being concealed on the left side of someone's clothes (usually jacket) with the right hand being used to draw it.<ref name="SRCARLO1" />

== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}


{{Commons category|Carlo (submachine gun)}}
⚫
[[Category:Submachine guns]]

⚫
[[Category:Palestinian terrorism]]
⚫
[[Category:Submachine guns of Palestine]]
⚫
[[Category:Palestinian inventions]]
[[Category:Homemade firearms]]
[[Category:Insurgency weapons]]
[[Category:Arab inventions]]

Latest revision as of 06:05, 20 December 2024

Carlo aka. Carl Gustav
Photo of a Carlo seized by IDF forces.
TypeSubmachine gun
Place of originWest Bank
Service history
Used by
  • Various Palestinian militants
  • Palestinian and Israeli criminals
WarsIsraeli-Arab conflict
Production history
Designed2000(?)
ManufacturerSmall metal working shops
Produced2000(?)-present
Specifications
Massvariable
Lengthvariable
Barrel lengthvariable
CartridgeVarious cartridges
CalibreVarious calibers
ActionSimple (straight) Blowback
Rate of firevariable
Muzzle velocityvariable
Feed systemVarious magazine capacities
References[1][2][3]

Carlo (Arabic: كارلو) (also referred to as Carl Gustav; Arabic pronunciation: كارلوجستاف, "Karlu Justhaf")[4] is an improvised submachine gun manufactured by small workshops in the Palestinian territories. The design was inspired by (and named after[5]) the Swedish Carl Gustav m/45 and its Egyptian Port Said variant, however the similarity is often only passing.[1] The Carlo's homemade nature makes it affordable on the black market, where it is purchased not only by Palestinians targeting Israelis[6] but also by Arab-Israeli gangs.[4] The Carlo is cheap and requires little skill or equipment to manufacture, but it is inaccurate and prone to jamming and misfire.[1]

The weapon has also become popular with criminal groups outside of Israel, including Croatia, Brazil, Chile, Ukraine, Italy, South America, the Caribbean and Australia[1] and by Hamas's Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades and Palestinian Islamic Jihad's Al-Quds Brigades.[7]

Since October 1, 2016, the Carlo was reported to be used in 68 attacks.[4]

History

[edit]

In 2000, the Carlo was first identified[4] by Israeli Police officers, seen with Israeli-Arab gangs.[8]

On June 17, 2014, the IDF was reported that a raid in Nablus by Yahalom commandos netted several Carlos in an arms cache.[9]

On February 3, 2016, the Carlo was cited as the weapon used to shoot Israeli Border Police officer Hadar Cohen, which has some parts made from old pipes.[1][10] On 8 June 2016 Tel Aviv shooting, two Palestinian gunmen opened fire on Tel Aviv's Sarona Market, killing four Israelis.[11] At the time, the Carlos were reported to have jammed up after being used at short range.[2]

The Carlo has been spotted on March 14, 2016, in an attack against Israeli troops in Hebron.[4] Israeli law enforcement agencies, including Shin Bet, conducted raids on March 16, 2016, to crack down on underground gunsmith shops making the Carlo.[1]

On July 14, 2017, three Arab-Israeli terrorists armed with Carlo submachine guns, opened fire on Temple Mount murdering two Israeli Druze policemen, Haiel Sitawe and Kamil Shnaan.[12]

Design

[edit]
Several Carlos seized by IDF soldiers in Nablus in an arms cache during Operation Defensive Shield.

Produced in several locations via underground workshops and often with second-hand gun parts,[3] the specifications are not uniform. Initially, it was made partially with scrapped pipes. Some more recent makes of the Carlo have been made with rifled barrels, raising the price from under $800 to nearly $4,000.[1]

Most of the parts needed to make the Carlo in recent years are taken from lost/stolen M4-type rifles and magazines, taken from IDF training areas or by breaking into someone's house who has a M4-type rifle to be cannibalized.[2][3] Others were made from rifle accessories that are easily purchased online,[3] and some even incorporate parts of Airsoft or paintball rifles.[11][13]

Often chambered for 9×19mm handgun cartridges, variants for .22 LR, .32 ACP, 9 x 18 mm, and 5.56 x 45 mm are also produced,[1] but the presence of the latter is suggested to be impossible since samples of the weapon had 5.56 NATO magazines modified to house Uzi magazines or sometimes with pistol-based magazines.[3] Some of them were made with M16-type pistol grips and Uzi-based 25-round magazines.[2][1] One instance of a Carlo seized has a STANAG magazine used to hide a 9x19 Uzi or a homemade magazine.[14] Others were based on the MP5 and the AK rifles.[1] They can only fire in full auto in an open bolt with the ejection port on the left side and the charging handle on the right side.[2]

The Carlo, made to be compact, was best used by being concealed on the left side of someone's clothes (usually jacket) with the right hand being used to draw it.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Gross, Judah Ari. "Say hello to 'Carlo,' the cheap, lethal go-to gun for terrorists". www.timesofisrael.com.
  2. ^ a b c d e f "The "Carlo" of Palestine". July 13, 2017.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Improvised Replica Firearms from the West Bank". November 18, 2017.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Homemade guns used in Palestinian attacks on Israelis". the Guardian. March 14, 2016.
  5. ^ "Craft-produced 'Carlo pistols' used in Tel Aviv restaurant shooting". Armament Research Services.
  6. ^ Khader, Dan Williams, Ismael (March 2, 2016). "Palestinians turn to makeshift guns in escalation of street violence" – via www.reuters.com.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  7. ^ "SAS improvised craft weapons report" (PDF). www.smallarmssurvey.org. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 23, 2018. Retrieved 2021-03-04.
  8. ^ "Lethal weapon: The homemade gun that's firing up the terror wave". Haaretz.com.
  9. ^ "IDF recover various weapons including improvised firearms in Nablus – Armament Research Services".
  10. ^ staff, T. O. I.; Gross, Judah Ari. "Border Police officer, 19, dies after Jerusalem terror attack". www.timesofisrael.com.
  11. ^ a b "The homemade "Carlo" gun is becoming the weapon of choice for Palestinian attackers". Newsweek. June 11, 2016.
  12. ^ "Police chief confirms two officers killed in Temple Mount shooting". The Times of Israel. July 14, 2017.
  13. ^ Gross, Judah Ari; Tress, Luke. "Shin Bet: Israelis sold airsoft rifles, easily made into real ones, to West Bank". www.timesofisrael.com. Retrieved 2021-05-18.
  14. ^ "Improvised 'Carlo' submachine guns used in Jerusalem attack – Armament Research Services".
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