Looking for an Uzi, but don’t want to part with eight grand? Check out Century International Arms‘ semi-auto copy of the legendary submachine gun.

The UC-9 has the iconic under-folding stock, grip safety, winged cocking knob, knurled barrel-retaining nut, stamped receiver and polymer handguard, all of which help provide its Uzi-esque looks. The sights are similar to, but not an exact replica of, IMI’s Model A variants, with the front sight being adjustable for windage and elevation and the rear sight consisting of an L-shaped dual aperture marked for 100 and 200 yards, respectively.

The exterior is where the similarities between the UC-9 and an Uzi end, however, as modifications are needed to ensure the UC-9 cannot fire or be made to fire on fully automatic. For one thing, the UC-9’s bolt is much, much lighter than an Uzi bolt. This ensures the added weight resulting from an extra 6 inches of barrel is not overwhelming. Moreover, the heavy bolt on a selective-fire model helps maintain controllability and reliability during fully automatic fire, elements not required in a semi-automatic firearm.

In terms of operation, the UC-9 is also different from an Uzi in that the former fires from a closed bolt while the submachine gun fires from an open bolt. An open-bolt semi-auto is about as useful as a fore-grip on a muzzleloader, so dispensing with this system was a no-brainer. In addition to the recoil spring attached to the bolt assembly, the UC-9 has a striker assembly with an additional recoil spring. This makes it more complicated to field-strip than an Uzi, but is a good solution to ensure it cannot go full auto and to allow it to fire from a closed bolt.

The safety selector switch is located above the vertical grip on the gun’s left side and can be actuated with the thumb of the strong hand without sacrificing a shooting grip.

Other than the internals, the UC-9 shoots like an Uzi. Anyone familiar with Israel’s most famous export will have no trouble operating the UC-9, as it mimics the Uzi’s intuitive form to a “T.”

Manufacturer: Century International Arms
Action Type: Straight-blowback-operated, semi-automatic
Caliber: 9 mm
Capacity: 32 rounds
Receiver: Stamped-steel
Barrel Length: 16 inches
Rifling: 6 grooves; 1:10-inch RH twist
Trigger Pull Weight: 7 pounds, 5 ounces
Sights: Front post adjustable for windage and elevation; dual-aperture rear
Stock: Two-piece, folding
Length: 24 inches (folded), 31.5 inches (extended)
Weight: 9 pounds