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Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun Reference Page


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These materials are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

Copyright 2009-2011 © David Albert & Other Contributors as Noted

 

Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun Frequently Asked Questions

 

Minimal information exists online about the Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun. A bit more can be learned by reading sections in a couple of books, and a few magazine articles. My intent in starting this FAQ page is for it to become the repository for existing and new information on these weapons, and their accessories. I will need help putting it together, and hopefully a lot of learning will develop out of this effort. If you have something you would like to share, please send the description and photos to David Albert at dalbert@sturmgewehr.com, and I will consider it for inclusion.

 

Content Updates:

 

9/6/09-8/27/10: Pinned post was under construction

8/28/10: Added Police Ordnance M6 SMG Manual (English Language Version)

9/19/10: Added M6 Military Model Spike Bayonet

 

1. Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun Models

 

Police Model

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6%20Ingram_Web.JPG

Ingram Model 6 Police Model Submachine Gun (Image Courtesy Frank Iannamico)

 

Military Model

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6%20IngramMilitary_Web.JPG

Ingram Model 6 Military Model Submachine Gun (Image Courtesy Frank Iannamico, Weapon Courtesy LMO)

 

Guard Model

 

The M6 Guard Model was the same as a Police Model, except that it had a short, horizontal foregrip. It is extremely scarce.

 

Semi-Automatic Carbine

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/Ingram6Semi.jpg

Ingram Model 6 Semi-Automatic Carbine (Image Courtesy Rock Island Auction Company)

 

Many thanks to the Rock Island Auction Company for use of the image of the rare Model 6 Carbine above. They frequently auction high quality firearms, including Class III items. Please check out their website for the current catalog of auction items at the following link:

Rock Island Auction Company Catalog

 

 

2. Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun History

 

The Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun was manufactured by the Police Ordnance Company in California, with the very first models made in El Monte, and subsequently, Los Angeles. Available references on the subject, which are listed on this page, indicate the company operated from 1948 to 1952, and saw some short-lived commercial success. Gordon Ingram was the designer, and his submachine gun designs later progressed into the MAC series of firearms. The Model 6 can be mistaken at a glance for a Thompson, particularly the Model 6 Police Model, which features a vertical foregrip. The main difference is that the Model 6 has a tubular receiver, and a sheet metal lower housing. The weapon was cheap to manufacture, and filled a niche for a new, easily procurable, inexpensive police submachine gun. In total, approximately 10,000 Model 6's were made between the Los Angeles and Peruvian manufacturing operations, with about 2000 made in L.A., and 8,000 in Peru. Police Ordnance Company inaccurately inflated their published production number of the Model 6 to 15,000 units. The Peruvian government was granted a license to manufacture the weapon for use by their military, and guns produced in Peru have a Peruvian crest roll marked on top of the receiver. Many of the US produced M6s were sold to Peru before production was established there. As a result, when information on the Model 6 is encountered, it is likely to be in Spanish, such as the manual pictured below. The weapon also reportedly saw service in Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Thailand.

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6%20147_Web.JPG

Ingram Model 6 Serial Number 147 - Police Ordnance Company, Los Angeles, Calif. Roll Markings on Receiver (Image Courtesy Frank Iannamico)

 

Most Ingram Model 6 Submachine Guns were manufactured in .45 ACP caliber. Small numbers were also made in 9mm and .38 Super. The weapon operates from an open bolt, and the rate of fire is about 700rpm, although the Police Ordnance Company specifications for the weapon indicate a 600 rpm rate of fire. A few closed bolt models were made in .38 Super, and were designated as Ingram Model 7's, intended to provide more accurate, longer-range semi-automatic fire in a higher velocity cartridge. The Model 6 magazine is a simple box type, holding 30 rounds, featuring staggered row feeding. An unfortunate characteristic is that the magazine can be placed in the weapon backwards, which is a potentially fatal flaw in tactical applications.

 

A very unique and desirable feature of the Model 6 is its progressive trigger, which produces semi-automatic fire with a short pull, and full automatic fire as the trigger is pulled further. The VERY early "Police" M6 and ALL "Military" models had progressive triggers, but no selectors. The selector basically serves as a second safety (first is the Sten type on the cocking slot), and when in the semi-auto position prevents the progressive trigger from engaging the full-auto mode.

 

(Many thanks to Frank Iannamico for his contributions to the summary above, and to Don Thomas, former MAC employee/historian, who is also the late Gordon Ingram's appointed biographer.)

 

A small number of Ingram Model 6 Submachine Guns were also assembled from parts leftover after Police Ordnance Company went out of business. These guns are marked on their magazine wells with the manufacturer's name of "Southern Ordnance Co." in Webster, TX, along with their serial number. Southern Ordnance Company Model 6's are encountered with smooth barrels, a different front sight, and may have Cutts style compensators installed. It is unknown how many such weapons were made, but the number is apparently very small.

 

(The above paragraph is a brief summary of an article that appeared in Small Arms Review, Vol. 10, No. 11, (August, 2007) by Captain Monty Mendenhall, also referenced below.)

 

More content to be added as it becomes available.

 

3. Ingram Model 6 Feature Variations

 

This section will be used to document observed variations within the Model 6 models. There are at least three different rear sights that were installed, and I have observed different barrel types and lengths while inspecting these weapons over the years. If anyone has pictures and measurements of Police Model 6 barrels that are different than the one pictured above, I would like to document them here.

 

4. Articles on the Ingram Model 6

 

The following magazine articles were written specifically about the Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun, or featured significant content on the subject.

 

1. Firepower, July, 1988: "Ingram's Model 6," by C.A. Haire

 

2. Machine Gun News, August, 1991: "Raffica," by Dan Shea (Monthly column answered question about magazines)

 

3. Machine Gun News, April, 1993: "Ingram Model 6," by Chad Haire

 

4. Small Arms Review, March, 2001: "Ingram Model 6 SMG," by Lee Arten

 

5. Small Arms Review, May, 2005: "Big Mac Attack!," by Frank Iannamico

 

6. Small Arms Review, July, 2007: "What Preceded the MAC 10? - Part 1 - Gordon Ingram's M5 & M6," by Captain Monty Mendenhall

 

7. Small Arms Review, August, 2007: "What Preceded the MAC 10? - Part 2 - M7, M8, M9 & M20," by Captain Monty Mendenhall

 

5. Books with Coverage of the Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun

 

The following books contain good information on the Ingram Model 6, in addition to other firearms:

 

The World's Submachine Guns, by Thomas B. Nelson, T.B.N. Enterprises, 1963

 

Submachine Guns of the United States of America, by Frank Iannamico, Moose Lake Publishing, 2004

 

Ingram Model 6 Accessories

 

1. Ingram Model 6 Magazines and Covers

 

Ingram Model 6 magazines are uncommon, and expensive. Their appearance is very square looking, and the front and back of the magazines are similar, leading to the potential as previously mentioned, for the magazines to be placed in the weapon backwards. Some individuals have successfully converted Thompson magazines for use in Model 6's, but I do not have the instructions to perform the necessary modifications.

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/Mags-1_Web.JPG

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/Mags-2_Web.JPG

 

Two minor variations in magazines have been observed. Variation #1: Notice that the magazine end cap on the left has an arrow indicating which way to remove it to enable cleaning the inside of the magazine.

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/Mags-3_Web.JPG

 

Variation #2: Notice the magazine on the left has an additional cartridge alignment dimple on the magazine follower.

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/Mags-4_Web.JPG

David Albert Collection

 

A picture of some magazines and plastic magazine covers can be seen at the following link:

 

Internet Picture of Model 6 Magazines and Magazine Covers

 

2. Ingram Model 6 Military Model Bayonet

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6_Mil_Bayo_Web.JPG

Copdoc Collection

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6Manual-2_Web.JPG

The M6 Police Model spike bayonet can also be seen at the bottom the the image above.

 

3. Ingram Model 6 Manuals and Sales Literature

 

Ingram Model 6 Manual (English Language Version)

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6ManualWeb.JPG

David Albert Collection

 

Ingram Model 6 Manual (Spanish Language Version)

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6Manual-1_Web.JPG

David Albert Collection

 

4. Police Ordnance Carrying Case for Ingram Model 6

 

A small number of cases were made for Police Ordnance Company, with accomodations for an M6 Police Model, two magazines, and a cleaning rod, as pictured below.

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/101.jpg

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/103.jpg

 

5. Ingram Model 6 Web Gear

 

Ingram Model 6 web gear is represented in Police Ordnance Company literature, however no examples are known to exist at this time.

 

Ingram Model 6 Helpful Hints

 

1. Disassembly and Assembly

 

Information about disassembly and assembly will be added soon.

 

2. Functioning

 

The following summary appeared in a Police Ordnance Company manual for the Ingram Model 6 Submachine Gun:

 

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/Ingram6-3_Web.JPG

Image Courtesy TD.

 

1. Load Magazine - For best results place base against solid surface, slip cartridges under the lips, alternating left and right until lowest cartridge case is exposed through rear port indicating full capacity. DO NOT OVERLOAD MAGAZINE AND STRAIN SPRING.

 

2. Cock the piece - Draw bolt handle to the rear until bot engages sear.

 

3. Insert Magazine - Grip forearm with left hand and push loaded magazine up into the magazine housing with right hand until the magazine catch snaps into notch with a sharp click. Tap bottom of magazine to insure it is fully home.

 

The Gun Is Now Loaded and Cocked -- To Fire, Pull Trigger

 

4. Safety - Bolt may be locked to the rear by slipping bolt handle up to safety recess notch.

 

5. Remove Magazine - Grasp magazine below the housing with right hand; depress magazine catch with right thumb and pull magazine out.

 

3. Exploded Parts Diagrams

 

Military Model Parts Diagram

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6Manual-3_Web.JPG

 

Police Model Special Parts Diagram

http://www.sturmgewehr.com/dalbert/MGBoards/M6Manual-4_Web.JPG

 

These materials are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws.

Copyright 2009-2011 © David Albert & Other Contributors as Noted

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