In the aftermath of World War II, a new nation emerged in a region where its existence was met with disapproval from its neighboring countries. To safeguard its borders and interests, the need for a new weapon arose. Major Uziel Gal took on the task of designing a firearm that would meet specific criteria. The weapon had to be more compact than the World War II relics, cost-effective to produce using sheet metals, and feature improved ergonomics to facilitate intuitive reloads. Interestingly, Major Gal requested that the gun not be named after him, and thus it became known as the UZI.
The UZI, introduced in the 1950s, was a submachine gun developed for Israel to replace the stock of World War II leftover SMGs. It employed an open bolt design but boasted a much smaller size compared to its predecessors. The telescoping bolt and the placement of the magazine within the pistol grip gave it a modern and ergonomic edge for its time. Prior to the renowned Heckler & Koch MP5, the UZI served as the go-to submachine gun. Even the United States Special Operations branch of the Armed Forces procured a few UZIs and utilized them during the Vietnam War and the remainder of the Cold War. Notably, the United States Secret Service relied on the UZI from 1960 until the early 1990s, when it was replaced by the aforementioned MP5 and the armor-piercing FN P90. There is a famous photograph depicting Secret Service Agent Robert Wanko after the assassination attempt on President Ronald Reagan on March 30th, 1981. In the image, Agent Wanko can be seen wielding and extending the stock of his concealed UZI.
The UZI's compactness, reliability, and widespread use solidified its place as an iconic firearm in military and law enforcement circles. Its association with Israel's defense forces and its presence in popular culture further contributed to its recognition and reputation. Major Uziel Gal's design achieved its intended purpose, and the UZI stands as a testament to his ingenuity and the nation's commitment to safeguarding its security.

About Airsoft UZI
The Northeast UZI VN GBB Airsoft SMG is a limited production replica of the FN version of the UZI, which was acquired by the United States for MACVSOG units during the Vietnam War. This airsoft replica faithfully replicates the real FAZ 65, with most of its components constructed from steel and featuring an electro-deposition black finish. The high-quality polymer grips mimic those of the actual firearm. The replica closely mirrors the features of the real gun, such as the bolt and charging handle staying in place when the bolt is not fully charged. Additionally, the gun cannot be charged when the safety is engaged or when the grip safety is not depressed. The only departure from realism is that it fires 6mm BBs as an airsoft gun.
In comparison to the Northeast STEN, toggling dry fire on the FAZ 65 is much simpler. There is no need to disassemble the magazine; instead, a switch on the magazine allows for easy activation of dry fire or a last-round cut-off. This feature is particularly convenient for those who wish to practice dry firing at home.
Regarding markings, the gun displays the correct Belgium markings, with fire control markings denoted by A, R, and S. "A" represents Auto, "R" represents Repetition or single fire, and "S" represents Safe.
Lastly, while the gun does provide recoil, the perceived recoil impulse is not as strong as that of the Umarex (VFC) H&K MP5A5 gas airsoft SMG, in the humble opinion of the user. However, the gun delivers a snappy performance on semi-automatic fire and boasts a similar rate of fire to the real UZI when set to automatic mode.