Design work was had during 1965 and a batch sample was produced by Shin-Chuo Industries (formerly the Nambu Arms Manufacturing Company, now Minebea) with the hope that the submachine gun would someday equip the fighting men of the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF). The type was actually slated to succeed the aging line of American M3 SMGs then in service with Japanese warfighters.
The original Model 65, also known as the "New Nambu Model 66", had a weight of 4 kilograms with an overall length of 765mm. With the stock folded, the latter value was reduced to 500mm for a more compact footpring. The barrel assembly measured 155mm long and rate-of-fire reached 550 rounds-per-minute.
The Model 65 was followed in development by the Model 66 of 1966. This form was slightly revised internally with a modified bolt and return spring to lower the weapon's rate-of-fire to 465 rounds-per-minute, in effect making the firearm more controllable especially when on full-automatic fire.
At any rate, the Model 65 was not adopted for service by the JGSDF and spent its life in prototype and trials forms only.
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