The ČZW-438 is a

personal defense weapon Personal defense weapons (PDWs) are a class of compact, magazine-fed automatic firearms that are typically submachine guns designed to fire rifle-like cartridges. Most PDWs fire a small-caliber (generally less than in bullet diameter), high-velo ...

armor Armour (Commonwealth English) or armor (American English; see American and British English spelling differences#-our, -or, spelling differences) is a covering used to protect an object, individual, or vehicle from physical injury or damage, e ...

penetration.

Design

The ČZW-438 is chambered in

4.38×30mm Libra The 4.38×30mm Libra (.17 Libra) is a centerfire cartridge designed for use in personal defense weapons. Description It was designed and has been manufactured by ČZW for use in their ČZW-438 PDW. The cartridge is based on a .22 Hornet ...

which was also developed by ČZW. The stock can be folded and the gun comes with a

flash suppressor A flash suppressor, also known as a flash guard, flash eliminator, flash hider, or flash cone, is a device attached to the muzzle (firearms), muzzle of a rifle that reduces its Muzzle flash, visible signature while firing by cooling or dispersin ...

attached.

ČZW-438 M9

ČZW offered a version chambered in 9x19mm Parabellum called ČZW-438 M9,it is not advertised with an effective range of 200 meters and body armor penetration and has slightly lower fire rate. ČZW claims a 95% parts commonality with the original.

References

{{Personal defense weapons 9mm Parabellum submachine guns Submachine guns of the Czech Republic Personal defense weapons