Gun Reviews, Community & For Sale

Intratec TEC-9

The Intratec TEC-9 is a semi-automatic, blowback-operated, 9mm Parabellum caliber firearm.
MSRP: 
450
Length (mm): 
317.5
Barrel Length (mm): 
127
Weight Empty (kg): 
1.4
Effective Range (meters): 
50
Headline: 

The Intratec TEC-9 is a semi-automatic, blowback-operated, 9mm Parabellum caliber firearm.

The TEC DC-9 is a low priced single action autoloading pistol made by Intratec Firearms of Miami, Florida. In keeping with the low price, the DC-9 also has an reputation for low quality construction. As for styling, the DC-9 looks like nothing else so much as a miniature submachinegun, although it is not a fully automatic firearm. There are two basic models, the normal DC-9 and the short barrel DC-9M.

The magazine well is located in front of the trigger, and the gun features a threaded barrel, a perforated heat shroud, and a long 30-round magazine, all of which contribute to the SMG-like appearance. The DC-9 is blowback operated and chambers the 9mm Parabellum round.

The TEC DC-9 was originally called the "TEC-9", but was renamed to "DC-9" about a year later, probably in response to a widely publicized crime where some deviant blasted his way through a crowded Washington DC office building with a TEC-9 in each hand.

The DC-9 bears the dubious honor of having been named explicitly in the 1994 "assault weapons" ban, as well as being listed in ninth place on the BATF list of "Top 18 Handguns Used by Criminals". It is legal under current US law for private individuals to own a DC-9 that was constructed prior to the effective date of the ban, although certain states or localities may have more restrictive laws.

For a handgun, the DC-9 is very large and very heavy. It is over a foot in length and weighs in at over four and a half pounds when fully loaded (heavier than some rifles). It is certainly not what most shooters would consider a concealable weapon.

Most of the larger metal components of the pistol are constructed of plain heavy steel. Here there are no exotic alloys as one might find on many other modern pistols, and this contributes to the extraordinary size and weight of the DC-9. The lower receiver / grip assembly is made of a single piece of thick molded plastic resin.

The DC-9 has been criticized for its cheaply finished construction, and some of the most common complaints include:

Machining marks that are clearly visible on many components, poor factory blueing jobs with obvious streaks and patchiness,
Though most of the machined metal edges are reasonably smooth, there are some exceptions where some deburring should be done; in particular the perforations in the heat shroud, which have been very rough edged on some DC-9s.

The DC-9 has poor quality non-adjustable sights are made of punched sheet steel that are spot welded to the upper receiver.

The Pistol is picky about the types of ammo it will feed reliably. It feeds hard round-nosed and pointy-nosed FMJ types very reliably, even aluminum cased CCI/Blazer ammo which many other pistols have problems with. The problem is that DC-9s will not reliably feed any hollow-point or other flat-nosed bullets at all. The DC-9's feeding preferences are stated very clearly in owner's manual, but some critics tend to ignore this and complain about feeding problems when they are really just using ammunition for which the gun was not designed.

10 Comments

1 year 40 weeks ago, 10:35 AM

jordon dongarra

jordon dongarra's picture

Rank:
Private
Points:
1
Join Date:
Feb 2008

mod ab-10

1 year 26 weeks ago, 3:42 PM

bigshrek

bigshrek's picture

Rank:
Sergeant
Points:
18
Join Date:
May 2008

Model AB-10 is the After Ban model of the Tec-9. Clinton's Ban (which Hillary promised to re-instate if elected)effectively forced Intratec to close it's doors in 2001. Intratec wasn't able to hold out as long as Calico (which returned to business in 2005).

The AB-10 is simply more difficult to modify to create automatic fire. The magazines are not neccessarily interchangeable with other variants, it is best to try each type of magazine IN the weapons before purchasing. Fortunately there are still places where you can purchase the necessary repair items to keep any of the Tec-9 variants working well into the 22nd century :)

Anything else ya wanna know??

1 year 22 weeks ago, 1:06 AM

Anonymous

how much do they go for? whats the price range?

1 year 18 weeks ago, 9:06 AM

Death from Above

Death from Above's picture

Rank:
Major General
Points:
552
Join Date:
Jul 2008
Location:
Dallas, Texas, United States

I owned one in the 90's. It was a fun gun to own but it would jam even with ball ammo. If I would buy something like it now it would have to be a M-11 or mini- uzi

1 year 12 weeks ago, 2:17 AM

Calibra

Calibra's picture

Rank:
First Lieutenant
Points:
28
Join Date:
Aug 2008
Location:
Denmark

I remember this badboy. It was the gun that shot a lot of kids in the Columbine Massacre. It looks cool and may be a great shooter, but I wouldn't feel good with such a gun on the shooting-range after what happened with an exact same model.

It would feel like having blood on my hands.

Rest in peace for the poor innocent children who died during the massacre.

1 year 9 weeks ago, 12:50 PM

big pops

big pops's picture

Rank:
Second Lieutenant
Points:
24
Join Date:
Sep 2008
Location:
warwick, ri, United States

how well does this weapon work can someone give me a hards up

jeffrey gelinas
1 year 9 weeks ago, 1:22 PM

sytasyn_syn

sytasyn_syn's picture


Rank:
Secretary of Homeland Security
Points:
3178
Join Date:
May 2008
Location:
Michigan, United States

It of course works, It fires fast and furious...when it wants to work. I have not actually used one but my brother has and he said that not only did it jam but there was also problems with the firing pin wearing down rather quickly. This gun, despite it's problems is still an intriguing weapon and would be on hell of a ride when it worked.

Be Kind and Courteous to All That You Meet, But Always Have A Plan to Kill Them -Don't Know-
1 year 9 weeks ago, 1:39 PM

Death from Above

Death from Above's picture

Rank:
Major General
Points:
552
Join Date:
Jul 2008
Location:
Dallas, Texas, United States

Mostly for looks this gun is.

51 weeks 2 days ago, 9:47 AM

Papasan

Papasan's picture

Rank:
Major General
Points:
354
Join Date:
Nov 2008
Location:
Scottsdale, Arizona

I have had multiple range time with this weapon. It's a must have!

With every Civil Right there has to be a corresponding civil obligation.
45 weeks 6 days ago, 11:25 AM

GDAWG

GDAWG's picture

Rank:
Private
Points:
1
Join Date:
Jan 2009

I recently got this gun, Are ther accesories , High round mags , shoulder straps, fold out stock, etc you can add ? Where is there a source for these?

Details of Intratec TEC-9

Department:
Pistols
Manufacturer:
Intratec
Action:
Blowback
Type:
Semi-automatic
Caliber:
9mm
Barrel Length:
5 inches
Frame/Material:
molded polymer and stamped steel
Finish/Color:
Black
Capacity:
10, 20, 32, 36, 50 round magazines

Intratec TEC-9 Pictures (1)

Rate Intratec TEC-9

9.1 Excellent
(5 votes)
This text will be replaced

Recent Comments

Recent Posts