Machine pistols are
submachine guns that can be used with one hand. They, and the
SMG class they inherit from, differ from
machine guns in that they use
pistol ammunition. Not just alike in
calibre; the ammunition is identical. Pistol
ammunition usually carries a smaller
charge than
rifle or machine gun ammunition in order to allow one-hand operation as well as due to the fact that pistols swiftly become useless at medium to long range. This is due both to their short
barrels and typically poor stabilization when fired.