A personal defense weapon ( PDW ) is a compact semi-automatic or fully automatic firearm similar in most respects to a submachine gun , but firing a ( often proprietary ) rifle round , giving a PDW better range , accuracy and armor-penetrating capability than submachine guns , which fire pistol-caliber cartridges .
It is similar in most respects to a submachine gun , but firing a rifle round , giving a PDW better range , accuracy and armour-penetrating capability than submachine guns , which fire pistol-caliber cartridges .