The Calico submachine guns (these are the semi-automatic
versions) are delayed blowback operated, selective fire weapons.
The action is based on the two part, roller delayed blowback
bolt system, initially designed by Ludwig Vorgrimler at the
Mauser Werke by the end of WW2, and latter refined and promoted
by the Heckler & Koch company in its G3 series rifles and
MP5 series submachine guns. One interesting feature of Calico
9mm submachine guns is that the spent cases are ejected straight
down, through the ejection chute at the front of the trigger
guard. The M-100 ejects spent 22 long rifle case from the right
side in the normal manner. Both weapons use an ambidextrous
safety / selector switch, located at the front of the trigger
guard. The charging handle is located at the left side of the
gun, just ahead and above the trigger, and does not move when
gun is fired.
The most interesting feature of the Calico firearms is the
top-mounted, cylindrical magazine of 100-round capacity. Made
of polymer, this magazine contains a helical guide grooves
at its "inner" cylindrical wall, with the rotating central "follower",
that causes the cartridges to follow the helical track inside
the cylinder. The follower is operated by the spiral spring,
located at the rear of the cylinder. Magazine is equipped with
winding handle, so it can be stored loaded and with unwound
spring, to avoid loss of spring tension during the storage
time. When required, magazine spring could be quickly wound
up by rotating the handle to prepare magazine to fire.
Pictures from current inventory below |
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