Gyrojet
Mark 1 Model b 13mm Gyrojet Mfg.
Manufactured by MBAssociates San Ramon Calif.
Barrel length 6 3/4 in.
overall lenght 9 3/4 in.
internal fixed 6 round mag.
Ronald Reagan, General Curtis Lemay, J. Edgar Hoover and Barry Goldwater all owned one. Special-ops teams carried them in Vietnam, and they have even been featured in James Bond movies. In other words, the Gyrojet pistol is one of the strangest and most unique firearms ever manufactured.
More rocket launcher than firearm, the 11/2 in. .50 cal. bullet is a solid-fuel rocket, ignited by a rifle primer. The gun's barrel has a smooth bore and the bullet's spin is achieved by four angled gas ports in its base.
The pistol's firing mechanism is just as unique. When the trigger is pulled, it releases a hammer that is mounted forward of the bullet. The hammer swings up through a cut in the bottom of the barrel, strikes a bullet on its nose, and drives it rearward against a fixed firing pin. As the bullet launches forward, it recocks the hammer and another round is chambered from a fixed magazine in the grip.
The Gyrojet is constructed from an aluminium, magnesium, and zinc alloy, weighs 22 ounces, has no recoil, and functions quite well under water. However, due to accuracy problems and the high cost of ammunition, these rocket-powered sidearm never really got off the ground.
Produced by M.B.A. of San Ramon California from 1960 to 1969, the Gyrojet saw only limited production. The Blue Book of Gun Values lists these guns at under $1,000.00 but it is very difficult to find enven the most common used models for less than $1500.00. Unfired guns, presentation models, and rare variations can top $5,000.00 and Gyrojet ammo can fetch $100 per round.
All my thanks to Mr Tim Hatfield, Missouri for the text and technical details.
There exists even in the form of carbine!!
