Mystery .22 Pistol

azlaw · 12-13-2010, 01:01 AM

What the heck is this? I'm stumped - I shouldn't even say .22 because I'm not sure even of that. The photo is posted on a Mexican site that I follow - they are all mumbling that it is Czeckeslovakian made, I'm not so sure. It has that American 1950's-1960's potmetal "raygun" look about it, but I cant find a trace of it - except for a brand new gun called the Pirana that has the same form.

Anybody know this one?

H

Conny · 12-13-2010, 08:15 AM

Can't tell you what it is. I can't even find anything on the net about the Pirana either.

John Sabato · 12-13-2010, 08:44 AM

While I agree about the "form", the manufacture does not look American to me. I think this is strictly a south of the border item... possibly from central/south america.... or maybe Southeast Asia.

REALLY cheap junk.. .22 IMHO, and likely full auto only... I wouldn't want to shoot this one.

alanint · 12-13-2010, 12:42 PM

I agree that this is probably a local latin American production. Locally made .22s are common down there.

I especially like the wood screw front sight!

azlaw · 12-13-2010, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

I especially like the wood screw front sight!

Caught that bit, did you? But doesn't this thing look like it ought to be more of an affair than just a "local latin thing"? I admit that I cannot prove otherwise, and that you all seem to be telling me the same thing. Can you tell me more about the phenomenon of these wild "latin" pistols?

John: what makes you say likely full-auto?

And for the curious - the Pirana contraption as featured in American handgunner:

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/...HJF11/?page=60

H

Conny · 12-14-2010, 12:10 AM

The Pirana looks like a nice pistol. Available in 9mm. The bolt recoil linkages reminds me of the KRISS type system.

I'm coming to the conclusion that it is home made. I don't see a safety and the rear receiver has crude welding. I tend to believe it is a full auto.

azlaw · 12-14-2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Conny

I'm coming to the conclusion that it is home made. I don't see a safety and the rear receiver has crude welding. I tend to believe it is a full auto.

Does that thing above look home made? Cheap, yes. Crude, somewhat.

HLJ

sheepherder · 12-14-2010, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azlaw

And for the curious - the Pirana contraption as featured in American handgunner:

http://fmgpublications.ipaperus.com/...HJF11/?page=60

H

That link leads to an "American Handgunner" graphic page and no further...

azlaw · 12-14-2010, 12:05 AM

And what have we here, yet another "latin" special? This one looks new.

H

sheepherder · 12-14-2010, 06:56 AM

They both look like the same gun to me...possibly a cut-down .22 rifle??? The plastic grip looks too well-made [comparitively] to be a home brew...

Interesting that they are set up for left handed operation...

John Sabato · 12-14-2010, 08:05 AM

I thought so to0, but I waited a long time and the article on the Pirana did finally pop up...

The Full-Auto issue about the first gun is just a gut feeling...

alanint · 12-14-2010, 10:13 AM

I'm betting that the entire lower receiver is a painted aluminum casting, not plastic. Having lived in various Latin American countries for over 22 years, this is simply typical of the locally manufactured .22s I have encountered, although not this one specifically.
I'll also wager that while it may not be full auto, it is certainly an open bolt firing mechanism and easely convertible.
So here is the check list of why I believe this to be Latin American Produced;
- Aluminum cast lower saves machining, fitting costs. Used frequently in SoAm.
- Tubular cross section upper with open bolt mechanism is the cheapest solution to the upper configuration
-.22 calibre and shotgun calibers only ammo allowed to civilian population in many SoAm countries
.22 calibre by far the most prevalent pistol calibre in South America
- Just guessing, but the lack of any apparent safety would not fly in most Western countries.
- The fact that this particular gun turned up on a Mexican website

Jack Lawman · 12-14-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanint

I'm betting that the entire lower receiver is a painted aluminum casting, not plastic.

Agreed,
I'd go on to say they were cast from the same mold. Notice the similarities in the grip checkering irregularities:

Lugerdoc · 12-17-2010, 10:47 AM

Positano, I agree with your idea of a cut down .22 rifle action. Now just determine which one had the left side cocking & ejaection. TH

12-13-2010, 01:01 AM	#1
azlaw User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 207 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Mystery .22 Pistol What the heck is this? I'm stumped - I shouldn't even say .22 because I'm not sure even of that. The photo is posted on a Mexican site that I follow - they are all mumbling that it is Czeckeslovakian made, I'm not so sure. It has that American 1950's-1960's potmetal "raygun" look about it, but I cant find a trace of it - except for a brand new gun called the Pirana that has the same form. Anybody know this one? H

12-13-2010, 08:15 AM	#2
Conny User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Culpeper, Va. Posts: 279 Thanks: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 13 Posts	Can't tell you what it is. I can't even find anything on the net about the Pirana either. __________________ Rangers Lead the Way, Duane Leiker

12-13-2010, 08:44 AM	#3
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	While I agree about the "form", the manufacture does not look American to me. I think this is strictly a south of the border item... possibly from central/south america.... or maybe Southeast Asia. REALLY cheap junk.. .22 IMHO, and likely full auto only... I wouldn't want to shoot this one. __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

12-14-2010, 12:10 AM	#6
Conny User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Culpeper, Va. Posts: 279 Thanks: 0 Thanked 26 Times in 13 Posts	The Pirana looks like a nice pistol. Available in 9mm. The bolt recoil linkages reminds me of the KRISS type system. I'm coming to the conclusion that it is home made. I don't see a safety and the rear receiver has crude welding. I tend to believe it is a full auto. __________________ Rangers Lead the Way, Duane Leiker

12-14-2010, 06:56 AM	#10
sheepherder Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: ...on the 'ol Erie Canal... Posts: 8,197 Thanks: 1,416 Thanked 4,462 Times in 2,336 Posts	They both look like the same gun to me...possibly a cut-down .22 rifle??? The plastic grip looks too well-made [comparitively] to be a home brew... Interesting that they are set up for left handed operation... __________________ I like my coffee the way I like my women... ...Cold and bitter...

12-13-2010, 12:42 PM	#4
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I agree that this is probably a local latin American production. Locally made .22s are common down there. I especially like the wood screw front sight!

12-14-2010, 12:05 AM	#9
azlaw User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 207 Thanks: 1 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	And what have we here, yet another "latin" special? This one looks new. H

12-14-2010, 08:05 AM	#11
John Sabato Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: The Capital of the Free World Posts: 10,156 Thanks: 3,003 Thanked 2,308 Times in 1,098 Posts	I thought so to0, but I waited a long time and the article on the Pirana did finally pop up... The Full-Auto issue about the first gun is just a gut feeling... __________________ regards, -John S "...We hold these truths to be self-evident that ALL men are created EQUAL *and are endowed by their Creator* with certain UNALIENABLE* rights, and among these are life, LIBERTY, and the pursuit of happiness..."*

12-14-2010, 10:13 AM	#12
alanint User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marco Island, Florida Posts: 4,867 Thanks: 1,685 Thanked 1,917 Times in 1,193 Posts	I'm betting that the entire lower receiver is a painted aluminum casting, not plastic. Having lived in various Latin American countries for over 22 years, this is simply typical of the locally manufactured .22s I have encountered, although not this one specifically. I'll also wager that while it may not be full auto, it is certainly an open bolt firing mechanism and easely convertible. So here is the check list of why I believe this to be Latin American Produced; - Aluminum cast lower saves machining, fitting costs. Used frequently in SoAm. - Tubular cross section upper with open bolt mechanism is the cheapest solution to the upper configuration -.22 calibre and shotgun calibers only ammo allowed to civilian population in many SoAm countries .22 calibre by far the most prevalent pistol calibre in South America - Just guessing, but the lack of any apparent safety would not fly in most Western countries. - The fact that this particular gun turned up on a Mexican website

12-17-2010, 10:47 AM	#14
Lugerdoc Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: POB 398 St.Charles,MO. 63302 Posts: 5,089 Thanks: 6 Thanked 737 Times in 484 Posts	Positano, I agree with your idea of a cut down .22 rifle action. Now just determine which one had the left side cocking & ejaection. TH __________________ Tom Heller POB 398 ST.Charles, MO. 63302 Tel 636-447-3006 lugerdoc@charter.net