Mystery .22 Pistol

[azlaw]

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]

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

[John Sabato]

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]

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]

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

[azlaw]

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

H

[Conny]

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]

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]

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...

[sheepherder]

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...

[John Sabato]

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]

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]

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]

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