Miniature Spy Guns

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/02/miniature-spy-guns.html

[slor]

1. Those were pretty amazing...

TY for posting.

[benEzra]

2. Interesting...

that ring gun looks to small-caliber to be of any use, though.

I used to own one of these:


http://www.naaminis.com/lrifle.html

5-shot .22LR. It was quite small (barrel length was 1 1/8" on mine, as I recall), single action. Surprisingly accurate and as loud as a 9mm due to the very short barrel.

I eventually sold it to fund the purchase of a Polish Mosin-Nagant, but it was a neat little gun.

[spin]

9. I knew a couple of guys in Florida who carried

North American Arms derringers as their concealed weapon. (Yes, they had permits.) They allowed me to try them out at the range, and I have to admit they worked rather well at close range. Very little recoil and fairly accurate.

So I offered them the opportunity to try my S&W model 642 Airweight .38+P that I carry in my pocket. http://www.snubnose.info/docs/m642.htm

After about five rounds they put it down. They politely refused any future offers I made to try it again. I have to admit the recoil makes it a nasty little beast.

[benEzra]

10. I've never had the pleasure (or displeasure) of firing an Airweight with stout loads...

but I've read that they are intended to be "carried much and shot little."

I don't even want to think about the S&W scandium-alloy airweight snubbies in .357...ouch...

[spin]

11. I considered buying one of those...

but instead I bought a 3" model 60 S&W. http://www.sightm1911.com/lib/review/Model_60-15.htm

The airweight model 642 is a fine pocket gun and very easy to pick up and drop in your pocket. No hammer to snag when you draw it. Accurate with practice at close range.

Two weeks ago a friend and I went shooting. He had his Ruger Super Blackhawk 44 mag http://www.gunblast.com/Super_Blackhawk.htm and I had my 642 airweight and my 3" model 60. After trading guns we both agreed that the recoil of the .44 mag and the airweight with .38+P were similar. The recoil with the model 60 loaded with .357 rounds was stout but not all that bad. With the longer sight radius and its heavier weight it was easier to shot accurately than the airweight. The Ruger Blackhawk was the most accurate due to its 7 1/2 inch barrel.

The most convenient weapon to carry was the sirweight. All you have to do is slip the weapon and a pocket holster into your front pocket and you're ready to go. The Model 60 is easier to shoot but is more practical in a IWB (inside the waist band) holster or a belt holster. Just a little more time and effort to get ready. The .44 mag is primarily a hunting weapon. I would have little interest in lugging one of those around Town.

[EMdamascus]

15. I owned one also

Couldn't hit a cab at ten feet! But it was a nice piece!

on edit, I could hit a cab, but not a can...

[lapfog_1]

3. Not exactly a miniature, but a neat spy gun

it didn't fire bullets, but small plastic rockets. The gun was not made from metal, hence it would not be detected by metal detectors.

A real gun, it was featured in a James Bond movie and a Man from U.N.C.L.E. storyline.

I always wondered if the rocket could be made from "dry ice" or ever Pykecrete (frozen ice and wood pulp). That way, other than the hole in the body, no evidence.

[jmeyer]

5. thats a gyrojet

They actually are made of metal, just not steel. They never really caught on because they don't quite work; muzzle velocity at close range is so low that the rockets bounce off the target (although at long range they're comparable to a conventional firearm). Also, they're single shot. Actually, because they're so strange and not quite effective they've already been classed as C&R, despite not being 50 years old.

[Recursion]

6. Apparently one guy took them to Vietnam

They were good for long-range shots because they're essentially silent and incredibly accurate (rocket vs. ballistic)

muzzle velocity at close range is so low that the rockets bounce off the target

Yes. Putting your finger in front of the barrel makes it essentially harmless, except possibly for a burn.

[sir pball]

7. I always understood

That while they were pretty accurate and hard-hitting at range, the rocket left a lovely smoke trail that was literally a giant arrow pointing to your location...not the best thing to have happening in a firefight.

And the propellant didn't work too well in wet, humid environments..

[Recursion]

8. I used to fire the LAW in the Corps

You know, the huge thing that left a wire leading back to your firing position, and whose missile travelled slowly enough that a tank could hear the shot, look for the plume, follow the wire back, site in, shoot you, and drive off knowing the missile was now unguided. So I guess it wasn't the first time...

[benEzra]

12. Gee, that wasn't well thought out... (n/t)

[Recursion]

13. Sure it was

Price of 1 LAW system: $9500
Price of training 1 E-2 operator: $75,000
Price of enemy tank: $250,000

Not having to pay the E-2 any Veteran's benefits: priceless.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

4. Cool nt

[EMdamascus]

14. I have you all beat!

Take a look at this! not imported into US....
http://www.swissminigun.com/gallery_steel.html