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Mateba auto-revolver question
knightrider
Member Posts: 450 ✭✭✭
Here I go again asking questions about strange guns. OK, other than http://world.guns.ru is there a place that I can learn more about the Mateba such as price, availability, etc? Thanks.
Comments
There's probably more but all you need is a good search engine:
The autorevolver "6 Unica" with its aesthetic and unique finish, its accuracy and very soft recoil is possibly one of the best handguns on the market. Born in the beginning of 1997, the Mateba autorevolver "6 Unica" is the most advanced version of the revolver. It keeps all characteristics of reliability of the revolver combined with the handling and speed of a pistol. To understand the autorevolver it is necessary to imagine firing a standard revolver always in single action just like a pistol. The cylinder turns automatically and the hammer is engaged by the recoil of the slide on which are assembled the barrel and cylinder themselves. The firing position is ergonomically positioned and the aiming is simply fantastic; the barrel is aligned with the bottom chamber of the cylinder to avoid the "jumping".
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TECHNICAL DATA :
Manufacturer : Mateba Srl - Pavia - Italy
Models : semiautomatic revolver "6" (various versions) semiautomatic rifle "Grifone"
Action : DA - SA with barrel end cylinder drawing back on a slide
Caliber :.357 Mag. / .38 SPL/.44 Mag.
Revolver Barrel :interchangeable plain .357 Mag (3", 4", 5", 6", 8") / interchangeable plain .44 Mag. (4", 5", 6", 8" 3/8)
Rifle Barrel :.357 Mag. & .44 Mag. both 18"
All barrels are available in compensated configuration
Firing System :floating firing pin, outside hammer
Feeding : manual or through speedloader; cylinder with 6 chambers rotatingc.w.
Trigger Pull Weight : DA 5.8 Kg - SA 1.8 Kg
Rear Sight : fixed 2 dot Night sight
Safety : incorporated into the trigger mechanism; hammer protected
Grip : one-piece in French walnut. Optional anatomic adjustable
Weight : from 1.250 Kg
Overall Length : 275mm (6" barrel)
Finish : bright black blued; stainless steel satin
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There are several versions of this revolver (or, better, AUTOREVOLVER)
AUTOREVOLVER 6-DEFENCE (the one I prefer), 4" barrel, .357-Magnum
AUTOREVOLVER 6-HOME PROTECTION (other one I like): 5" Barrel, .44-Remington Magnum
AUTOREVOLVER 6-DYNAMIC SPORTIVA (competition version): either 5" or 6" barrel, .357-Magnum
AUTOREVOLVER 6-HUNTER: 8-3/8" barrel, either in .44-SW Special or .44-Remington Magnum
http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/2100/2163.htm
http://www.securityarms.com/20010315/galleryfiles/1100/1143.htm
The Mateba Autorevolver (also Mateba Model 6 Unica) is one of the few types of hybrid automatic revolver handguns developed by the Italian gunsmith Sergio Mateba. The revolver is not automatic in the traditional sense of firing as long as the trigger is depressed, but called "automatic", because it uses the energy of a fired shot to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer for the next shot technically making it a "semi-automatic".
The Mateba Autorevolver's barrel alignment is different from most other revolvers. The barrel is aligned with the bottom of the cylinder instead of the top. This lowers the bore sight (line of the barrel) which directs the recoil in line with the shooter's hand thereby reducing the twisting motion or "barrel flip" of normal revolvers.
There was a modified Mateba Autorevolver called the Mateba Grifone, which was nothing more than a Mateba Autorevolver with an 18 inch barrel, forward stock, and rifle butt.
MA.TE.BA also made sporting and defense versions of the Colt M-1911m in .45-ACP, .45-HP and .9x21mm-IMI calibers. In the late year 2005 / early year 2006, MA.TE.BA has proceeded to the Italian equivalent of filing Chapter 7, Title 11, United States Code bankruptcy, and is thus out of business.
[edit] Note
Mateba Autorevolvers designed for using .357 Magnum rounds could be loaded with .38 Special ammunition but most .38 Special rounds do not have enough power to operate the cylinder rotation mechanism. However, a weaker recoil spring designed specifically for .38 special loads can be purchased as a separate accessory. Changing the recoil spring on Mateba is almost as easy as on a normal automatic pistol. Just remove the slide from the frame (requires loosening of one screw) and slide the new spring over the springguide.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mateba
Mateba Model 6 Unica:
The Model 6 Unica is a very unusual revolver produced by Mateba in Italy. It is currently the only automatic revolver made in the world today. In the past the Webley-Fosbery was also made, but this weapon has been out of production for more than sixty years.
The Unica functions as follows: The first triggerpull is a normal double action pull, it cocks the hammer, and then releases it, firing the gun. Upon firing the upper part of the frame recoils. This movement then cocks the hammer, and automatically rotates the cylinder. When the upper frame has completely recoiled, it is pushed forward again by a spring. When it has returned to its forward position the gun is ready to fire another shot, only this time a light pull in Single-Action mode, as the hammer is already cocked and the cylinder rotated.
The revolvers construction involves two major parts: the lower and the upper frame assembly. The lower assembly houses the trigger mechanism, a strong spring and the grip, and on top are a pair of rails, on which the upper frame assembly rides. The upper assembly holds the interchangable barrel and shroud, the cylinder, and the safety mechanism. The upper assembly is held in place by a spring, and a crossbolt prevents the assembly from moving off the lower frame. The cylinder itself swings out like that of any other revolver.
The entire revolver is made out of high quality steel, and the workmanship displayed is of the highest quality. The barrel can be replaced by means of a special wrench. When removing the barrel the shroud automatically is loosened as well, and there are different styles and lenghts of shroud available. The grip itself is of a single piece, and it too can be easily replaced for another style grip.
When disassembling the Unica some care must be taken to hold the revolver in a level position, because if it is held canted, several small parts can fall out of the frame. Replacing these can be somewhat bothersome, but this can be prevented by taking care during the disassembly and assembly of the weapon.
The Unica is chambered for the .357 Magnum cartridge, and this is really the only cartridge to be fired with the gun. Weak loads or .38 Special rounds wil not generate enouhg recoil to operate the mechanism. On the other hand, the recoil powered mechanism reduces felt recoil considerably.
The last special feature of the weapon is that the adjustable sight is located on the front of the barrel shroud. Instead of adjusting the solid (but replacable) aft sights, one has to adjust the front sights.
Weight: 2.96 lbs (1.340 kg)(6 inch barrel) empty.
Caliber: .357 magnum
Barrel Length: 3 inches (7.6 cm), 4 inch (10.2 cm), 5 inch (12.7 cm), or 6 inch (15.2 cm).
Action: Semi-automatic Double Action.
Range: 200 ft (60 m).
Cylinder: 6 rounds .
Cost: $ 1,000.
Made in: Italy.
Special: Semi-automatic action. Very accurate, very high quality, interchangable barrels.
http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Revolvers/Mateba_Model_6.htm