Calico M110

Calico Light Weapons Systems · Pistol · Discontinued · 1989

Also known as: M-110, Calico 100+1

Overview

The Calico M110 is a blowback-operated semi-automatic .22 LR pistol manufactured by Calico Light Weapons Systems and built on the same helical-magazine architecture as the M100 carbine. The 6-inch barrel and aluminum receiver carry a 100-round top-mounted helical magazine, giving the compact pistol roughly five times the on-board ammunition of conventional rimfire handguns. Designed for plinking and small-game hunting, it has become a sought-after collectors' piece due to limited production runs.

Specifications

Weight (empty)998 g (35.2 oz)
Weight (loaded)1678 g (59.2 oz)
Overall Length455 mm (17.91")
Barrel Length152 mm (5.98")
Action TypeBlowback
Firing MechanismHammer Fired
Trigger TypeSingle Stage
Magazine Capacity100 rounds
Magazine TypeDrum
Muzzle Velocity335 m/s (1099 fps)
Muzzle Energy145 J (107 ft·lbf)
Effective Range50 m (55 yd)
Maximum Range150 m (164 yd)
Barrel RiflingRight Hand
Rifling Twist406 mm (15.98")
Number of Grooves6
Frame MaterialAluminum
Slide MaterialAluminum
Barrel MaterialSteel
FinishAnodized Black

Calibers

Features

Variants

Service history

Operators

Production

Production years: 1989-present (intermittent)

Production volumes are low across all eras; original Calico LWS units command significant collector premiums.

Origin

Country of origin: United States

Designer: Michael Miller

Notes

Despite being marketed as a pistol, the long magazine cylinder gives the M110 a profile larger than most service handguns. The pistol uses a hammer-block and trigger safety; many users mount it in a registered-pistol-brace configuration for stability.

Background

Because the helical magazine sits parallel above the bore rather than feeding from the grip, the M110 is one of the very few production handguns where you can carry 100 rounds chambered without reloading - a feature so unusual it inspired the gun's appearance in cyberpunk video games and 'Demolition Man'-era science-fiction films.