Calico M900
Calico Light Weapons Systems · Carbine · Discontinued · 1989
Also known as: M-900, Calico Liberty I, Calico Liberty 50
Overview
The Calico M900 is a 9x19mm semi-automatic carbine produced by Calico Light Weapons Systems, sharing the company's signature top-mounted helical-feed magazine system in 50- or 100-round capacities. It uses a roller-delayed blowback action derived from CETME/HK lineage and a 16-inch barrel paired with an aluminum receiver and folding wire stock. Marketed to the civilian carbine market in 1989, it was offered alongside the M950 pistol and the select-fire M960 submachine gun built on the same platform.
Specifications
| Weight (empty) | 1678 g (59.2 oz) |
| Weight (loaded) | 2495 g (88.0 oz) |
| Overall Length | 876 mm (34.49") |
| Folded Length | 724 mm (28.50") |
| Barrel Length | 406 mm (15.98") |
| Action Type | Roller Delayed Blowback |
| Firing Mechanism | Hammer Fired |
| Trigger Type | Single Stage |
| Magazine Capacity | 100 rounds |
| Magazine Type | Drum |
| Muzzle Velocity | 427 m/s (1401 fps) |
| Muzzle Energy | 678 J (500 ft·lbf) |
| Effective Range | 100 m (109 yd) |
| Maximum Range | 200 m (219 yd) |
| Barrel Rifling | Right Hand |
| Rifling Twist | 356 mm (14.02") |
| Number of Grooves | 6 |
| Frame Material | Aluminum |
| Slide Material | Steel |
| Barrel Material | Steel |
| Stock Material | Polymer |
| Finish | Anodized Black |
Calibers
- 9x19mm Parabellum · primary · 9mm NATO — also known as 9mm Luger, 9mm NATO, 9x19mm
Features
- Firing modes: Semi Automatic
- Feed systems: Helical Magazine
- Safety mechanisms: Trigger Safety, Hammer Block Safety
- Features: Helical Top Mounted Magazine, Folding Stock, Ambidextrous Bottom Ejection, Two Part Roller Delayed Bolt
Variants
- Calico M950 — Pistol
- Calico M960 — Select Fire
- Calico Liberty 100 — Rebrand
Service history
Operators
- Civilian sport shooters · adopted 1989
Production
Production years: 1989-1994; intermittent thereafter
Production heavily impacted by the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban which prohibited new sales of its 50- and 100-round magazines to civilians until 2004.
Origin
Country of origin: United States
Designer: Michael Miller
Notes
The civilian M900 is semi-automatic only; the M960 is the select-fire variant developed for military and law-enforcement evaluation. After production lapsed in the late 1990s, the platform was reintroduced under the 'Calico Liberty' branding in the 2000s.
Background
The M900's helical magazine sits horizontally atop the receiver like a futuristic backpack - when it appeared in films like 'Total Recall' and 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith,' audiences often assumed the prop was a sci-fi invention rather than a real, registered firearm available at sporting goods stores.