Calico M100 carbine (.22lr)

[General Geoff]

I stumbled across this carbine during a google search and want to know if anyone here has any experience with them. It looks like a very fun plinking gun, especially with 100rd magazines. Does Calico currently produce and sell them? Can any FFL order them? I've never actually seen or heard of one before today.

 

[Vaarok]

(Larry) Correia , our fearless mod, had one for sale in his shop for $510 and shipping, according to his blog last week.

 

[berettashotgun]

Had one I picked up at a pawnshop for $250 - an older, pre-ban model.
It worked excellent, but somehow it magically morphed into a Browning Gold lite10; straight across.

 

[General Geoff]

If they function reliably, I might just have to make an M100 my next purchase. Something about burning up an entire brick of .22lr ammo in 5 mags is just.. awesome.

 

[Tarvis]

I saw one for sale at a local gun shop for something like $1200 with a red dot sight and a laser, but that shop is known for being overpriced. I think if I found one for $250 I'd buy it for sure, either in 9mm or 22lr. I'd rather have the 9mm but $400 or less seems like a good deal.

I have heard they have some problems with the mags, but I wouldn't know. I say it's worth trying at least.

 

[Domino]

The Calico is cool weapon design no doubt but, they are probably range toys at best in a practicality. The magazines bulk and cost sort of takes away any real advantage of the concept IMHO. $130+ for a 50 or 100 round magazine is an awful lot when you can get reliable 25 round BC 10/22 steel lips magazines for under $30 a piece. Also, I can carry 50 rounds of 9mm on my Sub 2000 (one 33 round in the gun and a 17 rounder in the extra mag holder) that just needs one reload to get it going.

I guess the Calico's are ok if you are NOT planning to reload your weapon in a combat situation.

 

[Tarvis]

I guess the Calico's are ok if you are NOT planning to reload your weapon in a combat situation.

Necessity is the mother of invention my friend. If it actually were a viable option for a LE or .mil rifle, they would find a good way to operate it with specialized pouches or something of the sort.

 

[General Geoff]

I was looking on Calico's site, and they have single and double mag pouches. The mags themselves aren't cheap ($130 for .22lr), but damn if it doesn't look like a fun range toy.

 

[Timthinker]

Calico firearms have been in existence for years, so it should be possible to research their current state of mechanical reliability. Early models suffered from jamming problems, no doubt due to "teething problems" with their unusual magazines. I am uncertain about how reliable their firearms are today.

That said, they rank high on the "cool factor" of looks, but I believe a Ruger 10/22 with a high capacity magazine would prove more reliable and certainly more affordable. Please do not let my comments dissuade you from considering a Calico as a plinker/home defense firearm. I just want you to have as much information as possible before purchasing one. Let us know what you decide. Good luck and keep us informed.


Timthinker