Trejo pistol
Encyclopedia
The Trejo Pistol is the smallest full-auto weapon ever made and was the first machine pistol designed and manufactured. Even though not well known in the United States
it was quite successful in Mexico
, with over 16.000 pieces manufactured by Armas Trejo S.A., between 1952 and 1972. The apple logo on the side of the slide is related to the fact that Zacatlán de las manzanas
(Zacatlán of the apples, State of Puebla
, Mexico), is a town famous by its apples and the apple cider
produced there.
This little Tactical Machine-Pistol is a blowback action with unlocked firing from a closed bolt. Built for bursts rather than full-auto fire since the magazine capacity is quite limiting. When introduced to the Mexican market there was no prohibition against full-auto capabilities in small calibers like the .22 Long Rifle.
In 1950, Gabriel Trejo, a blacksmith
by trade, created in the company of his son Abraham, other than those that existed, because in his own words, "I want to do something out of common".
Full-auto versions of the Modelo-1 is marked Tipo-Rafaga (selective fire type) and a little Lever with a "R" marked for Rafaga. In all practical senses it is identical to a M1911 which is known to many shooters.
The rate of fire is very high, ranging from 1300-1400 rounds per minute depending on what type of ammunition you use (higher velocity = higher rate of fire). Bursts can be shot from about three rounds up to a blistering eight burst out and unloading the whole magazine in 0.4 seconds flat. A minus for this type of construction would be the unreliable .22LR rimfire cartridge.
The NFA of 1934 made the import to US small since the 200$ tax of class-2 firearms was far more than the original value of the trejo. The Firearms Act of 68 finally slammed the door into the U.S. (therefore also to much of rest of the world) and finally the Mexican government closed down domestic production of firearms for private purchase. The Trejo was also made in semiauto only, a longer BBL model with larger capacity (11-shot) called Modelo 2 came out and also a Modelo 3 in .32auto and 9mmShort/.380acp. A variant using a high capacity magazine was manufactured for the Mexican military which was chambered in 9mm and featured a 40 round magazine. This variant named the Model 2 "Especial" (special) could be fired in semi-automatic, in bursts or fully automatic.
In 1970 this factory and three more that manufactured other weapons, were closed by Presidential Decree
as a result of social problems that were experienced in Mexico between 1968 and 1971, known as Dirty War
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
it was quite successful in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, with over 16.000 pieces manufactured by Armas Trejo S.A., between 1952 and 1972. The apple logo on the side of the slide is related to the fact that Zacatlán de las manzanas
Zacatlán
Zacatlán is a city, and the surrounding municipality of the same name, in the northern region of the Mexican state of Puebla. It is renowned as one of the country's foremost apple-growing regions, and is so sometimes called "Zacatlán de las Manzanas"...
(Zacatlán of the apples, State of Puebla
Puebla
Puebla officially Estado Libre y Soberano de Puebla is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 217 municipalities and its capital city is Puebla....
, Mexico), is a town famous by its apples and the apple cider
Apple cider
Apple cider is the name used in the United States and parts of Canada for an unfiltered, unsweetened, non-alcoholic beverage made from apples...
produced there.
This little Tactical Machine-Pistol is a blowback action with unlocked firing from a closed bolt. Built for bursts rather than full-auto fire since the magazine capacity is quite limiting. When introduced to the Mexican market there was no prohibition against full-auto capabilities in small calibers like the .22 Long Rifle.
In 1950, Gabriel Trejo, a blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
by trade, created in the company of his son Abraham, other than those that existed, because in his own words, "I want to do something out of common".
Full-auto versions of the Modelo-1 is marked Tipo-Rafaga (selective fire type) and a little Lever with a "R" marked for Rafaga. In all practical senses it is identical to a M1911 which is known to many shooters.
The rate of fire is very high, ranging from 1300-1400 rounds per minute depending on what type of ammunition you use (higher velocity = higher rate of fire). Bursts can be shot from about three rounds up to a blistering eight burst out and unloading the whole magazine in 0.4 seconds flat. A minus for this type of construction would be the unreliable .22LR rimfire cartridge.
The NFA of 1934 made the import to US small since the 200$ tax of class-2 firearms was far more than the original value of the trejo. The Firearms Act of 68 finally slammed the door into the U.S. (therefore also to much of rest of the world) and finally the Mexican government closed down domestic production of firearms for private purchase. The Trejo was also made in semiauto only, a longer BBL model with larger capacity (11-shot) called Modelo 2 came out and also a Modelo 3 in .32auto and 9mmShort/.380acp. A variant using a high capacity magazine was manufactured for the Mexican military which was chambered in 9mm and featured a 40 round magazine. This variant named the Model 2 "Especial" (special) could be fired in semi-automatic, in bursts or fully automatic.
In 1970 this factory and three more that manufactured other weapons, were closed by Presidential Decree
Decree
A decree is a rule of law issued by a head of state , according to certain procedures . It has the force of law...
as a result of social problems that were experienced in Mexico between 1968 and 1971, known as Dirty War
Dirty War (Mexico)
"La guerra sucia," or the dirty war, refers to an internal war between the Mexican PRI-ruled government and left-wing student and guerrilla groups in the 1960s and 1970s, largely under the presidencies of Luis Echeverría and José López Portillo...
.