Graz-Buyra Semi Auto Pistol

[steelbuster]

A friend recently asked what I knew about a "Graz-Buyra" Large caliber semi auto Pistol he had seen for sale. My answer was short and sweet...NOTHING... Have you ever heard of this gun? I believe the spelling my be Graz- Burya.. at least I got a hit on that spelling when I put it into Google... but the site was no help although it did refer to other weapons.
Thanks , Pete

[James K]

New one on me. As you say, Google turned up two references, one is apparently a Brazilian review of an Indian "shoot-em-up" ("Wesley Scot"?) and the other is a Canadian French sci-fi "future world history".

This has me intrigued enough to keep trying some other combinations.

Ask your firend where he saw or heard the term.

Jim

[C.R.Sam]

There is an armory in Graz Austria.

Diggin still.

You might give these folks a buzz. http://www.auspistol.com.au/

Sam

[James K]

As C.R.Sam says, there is a city of Graz in Austria that has been an arms making area for centuries.

A search on "Burya" turns up a scientist of that name from the State Agrarian University, Dniepropetrovsk, Ukraine, who delivered a paper in Poland on "The Influence of Ultradispersed Ceramics by Tribotechnical Characteristics of Composites".

Also a Ukranian dance troop and a Russian production of Shakespeare's Tempest ("Burya" means "Tempest" or "Storm" in Russian). And several Ukranian-Americans by that name.

Ain't the worldwide web wonderful?

But nothing on Graz-Burya except that silly game scenario.

Jim

[C.R.Sam]

Jim, we've been trampin the same woods on this one.:D

The arms museum at Graz is neat but not usefull for this search.

Tis indeed a challange.

Sam

[SA Scott]

I can't recall the title, but it was referenced in an 80's vintage spy novel as a Soviet secret police sidearm. Russian-descended Brit is recruited for a mission in the Soviet Union. Described as a large frame, large caliber (9x21/23?) pistol. It struck me as odd at the time, because I'd never encountered it anywhere else in all the trashy military/adventure/spy fiction I was reading in lieu of doing my homework.

SA Scott

[SDC]

When I went to IWA in Germany this year, I saw a couple of things at the Baikal booth that MIGHT be what you're looking for; one is a compact polymer-frame DA semi-auto they called the "Baghiira" ("Burya"?), with striker firing mechanism and 15-round mag. They also call this one the "MP-444". They make a larger steel-frame version with an exposed hammer caled the "Grach" or MP-443. They've got these on their website at
http://www.baikalinc.ru/eng/prod/hguns/ . Hope this helps.

[biencounters]

I too read about this weapon - it was refrensed by Robert Ludlum - not sure of the novel - however he completely described it as the favored weapon of the KGB

[jfcmckee]

I just finished Ludlum's "The Matarese Circle" wherein the Graz-burya is KGB agent Vasili Talenikov's sidearm of choice. Don't have a clue what one looks like. Anyone have a link to a site with a picture or more details?

[SIGSHR]

Sounds like a made up name. If it's in a novel I wouldn't take it as something authoritative.

[max popenker]

It is a completely made-up name; Graz is Dirt in russian, and Burya is Thunderstorm.
The closest matches i can think of are:
* Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-18 pistol http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg111-e.htm
* Yarygin PYa a.k.a. "Grach" (rook) http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg50-e.htm
or
* SPS / Gyurza / Vector http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg25-e.htm

[fal308]

Could he have meant Gyurza? This pistol seems to meet the qualifications. Originally found in Charlie Cutshaw's book The New World of Russian Small Arms & Ammo. He has a two-page writeup on it.
Wnet over to world.guns and found their writeup also http://world.guns.ru/handguns/hg25-e.htm