Au-Ver

James K · November 12, 2006, 02:26 PM

I just got the 2007 Gun Digest, and there are several pages on a concept (that is all it is) for a new gun design combining (you guessed it) the frame of an auto pistol and the cylinder of a revolver. The designer calls it the "Au-Ver" a combination of the words "AUtomatic" and "revolVER." Nicely colored pictures, but another non-solution to a non-problem.

The design is very complex. Apparently there are two "models" (i.e., concepts - apparently no models have actually been made outside a CAD program). One uses a spring which is wound up to turn the cylinder, the other a conventional hand. Cocking the SA hammer and other functioning comes from a short (1" or so) slide at the back, driven by a gas piston. There is no provision for reloading the cylinder in place. A fired cylinder is ejected, like a magazine, and replaced by another. Cylinders appear to be bulky, and both larger and heavier than magazines, while containing fewer rounds.

Off hand, I can't imagine anyone actually putting real money into producing such a monstrosity, but then the Dardick gun made it to limited production. My opinion is that the designer needs to get a real job.

The big mystery to me is why the editors of Gun Digest thought the idea was worth a significant chunk of the book. Or maybe they figured it would start discussion and sell books. In that, they have likely succeeded, as this post shows.

Jim

mgdavis · November 12, 2006, 03:30 PM

This sound like a Mateba. Is that accurate, or is this a different concept?

johnbt · November 12, 2006, 06:03 PM

au ver

Isn't that something like "with the worm" in French?

I need to see this gun.

John

Scorch · November 12, 2006, 07:00 PM

Seems to me that if they really wanted to make an automatic revolver, it's already been done. It's called a Webley-Fosbery, it was designed in 1897.

http://www.thegunzone.com/webley-fosbery.html

Next!

James K · November 12, 2006, 07:52 PM

No, it is not a Mateba and it is not a Webley-Fosbery. It is really different, and doesn't seem to offer any advantages at all over conventional handguns.

I can't describe it adequately, and photographing the pictures would be a copyright violation. If you are interested, buy the book; it is always worthwhile to have the latest GD.

Jim

mgdavis · November 12, 2006, 09:32 PM

I meant to ask if it was similar in concept to the Mateba. Then I went and looked at pictures of the Mateba and realised that it does not have the short section of slide at the back. I'll have to go find a copy of the book, just to satisfy my curiosity.

T. O'Heir · November 28, 2006, 10:57 PM

"...it's already been done..." Several times. One of the Russian Nagant revolvers was a 'semi-auto' too. Late 19th Century, as I recall.
"...sell books..." It's like satellite tv. Lots of space to fill.

November 12, 2006, 02:26 PM	#1
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	Au-Ver I just got the 2007 Gun Digest, and there are several pages on a concept (that is all it is) for a new gun design combining (you guessed it) the frame of an auto pistol and the cylinder of a revolver. The designer calls it the "Au-Ver" a combination of the words "AUtomatic" and "revolVER." Nicely colored pictures, but another non-solution to a non-problem. The design is very complex. Apparently there are two "models" (i.e., concepts - apparently no models have actually been made outside a CAD program). One uses a spring which is wound up to turn the cylinder, the other a conventional hand. Cocking the SA hammer and other functioning comes from a short (1" or so) slide at the back, driven by a gas piston. There is no provision for reloading the cylinder in place. A fired cylinder is ejected, like a magazine, and replaced by another. Cylinders appear to be bulky, and both larger and heavier than magazines, while containing fewer rounds. Off hand, I can't imagine anyone actually putting real money into producing such a monstrosity, but then the Dardick gun made it to limited production. My opinion is that the designer needs to get a real job. The big mystery to me is why the editors of Gun Digest thought the idea was worth a significant chunk of the book. Or maybe they figured it would start discussion and sell books. In that, they have likely succeeded, as this post shows. Jim

November 12, 2006, 03:30 PM	#2
mgdavis Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2004 Location: Western Washington Posts: 397	This sound like a Mateba. Is that accurate, or is this a different concept? __________________ Since the internet is anonymous, I'm really good looking too.

November 12, 2006, 07:00 PM	#4
Scorch Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2006 Location: Washington state Posts: 15,248	Seems to me that if they really wanted to make an automatic revolver, it's already been done. It's called a Webley-Fosbery, it was designed in 1897. http://www.thegunzone.com/webley-fosbery.html Next! __________________ Never try to educate someone who resists knowledge at all costs. But what do I know? Summit Arms Services

November 12, 2006, 09:32 PM	#6
mgdavis Senior Member Join Date: June 24, 2004 Location: Western Washington Posts: 397	I meant to ask if it was similar in concept to the Mateba. Then I went and looked at pictures of the Mateba and realised that it does not have the short section of slide at the back. I'll have to go find a copy of the book, just to satisfy my curiosity. __________________ Since the internet is anonymous, I'm really good looking too.

November 12, 2006, 06:03 PM	#3
johnbt Senior Member Join Date: December 6, 1999 Location: Richmond, Virginia USA Posts: 6,004	au ver Isn't that something like "with the worm" in French? I need to see this gun. John

November 12, 2006, 07:52 PM	#5
James K Member In Memoriam Join Date: March 17, 1999 Posts: 24,383	No, it is not a Mateba and it is not a Webley-Fosbery. It is really different, and doesn't seem to offer any advantages at all over conventional handguns. I can't describe it adequately, and photographing the pictures would be a copyright violation. If you are interested, buy the book; it is always worthwhile to have the latest GD. Jim

November 28, 2006, 10:57 PM	#7
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	"...it's already been done..." Several times. One of the Russian Nagant revolvers was a 'semi-auto' too. Late 19th Century, as I recall. "...sell books..." It's like satellite tv. Lots of space to fill.