This is what I would consider to be the assault version of these unique weapons. The 9mm calico is (or at any rate, was) available in a pistol or carbine version, using either 50 or 100 round magazines. There is also a full auto version for police and military use. The method of operation uses a two piece, delayed roller block, bolt which is the same action type used in the Spanish CTME rifles, and the well regarded H&K G-3 and variants. This action was designed in Germany towards the end of the Second World War, and is reliable, sturdy, and not greatly affected by variations in powder charge. There is no gas tube or operating rod, nothing to adjust or go out of alignment, and few moving parts. To add to the ease of maintenance, these arms are made primarily out of polymers, and alloys. This section covers the features, operation, construction, and design of the 9mm series of Calico, also known as the Liberty series. Covered here are the elements common to all 9mm calicos.
The gun breaks down into, essentially, three pieces: the magazine, the upper receiver, and the lower receiver. Disassembly instructions, and cleaning tips are given in a separate section. The controls are simple. There is a cocking lever on the left side of the receiver. This lever is separate from the actual bolt, and does not reciprocate with it, as the weapon fires. Though the bolt is not held back after the last shot, there is a bolt hold open lever, on the right side of the receiver. Pushing the hold open while the bolt is pulled back, will lock it open. To release the bolt, the lever is pushed again; simple. There is also an ambidextrous safety, and then the trigger itself. These controls are shown in the photo below, which may be brought up in an enlarged version by clicking on it (as can all pictures on this page). Also visible in the photo is the pressure pad, just behind the trigger, which activates the laser sight which I mounted near the muzzle on the pistol version of the gun..
    These weapons have a front sight, adjustable for windage and elevation via a pair of knurled wheels. This front sighting system is quite satisfactory, though I have some concerns over the design of the rear sight. The rear sight is a simple notch, molded into the top of the magazine. It carries the currently fashionable white dots on either side of the notch. In some of the later vintage magazines, there is also a flip up peep sight. My only problem with this sight should be obvious. Precision shooting is impossible with such a system for a couple of reasons. There is the matter of variation between magazines. Unless every magazine mounts to the receiver in the exact same way, the point of aim will be different. Unless every magazine is molded precisely the same, with the sights molded, finished, and aligned exactly the same, the point of aim will be different. It is clearly not cost effective, or even possible to ensure this level of conformity in these magazines. Even if only one magazine is used with the gun, the play within the magazine catches, would seem to invite a shift in point of aim every time the magazine is removed for reloading. The possible slight flexing of the plastic within the magazine body, would seem to insure that the point of aim will shift even without the magazine being removed from the gun. There was a similar problem noted with the excellent Dan Wesson revolvers, when they were introduced. The Dan Wesson features interchangeable barrels of assorted lengths. This feature was initially claimed to give the flexibility of instant barrel change. The problem was that the sights had to be readjusted at every change, making the guns somewhat less flexible than was first thought. This may not seem like a major concern in a weapon, like the Calico, so obviously designed to produce volume fire, but I at least like to maintain the illusion that I am a precision shooter. The solution for this problem is a scope mount, or laser sight mount, both still available from Calico, and from select distributors.
   I am in the process of getting a scope mount for the use of a Bushnell Holosight on the carbine version of this weapon. My Calico pistol is already equipped with a laser sight, which should be sufficient for the short ranges at which a pistol is best employed. The scope mount itself, takes the form of a cage which fits around the cylinder of the magazine, and is secured with four screws set around the magazine catches. There is a standard weaver base, sitting centered over the magazine body. This puts the scope rather high on the gun, but no more so than the numerous mounts available for the M-16/AR-15 series of rifles. Though I do not yet posses the scope mount or the laser mount, I do have scans of them, from old magazine articles, to display on this page. In contrast to the placement of the scope mount, the laser mount sits rather low on the weapon. The design of this mount is somewhat dated, and the mount itself is not really required for the later generation of very compact laser sights, constructed with laser diodes. The mount was designed almost a decade ago when tubes were still being used to generate lasers.
    The use of a scope, or laser mount is particularly called for because of the extreme accuracy of these guns. In a properly sighted weapon, I have shot three inch groups, and better, at 100 yards. This is approaching rifle level accuracy, and actually exceeds the accuracy of many assault rifles. To handicap such accuracy with such an imprecise set of sights is to waste much of the potential of these interesting little guns. Shown below are the dated design of the laser, rail mount, and the metal cage design of the scope mount.

I apologize for the poor quality of the illustrations. I will replace the scan of the scope mount with a photograph of my own, once I receive it, and have used it to mount a Bushnell Holosight. I am not likely to ever get a laser rail mount for the reasons already given. In addition to the Laser, and scope mounts, Calico offers an under barrel flashlight mount a bipod, and even a brass catcher, which uses a spring mount to fasten a small bag under the ejection port. The bag is said to hold 150 rounds, and seems to be a great alternative to having to chase your brass, or crawl around the range or field looking for it. Other accessories include a crank operated speed loader, a "Kelly" grip, and a number of different stock styles, some extendable, and some fixed. There are also the magazines, of course, in either the 50 or 100 round versions, but it has recently been decided that we may not be trusted to own these unless we are in the police or the military.  This law will only be in effect until 2004, and we can hope for some relief, and for some better men in office than the proven felon who currently resides in the White House. Soapbox aside, I am hoping for a resurrection of sorts, when the Calico is no longer so hobbled by the inept and unfortunate restrictions that we are presently burdened with. For those who are unfamiliar with the weapon, I will give the firing procedures below. There will also be a copy of the original Calico manual, which I have scanned in, put up on this sight in the near future. Those wishing to own a Calico are in an unenviable position right now. The production numbers are on another page, but only around 10,000 of these guns are out in civilian hands right now, in 9mm. This number can not possibly be added to before the end of the so called "Crime Bill" of 1994. This makes the acquisition of a Calico an expensive proposition, and the procuring of the magazines, more expensive still. Those who still have a desire to own one, can get a start on my links page. You are unlikely to find one at you local dealer, but it is possible find them on gun auctions on the web, and at a few specialty dealers, also on the web. I will have these places in my links soon, but I must mention a couple of things. If you live in the sorry state of california, or new jersey, or, in the near future, new york, you are probably not going to be able to legally order one of these guns. If you are living in one of the more enlightened states, you will have to arrange for transportation to a FFL holder. Shipping and the fee to the FFL holder will probably add fifty to seventy five dollars to the cost of the gun. Gun prices are hovering around the thousand to twelve hundred dollar mark, though I expect them to rise sharply if the wooden wonder (al gore) is inflicted upon the office of the President.