CODE – 01-132-964

NAME – Flechette Pistol

TYPE – Machine pistol

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN – USA

DATE OF MANUFACTURE – 1964 *

CALIBER – 5.6x44mm XM144 *

OVERALL LENGTH – 22.4 cm (8.813 in)

BARREL LENGTH – 14.9 cm (5.88 in)

RIFLING (TYPE & TWIST) – Smoothbore

BULLET DIAMETER – 1.80 mm (0.071 in)

BULLET WEIGHT – 0.67 g (10.3 grains)

MUZZLE VELOCITY – 792 m/s (2598 fps) *

MUZZLE ENERGY – 209 j (154 ft/lb)

WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 0.593 kg (1 lb 4.9 oz)

WEIGHT (LOADED) – 0.836 kg (1 lb 13.5 oz)

SIGHTS – Open, iron, fixes, Front sight – Blade, Rear sight – Square notch

EFFECTIVE RANGE – 30 m (33 yards) *

OPERATION – Blowback

TYPE OF FIRE – Selective, Semi and Full automatic

RATE OF FIRE – 2200 rpm *

FEED DEVICE – 20 round removable box magazine, double column, double feed

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (EMPTY) – 0.103 kg (3.63 oz)

FEED DEVICE WEIGHT (LOADED) – 0.243 kg (8.57 oz)

BASIC AMMUNITION LOAD – Three 20-round magazines (60 rounds)

LOAD WEIGHT – 0.73 kg (1 lb 9.8 oz)

MANUFACTURER – Advanced Armaments Inc. (AAI), Cockeysville, Maryland

STATUS – Prototype only

SERVICE – None

     This is one of only two prototypes known of a select-fire flechette machine pistol. The weapon was developed as a private venture by AAI of Cockeysville, Maryland and almost no information was ever released on it outside of a specimen in a museum. The idea of a discrete flechette fired from a pistol at very high velocity would practically eliminate any recoil, allowing for a burst of fire engaging a target with a swarm of finned high-velocity “needles.” The mechanism may have a mechanical round counter to limit the length of an automatic burst. This could allow a short burst of three or four rounds to be fired before the operator could physically respond to the recoil of the first round leaving the barrel, minimizing muzzle climb and increasing hit probability. Each projectile would be capable of penetrating light armor and of causing severe medical trauma to the target by the flechette’s tendency to “hook” or bend itself into a half-circle and spin through the flesh. This is as close to the classic Science Fiction “Needle” gun as had ever been produced. The project apparently did not receive any major military funding and the weapon remained only an interesting prototype.

* Estimates based on best available data