TWIN-RAILTM Magnum Pistol
SHORT-RECOIL + GAS PISTON OPERATION
For the last few years RAFAEL LASTRA Engineering has undertaken the challenge of developing a viable semi-automatic pistol for magnum pistol calibers (10mm, 357 Magnum) that offer the shoot-ability and recoil similar to that of 9mm pistols.
The semi-automatic pistol saw the light of day at the beginning of the 20th century and like most modern firearms has seen its development stagnate as designers continue to stay ¨inside the box¨, so to speak, coming up with mere evolutions of existing designs. This scenario has led handgun enthusiasts to come to accept conventions and limitations that have no legitimate right to exist. Rarely, if ever, do we see semi-automatic pistols chambered for cartridges whose muzzle energy exceeds that of the 10mm round. When we explore the few that are chambered for 357 Magnum or 44 Magnum the guns employ the same designs used on traditional pistols and exacerbate existing vices and trade-offs. Most notorious of which is the rearward recoiling slide whose large proportions compound the already high recoil impulse these more powerful cartridges provide. The jerk that is transmitted to the wrist is so great that the gun is taken off target wasting precious time in acquiring new sight pictures. While compensators help in this regard they do not transfer sufficient energy to make these weapons viable options for combat or defensive tools, instead relegating them to mere novelty status. Most handgun aficionados would tell you that these cartridges are the main reason revolvers enjoy a veritable monopoly in magnum calibers today, which has been true to date. We can do better, and we have.
Taking these current limitations into consideration RAFAEL LASTRA Engineering has defined the next-generation of semi-automatic pistols. Enter the TWIN-RAILTM Magnum Pistol. The design employs, as the name suggests, twin rails nested inside each other. This new design is operated by both short-recoil action and a gas-piston employing cut-off expansion circuitry. Unlike the original TWIN-SLIDEtm pistol design that used a fixed barrel, the TWIN-RAILTM design uses a barrel that reciprocates on rails found on the slide which in turn ride on another set of rails in the pistol frame itself. This setup allows for the initial motion of the recoiling barrel & slide in a linear motion (no tilting barrel). Lockup is by a simple and proven tilting block mechanism. Once the short-recoil stroke is reached unlocking of the barrel and slide take place whereby the slide is powered by a gas-driven piston to complete the motion profile. The transition from short-recoil to gas-piston propulsion are synchronized mechanically for seamless operation.
This novel approach employs the short-recoil stroke to soak up the initial recoil impulse produced by the bullet traveling down the barrel to then give way to the gas-piston acting on the slide to complete travel to position (2). Apart from slide propulsion, the gas-piston additionally serves to further dampen recoil. This scheme will allow a 10mm or 357 Magnum round to feel like a standard 9mm loading allowing increased firepower with no additional penalty in felt recoil and muzzle rise. This scheme guarantees a steady push in the hand instead of the severe snap offered by fixed barrel designs. This approach gives the shooter two variables (recoil spring & gas orifice) to tune for an optimum recoil impulse. Furthermore, the barrel operating on rails within the slide and consequent frame keeps the bore axis in line (no tilting) during the entire sequence of operation. This feature aids in target acquisition when back into battery.
P70-SR Squeeze Cocker
Additionally, RAFAEL LASTRA Engineering has designed a simple means of bringing the pistol into action in a completely intuitive manner with the absence of traditional safety switchgear a la H&K P7. Effectively a ¨squeeze-cocker¨ mechanism except that in this design the cocking action is found on the back of the grip instead of the P7´s front. Furthermore, the design employs a selectable switch so that in one position the weapon has the same function as the original design where upon releasing of the grip the weapon is de-cocked and in the second position the pistol would remain cocked after initially compressing the main spring regardless of whether sufficient pressure is maintained on the back-strap or not. This option is in keeping with combat scenarios whereby only one hand is to be used and a favorable grip may be difficult to attain.
The novel pistol mechanisms are designed and represent the epitome of simplicity allowing you to move your product offering upmarket in a new and exciting segment.
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