MBA Gyrojet

The Gyrojet is a family of weapons developed in the 1960s by MB Associates. They are named after their gyroscopically stabilizing projectiles. Instead of firing bullets, Gyrojet weapons fire miniature rockets, each containing their own rocket propellant. The rockets leave the barrel with low velocity (famously, enough that the Bugs Bunny trick of sticking a finger in the end of the barrel will actually stop the projectile), but continues to accelerate through its flight as they burn through their propellant (with roughly 0.12 seconds of burn time), reaching about 380 m/s at 9.1 m, with the 180 grain rocket having about twice as much energy as a .45 ACP round. Instead of using rifling to spin the projectiles and stabilize them, diagonal vented ports are used to make the rockets spin.

Contrary to popular depiction, the rockets are not explosive. The term rocket merely defines the projectile's rocket-propelled nature.

While overall failing to catch on due to numerous problems, Gyrojet pistols actually saw some combat service with MACV SOG operators in Vietnam (SOG having purchased the pistols under the mistaken impression they were silent), including being used by First Lieutenant George Kenton Sisler, SOG's first Medal of Honor recipient. The all-service A/P25S-5A "pen flare" was also directly derived from Gyrojet technology.

The Gyrojet Pistol/Carbine/Rifle are seen in the following:

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Gyrojet Pistol Mark 1 Model B - 13mm

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Gyrojet Mark 1 Model B with short barrel - 13mm

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Gyrojet Mark 1 Model B Transitional Carbine - 13mm. This was the early version of the carbine model of the Model B. It is based on the Model A carbine, but has had part of the stock removed and the carry handle elongated to allow the slide to be retracted.

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Gyrojet Mark 1 Model B Carbine - 13mm. This is the standard production variant which incorporates a standard Model B frame into a streamlined walnut stock.

Movies

Title	Actor	Character	Notation	Date
Murderers' Row	Karl Malden	Julian Wall	Gyrojet and Pepperbox versions	1966
You Only Live Twice	Tetsuro Tamba	Tiger Tanaka	None	1967
	Karin Dor	Helga Brnadt	Held this gun in the promotional materials
		Ninja Commandos
Collision Course	Tom Noonan	Scully		1989

Video Games

Game Title	Appears as	Mods	Notation	Release Date
Shellshock Nam '67	Rocket Pistol	None	It holds 2 rounds of high-explosive 13mm rockets	2004
7.62 High Calibre	Gyrojet Mk.I Rocket Carbine and Gyrojet Rocket Pistol		Both hold 6-rounds	2008

Anime

Film Title	Character	Notation	Date
New Dream Hunter Rem: Massacre in the Phantasmic Labyrinth		is seen in the Geppetto base	1992
Gungrave	Unknown	None	2002

Other Sources

• MBA Gyrojet Pistols/Carbine/Rifle
• MBA Gyrojet Carbine