Claridge Hi-Tec/Goncz Pistol

Last updated
Claridge Hi-Tec
Claridge Hi-Tec S9 001.jpg
The Claridge Hi-Tec S9
Type Semi-automatic pistol
Place of originFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Production history
DesignerLajos John Goncz
ManufacturerClaridge Hi-Tec, Inc. (CLD)
Produced1990–1993
VariantsSee variants
Specifications
Barrel  length127 mm (5 in)

Cartridge 9×19mm Parabellum
.45 ACP
Action Blowback-operated
Effective firing range40 m (43 yards)
Feed system18 or 36-round detachable box magazine (9mm)
10 or 20-round magazine (.45 ACP) [1]
SightsSquare notch rear, vertical hooded post front

The Claridge Hi-Tec and its antecedent the Goncz High-Tech Long Pistol are semi-automatic pistols designed by Hungarian inventor Lajos John Goncz. [2] [3] This unique firearm features a telescopic bolt design encased in a tubular upper receiver with a forged steel frame, button rifled match barrels, and 16-round magazines standard.

Contents

History

Goncz Armament, Inc. of North Hollywood, CA designed, prototyped, and produced a few hundred High-Tech Long Pistols models GA and GS [4] between 1984 and 1990.[ citation needed ]

The Claridge pistols and carbine rifles were based on this design. In 1990, Claridge Hi-Tec, Inc. was created by Joe and Gail Claridge who incorporated Claridge Hi-Tec, Inc. in Northridge, CA. Claridge used this design to produce pistol models S, L, T, ZL-9 and ZT-9, and carbine rifle models C, LEC-9 and ZLEC-9. However, the property rights of the design and rights to produce the weapon came under dispute. In 1993 Claridge Hi-Tec was forced to cease operations due to the Government out lawing the guns in the state of California. No firearms based on the Goncz design have been produced since then.

Design

The lower receiver/frame is a one-piece machined design integral with the pistol grip and trigger guard. It houses all the firing components and the safety mechanism. The magazine is fed through the pistol grip. 16-, 20- and 30-round magazines were made for the weapon, but have been in production since 1993. However, re-notched Beretta 92F magazines can be used, and many of those found on the market today are in fact modified Beretta or SIG magazines.

The Claridge S9 with upper receiver separated from the frame. ClaridgeS9Disasembly001a.jpg
The Claridge S9 with upper receiver separated from the frame.

The upper receiver is a one-piece tube with a screwed in match barrel. Goncz Armament utilized heat treated 4130 solid chrome alloy for the receiver tube. On the Goncz GA and Claridge T and L models, and all rifles, it also acts as a barrel shroud. The receiver tube houses the bolt, guide rods and guide springs. All Claridge Hi-Tec and Goncz Armament firearms utilize match barrels manufactured in-house that are button-rifled.

The Goncz bolt structure is a clone of the SA-VZ23 sub-machinegun. This design utilizes a blowback-operated telescopic bolt system housed in the upper receiver tube.

The Claridge S9 upper receiver components. ClaridgeS9Disasembly005.jpg
The Claridge S9 upper receiver components.

The bolt travels on a firing rod which protrudes through the bolt, left of center, next to the firing pin, and a guide rod located at the top of the bolt. Both rods and their corresponding springs are attached to the spring holder base plate. A recoil buffer sits on the base plate to prevent damage to the bolt when cycling.

The firing pin is a totally unique design. It is attached to a striker plate that travels in a channel on the left side of the bolt when cycling. This design ensures the firing pin remains exceptionally sturdy compared with other designs.

The iron sights consist of a square notch in the rear, and a vertical hooded post in the front. There are no accessory rails and no adapters have been produced for the use of a scope or other aiming devices.

Operation

The Goncz action cycles as a closed-bolt mechanism. The user operates the bolt with a knob on the upper-left side of the gun similar to a Tec-9. When Claridge Hi-Tec began production they modified the Goncz design by adding a bolt hold-open button on the left side of the frame. None of the guns produced by Goncz Arms had this feature. However, this is only for inspection as the bolt cannot travel forward from this position with a magazine inserted. The user must insert the magazine with the bolt closed and cock the gun in order to chamber a round.

Variants

Claridge produced five models of the Hi-Tec pistols and three models of the Hi-Tec rifles:

The Claridge Hi-Tec S9 with available attachments. ClaridgeS9Attachementsa.jpg
The Claridge Hi-Tec S9 with available attachments.

Pistols

S9: A duplicate of the Goncz Armament GS-9, with the exception of the bolt hold open; there was no bolt hold open on any Goncz Armament model. A model marketed as a "sub-compact" (although this is misleading as it is far from being subcompact) with a 5" threaded barrel capable of receiving various attachments. These include a threaded barrel protector, a smooth 3" barrel extension, a ribbed 3" barrel extension, and a shrouded extension. Ostensibly, a silencer could also be attached, but there are none available for the thread type.

S45: Same design as the S9, except chambered in .45 ACP.

T9/L9: Similar to the Goncz Armament GA-9, these 9 mm target models utilizes a 9.5" shrouded button rifled match barrel. These pistols are highly accurate, therefore "target model" is apt in this case. The L9 model can be identified by the 7.5 inch barrel and a shorter barrel shroud that the T9. These pistols and rifles all came with a blued upper receiver, and with either a black aluminum lower frame, or with a silver stainless steel lower frame.

T45/L45: Same design as the T9/L9, except chambered in .45 ACP.

ZL-9: Unknown.

ZT-9: Unknown.

Rifles

All Hi-Tec rifles were semi-automatic carbines with 16" shrouded button rifled match barrels.

C9 - Walnut stock and forend chambered in 9 mm.

C45 - Walnut stock and forend chambered in .45 caliber. There are no known Claridge 45 ACP Carbines

LEC9 - Black synthetic stock and forend chambered in 9 mm.

LEC45 - Black synthetic stock and forend chambered in .45 caliber. There are no known Claridge 45 ACP Carbines

ZLEC9 - Unknown.

Goncz Armament Models

The Goncz Hi-Tech Models were introduced in 1984 in the following Models:

The original Goncz GA. Goncz-High-Tech.jpg
The original Goncz GA.

GS - Goncz Special: GS-9 (9 mm), GS-4 (.45 ACP) and GS-3 (.30) Mauser with 5.5 inch threaded barrel is able to accept silencers with a 3/4 - 13 thread; also will accept a barrel extension or a thread protector.

GA - Goncz Assault Pistol GA-9 (9 mm), GA-4 (.45 ACP) and GA- 3 (.30) Mauser has a longer barrel at 9.5 inches and a barrel shroud for looks and heatsinking.

GC - Goncz Carbine GC-9 (9 mm) with walnut forearm.

GCL - Goncz Carbine with Laser GCL-9 (9 mm) has the Laser as an integral part of the gun.

GCLight - Goncz Carbine with Light GCLight-9 (9 mm), and the light is integral part of the gun frame.

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Single-shot</span> Firearm that holds one round of ammunition

In firearm designs, the term single-shot refers to guns that can hold only a single round of ammunition inside and thus must be reloaded manually after every shot. Compared to multi-shot repeating firearms ("repeaters"), single-shot designs have no moving parts other than the trigger, hammer/firing pin or frizzen, and therefore do not need a sizable receiver behind the barrel to accommodate a moving action, making them far less complex and more robust than revolvers or magazine/belt-fed firearms, but also with much slower rates of fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Action (firearms)</span> Functional mechanism of breech-loading

In firearms terminology, an action is the functional mechanism of a breech-loading firearm that handles the ammunition cartridges, or the method by which that mechanism works. Actions are technically not present on muzzleloaders, as all those are single-shot firearms with a closed off breech with the powder and projectile manually loaded from the muzzle. Instead, the muzzleloader ignition mechanism is referred to as the lock.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mauser</span> Firearms manufacturer in Germany

Mauser, originally the Königlich Württembergische Gewehrfabrik, was a German arms manufacturer. Their line of bolt-action rifles and semi-automatic pistols was produced beginning in the 1870s for the German armed forces. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Mauser designs were also exported and licensed to many countries, which adopted them as military and civilian sporting firearms. The Gewehr 98 in particular was widely adopted and copied, and it is the foundation of many of today's sporting bolt-action rifles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">MAC-10</span> American machine pistol

The Military Armament Corporation Model 10, officially abbreviated as "M10" or "M-10", and more commonly known as the MAC-10, is a compact, blowback operated machine pistol/submachine gun that was developed by Gordon B. Ingram in 1964. It is chambered in either .45 ACP or 9mm. A two-stage suppressor by Sionics was designed for the MAC-10, which not only abates the noise created but makes it easier to control on full automatic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semi-automatic pistol</span> Type of pistol

A semi-automatic pistol is a handgun that automatically ejects and loads cartridges in its chamber after every shot fired. Only one round of ammunition is fired each time the trigger is pulled, as the pistol's fire control group disconnects the trigger mechanism from the firing pin/striker until the trigger has been released and reset.

The SUB-2000 is a pistol-caliber carbine manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries of Cocoa, Florida, United States. The rifle is a blowback operated, semi-automatic firearm with its operating spring located in the tubular stock.

The Ruger 10/22 is a series of semi-automatic rifles produced by American firearm manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., chambered for the .22 Long Rifle rimfire cartridge. It uses a patented 10-round rotary magazine, though higher capacity box magazines are also available. The standard carbine version of the Ruger 10/22 has been in production continuously since 1964, making it one of the most successful rimfire rifle designs in history, with numerous third party manufacturers making parts and accessories for upgrading and customization. The 10/22's aftermarket is so prolific that a complete 10/22 can be built without using any Ruger-made components.

Blowback is a system of operation for self-loading firearms that obtains energy from the motion of the cartridge case as it is pushed to the rear by expanding gas created by the ignition of the propellant charge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Breechblock</span> Part of the firearm action

A breechblock is the part of the firearm action that closes the breech of a breech loading weapon before or at the moment of firing. It seals the breech and contains the pressure generated by the ignited propellant. Retracting the breechblock allows the chamber to be loaded with a cartridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ruger Police Carbine</span> Semi-automatic rifle

The Ruger PC-9 Pistol Caliber Carbine is a blowback centerfire semi-automatic pistol-caliber carbine manufactured by Sturm, Ruger & Co., designed as a companion to certain Ruger P series semi-automatic pistols, using the same 9 mm Parabellum and .40 S&W caliber cartridges and magazines of the P-Series pistols.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kel-Tec</span> American firearms manufacturer

Kel-Tec CNC Industries Inc., commonly referred to as Kel-Tec, is an American developer and manufacturer of firearms. Founded by George Kellgren in 1991 and based in Cocoa, Florida, the company has manufactured firearms since 1995, starting with semi-automatic pistols and expanding to rifles and then shotguns. Kel-Tec is a privately owned Florida corporation. George Kellgren, Kel-Tec owner and chief engineer, is a Swedish designer who also designed many earlier Husqvarna, Swedish Interdynamics AB, Intratec and Grendel brand firearms. The company has been developing and manufacturing a wide variety of firearms, ranging from semi-automatic handguns, i.e. pistols, to semi-automatic rifles and shotguns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leader Dynamics Series T2 MK5</span> Assault rifle

The Leader T2 MK5 Series firearms were chambered for the 5.56×45mm NATO cartridge and manufactured by Leader Dynamics of Smithfield, NSW, Australia (1978-1982/1983). The Leader was the brainchild of British weapons designer Charles St. George. It was originally a contender for a 5.56 mm Australian military service rifle to replace the then-issued Lithgow L1A1-F1 SLR and Colt M16A1 rifles. What was unique about this endeavor was that Australia had never designed or manufactured its own commercial gas-operated semi-automatic rifle. The rifle was abandoned when the Steyr AUG was adopted for use by the Australian military.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hi-Point Firearms</span> American firearms manufacturer

Hi-Point Firearms, also known as Strassell's Machine, Inc, is an American firearms manufacturer based in Mansfield, Ohio. All of their firearms are manufactured in several different locations in Ohio.

SU-16 refers to a series of semi-automatic rifles and carbines manufactured by Kel-Tec CNC Industries, Inc. of Cocoa, Florida, referred to in Kel-Tec's marketing as "Sport Utility rifles". The SU-16 series is notable for its compact, lightweight and simple design; and for being able to be broken down and folded into a compact configuration for transportation and storage. While the barrel, bolt-carrier and mechanism are steel, the SU-16's stock, receiver, and forend are manufactured of high-strength polymer plastic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hi-Point C-9</span> Semi-automatic pistol

The Hi-Point Model C-9 is a polymer-framed, semi-automatic, blowback-operated pistol manufactured by Hi-Point Firearms. It is chambered in 9×19mm Parabellum and is rated to accept +P ammunition. It became well known for its low retail price of under $200. An improved model, the YC9, was originally expected for release by late 2019, but was finally released for sale in August 2023.

The Fabarm FP6 is a pump-action combat shotgun that was manufactured by the Italian firearms company Fabbrica Bresciana Armi S.p.A. (FABARM) and sold by Heckler & Koch. It was intended for civilian and law enforcement use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Intratec TEC-22</span> Semi-automatic pistol

The Intratec TEC-22 is a semi-automatic handgun chambered in .22 Long Rifle. It was also marketed as the Scorpion and Sport-22. The TEC-22 operates using a straight blow-back action.

References

  1. Hogg, Ian (1989). Jane's Infantry Weapons 1989-90, 15th Edition. Jane's Information Group. p. 70. ISBN   0-7106-0889-6.
  2. Lajos John Goncz
  3. Claridge Hi-Tec/Gonz Pistol
  4. "High-Tech Long Pistols models GA and GS". Archived from the original on 2006-10-03. Retrieved 2006-09-17.