Mateba Autorevolver

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Mateba Autorevolver

Type	Automatic revolver
Place of origin	Italy
Production history
Designer	Emilio Ghisoni
Designed	1997
Manufacturer	MA.TE.BA. Arms (Macchine Termo-Balistiche), via Villa Serafina, 2/B. 27100 Pavia (Italy)
Produced	1997 - 2005
Variants	3, 4, 5, and 8 in (76, 102, 127 and 203 mm) barrel 18 in (457 mm) rifle conversions
Specifications
Weight	2.96 lb (1.35 kg)
Length	275 mm (10.83 in)
Barrel length	152 mm (6 in)

Cartridge	.357 Magnum .44 Magnum .454 Casull
Feed system	cylinder
Sights	Iron sights fixed 2 dot Night sight

The Mateba Autorevolver (also Mateba Model 6 Unica) is one of the few types of hybrid automatic revolver handguns developed by the Italian gunsmith Emilio GHISONI (Mateba stands for MAcchine TErmo BAlistiche). The revolver is not automatic in the traditional sense of firing as long as the trigger is depressed, but called "automatic", because it uses the energy of a fired shot to rotate the cylinder and cock the hammer for the next shot technically making it a "semi-automatic".

The Mateba Autorevolver's barrel alignment is different from most other revolvers. The barrel is aligned with the bottom of the cylinder instead of the top. This lowers the bore sight (line of the barrel) which directs the recoil in line with the shooter's hand thereby reducing the twisting motion or "muzzle flip" of normal revolvers.

There was a modified Mateba Autorevolver called the Mateba Grifone, which was nothing more than a Mateba Autorevolver with an 18 inch barrel, forward stock, and rifle butt.

MA.TE.BA also made sporting and defense versions of the Colt M1911 in .45 ACP and 9x21mm IMI calibers. In the late year 2005 / early year 2006, MA.TE.BA has filed for bankruptcy, and is thus out of business^{[citation needed]}.

[edit] Multiple Cartridge Capabilities

Mateba Autorevolvers chambered in .357 Magnum can be loaded with .38 Special ammunition but typical .38 Special loads do not have enough power to fully cycle the recoil mechanism although the weapon will still function with a double action trigger pull. There are two optional recoil springs designed specifically for .38 Special cartridges that can be installed by the operator to overcome this problem (.38 Special and .38 Wadcutter). Replacing the spring requires the removal of the barrel and barrel shroud by using a special spanner wrench designed specifically for this weapon. The barrel shroud acts as the spring keeper and guide rod bushing.