Welcome everyone to the 108th edition of ‘Hot Gat or Fudd Crap?’, one of our many series here on TFB. If you’re new to the series, this is where we look at the most obscure firearms that are actually for sale and ask the question – is this Gat a sweet deal or only has a Fudd appeal?  Each week the TFB staff weighs in with their thoughts, but readers get the final say in the poll at the bottom of each article.

In our last edition, our poll showed that you, the readers, decided the Vietnamese Enfield was a hot gat.  

HGFC – Collectible or Terrible Vietnamese Enfield? — Poll Results

At this time the original auction remains up with still no bids on the Enfield No2 Mk1.  We hope this Vietnamese copy can find its way to a new home in the near future.   

In this week’s edition of HGFC, we look at a Calico M951 9mm. As is tradition, this space-themed helical fed gat is currently up for sale on GunBroker for $1,599.95 with No Reserve.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP?

Heli-Mag Splendor or Fugly Pretender?

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Heli-Mag Splendor or Fugly Pretender?

Let’s see what the Staff had to say about this week’s offering:

“Custom duracoat?  I thought they just left that plastic jam factory in the hot sun too long.” -Rusty S.

“If you want a gun that’s unique, and has literally nothing else going for it.” – Will P.

“Hot gat. I have one but I paid half that price. It’s worth it for a display gun. It doesn’t run but looks cool” – Nick C.

Selling this rare helical fed gat is GunBroker seller a-1pawnandgun, located in Tampa, FL. Let’s see what they had to say about this space-themed Calico.  

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Heli-Mag Splendor or Fugly Pretender?

We have an extremely rare Calico M-951 rifle, chambered in 9mm. This comes with (1) 100rd helical magazine, and a custom mounted and painted light/green laser combo. (mounting of this laser tid not permanantly alter the foregrip) This specimen has been custom duracoated to a Space Laser/Battle  Worn Grey look. Comes with original users manual!

Caliber: 9mm.

Action: Semi auto, roller-delayed blowback.

Finish: The finish on the metal is in excellent condition (there are some minor spots).

Length: Barrel: 16″ Heat treated Chrome Moly. 

28.5″ stock collapsed.

34.5″ stock extended.

Rifling: 6 lands and groves with 1 twist in 14″.

Bore Condition: Fantastic – clean and shiny with sharp rifling.

Stock/grips: Excellent condition with little to no wear.

Magazine capacity: 50 or 100 round, helical feed magazines.

Weight: 5lbs (no magazine).

Sights:Rear slip sight with both ghost ring and notched.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Heli-Mag Splendor or Fugly Pretender?

This M951 is the carbine variant of the M950 pistol, and it has quite a few interesting design features. The M950 series operate using a roller-delayed blowback system. This design (for better or worse) was more complicated than other blowback-operated subguns of this era. It’s also worth noting that this gun ejects straight down just like an FN P90 making the design more accommodating for left-handed shooters.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Heli-Mag Splendor or Fugly Pretender?

The Calico M950 series of firearms features an iconic 100 round helical magazine that’s still produced by Calico. Granted the reliability of these magazines will be debated into eternity, but the fact that they’re still being made means that someone’s figuring out how to make them work. It’s worth pointing out that your rear sight sits on the drum itself. I’d hope all the drums were similar enough that I wouldn’t be losing zero when I changed mags.

Now if you’re really looking for some ’80s-’90s nostalgia, just watch the below commercial for the M series lineup from Calico.

Calicos are oddly fascinating firearms that incorporate a lot of interesting design features.  The telescoping stock looks very similar to that of an HK MP5, and they’re even roller-delayed blowback.  The design, overall aesthetic, and reputation when it comes to reliability are probably what hindered this firearm the most. The Calico M951 does have its place in history and had plenty of awesome design features. Do I think this model is worth it for the price this seller is asking?  No, but it is pretty cool.

So is this M951 worth just under $1,600 as a classic?  Or is this overpriced and if you had the scratch you’d just purchase a new model?  As always, I leave it up to you, the readers, to decide.

HOT GAT or FUDD CRAP? Heli-Mag Splendor or Fugly Pretender?

What do you think?  Is this themed Calico a Hot Gat or futuristic looking Fudd Crap?  Be sure to let us know in the comments below, and cast your vote to let us know if this Calico M951 9mm is a Hot Gat or Fudd Crap: