Trejo pistol
A Mexican pistol series that includes the world's smallest machine pistol.
The Trejo pistol refers to a line of handguns made in Mexico by Industrias Trejo de Zacatlán S.A., which was originally known as Armas Trejo S.A. Among its variants, the Trejo Modelo 1 "TIPO RÁFAGA" holds the distinction of being the smallest machine pistol in the world.
Abraham Trejo began secretly developing firearms in the 1940s. When his father, Gabriel Trejo, discovered this, he did not scold him but instead helped design and build machinery for rifling barrels. After gathering the necessary gunsmithing tools, they founded Armas Trejo S.A. in 1948 in Zacatlán de las Manzanas, Puebla—hence the apple in the Trejo logo. Their first weapon was the Trejo Modelo 1 "Tipo Ráfaga," followed by other models until production stopped in 1971 due to Mexican government restrictions. Between 1948 and 1971, an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 weapons of all models were made. After the arms ban, the company rebranded as Industrias Trejo de Zacatlán S.A. and shifted to making work tricycles and agricultural and industrial machinery. In 2010, it returned to firearm production with the 1 GT, 2 GT, 2 TM, 3 VT, and 4 models.
The Modelo 1 "Tipo Ráfaga" was the first formally produced Trejo weapon, notable for the "TIPO RÁFAGA" engraving on the slide. It had a fire selector for semi-automatic and full-automatic fire, reaching a rate of up to 1,400 rounds per minute, and used a removable 8-round magazine for .22 Long Rifle cartridges. Estimated production was between 13,000 and 16,000 units. The Modelo 1-A was a .22 caliber version without the fire selector or the "TIPO RÁFAGA" engraving, firing only semi-automatically, with an estimated 1,263 units made. The Modelo 1 GT, produced after 2010, is based on the Modelo 1, also in .22 caliber, with a 10-round magazine.
The Modelo 2 is a larger version of the Modelo 1, fed by an 11-round .22 LR magazine. The Modelo 2 TM, produced since 2010, resembles the original Modelo 2 but features a ventilated belt on the slide, an adjustable rear sight, and a 10-round magazine. The Modelo 2 GT, also post-2010, is similar to the 2 TM but lacks the ventilated belt and uses an 11-round magazine.
The Modelo 3 is chambered in .380 ACP with a 7-round magazine. A .32 ACP version was also designed for the Mexican Army. The Model 3VT, produced since 2018, is similar to the Model 3 in .380 ACP but has fixed sights.
Quick Facts
- Origin
- Mexico
- Is Ranged
- YES
- Designer
- Gabriel Trejo, Abraham Trejo
- Design Date
- 1940s
- Manufacturer
- Industrias Trejo de Zacatlán S.A. de C.V.
- Unit Cost
- Mod. 2GT: $9,239°° MXN / (about $448°° USD) / Mod. 3VT: $12,500°° MXN / (about $607°° USD) / both on March, 2021
- Production Date
- 1948-1970. 2010-present
- Variants
- Model 1, Model 2, Model 3, Model 4
- Part Length
- 3,15
- Cartridge
- .22LR, .32ACP, .380 ACP, 9 mm
- Action
- Blowback
- Rate
- 1,300-1,400RPM
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
During the 1940s, Abraham Trejo began independently developing firearms in secret. When discovered by his father, Gabriel Trejo, instead of rebuking him, he supported him by assisting with the design and assembly of machinery to create barrel rifling. Having procured all necessary gunsmithing equipment, in 1948 they founded Armas Trejo SA in Zacatlán de las Manzanas, Puebla, which is why the Trejo logo is an apple. The first weapon created was the Trejo Modelo 1 "Tipo Ráfaga", and subsequent different models were introduced until cessation of production in 1971 due to restrictions of the Mexican government. Between 1948 and 1971, an estimated total of between 80,000 and 100,000 weapons of all models was produced.
After the arms ban in Mexico, Armas Trejo S.A. rebranded to Industrias Trejo de Zacatlán S.A. and rededicated itself to the production of work tricycles and agricultural and industrial machinery. However, in 2010, it returned to the production of weapons by introducing the 1 GT, 2 GT, 2 TM, 3 VT, and 4 models.
Reader's Guide
The Trejo pistol series is significant as a rare example of Mexican firearms manufacturing that persisted through a government arms ban. The Modelo 1 "TIPO RÁFAGA" holds a unique place in firearms history as the smallest machine pistol ever produced, chambered in .22 L.R. with a rate of fire up to 1,400 rounds per minute. The company's origin story—a son secretly developing firearms, supported by his father—reflects a family enterprise that grew into a notable manufacturer. The logo of an apple, referencing the town of Zacatlán de las Manzanas, ties the brand to its geographic roots. After the 1971 cessation, the company shifted to producing work tricycles and machinery, but returned to arms production in 2010 with updated models. The limited production numbers, especially the Modelo 4 with only 28 units made before 1971, contribute to the collectibility of these pistols. The series demonstrates how a small manufacturer can achieve international recognition for a distinctive design, even within a restrictive regulatory environment.
Did You Know?
- The Trejo logo is an apple because the company was founded in Zacatlán de las Manzanas, Puebla.
- The Modelo 1 "TIPO RÁFAGA" had a rate of fire of up to 1,400 rounds per minute.
- Only 28 units of the Modelo 4 were produced before the 1971 cessation of arms production.
- After the arms ban, the company rebranded and produced work tricycles and agricultural machinery.
More in Semi-Automatic Pistols, Part 2 1-24
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