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For every legendary firearm that changed the course of history, there are those that should have never left the drawing board. Some were impractical, others dangerously unreliable, and a few were just downright bizarre. From weapons that exploded in the user’s hands to designs that seemed more like bad science fiction, here are some of the strangest firearms ever created.
The Gyrojet Pistol—A Gun That Fired Rockets Instead of Bullets
In theory, it sounded like a revolutionary idea. Instead of using conventional bullets, the Gyrojet pistol fired small, self-propelled rockets. The concept was that the projectile would accelerate as it traveled, hitting with immense force at longer ranges. But reality was far less impressive.
The rockets often misfired, jammed, or tumbled erratically mid-flight, making accuracy laughable. Worse, the rounds were incredibly expensive and difficult to manufacture. The final nail in the coffin? The Gyrojet was practically useless at close range, since the projectile needed time to build up speed. By the time it reached its full potential, the target was often long gone.
The Duck’s Foot Pistol—Because One Bullet Wasn’t Enough
If you ever wanted to fire in multiple directions at once (for some reason), the Duck’s Foot Pistol was the weapon for you. This strange gun had multiple barrels that spread outward like a duck’s foot, designed to unleash a deadly spread of bullets. It was mainly issued to prison guards and naval officers who needed to control crowds.
Sounds useful, right? Not quite. The problem was that the bullets often missed their mark because the angles were too wide. Unless the shooter was standing in just the right position, most of the rounds would go harmlessly past their targets. In close quarters, it might have worked—if the enemy politely lined up in a perfect arc. Otherwise, it was just an awkward, bulky mess.
The Nambu Type 94—A Pistol That Could Fire By Accident
Japan’s Nambu Type 94 pistol is often regarded as one of the worst military sidearms of all time. Its biggest flaw? It had an exposed sear on the side of the frame, meaning that if you pressed the wrong spot while handling it, the gun could fire on its own—without pulling the trigger.
Soldiers carrying this unreliable weapon quickly learned that dropping it, bumping it, or even gripping it the wrong way could lead to disaster. It was also poorly made, with weak materials and a horrible grip design that made it uncomfortable to shoot. Somehow, it still made its way into World War II, where unlucky Japanese troops had to rely on it in battle.
The Apache Revolver—A Gun, A Knife, and Brass Knuckles in One (Terrible) Package
If ever there was a weapon designed by someone who wanted too much in one device, it was the Apache Revolver. This tiny, foldable firearm had three functions: it was a revolver, a knife, and brass knuckles—all in one.
While it might sound like the ultimate close-combat weapon, it failed in almost every category. The revolver had no barrel, meaning its bullets were weak and inaccurate. The knife was too small to be useful, and the brass knuckles were an awkward afterthought. It was more of a novelty than a serious weapon, but somehow, it found its way into the hands of 19th-century gangsters.
The Davy Crockett—A Nuclear Gun That Was Insanely Dangerous
For sheer insanity, nothing beats the Davy Crockett. This American-made recoilless rifle wasn’t just any firearm—it was a nuclear weapon. Designed during the Cold War, the Davy Crockett fired a small nuclear warhead capable of leveling everything within 500 meters.
Here’s the problem: The blast radius was so large that the soldiers firing it were often in just as much danger as the enemy. There was no real way to fire it at a safe distance, meaning that even a “successful” shot could end in disaster. The idea of giving foot soldiers handheld nuclear weapons was abandoned for obvious reasons, and the Davy Crockett quietly faded into history.
When Bad Guns Happen to Good Ideas
These firearms serve as proof that just because you can build something doesn’t mean you should. Some were plagued by design flaws, others were simply impractical, and a few were just flat-out dangerous. While they may not have changed history, they certainly left behind some unforgettable stories—mostly as cautionary tales of what not to do when designing a firearm.