The Pocket Pistol Showdown – Developments from Heizer Defense and DoubleTap Firearms
You may remember an interesting pocket pistol, then known as the Heizer Defense DoubleTap, which we covered at the 2012 SHOT Show. Since then, there have been some shake-ups, including DoubleTap inventor Ray Kohout ejecting from the deal with Heizer Defense to form DoubleTap Defense. DoubleTap has also filed a $6 million lawsuit against Heizer et al. for monetary damages and an injunction against “any further action on the part of Heizer Defense, LLC and others to manufacture or market a product based on the intellectual property of DoubleTap inventor Ray Kohout“. Both companies were at the 2013 SHOT Show and were both still in the hunt for market share for this type of pistol.
The newly announced Heizer HD1 pocket shotgun, chambered for .45 Colt and 2.5/3″ .410 shotshells and offered in a variety of materials and finishes, has a similar small form factor with a familiar grip and trigger design. The HD2 model appears quite similar to the double barreled pistol we saw on display last year, along with its two-barrel-single-hammer firing mechanism and a price tag ranging from $489 to $719 with spare barrel assemblies priced at $189 . Heizer has recently made an announcement reiterating their commitment to the project and the company said that they hope to have both units available later this year. Heizer personnel didn’t have much to say about the split other than nodding toward a sign at the rear of the booth noting that they were not associated with DoubleTap.
DoubleTap’s booth had on display what they describe as an improved version of the model unveiled last year. Manufactured by Azimuth Technologies of Naples, Florida, the new DoubleTap is projected to hit the market in the first quarter of 2013. The biggest change is probably a simplification of the firing mechanism to use two hammers which operate sequentially rather than one hammer that reciprocates between the two firing pins.
The DoubleTap is also available in a variety of materials and finishes with retail prices ranging from $499 for aluminum non-ported models to $799 for ported titanium models. Spare barrel sets for converting the pistol between 9mm and .45ACP range in price from around $200 to $269.
One fellow SHOT Show attendee, while viewing the double-barreled pistol in the New Product Showcase, asked “What’s the point?” Whether it’s to meet a low-capacity firearms restriction, to have a last-ditch backup gun or to have a tough, dependable firearm for your glove compartment, tackle box, etc, it looks like this design would meet those needs (albeit, at what seems to us to be a relatively high price-point for something in that role).
Stay tuned to GunLink for future updates on the Heizer/Doubletap split, lawsuit and products as well as more from SHOT Show 2013.
SHOT Show Action Not Confined to Convention Hall
The 2013 NSSF Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) Show is in full swing, but the action isn’t just on the show floor.
On Monday, January 15 – the day before the official start of SHOT Show, registered media attendees had the opportunity to travel to Boulder City for SHOT Show® Media Day at the Range™ at Boulder Pistol & Rifle Range. While there, we had the opportunity to get hands-on time with some of the latest and greatest gear on the market – and some that isn’t even on the market yet.
Some of the highlights from this event included new offerings from SilencerCo, Glock, FN, and others. There was also plenty of cutting edge optics, long range rifles and AR platform innovations on display as well as the latest hunting and target shooting gear. With everything going on at the range (as well as on the show floor), there is a lot to write about. We’ll be putting up more details of all this amazing gear right here on the GunLink blog in the coming days but, in the mean time, the GunLink Forums are an excellent place to find more information and share your thoughts.
While Media Day at the Range was a great opportunity to get some trigger time with the newest firearms advancements, we didn’t have a chance to really put the weapons through their paces. We’ll leave that to the pros at the 3-Gun Nation championship on Wednesday night. The “Rumble on the Range” will showcase 3-Gun pros vying for $50,000 at Clark County Shooting Range while other 3GN top shooters will be gunning for $5,000. The 3GN competitors won’t be the only ones with a chance at great prizes; one lucky match attendee will be walking away with an FNH USA 3-Gun prize package worth over $5,000. A live performance by Mark Wills and a side-shoot sponsored by the American Silencer Association cap off the event, which lasts from 6PM to 9PM.
Stay tuned to GunLink for updates from the show floor and from the range as this 35th edition of SHOT Show rolls on.
Silencerco Saker Brings New Suppressor Features to the Table
Silencerco, the driving force behind last spring’s Silencers Are Legal Shoot, which drew attention to the legality of firearms suppressors, has just released their latest product, the 5.56 Saker suppressor. First unveiled at the 2012 SHOT Show and now in full production, the Saker is billed as “the most advanced rifle suppressor on the market” and offers several key new features.
The first feature, which they call the Multiple Accessory Attachment Device (MAAD), is an interchangeable certerfire rifle mounting platform that allows the Saker to be attached to a variety of popular flash hiders and mounting systems. In addition to offering flexibility, the capability to attach the suppressor to existing mounting systems is a potential money saver. The Saker specifications page lists the Trifecta RS Flash Hider Mount, 51 Tooth Mount, Direct Thread Mount, Y-Mount and Specwar Mounts as compatible mounting solutions with support for more to come in the future. Continue reading
Make Plans to Meet FFL Compliance Consultants at SHOT Show Reception
The National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) is providing an opportunity for firearms retailers to gather information about FFL compliance. NSSF Retailer Members are invited to attend a 90 minute reception during the 2013 SHOT Show during which they can meet with four former ATF officials who serve as NSSF FFL Compliance Consultants.
With over 120 years of combined experience with the bureau, Wally Nelson, Nick Scouffas, Fred Gerlach and Harry McCabe are available to visit member businesses to assess ATF compliance, review internal controls and record keeping practices and help prepare for ATF compliance inspections.
Although the compliance program costs can range as high as $3000, NSSF provides subsidies for retailer members to bring the cost below $500. Retailer members who sign up for the consultation during this SHOT Show reception will receive a further discount, lowering the price to $399. Further, one reception attendee will be randomly chosen to receive an in-store audit for free.
If you are a firearms retailer who is not already an NSSF retailer member, be sure to see our previous post for information on how you become a member for as little as $35 – a savings of over 50% off the normal price.
Event Details:
Location: NSSF Member Lounge – Lido Ballroom, Venetian Hotel Level 3
Date: Wednesday January 16, 2013
Time: 4:30-6:00 PM
For more information about the event or the compliance program, contact Patrick Shay via email at pshay@nssf.org or by phone at (203) 426-1320.
NSSF Makes Shooting Ranges and Firearms Retailers “An Offer They Can’t Refuse”
For a limited time, the National Shooting Sports Foundation is offering retail/range memberships for as little as $35 to celebrate 35 years of the NSSF’s SHOT Show. The 35th anniversary special represents savings of over 50% for ranges and retailers with annual sales of shooting and hunting items less than $10M.
Available through the 2013 SHOT Show, this deal will provide operators of shooting ranges and retailers of firearms and accessories an even more affordable way to experience what NSSF membership has to offer. Range/Retailer membership benefits include a 24-hour FFL hotline, access to ATF compliance consulting with former ATF officials, access to NSSF research and a more.
“You can’t pass up this deal,” said Continue reading
Coming Soon: 2013 SHOT Show Registration
The opening of Attendee and Media registration for the 2013 SHOT Show registration is rapidly approaching. If you’re not one of those obsessive types who has already been anxiously waiting for this moment since the January 20th close of this year’s show, now is the time to start planning for next year’s show. The 2013 SHOT Show, the 35th in a series of shows which began in St. Louis in 1979, will take place January 15-18 at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Attendee registration will open for all attendees on Continue reading
