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.
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
Walther PK380 Recall Notice – Problem With Manual Safety
During an internal quality review, Carl Walther GmbH has identified a condition that may exist in certain PK380 pistols which may permit a round to be discharged if the trigger is pulled, despite engagement of the manual safety. Walther has found that engagement of the manual safety may not prevent firing of a chambered round when the trigger is pulled.
This recall applies to Walther PK380, .380 ACP pistols manufactured by Carl Walther GmbH from May through September 2012, which have a serial number range from PK101201 to PK112155.
STOP USING YOUR PISTOL AND RETURN IT TO WALTHERAMERICA AT ONCE.
Any unintended discharge of a firearm has the potential to cause injury, and owners are asked to stop using the pistol until the company has had an opportunity to inspect it to make certain that there is no condition which will allow the pistol to discharge with the safety engaged.
To facilitate the inspection and repair, if necessary, of your pistol, please contact Waltheramerica’s customer service department at 1-800-713-0356 to receive instructions and a call tag for the return of your pistol to Waltheramerica.
Additional information will be posted on Waltheramerica.com. If you have any questions about this recall, please contact Waltheramerica at 1-800-713-0356.
The Gun Stock Refinishing Project
We decided to make a project of doing some gun-stock refinishing work and getting a brand new GB LinSpeed MicroMesh Kit was the perfect impetus to get the ball rolling. The stock in question comes from a 31 year old shotgun we have taking up safe space. While certainly no “safe queen” and not a firearm you’re likely to see in the velvet-roped, mahogany-clad Gun Library at Cabela’s, the practical single-shot 12ga has served us well to harvest more than its fair share of small game and clay birds and it deserves a little TLC.
This isn’t the gun’s first trip down the revitalization path. Being a relatively simple, utilitarian firearm, this piece has no doubt seen a number of bumps and bruises throughout its nearly third-of-a-century tenure in various forests, shooting ranges, safes and other locales. The stock isn’t particularly beautiful from the factory, but it is composed of a decent (walnut?) hardwood. A number of years ago the barrel was re-blued and the stock was sanded and given a quick finish-job with ordinary hardware store Linseed Oil. Despite the passing years, the finish still seemed a bit soft or tacky or otherwise “not quite right.” Plus, since then, it has received a few more bumps and bruises and, while the metal parts still look fine, a little time spent on the furniture wouldn’t be wasted. Continue reading
Wiki Weapon Project Dreams of Creating a Functional Print-it-Yourself Firearm
The group known as Defense Distributed has a three-fold mission plan: 1) Create the world’s first 100% 3D printable gun, 2) Adapt the design down to cheaper 3D printers and 3) Become The Web’s Printable Gun Wiki Redoubt. What does that mean? It means they want their project to result in a scenario where you can download formatted CAD blueprint files, feed them into a 3-D printer (see “additive manufacturing”) and end up with a firearm.
Sound like science fiction? Having visions of a Star Trek-esque replicator device? The idea isn’t quite so far-fetched. The use of 3-D printing for rapid prototyping has exploded over the past decade and, as the technology continues to mature, costs continue to fall. This could make the prospect of a D.I.Y print-at-home firearm a reality before you think.
One example of how this idea could come to fruition is the printable AR15 lower receiver by Michael Guslick. Although the majority of the complete firearm’s parts are existing off-the-shelf parts, the lower receiver Continue reading
Ruger Passes the One Million Firearms Mark for 2012 – On Track to Beat Their Record
Let’s hope that this continues… Here’s an indication that at least one market sector is doing alright. Ruger has announced that they recently passed the “1,000,000 firearms produced” mark for the year and they anticipate that number to keep growing:
Ruger is on a Roll – Company Produces One Millionth Firearm of 2012
Sturm, Ruger & Company, Inc. (NYSE: RGR) is on pace to beat its own record of 1,114,700 firearms produced in one year, set in 2011. On August 15, 2012 Ruger produced its one millionth firearm of the year, a Ruger® SR1911™ pistol which will be hand-engraved by Baron Technology, Inc. and auctioned off to support the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action.
“Last year, Ruger became the first commercial firearms company to produce one million firearms in one year, and we were incredibly excited and proud to reach that milestone,” said Ruger President and CEO Mike Fifer. “It took us nearly all of 2011 to build one million firearms, but in 2012 we accomplished it on August 15th. We continue to invest in and improve our manufacturing processes to help us respond to the strong demand for Ruger® firearms. We expect 2012 will be another record-breaking year for Ruger, and we want to thank our loyal customers for their continued support.”
The firearms industry has seen consistent growth over the last few years, as measured by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (“NICS”) background checks as adjusted by the National Shooting Sports Foundation. In July 2012, NICS checks rose by 25.5% compared to July 2011, the 26th consecutive month that NICS checks have risen on a year-over-year basis. Demand for Ruger products has outpaced the growth in overall industry demand, driven by new product introductions including the Ruger American Rifle™, SR22™ pistol, SR1911™ pistol, and 10/22 Takedown™ rifle.
For more information on the extensive, award-winning line of Ruger® firearms, visit www.Ruger.com or www.Facebook.com/Ruger.
