DoubleTap derringer

Derringer

DoubleTap
DoubleTap derringer
Type	Derringer
Place of origin	United States
Production history
Designer	Ray Kohout^[1]
Designed	2011^[1]
Manufacturer	DoubleTap Defense, LLC
Unit cost	$500 to $800 (USD)^[2]
Produced	2012–2013^[1]
No. built	23,000–25,000^[1]
Specifications
Mass	0.340 kg (0.75 lb)^[3]
Length	5.5 in (14 cm)^[3]
Barrel length	3 in (7.6 cm)^[3]
Width	0.665 in (1.69 cm)^[3]
Height	3.9 in (9.9 cm)^[3]

Cartridge	9×19mm .45 ACP^[3]
Caliber	9 mm .45
Barrels	2
Action	DAO^[4]
Sights	None

The DoubleTap derringer is a hammerless, double-action, double-barreled, large caliber derringer designed for personal protection and manufactured by DoubleTap Defense, LLC.^[5] It features stainless steel ported barrels and an aluminum frame that holds two extra rounds in the grip. The name comes from the double tap shooting technique in which two rounds are quickly fired before engaging the next target.^[1] Heizer Defense, the original manufacturer, has stated that the gun was inspired by the FP-45 Liberator pistol, which was designed for use in France by the resistance against the Germans during World War II.^[6]

Design

The DoubleTap is distinctive for its two barrels, each carrying a chambered round. It also carries two additional rounds (on a 2-round Bianchi Speed Strip) in the grip which allow for reloading. An ambidextrous thumb latch releases the action but the pistol does not have ejectors; spent rounds must be manually removed if they do not fall free before the two backup rounds can be loaded.^[4]

The weapon features a patented double-action ball bearing trigger system.^[1]^[7] Additional features include a lightweight aluminum frame and a hammerless, no-snag design that make the DoubleTap easy carry and draw from a pant pocket,^[7] and also allows it to be fired through a coat or jacket pocket. Azimuth and DoubleTap planned a titanium-framed version, but it never entered production.^[1]

Production

The DoubleTap was originally marketed under the name Heizer DoubleTap but in October 2012 DoubleTap Defense announced that they were looking for a new partner to manufacture the pistol.^[8] In a statement released on November 7, Heizer Defense stated that the business relationship with the creators of the DoubleTap had never materialized as the economics proposed "did not forecast a successful business relationship."^[9] A month later, it was announced that Azimuth Technology in Naples, Florida had been selected to manufacture the pistol.^[8]

Early customers reported problems with "double strikes", a malfunction in the trigger system that would fire both barrels simultaneously. DoubleTap Defense ceased production in 2013, intending to develop a "Gen 2" design that would correct the issue, but financial problems and legal conflicts with Hornady and the unrelated DoubleTap Ammunition led the company to liquidate its remaining inventory and close its operations. No prototype of the "Gen 2" pistol was ever produced.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h DoubleTap Defense, LLC vs. Hornady Manufacturing Co., 8:18CV492 (D. Neb. 2022-03-30).
^ "DoubleTap Defense Tactical Pocket Pistol". 29 August 2014.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "Introducing DoubleTap". Heizer Defense LLC. Archived from the original on 20 December 2012. Retrieved 21 December 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Introducing the Diminutive Heizer DoubleTap". Guns & Ammo. 5 December 2011. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
^ S., Jeremy (2013-07-01). "Gun Review: DoubleTap Tactical Pocket Pistol". The Truth About Guns. Archived from the original on 2016-09-05. Retrieved 2016-09-05.
^ "Announcement". Heizer Defense LLC. 7 November 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Technology". Heizer Defense LLC. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 22 December 2012.
^ ^a ^b Burgess, Laura (7 November 2012). "DoubleTap Defense Chooses Azimuth Technology LLC as manufacturing partner" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 26 December 2012.
^ Heizer, Charles (7 November 2012). "Announcement Letter" (PDF). Heizer Defense. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 February 2013. Retrieved 27 December 2012.