Concealed carry often drives people in different directions. It can definitely be a hot topic and those who have to make determinations about concealed carry often have hard choices to look at. Individuals have to look at how they carry, the house they live in, or which restaurant they frequent. Businesses often have to make judgments about concealed carry with their employees and customers and have factors that they need to review as well. These factors include their ability to protect their employees on their own or if they should allow customers to defend themselves, impacts on business insurance rates, legal requirements, and the desires of their employees and customers. Just as we’ve seen Starbucks go through a battle, they have taken a stand to go by the laws of the land and support the majority of their customers.
It’s always good to have more options when looking into concealed carry decisions–especially different features in the gun they choose to carry–, and now there’s another option available in concealed carry weapons. Heizner Defence came into existence last year as a collaborative venture between Heizner Aerospace, firearms industry veteran Ray Kohout and other financial backers. Its purpose was to establish itself within the law enforcement and CCW markets, with the intention of distinguishing itself from its competitors by applying technology and experience developed in the aerospace sector to firearms production.
At the National Association of Sporting Guns Wholesalers (NASGW) expo held at the Grand Sierra Resort in Reno in early NovemberHeizer Defense Double Tap Multiple Shot 2011 Kohout introduced the ‘DoubleTap’ pistol, the company’s first weapon for the concealed carry market. As you would expect from people with a background of work in a the high tech industries, the designers Heizner Defence have gone back to the drawing board to develop a product which they believe is both innovative and yet still meets the basic requirements of a good CCW, in that it should carry punch, be easy and comfortable to use, and be reliable.
Small is Beautiful
The DoubleTap is very modest in size. Its makers describe it as the smallest and lightest tactical pocket pistol in the world. The weapon has a 3.0 inch barrel, is 3.9 inches high, 5.5 inches long, and only 0.665 inches wide. As you will be aware, with a concealed weapon size can matter, and a smaller weapon can usually be carried much more discretely. It comes with the option of a titanium or aluminium frame, and as you would expect from the weapons dimensions this means it is indeed very light. The empty weight of the titanium frame is just 14 ounces, and the aluminium version only 12 ounces. The weapon has an over-under double barrel, and can be chambered in 9mm or .45 ACP. The barrels are fully interchangeable, and there is the option for the barrels to be ported to reduce muzzle rise and recoil. The weapon carries two rounds in the chamber and there is a compartment in the grip to carry two spare rounds on a strip for rapid reloading. Heizner have seven patents pending on the design of this no-snag hammerless pistol, including the double action ball bearing trigger system.
Getting the Message Right
Heizner will be aware that they are entering a very competitive market, but seem confident that they will be able to establish a place for themselves, reportedly targeting a first year revenue figure in excess of $10 million, and with plans on introducing other handgun variations over the next couple of years. The company’s hi-tech pedigree and ambition to bring that experience to firearms manufacture will hold appeal for many, and the skilful way in which they have handled the introduction of their first offering certainly demonstrates that they are no slouches when it comes to marketing. In addition to the usual full and half page ads to promote the DoubleTap in all the right magazines, Heizner Defense has also been developing its own image by issuing ongoing press releases about the formation and development of the company over the past year. Added to this, they have adeptly primed the market through the new media by offering early design material and previews to a select number of bloggers and others within the internet firearms community.
The strategy seems to have gone well. There is currently a good deal of chatter about Heizner and the DoubleTap on websites such as The Firearm Blog, and there appears to be a genuine enthusiasm for the company and the weapon to be a success. No doubt in part that stems from the basic American preference for a diverse and dynamic market place, and perhaps also from the knowledge that when a new player takes to the market, with fresh and innovative ideas, that acts as a stimulus to existing players to begin upping their game. It is also pleasing to see a company in any sector committed to manufacturing in the US, with Heizner reportedly recruiting 20 to 30 workers at its new production facility.