The Heizer DoubleTap is a two-shot .45 ACP pistol that was announced last year, and subsequently shown at the 2012 SHOT Show. The DoubleTap is a very thin, lightweight gun designed for concealed carry. As it is very flat, it could make an excellent pocket gun.
The new Heizer pistol is an all-metal gun that is fully machined. The DoubleTap can be purchased with a titanium frame or with and aluminum frame. The pistol weighs 14 ounces in titanium. In the aluminum configuration, weight drops to 12 ounces. Both versions are only 5/8″ thick.
The barrels are called “quick-changing” and allow the shooter to swap from the standard .45 ACP to a 9mm cartridge. No tools are needed to switch barrels. Barrels can also be had ported for reduced muzzle flip.
The trigger is double action only (DAO) with a “second-strike” capability. While I have often wondered if the second-strike was a worthwhile feature, in a pistol with only two rounds and a slow reload, it is definitely a feature I would want to have.
The barrels are fired in sequence, meaning only one shot at a time. “Giving them both barrels” requires two trigger pulls. Trigger pull weight is said to be 10 pounds and “glass smooth.”
The hammer is concealed, giving it a hammerless appearance in the same way the Smith & Wesson Centennials are called hammerless. Despite its outward appearance, the Heizer is definitely a hammer-fired handgun.
When working with a gun that only has two shots, reloading qucikly might be important. When the DoubleTap is opened, the spent rounds are automatically ejected from the gun. This allows the shooter to immediately begin loading new rounds in the barrels.
Two spare rounds can be stored in the frame of the gun on a speed strip, similar to the old Bianchi Speed Strips on which I’ve carried .38 Special rounds for my J-frame snubbie. According to an associate who had time to work with the gun, the strips work, but are not nearly as fast as the marketing literature would suggest. However fast or slow they may be, having the rounds available is at least something.
The Heizer DoubleTap pistol is made in the United States. MSRP will start at $499 for the aluminum, non-ported version and go up to $799 for the titanium model with porting. Caliber conversion kits will cost between $249 and $319.
7 replies on “Heizer DoubleTap .45”
Nice,but not enough rounds for me. No safety. Accidently fire a round. well only 1 to 3 rounds left. Nice, but not enough rounds.
Hmmmm, sounds to me like ‘zero’ rounds might the right answer for you, Gwenda. Stay safe.
A modern derringer. I love to see innovative designs and advancement of the craft. It would make a good last ditch defensive weapon pulled out of “nowhere”.
I like the concept of having the 2 extra rounds stored in the grip, quick change barrel selection, and a hidden hammer, but not for $500. I also like that it’s made in my home state of Missouri, though St. Louis made the top 3 most dangerous cities a few years back.
I think there are more viable options for a pocket pistol in the range of $350 that will offer the same concealment, have more rounds, and be magazine fed for easier reloads. Plus the 10-pound trigger pull is almost a deal breaker for any close quarters defense pistol, regardless of if its “glass smooth”.
Is that the planet “Earth” I see stamped following USA on the side of the gun? What’s that about? Do they plan on selling the gun to NASA for interplanetary defense?