It looks like the dispute over the DoubleTap pistol is getting uglier.
DoubleTap Defense announced they have filed a $6 million lawsuit against former buisness parter Heizer Defense. Additionally, they are seeking an injunction, which would presumably stop Heizer’s production of a pistol that Heizer Defense announced at the 2012 NASGW Expo.
I received an e-mail about the current production status of the DoubleTap pistol. The gun is currently in the final design and engineering phase and almost ready to roll into full production. Right now, the final prototypes are being made and tested to meet all of the various state-specific requirements for safety and endurance.
The DoubleTap pistol is on schedule to begin production in early January 2013, with shipping to distributors early in the first quarter. This means that any pistols we see at SHOT should be the “real deal” as they will ship to consumers.
The folks at DoubleTap Defense are allowing me to publish a few photos of the new guns that are in production at the new Naples, FL plant.
At the 2012 NASGW Expo, Heizer Defense was spreading the word that they would be introducing a small pistol in the near future. Jim Bruchas, the director of sales for Heizer Defense, suggested the new gun would be very similar to the DoubleTap pistol they had been contracted to produce for DoubleTap Defense before that relationship soured.
Here are the photos of the new Heizer Defense pistol.
As you can see, the new Heizer handgun bears a striking resemblance to the DoubleTap pistol. Frankly, other than a few minor cosmetic blemishes, I cannot see much of a difference.
At the NASGW Expo, Bruchas told me that the DoubleTap pistol was uncomfortable to shoot, and that an ergonomic change would be made to improve the handling and reduce felt recoil. Presumably, a change in the backstrap area of the gun might accomplish this. From the images, it is hard to tell if any significant modification was made.
It looks like there is a storm brewing in one corner of the firearms industry. Let me explain…
I was sitting outside the main hall at the 2012 NASGW Expo working on an article when I was approached by a man asking if I was in the media. When I said “yes,” the man introduced himself as Jim Bruchas, the director of sales for Heizer Defense. The next few minutes reminded me that even in such a friendly industry as the gun business, feelings can get hurt and egos bruised.
