Really The Smallest Most Compact .45 Pistol

[QKShooter]

Bruce's fantasy pistol reminded of the Semmerling.
The tiny "real life" .45 now being made by American Derringer Corp. at a very steep price tag. The only problem with it is that it's NOT a semi~auto but a manually operated repeater. You need to rack the slide FORWARD after every shot.
So my question IS...Will we EVER SEE a .45acp semi~automatic as small as Bruce's Simian Pistol that will feed and function? The Semmerling does prove that a .45 pistol THIS SMALL can be made to feed & cycle reliably & move a large pistol cartridge up into the barrel chamber.

Semmerling LM-4 ($1600 - $ 4950) Produced from 1978 to 1982, approximately 600 of these firearms were manufactured. It is the smallest .45 ACP repeating handgun made. The original US Army contract pistol cost $5000.00. It is now being produced by American Derringer Corporation in stainless steel. It is 5.2 inches long by 3.7 inches tall, which does not meet the size requirement set forth in SB 15 for pistols.

The legendary Simmerling is one of the smallest .45 ACP's ever made. This incredible vest pocket pistol has a 5-shot capacity, and the first round is carried in the chamber ready for instant use just like a revolver or a larger frame .45 Auto. The LM4 weighs in at just 24 oz., and is only 5.2 x 3.7 inches in size with a thickness of 1 inch. The LM4 will be produced in limited quantities.

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[Bud White]

Yes ive seen that before and thought why but i guess if you want a really really small package it will work

[CLASS3NH]

Bought one waaaaaaaaaaaay back when..............and that price was 1350.00........wish I had it today........I was thinking the exacxt same thing as you were QK...........lol
take a look at the price of the LM4..
http://www.amderringer.com/prices.html

[Bud White]

No QK i dont think we will ever see a true semi auto that will run that small if we dont it wont run in general

[QKShooter]

I remember 1,500 or 1,600 some time ago.
Damn! I wish I had one...manual repeater or not.
I just checked Am Derr Corp............$2,660.00
Too much for me to buy one & still stay married.
Thanks for adding the link by the way! It's appreciated.

[Bud White]

ouch 2600 Dang

[CLASS3NH]

I remember 1,500 or 1,600 some time ago.
Damn! I wish I had one...manual repeater or not.
I just checked Am Derr Corp............$2,660.00
Too much for me to buy one & still stay married.
Thanks for adding the link by the way! It's appreciated.

I had one, back in 1979-82..........had to order it, and waited about 7 months for it to arrive

[falcon1]

Wow...$2600?? How many Model 1s could you buy for that?

[CLASS3NH]

I remember 1,500 or 1,600 some time ago.
Damn! I wish I had one...manual repeater or not.
I just checked Am Derr Corp............$2,660.00
Too much for me to buy one & still stay married.
Thanks for adding the link by the way! It's appreciated.

The nice thing about the semmerling was that even though it was a manual operated gun, you could manipulate the action (as the action slid forward, and not to the rear) almost as fast as a semi-auto pistol.. plus it was slicker than............well you know LOL.........

[OD*]

Will we EVER SEE a .45acp semi~automatic as small as Bruce's Simian Pistol that will feed and function?

No, not unless you cut a hole in the mainspring housing for the hammer strut to pass through.

[QKShooter]

Bruce's Pistol...You Said:
"No, not unless you cut a hole in the mainspring housing for the hammer strut to pass through."

Ha Ha ~ Good Idea. Paint the hammer strut RED & They Could Call It The Cocked Hammer Indicator.

3/4" of RED hammer strut protruding out the butt of the pistol means the hammer is in the "cocked position" haha ~ No Problem!

[MillCreek]

Is American Derringer actually still in business? I have read conflicting reports on this.

[ExSoldier]

I remember 1,500 or 1,600 some time ago.
Damn! I wish I had one...manual repeater or not.
I just checked Am Derr Corp............$2,660.00
Too much for me to buy one & still stay married.
Thanks for adding the link by the way! It's appreciated.

QK...do me a favor: I'm at school and the stupid server won't let me access this site: http://www.cylinder-slide.com go there and post a pic of their "ADVENTURER" 45 ACP. Can you do that for me? Thanks.

It is an ULTRA tiny semi-auto 45 and Bill Laughridge guarantees it 100% for reliability. Something even Wilson won't do for any sub-compact they work on. This is a creation of Cylinder & Slide...or they'll cut down your Commander to their specs, but they do offer the reliability guarantee. I forget the cost....but it's about the same as the semmerling.

BTW, I thought the original Semmerling was based on a weapon produced during WWII for the OSS out of stamped parts chambering the 45 and also requiring the slide be manually operated. IIRC it was known as the "Liberty Pistol."

[Moon]

The smallest 45ACP is the Downsizer (though not a repeater - one shot is all you get).

http://members.aol.com/wsp45/images.html

[ExSoldier]

Is American Derringer actually still in business? I have read conflicting reports on this.

American Derringer is going STRONG. I think it's DAVIS Derringer that is in deep trouble. But with the recent surge of newcomer BOND ARMS in this tiny arena of stackbarrels, it would not surprise me if American is feeling a pinch. Bond Arms is the T/C of the derringer world. In other words, one frame can mount multiple caliber barrels at a lesser cost and super high quality.