The DoubleTap derringer is a hammerless, double-action, double-barreled, large caliber

derringer A derringer is a small handgun that is neither a revolver nor a semi/ fully automatic pistol. It is not to be confused with mini-revolvers or pocket pistols, although some later derringers were manufactured with the pepperbox configuration. ...

designed for personal protection and manufactured by DoubleTap Defense, LLC. 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 A double tap is a shooting technique where two shots are fired in rapid succession at the same target with the same sight picture (as opposed to the controlled pair, whereby a second sighting is acquired for the second shot). Instruction and pr ...

shooting technique in which two rounds are quickly fired before engaging the next target.

Heizer Defense Heizer is a surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Ken Heizer (1924-2011), American football player *Michael Heizer (born 1944), American artist * Miles Heizer (born 1994), American actor * Oscar S. Heizer (1868-1956), American diploma ...

, the original manufacturer, has stated that the gun was inspired by the

FP-45 Liberator The FP-45 Liberator is a Handgun, pistol manufactured by the United States military during World War II for use by resistance forces in occupied territories. The ''Liberator'' was never issued to American or other Allied troops, and there are fe ...

pistol, which was designed for use in France by the resistance against the Germans during

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...

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. The weapon features a patented

double-action Double action (or double-action) refers to one of two systems in firearms where the trigger both cocks and releases the hammer. * Double-action only (DAO) firearms trigger: The trigger both cocks and releases the hammer. There is no single-action ...

ball bearing trigger system. 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, 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.

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. 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." A month later, it was announced that Azimuth Technology in

Naples, Florida Naples is a city in Collier County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population of the historical city (i.e. in the immediate vicinity of downtown Naples) was 19,115. Naples is a principal city of the Naples-Marco Island, Flori ...

had been selected to manufacture the pistol. 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 Hornady Manufacturing Company is an American manufacturer of ammunition cartridges, components and handloading equipments, based in Grand Island, Nebraska. History The company is currently run by Joyce Hornady's son, Steve Hornady, who took over ...

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.

References

{{Reflist

External links

Official Website

Instruction Manual
Multiple-barrel firearms Derringers .45 ACP firearms 9mm Parabellum firearms