Home Business DoubleTap Sues Heizer Over Breakup

DoubleTap Sues Heizer Over Breakup

January 4, 2013

And you thought the Tom and Katie split was rough. DoubleTap’s main man, Ray Kohout, isn’t taking Heizer’s inability to produce their .45 double Derringers with equanimity. Kohout’s new entity, DoubleTap Defense sued Heizer Defense yesterday for $6 million in damages. DoubleTap’s also seeking to put the kibosh on Heizer’s efforts to stay in the gun business using DoubleTap’s IP. TTAG has a meet-up scheduled with Kohout at SHOT and we’ll have a full report on his progress toward getting this thing to market. Press release after the jump . . .

ST. LOUIS, MO (January 2013) – On January 3, 2013, DoubleTap™ Defense, LLC, owner of the DoubleTap™ Tactical Pocket Pistol filed a six million dollar lawsuit against Heizer Defense, LLC of St. Louis, Missouri, and others. In the lawsuit, DoubleTap™ Defense is seeking, in addition to monetary damages, an injunction to stop any further action on the part of Heizer Defense, LLC and others to manufacture or market a product based on the intellectual property of DoubleTap™ inventor Ray Kohout.

In the fall of 2012, DoubleTap™ Defense, LLC’s relationship with the Heizers was terminated due, in part, to Heizer’s inability to fulfill its manufacturing obligations. DoubleTap™ Defense, LLC has since engaged Azimuth Technologies, LLC, a Naples, Florida based company, to manufacture its new and improved DoubleTap™ Tactical Pocket Pistol. Production has begun on the smallest and safest conceal carry pistol on the market, with anticipated shipping to distributors to begin in the 1st quarter of 2013.

22 COMMENTS

Saul Feldstein January 4, 2013 At 15:10

Does this mean we dont get the honor of paying 500.00 for a derringer? Will we have to suffer on with $89.00 Davis derringers? Oh the horror.
- In Memphis January 4, 2013 At 15:31
  
  “Does this mean we dont get the honor of paying 500.00 for a -PLASTIC- derringer?”
  
  Fixed that for ya.
  
  Nothing against polymer though. Just that if its going to be plastic and $500 it better say Glock somewhere.
  - Bill January 4, 2013 At 15:38
    
    I’m neither for nor against this pistol, but I’m pretty sure it says titanium on the side of it. You know, above and to the right where it’s labeled that it is made on Earth.
    - In Memphis January 4, 2013 At 15:41
      
      It does say Titanium, I didnt notice that. I swore it was marketed as polymer though?
      
      The jury is still out on the “Earth” thing but it is hillarious.
    - M. J. April 22, 2014 At 16:59
      
      Yeah they stole that from Spyderco I have a Manic 2 that says on the blade made in Golden CO. USA Earth.
  - Bob H January 4, 2013 At 18:28
    
    Titanium or Aluminum are the choices. $499-$799, ported or nonported.
Rob Pincus January 4, 2013 At 15:23

Not only did Heizer not meet their commitments… it is very likely that the original design would’ve left a lot to be desired. Luckily, the DoubleTap pistol being produced with the help of Azimuth will be much improved.
GA Koenig January 4, 2013 At 15:33

$6M in damages? Really?

That design is $50k in development. Anything more, and a rich guy with an idea got suckered by freelance engineers and a manufacturing partner.
borekfk January 4, 2013 At 15:39

“Tactical Pocket Pistol” does everything have to be tactical these days?
- Agitator January 4, 2013 At 15:44
  
  Needs rails
  - Paul W January 4, 2013 At 15:51
    
    and a flashlight.
    - C January 4, 2013 At 21:00
      
      vertical foregrip.
  - IdahoPete January 5, 2013 At 13:36
    
    And should be available in a variety of digicam colors, including pink.
- In Memphis January 4, 2013 At 15:47
  
  Would you rather it be a zombie pocket pistol?
  - Mashashin January 4, 2013 At 15:55
    
    Tactical zombie pocket pistol with lazier light combo next to the bayonet lug
    - In Memphis January 4, 2013 At 18:30
      
      “Tactical zombie pocket pistol with lazier light combo next to the bayonet lug.”
      
      In that case you could probably cut open the top of the chamber/breach and make some sort of high capacity, gravity fed clip
SD3 January 4, 2013 At 16:08

I just want this thing to get on the market, so we can get some ground truth reviews of the thing.

If you don’t like it, don’t buy it. But I think Ray Kohout has got a winner here.
- uncle nunzie January 4, 2013 At 16:51
  
  I’m a fan of pocket pistols, and more broadly anything new in firearms development is a good thing. Besides, it’s very sexy.
16V January 5, 2013 At 00:36

For those from the ‘Lou, just remember Kohout = “Shooting Systems”.

That should ‘splain it all.
pat May 3, 2013 At 21:59

With that porting, after the first shot you beg not to have to shoot again. The muzzle blast will set a record.
Joe November 27, 2014 At 23:20

This gun double fired the first time I shot it and the recoil split my hand causing an emergency room visit, multiple stitches, brushing and pain. The company will not answer my emails so the warranty is useless. Check other sites multiple double fires often.
- roger April 16, 2015 At 18:20
  
  Joe the DT has 2 separate strikers on a retched. Impossible to shoot both barrels with the pull of the trigger
  Like the Bull Crap said about the COP derringer.