Owning a handgun may be legal in the U.S. states, but not everyone is a fan of carrying one for various reasons. It could be the fear of the concealed weapon accidentally going off, and maybe the size and weight. And then there’s the self-doctrinated social stigma of being seen carrying one. But here’s one concealed carry that is designed specifically to get rid of those concerns. Meet the Ounce Pistol.
We have seen several conceal-and-carry firearms before, and save for the Ideal Conceal Double Barrel .380 “Smartphone” Pistol and the PRESSIN, this has to be one of the most unpistol-looking pistols around. Designed by Bill Osborne after a relative was assaulted twice in her apartment, the Ounce Pistol is a collapsible pistol that, when folded, does not even look like a firearm. In fact, in its folded form, it looks like… nothing. Just a strange, compact object that slips easily into a pocket or handbag and stays discreet until needed.
It stays compact, discreet, and secure when carried, yet deploys quickly when the situation demands it. When folded, the Ounce Pistol cannot fire. Once unfolded, however, it becomes a fully functional semi-automatic .22 LR pistol designed for rapid deployment and ease of use.
Despite its unconventional look, the Ounce Pistol is still very much a firearm under the hood. It is a 10+1 capacity semi-automatic pistol chambered in .22 LR, weighing about 8 ounces (approximately 227 grams) when loaded. The design features a full-length handle and relatively long barrel, which help improve control and accuracy compared to the tiny pocket pistols that dominate the concealed carry category.
A number of engineering choices aim to make the pistol easier and safer to operate. The bolt and slide are fully enclosed, eliminating the possibility of the dreaded “slide bite.” The pistol also features a very low barrel axis, which helps improve stability and rapid-fire accuracy while keeping recoil extremely manageable.
Spent cartridges drop out from the bottom rather than ejecting sideways, and there is a clear indicator for a chambered round. Loading the magazine is simplified as well, with simultaneous access to cartridges and no spring pressure to fight against, which should make topping it up less of a finger workout.
Even the act of “racking” the pistol works differently. Instead of pulling directly against the main spring, the handle itself provides leverage, making the process easier. Maintenance appears straightforward, too, with tool-free access to the barrel and bolt for cleaning or clearing jams.
The pistol itself is precision-engineered and manufactured in the United States, with multiple mechanical subsystems nested together. The barrel is machined from military-spec alloy steel and nitrided for durability, while the frame and case components are made from aircraft-grade aluminum alloy. The construction includes CNC-machined aluminum, steel, and brass components, engineering-grade polymer parts, custom springs, and heat-treated rods working together to form the compact mechanism.
If anyone is interested, the Ounce Pistols semi-automatic .22 LR pistol is priced at US$899, plus US$20 shipping. As with any firearm purchase in the United States, buyers must meet federal and state legal requirements, and the firearm must be shipped to a licensed FFL dealer in the buyer’s state.
Images: Ounce Pistols.
Story via YouTube (InRangeTV).
