Seecamp
| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Founded | Incorporated 1973 |
| Founder(s) | Ludwig "Louis" Wilhelm Seecamp, Lueder "Larry" Seecamp |
| Headquarters | Milford, Connecticut, United States |
| Services | Weapons |
| Revenue | Pistols |
| Website | http://www.seecamp.com |
L. W. Seecamp Co., Inc. is a manufacturer of hand made pocket pistols located in Milford, Connecticut from 1981 to present.
L. W. Seecamp Co., Inc. was started as a pistolsmithing company in 1973 specializing in double action conversions for the 1911 Colt .45. At the time, there were no commercially available DA .45s anywhere in the world.
In 1978, Seecamp got into pistol miniaturization. The Seecamp patented spring system then introduced is now used in Glocks, Kimbers, Colts, Para Ordnances, Kahrs, Springfields, etc. Almost every locked breech miniaturized semi auto pistol now uses the Seecamp spring system that allows for miniaturized semi auto locked breech pistols.
In the early 1980s Seecamp went from gunsmithing to gun manufacture, beginning with the LWS.25.
All Seecamp pistols are double action only (DAO), and are similar in size. Barrel length is 2.06 inches (5.2 cm), and weight is 11.5 ounces (330 g). Grips are glass-filled nylon and checkered. These pistols are not equipped with sights because they are intended for use at close range. The Seecamp, like the Czechoslovakian CZ 45 pistol, utilizes a very compact and reliable DAO trigger mechanism. Each pull of the trigger first cocks then releases the hammer. The hammer follows the slide after each shot and rests in the down position.
The original Seecamp model was the LWS .25 ACP, made from 1981 through 1985, with a total production of about 5000 units. It used traditional blowback operation with a magazine capacity of 7 rounds. The .25 ACP model was dropped shortly after the introduction of the .32 ACP version.
The LWS 32 is chambered for hollow point ammunition only. Operation is through chamber-ring delayed blowback where a raised ring at the rear of the chamber retards the rearward motion of the slide. This model uses a magazine with a capacity of 6 rounds. This is Seecamp's most popular gun. During the height of demand, production guns were selling out years in advance with individual guns selling for up to US$1000. Current MSRP is US$446.25 for the standard model, US$525 for the California approved model that has a patented trigger mounted safety.
There were 20 sets made in both .25 ACP and .32 ACP with matching serial numbers. In 2000, the model LWS 380 was introduced in .380 ACP. Production is very limited, and the MSRP is US$795.
In 1997, North American Arms introduced their Guardian pistol in .32 ACP as well. While Seecamp sales remained unaffected, with a near clone alternative now available, current LWS 32 production is selling for or close to the suggested retail prices. The LWS .380, however, still commands well above MSRP as demand exceeds supply. (Typically 150% MSRP) Further competition is provided by Kel-Tec in the form of their P32 and P3AT polymer-framed pistols which are bigger in profile but lighter and thinner.
The market tends to follow Seecamp's lead. With the introduction of the .32 ACP version, ammo manufacturers began to make self defense .32 ammo at a time when .32 was considered nearly obsolete. The above-mentioned NAA and KelTec models would not have had the market success without Seecamp whetting the public appetite.
The same is true of the .380 ACP round, once considered 'too small' by many. It is the current fad among self defense weapon manufacturers with the introduction of multiple models in the last few years (Ruger, Kahr, Baby Eagle, Sig, S&W, etc.).
[edit] References
- Blue Book of Gun Values, 26th Edition. S. P. Fjestad. ISBN 1-886768-55-2.
