So far as I’m conscious, the Seecamp collection of pistols consists of the smallest semi-auto weapons in the marketplace. Now, saying that may be a little controversial. Weapons just like the KelTec P32 are lighter and thinner, however when it comes to size and peak, the Seecamp collection has these beat. The Seecamp pistols hit the market in 1981, however Ludwig Wilhelm Seecamp started a firearms profession properly earlier than the Seecamp pistols.
He labored for Mossberg and later created a collection of double-action conversions for M1911 pistols. In 1978, he started specializing in pocket pistols. It was an excellent time for Mr. Seecamp to get into the enterprise. The Gun Management Act of 1968 prevented the import of weapons of a sure measurement that couldn’t meet an arbitrary level allotment.
The Restricted Version Seecamp LWS-25
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The American market had a minor concentrate on small weapons, however the market was pretty open, particularly for one thing new. Mr. Seecamp aimed to make the smallest semi-auto on the market, surpassing weapons just like the Child Browning. His first pistol was the LWS-25, which was additionally the world’s first stainless-steel, hammer-fired, double-action-only pistol. It made use of twin nested recoil springs on account of its ultra-small measurement.
Seecamp Retains Shifting
The LWS-25 made waves on account of its micro-sized design. The pistol was 4.25 inches lengthy, 3.25 inches tall, with a barrel size of two.06 inches. It may slot in practically any pocket and disappear. The gun held seven rounds, plus yet another within the chamber. The usage of .25 ACP ensured dependable operation due to its centerfire design.
The LWS-25 wasn’t produced for a really very long time. In 1985, the LWS-25 was changed by the LWS-32. Small runs of the LWS-25 would nonetheless start occasionally. The LWS-32 supplied a considerably extra succesful spherical, able to reaching via 12 inches of ballistic gel. Seecamp designed the gun and spherical to operate with .32 ACP hole factors. The .32 ACP is semi-rimmed, and semi-auto handguns might be topic to rimlock when utilizing hole factors.
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This wasn’t the case with the LWS-32 on account of its design, and it’s solely speculated to shoot hole factors. The LWS-32 utilized a chamber ring delayed blowback system to assist with the elevated recoil of the .32 ACP in such a small pistol. This method makes use of friction to delay the opening. The case expands into a hoop within the chamber to delay the opening of the breech.
This method was additionally used with the LWS-380, which started manufacturing in 1998 and maintained the identical total dimensions because the LWS-25 and LWS-32.
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Seecamp additionally produced a collection of units with matching serial numbers, the place you bought the LWS-25 and LWS-32. It seems sooner or later, Seecamp additionally produced a triple set with the identical serial quantity for all three pistols, however added zeroes to seemingly please the ATF.
The Restricted Editions
As you may see, this gun is stamped Restricted Version. There isn’t lots of data on what that meant. I even emailed Seecamp, who’s underneath new possession, and so they weren’t fairly certain. When Seecamp offered units with matching serial numbers, they have been all seemingly stamped “Restricted Version.”
This factors to the truth that the gun was offered as a set and appears to be probably the most logical reply. For a time interval, the ATF was fantastic with the weapons sharing serial numbers as a result of they have been completely different calibers and completely different fashions. They finally modified their thoughts, and this observe was restricted.
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Afterwards, units would nonetheless be made, however the serial numbers have been barely completely different. One instance I noticed used an A prefix, a 00 prefix, after which an ordinary serial quantity.
In accordance with Bradford’s Public sale Gallery, solely 20 units have been ever made. Sportsman’s Legacy states that 200 units have been produced earlier than the ATF modified its thoughts. My serial quantity is a three-digit quantity, and it appears probably that there have been 200 units, or at the very least 200 Restricted Version pistols, produced.
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The opposite rumor is that Seecamp initially had an unique distributorship deal, and so they have been allowed to promote or give pistols to associates, household, and choose clients, and people weapons have been marked “Restricted Version.” I emailed Seecamp, and so they confirmed that the only real settlement existed, and that Ludwig Seecamp offered weapons to household and associates marked “Restricted Version.”
A Little Little bit of Each?
So possibly each the matching pairs and a few particular editions have been produced with “Restricted Version” stamped on the weapons.
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A discussion board poster at Colt Discussion board posted photographs of a Restricted Version LWS-25 that belonged to a DEA Agent whereas in Turkey. That discussion board poster had a number of letters exchanged between the DEA Agent and Seecamp, and there was no point out of a secondary matching .32 ACP variant.
What’s actually vital and why I believe the Restricted Editions existed exterior of pairs is that the letters are date-stamped 1981, which predates the .32 variant by 4 years.
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So as to add to the confusion, there was additionally a time interval of customized serial numbers. One instance I discovered at an outdated public sale had a serial variety of GRIZZLY01. That gun was additionally stamped “Restricted Version.”
The Seecamp LWS-25
The LWS-25 I’ve has a three-digit serial quantity, which probably means it was handbuilt by Mr. Seecamp, his son, or one of many seven different gunsmiths they initially had working with them. Seecamp was a small firm, and its weapons had huge demand. A lot in order that Larry Seecamp, son of Ludwig, carried a blemished mannequin to make sure clients may get pistols.
Ready lists may very well be so long as two years to get a pistol. It wasn’t unusual for somebody to buy a Seecamp and switch round and immediately flip it for substantial revenue. A buddy who has been within the business for a very long time instructed me that it wasn’t unusual to see Seecamps flipped for 900 {dollars} within the Eighties.
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I really feel pretty happy to have such a low-digit, Restricted Version of the LWS-25. Sadly, mine has damaged grips, and I must order a substitute set. Aside from that, the gun seems to have been babied. It doesn’t have a lot put on.
In The Hand
The stainless design makes it a hefty 13.25 ounces absolutely loaded. The small measurement makes you suppose the gun will likely be gentle, but it surely feels a bit like a brick in your hand. There isn’t a security or slide launch, and the gun makes use of a heel-style journal launch on the backside of the grip. The gun has {a magazine} security and won’t hearth with the journal eliminated.
The LWS-25 and its youthful brothers are designed to be pocket weapons. They’re speculated to be clean with a snag-free draw. The overall snag-free profile is emphasised by a scarcity of sights. It’s a point-and-shoot sort gun.
The slide is closely serrated with deep grooves to supply a superb grip. You’ll want an excellent grip to rack the motion. The twin nested recoil springs are combating you with every part they must hold you from racking the slide.
Taking pictures The LWS-25
The LWS-25 makes use of a blowback motion, and the hefty weight, dual-nested recoil springs, and use of the anemic .25 ACP make it straightforward to shoot. The gun received’t beat your hand up, and it’s straightforward to regulate. I’m shocked there isn’t any slide chunk. It’s satisfying to shoot.
The dearth of sights makes this a real stomach gun. It’s a close-range “get off me” gun, and I’ve a tough time hitting metal gongs past seven yards. If I take my time, discover the best maintain, I can hit metal; from the draw, it’s a bit of luck past seven yards.
On a man-sized goal, it’s a bit simpler to hit the goal at 10 yards, but it surely’s not going to print tiny little teams. NAA produced a duplicate known as the Guardian that launched sights into the deal, and I believe I’d quite have sights even when I’m solely taking pictures at shut vary.
The double-action set off pull is hefty and lengthy, however clean. It’s a pleasant double motion. The double-action set off, the dearth of sights, and the teeny-tiny grip make this factor robust to shoot precisely.
The gun’s dependable sufficient. I’ve solely shot 150 rounds and haven’t had any malfunctions. That’s not quite a bit, however .25 ACP isn’t low cost, and I don’t plan to hold this gun. It’s a collector’s merchandise and a bit of historical past to me.
It’s nonetheless enjoyable to shoot. The .25 ACP recoil and the close to guessing recreation of the place you’ll hit might be satisfying. This isn’t the gun I’d carry for self-defense, however I can see the enchantment for an insanely deep concealment gun.
Seecamp Right now
Ludwig handed the corporate to Larry Seecamp. In 2014, Larry offered the corporate and retired. We misplaced Larry in 2018. Seecamp is at present owned by Whalley Precision, and weapons are manufactured in Southwick, MA. The brand new house owners are nonetheless producing these weapons at a excessive degree of high quality in .32 ACP and .380 ACP.
I would decide up an LWS-32 and NAA Guardian .32 to spherical out my .32 ACP assortment, however for now, I’m pleased with the LWS-25.
