I just stumbled across this new pistol online, the "Ounce" by Third Bay LLC, and it intrigued me. While its usefulness as a defensive handgun is questionable (albeit better than harsh words and a pointy stick), it at least represents someone trying something innovative in the modern handgun industry, rather than just another Glock or 1911/2011 clone. (Likely due to it being created by a mechanical engineer with no background in gunmaking.)

Similar in concept to some older folding .22s like the LifeCard, NAA HG, or Switch, this one differs in that it's a semiauto with an 11 round capacity via a top-mounted fixed magazine, rather than a single-shot derringer like the LifeCard or a 5 shot revolver like the Switch or NAA HG.

And because it has a top-mounted magazine, the spent cartridges are ejected out the bottom of the grip.

It weighs a mere 8 ounces loaded, and measures just 4.75" long by 3" high by 0.87" wide in its closed state.

More info here: https://www.thefirearmblog.com...8yQv1FMxzM6eou_ObGwc

Manufacturer's website: https://ounceoz.com/

This video provides an overview and some background to its design from its creator, and towards the end it shows loading, disassembly, and malfunction clearance.

quote:

Originally posted by RogueJSK:
...And because it has a top-mounted magazine, the spent cartridges are ejected out the bottom of the grip.

Interesting indeed.

Wouldn't mind learning more about the design, maintenance, cleaning, etc...

Even if a novelty, pretty interesting.
No images of the magazine, nor how the rounds are oriented.

Edit: vertical, downward facing

That looks like an infinitely easier to use grip than the one on the LifeCard, and it would still slide into a pocket pretty neatly.

Very clever and definitely an innovative design. For me I would stick to my LCP Max which - if I did the math right - is about .4 inch by 1.2 inch larger in dimension (same width), 3 oz heavier .380 vs. .22 and much faster reloads. But for someone who had difficulty with the recoil on the small .380 this would work very well, assuming of course it functions reliably. Kind of pricy at $899 but not crazy and i guess to be expected.

Interestingly designed little pistol; 11 rounds of .22LR would put a hurt on someone. I wonder what the immediate action drill looks like.

A solution in search of a problem, IMO. There are plenty of pistols that will fit in your pocket and that you don't need to unfold to use. But if you like it and see the need, go for it.

That is really cool but not $900 cool. It would make a great little car gun-easy to hide.

Looks like an ear piercing gun

When they come out with an optic plate, RMR footprint, they'll sell like hotcakes.

quote:

Originally posted by gearhounds:
I wonder what the immediate action drill looks like.

Starting at 7:41 in the first video, it discusses how to clear a dud round (as you're likely to encounter with .22LR). Basically, you can manually cycle the action by folding the grip forward and then deploying the grip again.

But clearing an actual jammed cartridge from something like a failure to extract or eject would likely require partially field stripping the pistol by removing the side plate.

Now that is cool and very innovative

[Artie Johnson on]Verrrry interesting, but stupid! [/ Artie Johnson off] well, finally got to use something from laugh-In!

Actually interesting design, however, think I'd pass, $900 for one, and the addition of having to train on getting it out of the pocket, getting it in proper position in your hand and opening the darn thing in time seems like a potential lethal problem, for the user.

Cool and interesting.

I’ll just stick with my LCP2 in 22lr.

It's the Noisy Cricket.

Nifty. Needs a micro silencer to match.

Nice to see a unique new design. Hope it’s successful.

Pretty cool, though I'm not sure what the point of this exercise is. It has a built-in magazine...so is it more like a semi-auto pistol with no drop mag capability, or a 10rd revolver without need of a cylinder? Though I will wish the best of luck to them on making this success in the marketplace, but I tend to feel like they're in for a rough ride if this makes it to production unless they can get costs down.

The earlier comments regarding the already existing and albeit less-innovative but still fairly reliable LCPII .22LR makes this Ounce something of a frivolous novelty given its projected price point. For that kind of money someone can buy two of the Rugers and still have money left over for additional mags.

Maybe more probability of success if it were chambered in .22MAG instead?