Most Interesting Gun At SHOT Show
As expected, SHOT Show this year was awash with AR-15-type rifles and accessories and it was quite by accident that in the sea of modern sporting rifles I stumbled upon what I think was the most interesting new gun at the show. The Bondhus CL380 is being billed as the “smallest most accurate multi-shot .380” pistol and it reminded me some of both the “Chicago Palm Pistol” and the Nazi belt buckle guns, though the Bondhus doesn’t function like either of those.
It folds flat and can fit inside a cigarette pack. There are some fine motor manipulations necessary to get the two-shot into action, and even if really used for defense the power of a .380 Auto out of barrels this short won’t rank highly as a manstopper. There’s an optimistic integral laser sight on this “get off me gun,” and a finger guard that should make it more difficult to wrap your fingers over the muzzles if taking a two-handed grip.
While this really isn’t a practical primary defensive gun, it arguably may have some value for deep concealment. So far, the Internet buzz is from people wanting it purely as a novelty until they see the $795 suggested retail price. Practical or novelty, this one may eventually get tagged by the ATF as an “Any Other Weapon.”
–Scott Mayer
Click here to find out more from Bondhus
In 2008, Mayer returned to the editorial side of publishing, this time in the digital field, as Editorial Director for Guns & Ammo, Shooting Times, Handguns and Rifleshooter online magazines. After a brief stint in 2011 as the Digital Media Director for an ABC TV affiliate, Mayer returned to the outdoors industry and Safari Club International where he is currently Assistant Publisher and Multi-Media Communications Editor.
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