The Ideal Conceal two-shot derringer chambered in .380.
We’ve seen some pretty inventive handguns crop up in the past few years, including chopped Glocks and credit card pistols. But, perhaps, none are more imaginative than the Ideal Conceal cell phone pistol.
At NRAAM 2018, I got a chance to see and handle a functional prototype. Chambered in .380, this two-shot derringer features an 8-pound trigger, a metal frame, an extremely low profile sight, and a collapsible handle.
Trigger is around 8 lbs.
My initial impression was, well, it was heavier than I thought it would be. Because it is metal, not polymer, there is a definite heft to the design. The majority of the weight is at the front of the gun, and I was told by the gentleman at the booth that this helps to reduce muzzle flip.
Size-wise, as you’ll see in the photo below, it is about as big as a larger iPhone. Carrying it concealed on or off body would be no problem at all. It slides right into a front or back jeans’ pocket. And you can easily put it into a bag or backpack or glove compartment — wherever.
The concept is simple. Make a gun that resembles the shape of a cell phone.
Deploying the pistol involves drawing from the pocket, orienting it towards the target and releasing the handle with the push of the button. A process that takes around two seconds for those familiar with the system.
What I did notice is that the handle feels rickety. Maybe because I’m used to conventional pistol handles or maybe because the handle is thin and hollowed out to fit around the trigger guard, I don’t know, but it would take some getting used to.
SEE ALSO: The Ideal Conceal Cell Phone Pistol Back in the News
This is not a gun you can shoot at distance, methinks. It’s a get-off-me tool. Or a backup gun. Something to have on hand when your primary concealed carry pistol fails. Without shooting it, it’s hard to really assess it’s viability or lack thereof as a reliable carry gun.
With that said, I’m excited to see the final production model when it’s ready. Testing is still underway to work out some of the kinks but I was told that the Ideal Conceal might be ready for market as early as next month. Stay tuned. We hope to get one in for review in the near future.
Oh, yeah, pricing for the Ideal Conceal should be in the neighborhood of $500. For more information visit: IdealConceal.com.
That’s the button that releases the handle, which swings from the closed position to the open position. The button also serves to lock the handle into place.
Very easy to carry and conceal.
Two shots of .380. Might be all you need.
Folded it up. This prototype was heavier than I thought it’d be.
What do you think? Interested?
Need info to buy
I like but the price too high, let me know when the price go down and i will buy….
For folks who want simple and easy to carry.more than 380 that handle would hurt ya.for tactical hipsters maybe a bug
I wish they would have made this pistol in 9 millimeter Luger. I hate the .380 Auto caliber.
For a backup I’d go for a Kel-Tec P32, they’re about 6oz and not any bigger than this one is when it’s folded. That at least gives you 7+1 of .32 and a reload could give you another 7 or 10. Might not have the most stopping power, but with the short barrel it’s got a lot of ‘fire and fury’ in it so-to-speak and it feels surprisingly solid.
To all the whiny b****** out there complaining about this Pistol saying it’s a dumb idea. Seriously grow up. Any gun is a good idea I don’t care what it looks like. For the morons that talk about how difficult it would be in a situation where someone is mugging you, you know the old adage. If you don’t practice then you aren’t going to be very good. Personally I think this is an excellent idea on a low budget for someone that can’t spend $1,500 on a 1911 Kimber. It’s flat and fits neatly in the back pocket as a backup to a backup. I intend on buying one or more when they become available.
After retiring from Communist New York State I moved to Ohio. What a difference in regulations. Each County in New York had their own laws. Even though I had a N.Y. permit I had to get special permission to carry my handgun in the armored car going to and from New York City. But I digress, the Ideal Conceal carry is a very good object for one to carry everywhere. No special holsters, no bulging footprint and better than a .22 calibre derringer.
I prefer a single stack 9mm
Give one to every teacher in America, to use when the school shooters come by. Two rounds might be enough in those situations, to scare off a shooter, but for any other situations, it’s pretty much a death wish.
Two teachers would have four rounds available, 3 teachers six rounds, etc.
Better than Lil ball bats and river stones!
I can see that there might be some occasional use for this gimmick gun, but not for $500. For less money you can buy a reliable, accurate 9mm with 6 or 7 rounds and about the same size. Besides that, there are even smaller guns available with more capacity. For example, I have an NAA .22mag revolver that holds 5 rounds and fits in the watch pocket of my Levis.
Me,too. That is my “Jesus gun” in my front pocket. Main gun is in my belt.
All the time and effort that went into the design and mechanics of this. You could have saved yourself a lot of time just sitting on the toilet and squeezing one out. Same results!
A few thoughts on this, to counter the arguments against it.
1. My wife struggles with racking a slide on any gun. Mostly her fault because she doesn’t listen to instructions very well, she won’t practice, and gives up easily on trying.
2. She won’t carry a revolver of any size or weight because they’re all too bulky for her. It’s too inconvenient for her to do any kind of trial with any revolver. Again, her own fault.
3. The less complicated a tool is, the more likely she is to use it. Pushing a button to unfold the handle is old school technology she can understand and live with. She also understands that pulling the trigger makes it go bang.
4. She is more likely to carry something that is slim and does not work against whatever she is wearing.
5. It can be carried in a cell phone case, so fishing it out of a tight pocket could be avoided.
6. Two rounds of .380 drawn and deployed at a delayed rate, due to the mechanics of unfolding the gun, are still better than zero rounds of .45 ACP.,…or any other caliber.
Have you considered a Beretta Tomcat for her? Tip up barrel, double action.
Good arguments for it.we can’t all be tactical hipsters.as for me my girls are ok with revolvers.
Waste of money, mostly useless, might as well carry a Ruger LCP or a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard. Not much different in size and more rounds available. Like others have said just Another gimmick gun.
Another piece of garbage for the police to worry about..
I am waiting for standard manufacturing to finally come out with that 380 volley pistol. This thing is a ridiculous; at least the two shots at a time is interesting.
Like most emergency back up tools, useful moments will be rare. The downside is cops fear of mistaking a cell phone for a gun becomes a reality! All sides considered, this seems like a really bad idea.
Yawn . . . Another gimmick gun.
Beyond stupid! Law enforcement had enough time telling the difference between a gun and a phone before this thing was invented. Clearly a candidate for the Darwin Award
Please. Law enforcement never had a problem distinguishing a gun from a cellphone. That just am excuse for them to kill unarmed people. You’re “beyond stupid” with a wicked ass way of thinking…double digit IQ. 😂
This is what I call a better than nothing gun! First you have to get it out of your pocket, (considering how tight some people wear their pants??) second you need your attention to orient it, third you need to unfold it, then your ready to defend yourself, but wait the criminal has already got you in those few seconds
Ruger LCP. Between $169 and $199. About the same size, about the same thickness. Five more rounds. Enough said?
I look forward to examining one.
Won’t be in market till 2019. In development for 4 years.
The old adage applies: “It’s better to have a gun and not need one, than to need a gun and not have one”.
One of the major issues cops have on the streets is trying to determine if a suspect is pulling a gun or a cell phone. Want to get shor by a cop? Carry this. In the dark there is no way to be sure without putting a bullet in your head. It’s already happened and has been documented. Really a horrible idea. Stupid, stupid, stupid.
You won’t get shot by the police if you don’t pull it out in their presence. And the rest of you talk like you have no common sense. I realize not all do but if someone is considering this gun I would hope they act like An adult with a brain. People can what if… anything to an excessive extent.
The initial poster was correct. This has happened multiple times already with the person HOLDING the cell phone already. They were not taking it out of their pockets. But you know, let’s blame the people who were shot anyway. Right now, police have problems identifying many things someone is holding. With them KNOWING there is a gun out there shaped like a cell phone, I can see many people getting shot while the cops go “oops”.
Trouble is, you won’t get shot for carrying this(nobody will actually carry this), it’ll be the guy with the cell phone but if he’s idiot enough to pull anything from anywhere at that point of the encounter, he gets what he gets.
Can someone call 911 with it after the kids find it an play with it?
Someone call 911 after the kids find and play with your 1911, your Glock 19, your S&W Shield, your Ruger LCR….. So you lock up all of your other handguns but just leave this one out for the kids to find?
Just plain STUPID and doesn’t help our cause as being seen as responsible gun owners!
Your opinion, and ya know what they say about that.
I’m trying to figure out how your silly brain works to even equate those foolish notions, I suspect you lack severely in the logic circuits.
Besides, they’re too fixated on Black Rifles and high cap mags right now.
You MAY have noticed it has neither?!?
.
“Your opinion, and ya know what they say about that.”
I can see the point and feel it somewhat too. Things like this give them something to say about our industry. “Look how easy they are to bring into a school or workplace!” I imagine for a start. That said though, they’ll say something about anything so while I don’t really feel happy about them, let it stay.
The big problem I see is that the thieves seem to go after cell phones as well as $$$$$$.
Unless you see it coming, you will be arming a criminal thief..
No thanks! My 380 holds 6+1 and is just as small for a lot less than $500. The Inmates in jails and prisons will appreciate its concealabliity as they tuck it up their keisters for smuggling purposes.
Nobody could keister this brick…
No mention of any safety lever, button, or switch. How do you cock it? Which barrel fires first?
I notice it has two headphone ports. Does it get Spotify? Does it have Bluetooth? Will it work with my cell provider? Call quality and reception are concerns yet to be answered. How much is it?
Negative. You can plug a guitar and a microphone into it. A must-have for open-mike at your local coffee house.
Only interested due to the novelty of it. Unless you want to “attempt to” hide it in plain sight, there are much better alternatives with equal or better capacity, caliber, faster employment and probably smaller in total volume (cubic inches).
Said to the armed robber, “Wait while I unfold my gun so I can defend myself from you.”
better than nothing
Yes but the people that buy these are usually looking for the novelty of it. The few that buy it for self defense, probably believe what they learn in a self defense class makes too.