Carry the revolution!
Carry the revolution! That is one of the slogans for the Ideal Conceal “cell phone” pistol.
But is it really the disrupting force to the concealed carry market that we’ve been waiting for, sorta like what Uber and Lyft did to the taxicab industry? I’ll let you be the judge of that.
Recently the two-shot .380 pistol found its way back into the headlines. Local News affiliate WKEF ran a little story on the gun and its inventor Ideal Conceal CEO Kirk Kjellberg.
Kjellberg talked about the inspiration for the project, which was announced last year and financed via the crowdfunding portal TruCrowd.
“I just decided there’s gotta be a better way to carry,” Kjellberg said. “And I was just looking around and noticed everyone had a smartphone so why not make a pistol that would look like that?”
Thus far, the pistol is 208 percent funded from its goal of $30,000. There are 76 investors pledging a total of $62,322.
Of course, there are a lot of critics and naysayers, for obvious reasons. Quick deployment of the pistol under duress would be a major challenge, although Kjellberg said he can have it ready to fire in about two seconds. The other issue that comes immediately to mind is capacity. Many concealed carriers wince at the notion of a five-shot revolver, let alone a two-shot gun.
Either way, I’m curious about the development of this little gun. I reached out to Kjellberg for more information and am awaiting to hear back. I’ll update the article if/when he answers my questions.
Kjellberg hopes to have it available to consumers by the end of summer 2017, according to WKEF. Retail price will be around $500.
UPDATE: 5/12/17
Mr. Kjellberg got back to me on the questions I sent him. Below is our brief Q&A:
Q. What was the inspiration behind the Ideal Conceal pistol?
Kjellberg: I was doing the “right things” to carry my Colt Mustang by covering it up with a jacket. However, the jacket got caught up on the pistol when I stood up and a young boy saw that I had a gun and made a bit of a scene. I figured there just had to be a better way. When I sat back down again I noticed everyone on their phone out and decided on that shape.
Q. Do you have the specs/dimensions?
Kjellberg: The pistol is 5″ x 3″ x 3/4″. it weighs 13 ounces. .380 caliber derringer.
Q. What is the price point ($500, right)?
Kjellberg: Dealers will set the retail. We have heard that the demand will set the price, but many have said under $500.
Q. Will you make additional calibers?
Kjellberg: We expect to make a 9mm at some point, but have to perfect this and get into production before we will even consider that.
Q. How does it differ from other competitors, e.g. Full Conceal?
Kjellberg: I don’t think we have any true competitors. The full conceal remodeling an existing pistol and you have to put a mag in and rack a slide. We offer simplicity, we don’t expect avid conceal carry people to be our market. Since day one, I have said that I don’t care what you want to carry as long as you carry something. This is aimed at folks who want protection with simplicity and stealth.
Q. How’s the funding going for the pistol?
Kjellberg: We just launched on Tuesday and have picked up 78 new investors already; I think the raise is doing fantastic!
You’d be so much better off with even a small folder (knife) than two anemic rounds that you can’t aim. This is a solution to a non-existent problem.
Before I retired I was a Level III security officer in Texas. Did standing guard at hotels, etc. and patrol duty at various apartment properties throughout the night.
Every drunk in the world’s most favorite thing to do is to have their phone out pointing at you while videotaping their epic stumbling out of the bars down 6th street as they approach you to ask which hotel they are supposed to be at. Unless you speak fluent Vodka, it’s a chore understanding them anyway. Point is, the cell phone looking gun did exist back then, although not in production yet. But from personal experience, having forty or fifty idiots a night possibly pointing one of these at you was a little nerve racking to say the least.
Just from knowing how tremendously crazy it is for LEOS in college/party towns to put up with the “video the cops” crowd, I can guarantee there will be some issues over it.
I had one Jewel who had “DRUNKARD” emblazoned on his tee shirt stumble into a hotel in downtown one morning around three am. He decides to take offense that I was checking to verify he was a guest (you get about 20 drunks a night trying to enter and wander around a hotel they aren’t even staying at after the bars close) and he decides he would “videotape” this gross violation of the United States Constitution (as he saw it). He puts his cell phone in my face while also announcing he is a CHL holder.
Long story short, he was (as he claimed) “astounded” that I removed the phone/possible pistol from his person until local PD arrived to take him to another (much more proper) location to spend the rest of the night and part of the next day. Anyway, I was concerned back then with the cell phone pistol possibly getting into the hands of these constant drunken fools, even when it was just in the beginning development stage. I can imagine how tough it will be on LEOS dealing with the “video the cops” crowd when this thing comes out into actual production.
I have nothing against the pistol. It cannot harm anyone without an idiot attached to it. It is the inordinate number of drunken idiots who will put a cell phone up in a cops face, or a security officers face, just to “make sure the cops don’t overstep their authority” while handling a completely different drunk which concerns me.
It is pretty hard (in the dark) to determine if there are two .380 size holes in the top of a cell phone in the split second a drunk decides to stick one in your face to “video” you. I predict some real bad issues ahead, until the professional “Drunkard” crowd realizes sticking a phone up into another person’s face in an attempt to intimidate them may well get them (justifiably) shot loose from their “cell phone”.
Wow ………Nailed That !!!!!
I never cease to be amazed by the haters. This is not a shooting range plinker. Nor is it the one and only weapon for a family. It is a close contact, survive the ordeal, type of weapon. I hope if I, my wife or family, is ever grabbed, or ever in any similar situation has this or any type of weapon.
I want one. Please save one or two for me. I think it would be great for carry some situations. In some other situations l will carry different.
Texas CC
Also, per here:
http://blog.defenderoutdoors.com/legality-cellphone-gun/
The ATF is waiting for this gun to be actually produced before they decide what it is. You could buy one and then find out that you are sitting on an AOW. Then you have to either get rid of it, or keep it and figure out a way to register it without implying to the ATF that you have possession.
But they’ll find out anyways. Ideal Conceal will give up the goods and tell the ATF which FFLs got the guns. Then the FFLs will reference their bound books and give the ATF the names of people who bought it.
It sucks, it really does. The NFA is a crock and has to go. But for now, it’s here. Are y’all willing to risk legal issues just to have a goofy-looking .380? Also, it just seems “wrong” to register a stupid item like this.
It’s shaped like a pistol when ready to fire.this avoids the AOW like the braverman/American Derringer pen pistol did.but instead of 1 you got 2rds. I’d love the see the look on a serial killers face when he opens the trunk and gets 2rounds from a pissed off lady right in the mug. 😀 😀
Doesn’t look like any current-model smartphone to me. Way too thick and clunky looking. IF you want to look like a cheapskate who carries an out-of-date phone (like me) then why not just buy one of those “cellphone holsters” that looks like it’s made for a phone or PDA from the early 2000’s. Hides a pocket semi-auto e.g. Ruger LCP right there on your waist but keeps it concealed (whether wearing such a holster would still constitute “open carry” depends on the wording of local laws). Those things are usually on sale for just a few bucks at stores that still have them and are trying to get rid of them.
Must shootings are done withing a 3 second reaction time. Two seconds to activate your fire arm does not leave room for mistakes. I just hope women don’t buy this for a purse gun as the ones that I’ve met takes them forever to even find a cell phone in their purse. How many will pull out their real cell phones by mistake? If any one decides to buy one for protection, please train that brain muscle to know where it is at all times and don’t ever keep it near your cell phone, and practice.
Two .380 rounds for $500 ???? Absolutely no way ! You can buy a Bond Arms derringer that shoots two 410 shotgun shells for cheaper than that…..and those are way overpriced too !
Then there is this scenario : You have this ‘phone bulge’ in your pocket–a guy with a knife comes up and demands your ‘phone’. Now he has a knife and a ‘gun’.
But to each his own…if you like it…go for it !!!!
Two shots better than one, one shot better than none. I would love to have one but not for $500.00 we you can get a 7 shot semi for less.
Since this gun doesn’t look like a gun, it probably requires BATF approval(GCA68) to start with to buy it.
I carry a gun as life insurance, if I need it, I want enough gun to do the job.
Should I ever have to draw my gun, I hope that when a bad guy sees my gun, their instinctive fear kicks in and they back off on their attack so I can save myself the cost of ammo used and legal issues I will have to deal with.
Because this doesn’t look like a gun, bad guys might be dumb enough to continue their attacks.
What if you have more than none bad guy and you expend your 2 shots on one guy?
Of course it does make for a cool novelty item
It’s obvious this device will be BATF controlled… Sooooo… Why not also restrict cell phones… Someone should actually look into just how many deaths have already been attributed to cell phone usage ??? Most likely far more than this Cell Phone Pistol will ever claim.
Doesn’t look like an operational phone. I wouldn’t carry 2 phones…. I like the idea tho.
Beats a slingshot …barely. I’ll take one, but not for $500!
This is pretty nice to just stick in your pocket.I carry a NAA that holds 5 rounds but only carry 4 in it ( Hammer on the empty chamber)
What is nice is, IT IS BETTER THEN “NOTHING” if you ever need it.
NAA minis (unless maybe you’ve got a really old one?) are equipped with between-the-chamber resting notches so you can carry hammer down and all 5 loaded. Easy to use once you get the hang of it–but try it first with an empty gun!
Totally agree the NAA with 5 rounds of 22 magnum is preferable to a 2-banger 380, and it will hide in more places than a smart-phone sized anything will.
FIRST, THE CELL GUN NEEDS TO BE IDIOT PROOF. BY THAT I MEAN YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOOK AT IT, CHANGE IT OR DO ANYTHING TO IT. JUST DRAW AND FIRE. SECOND IT NEEDS TO BE RELIABLE. THIRD, IT NEEDS GREATER CAPACITY. FOURTH IT NEEDS TO BE FAR MORE LETHAL THAN .380. FIFTH, IT NEEDS TO BE CHEAPER AND OPERATE AS A CELL PHONE. SIXTH, IT NEEDS TO BE ABLE TO GET PAST SCANNERS. A GUN THAT IS NOT IN YOUR POSSESSION DOES YOU NO GOOD!
I’ve been a concealed carry license holder since 1988 and have carried for most of that time. I’ve tried every type of handgun over the years and have come to a conclusion that the most important factor in selecting a carry weapon is the environment you live in. Since I live in South Florida, I have to deal with very hot weather about 75% of the year. That means T-shirts, polo shirts, tactical shorts and blue jeans for most of the year. Because of the lack of cover, my self defense strategy goes like this. For instant defense response (in low risk areas), I carry a North American Arms Black Widow, which is a single action 5 shot, 22 magnum revolver. When I take it to the shooting range I usually limit the target distance 21-30 feet (standard self defense) and hit bullseye’s about 90% of the time. My second choice is my new Ruger .380 LCP 2 with 3 xtra mags. Yes, the LCP has more firepower than the 22mag but does show more of a pocket imprint and the NAA revolver is flawless, safer to carry and ready in a split second. NEITHER would I want to be holding in a gunfight or a defense against multiple assailants, so I also carry (or keep it close by) a small shoulder dispatch bag with both a 9mm CZ-P109 with 3@ 19 rd. mags of Speer gold dot hollow points OR my 8 shot .357mag S&W snub nose revolver, just in case the SHTF. In other words, the first line carry guns are better than not having any, and they both can give me time to grab more firepower with the 9mm or 357mag.
Wow is it that bad in So. Fla, that you need to carry 2 or more guns??
I love it!!! to the people who say kid,s can play with it do you own a gun? do you let them play with your gun? or are you just another gun hater!! I will buy one when they come out been carrying for over 40yr,s GREAT IDEA. 2 round,s for protection 8 round,s or more for the range or a gun fight. PS i,am against the 10 round max for carry i carry 17-9mm.
Even if it was legal in CA, I probably wouldn’t buy this item, due to limited capacity (only 2 rounds) and the fact that it’s impossible to get a concealed carry permit where I live … nonetheless, I salute the innovation this firearm represents and can imagine that it will be a great solution for many customers.
I was going to say that without micro stamping, it (like *all* new autoloading pistol models since 2013) would be illegal to sell in CA. But I forgot — this is NOT an autoloader, it retains spent casings, so would still be eligible to sell, like new revolver models. …Assuming that the manufacturer can afford the time and $$$ required by the CA DOJ to get it tested and registered on the approved handgun roster — and not even the big manufacturers can do that for all their models.
When I was a kid, spy mania was sweeping the country and every little boy wanted to be James Bond or The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Every toy maker on the planet was turning out “spy” guns that were disguised as something innocuous (even a finger!). This would have been a perfect toy for that era, but a dangerously stupid idea for our time.
YOU’LL CHANGE YOUR MIND WHEN YOU HEAR SOMEONE SHOUT ALLAH AKBAR AS THEY CUT OFF YOUR HEAD! OR WAKE UP IN A HOSPITAL BADLY BEATEN. OR PERHAPS HAVE A LOVED ONE MURDERED!
I might be interested in this, but I have a couple of concerns. Who is the cell provider, and what kind of reception does it get?
That’s right Joe
What a joke.
Perhaps so, as currently configured. Redesign it as a hand grenade though and I think it has real possibilities.
Now that’s and interesting concept. 🙂
Gimmick
This gun is interesting.The weapon can be carried openly,but not recognizable. Begging the question wether it can be deemed concealed in law.
Ultimatly the market and price will determine its viability. Personally i like it.because i am aware that most of us who carry concealed know the chances of us having to use our gun are remote.The vast majority of CCW hilders will reach the end of their lives never having had to draw their gun for defense . I can see this gun being popular in situations where CCW is ,difficult .In summer on the beach wearing only shorts and sandels ect.
Most importantly it can be openly carried without drawing attention to the wearer. If your intention is to show off how big and macho you are wearing a gun,then this gun is not for you. Personally it gets my vote.
Hardly “unrecognizable.” The minute one sees the two barrel holes in the top, which would fully visible on the belt, a Libtard, having been warned by moveon.org about its introduction, would start screaming “GUN!” You need to include a simple die-cut adhesive cover to go over the barrel ports. The rounds would easily go through them in an urgent situation, but they could be pulled off for target practice. A 10-pack of these covers included with the pistol would make it a viable option for me and maybe 25% of your target audience.
Why on earth would you carry this with the barrels UP?? It is carried with the barrel DOWN…and how many anti gunners are going to be scoping everyones phones to see if its a disguised gun??
If I were to use any adjective to describe this product or its inventor it would not be “cool” or “ideal” but STUPID or IRRESPONSIBLE. Pick up a newspaper or go to YouTube. Read the stories of someone getting shot by police because they were holding or pointing an object that looked like a gun and then look at all those people who are taking cell phone videos. With that in mind who the hell thinks this is a good idea?
Similarly, a child would love to play with a gun – IF GIVEN THE CHANCE. So, as the owner, don’t give them the chance.
Only if I can get one in .44 rem mag.
I consider this more of a backup gun or something to have when in such scenarios where having your main carry gun isn’t a viable option.
The concept is that cell phones are obsequious because all of us carry them as utility implement, not to shoot with it. But reality is that once the idea is accepted, any cell phone resembling the gun will be perceived as a gun, also. When holding the gun cell phone, that is brandishing, clearly unlawful. By this logic, any cop seeing a cell phone user might scrutinize and even arrest.
This is a stupid idea. Concealment means not presenting the firearm unintentionally, not by visual deception. I will stick to my 9 shot 1911s and 17 shot 9mms inside my waist band and my cell phones to do the talking. How many children carry cell phones?How many deranged people carry cell phones, Ridiculous! I sincerely oppose this idea. Case closed.
IMHO, brandishing would be unfolding the pistol’s ‘grip’ and holding what appears to be a pistol. Otherwise, how would one fire the pistol when holding the device as a cellphone? It would take someone who knew that the device was a pistol, when ‘closed’.
Once police realize there is a gun in production that resembles a cell phone, anyone with a phone in their hand during police interaction will be in danger. Phone ranks high on novelty, but low on common sense.
I think you mean “ubiquitous,” not to go all grammar Nazi on you.
Nice, but I don’t like to wear a belt (too fat, so I usually wear suspenders. And when I do wear a belt even a Leatherman tool in its holster feels uncomfortable so I typically use an ankle holster or simply carry a small handgun in a pocket. But I digress). Anyway, I like the idea of options and if a prospective buyer believes that this is his or her solution to concealed carry, who am I to argue? Best of luck, sir.
Isn’t there a federal law on the books that prohibits making guns look like something they are not? “Officer Protection Act” or similar? I jad a ‘wallet’ holster for a pocket .22 that was later banned by that statute. I am not disputing the inventor’s premise, just questioning if existing federal law already pevents civilian possession.
No google pen gun, I have a couple, completely legal.
Who doesn’t know a child that loves to play with a smart phone?
This idea is terrible!
Who doesn’t know a child that loves to play with a gun?
Do you leave your guns out so children can play with them?
Your argument is invalid!
The better question is, Who doesn’t know an idiot who let’s his/her ‘smartphone’ be their kids babysitter, because they don’t want to act like a parent? If you’re so lazy/stupid that you just hand your phone to your toddler every time they whimper, so you don’t have to actually pay attention to them, you’re probably not smart enough to NOT hand them this gun. I think this is a neat idea, but not for people who aren’t smart enough to be responsible. And, I’m not saying that’s you. Your question just put this in my mind. There’s a lot of ‘parents’ out there, who don’t know how to parent.
While an interesting concept it’s not an especially wise idea imho. Not just because of what Will pointed out, but also simply because it further legitimizes police giving probable cause to (temporarily at least) seize people’s cell phones when they are otherwise legally recording police activity in a public place under the “concern” (legitimate or not) that individual pointing a cellphone at the LEO may be instead brandishing one of these pistols. (Even that aside, having to keep a closer eye on all cell phone users in such a situation or just in general will certainly heighten the stress level of the LEO’s and make their job more difficult than it already is.)
There’s also the uproar this is going to no doubt cause among schools and poorly informed parents over people being able to more easily “infiltrate” school events with deadly weapons. (Granted that’s likely to amount to squat, but it still gives the anti gun community something else to get motivated about in their crusade to ban firearms and they really don’t need more reasons, let alone one that sounds almost understandable.)
Playing devils advocate for a moment however I can see this being using in the event a mugger demands you to turn over your “wallet/purse & cellphone” given with practice one could likely reliably quickly deploy this weapon as part of such a bodily motion.
Still it strikes me as a niche weapon, and I don’t foresee many CCers who want an easily concealed firearm opting for 2 rounds of .380 acp in a difficult to deploy gun over a single stack magazine or snub nosed revolver that’s likely a lot more comfortable to practice with at the firing range often enough to gain the degree of familiarity necessary to use the weapon in a necessary situation.
I was just about to say the same thing, this invites increased scrutiny by LEOs with regard to reg citizens via giving them at least reasonable suspicion that someone is armed for simply having a cell phone. I think this product is a bad idea for many reasons.
The good news… this is a great idea…The bad news it will never happen ..I have followed this closley since day one…nothing other than a few 3-D parts , ROUGH protoype parts and cad drawings and a slick video has ever been made..If this was a viable proposition for manufacture there a dozens of funding sources to bring this to fruition..sadly this is looking more and more like a black hole scam at this point..when I see one in the store I’ll consider same ..at least the ” Zip ” was actually made…crowdfunding is a suckers game…
You can put a KAHR P380, PM9 or Ruger LCP in a Sneaky Pete holster and have a much better set up than this.
Very true. You can draw your small pocket .380 faster than you can deploy this gun and then you have 7 rounds of .380 to work with. I would even prefer a NAA mini revolver in 22 mag which is really easy to conceal.
Hey let me answer this call. Hello then ambulance wondering what the heck happened. I will stick to my guns and phones being separate thank you. No smart technology bs. I like my ‘dumb’ guns. This cellphone gun idea is just a terrible idea.
If you hear ringing coming from your gun (that has no capability of ringing), then put it to your head, AND pull the trigger methinks maybe you should not own any.
Just sayin……
If only it could spring unfold and lock into place as you draw the gun. Also why not put more time into it and make it a single barrel single stack gun. I like the idea but I don’t like the execution. Why does it have to resemble a cell phone at all why not just a rectangle folded gun that’s easy to carry? At 3/4 inches thick my first impression would not be that it’s a cell phone.
Based entirely on it’s “uniqueness” I would buy one if it looked to be half decently made. I like the stuff not everybody and their brother has.
In follow up to my own comment, I recently picked up an Intratec 38 derringer. It breaks open sideways and from what I researched only available 2 years in the 80’s. I wouldn’t carry that nor would I carry a cell phone gun but from the “unique” point of view I really like it. Oddly enough constant hits were no problem out to 35 yards on a 12×20 half man steel target with that Intratec.
I too like unique guns. I have a Stinger Pen gun which does not look like a gun in my collection..
I all so buy one just to have one ,lt is different and l like that I we’ll take a few of them so put on your list (Tim,s gun,s) Greenville oh 45331. Thank you
The “gun” looks similar to a cell phone but since nothing is concealing it, it should fall outside NFA restrictions. Like the non NFA pengun, it had to be opened/folded before firing which then resembled the barrel/grip of a gun. A short time ago gun shaped cell phone case/handle hit the market and several localities quickly banned public use for obvious reasons. Now we would have the situation reversed: a real gun the looks similar to a cell phone and cell phones are getting larger again. What is the potential for a shooting when a cop says drop whats in your hand and you refuse? Who wants to drop a $600 phone? People get shot over this issue now when things are not clearly visible and there is non compliance or sudden movement and the cop perceives it as a lethal threat. When these hit the street what happens to the perception of cell phones?
I agree. this is a cool idea but to many drawbacks for me to think it’s a good idea.
I agree bad situation waiting to happen. Imagine not being to pull your phone out in public. Lots to consider.
Personally, I don’t think the criminal is going to let you unfold your gun when going to defend yourself from him, just my thought anyway.
A criminal who has the drop on you isn’t going to let you draw and fire from your concealed carry location either. Cellphone gun or inside the waistband 1911, they’re both going to take a few seconds to deploy.
While I don’t reccomend it, it is possible to take out someone who has a gun drawn on you.
The raw draw speed of many people of who train and regularly practice can get down .5 seconds or less.
The average fast human reaction time is .75 seconds( remember drivers ed).
Of course most people won’t do the training and practice so they can get down to these speeds, but it is attainable goal.