John Snow’s Criticism Of The Palm Pistol

John Snow’s Criticism Of The Palm Pistol

Letters to the AmmoLand Editor
Letters to the AmmoLand Editor: Got something on your mind? Let us know and you can see it here.

MAPLEWOOD, NJ –-(Ammoland.com)- Dear Mr. Snow:

Your recent review posted at www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/gun-shots/2011/04/strange-guns-palm-pistol is highly critical of my design. The single shot Palm Pistol(r) has several advantages over a traditionally configured defensive handgun.

1. Most defensive uses of handguns take place within extremely close range, often less than five feet. A single well placed shot at point blank or close range to a vital area can have more “stopping power” (an ill-defined and often misapplied concept) than a series of shots some of which undoubtedly will miss and potentially injure an unintended target. As I often state, a .22 caliber hit has more stopping power than a .45 caliber miss.

2. Revolvers and semi-automatics have externally moving parts (cylinders, hammers and slides). These can potentially hang up on clothing if an attempt is made to fire them from within clothing or a pocket. The Palm Pistol has no such disadvantage and does not require a pocket holster. 3. Seniors or disabled can be physically weak and easily overpowered by an attacker. A multi-shot firearm can be taken from the defender and used against them. A single shot gun would eliminate that concern. If coupled with use of the multiple projectile Tri-Plex(tm) cartridge I designed which produces up to 49% larger ballistic wound than a JHP (see www.palmpistol.com/triplex.html) and with less recoil, the ostensible single shot disadvantage is overcome. It is also very fast to reload with practice.

4. I have had several senior and disabled students who lacked the physical strength or ability to rack the slide on even a Walther P22 and certainly could not load cartridges into a magazine, even assisted by speed loader. If someone is missing an index finger on their dominant hand, how would you propose they fire a traditional handgun? I know you do not mean to suggest these handicapped defenseless people should not be afforded a useful tool to defend themselves.

5. The Palm Pistol(r) bore centerline is coincident with that of the forearm resulting in not just a low bore axis, but a zero bore axis. I have personally fired the prototype and there is no muzzle rise due to recoil. This makes it easier and more comfortable for those with muscular weakness to fire it.

6. There is no reason the Palm Pistol needs to “look like a gun”. If, God forbid, a person needs to draw their firearm in self-defense, it must by law only be when threatened with imminent deadly harm. If you have time for brandishing or a warning shot, the prosecutor will argue (and very likely successfully) the threat was not imminent. As the saying goes “act in haste, repent at leisure.” When ANY gun is drawn, it had better be because your life is in immediate danger, and in that case, who cares what it looks like?

There are many other arguments to be made in favor of my design, but to conclude, I have received literally thousands of emails from seniors and disabled all over the world thanking me for designing a product specially tailored to their needs. A 17 page compilation of just some of their comments is posted at www.palmpistol.com/links/WhatPeopleAreSaying.pdf.

Palm Pistol – What People Are Saying

I also have over 300 units presold with deposits and over 2100 individuals who have registered for more information when the firearm is on the market. I also have had many inquiries from law enforcement who see utility as a highly concealable and ambidextrous backup gun for thwarting a gun grab.

The Palm Pistol(r) and seniors with guns have been the butt of ignorant jokes by many including Jay Leno (The Tonight Show) and Greg Gutfeld (Fox Red Eye) and others.

With luck and continued perseverance, I hope to be laughing all the way to the bank, in spite of the naysayers.

Respectfully,
Matt Carmel