Cops hated the COP Derringer,Invented by Robert Hillberg in 1983, the COP derringer was a four barre

Cops hated the COP Derringer,Invented by Robert Hillberg in 1983, the COP derringer was a four barreled pistol based on his earlier four barrel shotgun design called the Winchester Liberator. Chambered in .357 Magnum, this powerful little pistol used a sliding latch that caused the breech to pop up for loading.  The firing mechanism of the pistol was double action, and with each pull of the trigger the firing pin would rotate from one chamber to the next.  While a futuristic looking design, the COP Derringer hearkened back to a similar four barrel derringer made by C. Sharps in the mid 19th century.The advantages of the COP Derringer were that it was very small and concealable while offering excellent power in .357.  As a result it was often marketed as a backup gun for police officers and other law enforcement (COP stood for “compact off duty pistol”).  However the COP Derringer was a 19th century design competing in the modern world.  While compact the COP was very heavy due to its four barrel design, which was created through milled machining.  The COP also had a hard recoil, and was extremely inaccurate.  It was impossible to sight the pistol in, as each barrel had its own ballistic characteristics.  The trigger pull of the double action mechanism was very strong, stronger than even cheap revolvers.  Most importantly the pistol’s four shot capacity was a big turnoff.  At the time many excellent snubnosed designs were on the market which could hold five or six rounds, while subcompact semi-automatics also became available using detachable magazines. The COP was also twice the price of traditional revolvers and semi auto pistols. As a result the COP Derringer was a flop that failed to sell in great numbers. Very few law enforcement officers purchased them, which was devastating for Hillberg since so much time and money was spent marketing them to the law enforcement community.  Most COP derringers sold were sold to civilians, who bought them as a pricey novelty. -- source link

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