Here it is next to my S&W M-60-2-NY, which is about as small as I care to go for an effective defensive weapon. If we're talking desperate, then some sort of derringer can be considered. It's only two shots of .22 magnum (the availability of FMJ hollowpoints keeps it interesting), but it has the advantage of less bulk, and a slimmer profile.
Lifting the latch "breaks" the barrel, and if you do it smartly, might even eject the fired brass. However, I don't see any encounter using a derringer needing more than two shots, one way or another.
For me, the most important features are the flat profile, and absence of any moving external parts, except for the trigger itself. This allows for a better chance of firing from a pocket, without the risk of something getting wrapped around the hammer of cylinder. It is also quite likely to set your clothes on fire, but that would be only a minor inconvenience in that kind of situation.
I've seen min-revolvers smaller than this, old-time derringers, and some big honkin' modern ones:
Now that's a solid, well-made weapon firing a round not to be sneezed at. A handgun that shoots .410s is some series firepower. But it comes at the cost of larger size, an external hammer, manual safety, and trigger guard. For me, it's approaching the envelope size of a sub-compact 9mm, or even .45. But that takes me away from my original requirement, which is two rounds of something in the smallest possible package that still allows for reliability, and the least number of exposed moving parts.
Actually, considering liability lawyers and the government, it might be impossible to make the DM101 today, so I'd better keep mine in good shape. Fortunately, it's very simple internally:
The only safety on the weapon is a extremely hugh trigger pull. It doesn't look it in the diagram, but part number 1958, the mainspring, looks like it came off a truck suspension. It gives a trigger pull of 25-30 pounds. It's long, heavy, and grating, and doesn't lend itself to the fine motor skills of my trigger finger. I've found it easier to fire it using my middle finger, with my index finger acting as a "pointer".
I decided to see if I could improve the trigger pull a bit without compromising safety or reliability. I carefully polished some parts that showed drag marks, and applied a tiny bit of moly grease on pivot points and sliding surfaces.
I had to use my postage scale to check the trigger pull, since it goes up to 40 pounds. After the trigger tuneup, it registered 18 pounds.
Now 18 pounds of trigger pull might seem a bit "light" when it comes to something with no trigger guard, and no other safety. But 18 pounds is also what my scoped H&K-91 weighs with a loaded magazine. The "improved" trigger pull on this derringer is the equivalent of lifting that rifle with one finger. I think the safety issue is sufficiently covered.
I hope I didn't offend anybody's "pet" hideout weapon. We all have different criteria, and the High Standard comes closest to what I'm looking for. It would have been a real cutie in stainless steel.
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If you're still reading at this point, the following bit of news has nothing to do with guns, but it does concern our Hobbit Hole knife program, which is still functional, even though it has a much lower profile.
The Gerber LMF has always been a popular knife, and I grabbed as many as I could when there were good deals. So the other day I received an email from a dealer announcing a "closeout" on a variation of the LMF I had never seen before. The original aircrew model in "coyote" had the separate shroud cutter, while the later "infantry" model, in black, didn't.
Now, all of a sudden, there was a green model being closed out:
At half off MSRP. I bought two, just to have for the "special occasion". The "closeout" knife was not green, but the new Army ACU model in foliage green;
The Army is becoming anal about color fidelity when it comes to the ACU camouflage pattern, and all of the exposed surfaces of this knife setup are the proper shade of foliage green authorized for use with ACU. It's a difficult color to reproduce accurately here, so I tweaked the image as best I could. It's the correct color match for ACU gear, in this case my P90 mag pouch.
So if you know anybody in the ARMY who would like a Hobbit Hole sheath knife, this one is kosher. I ordered six more (I hope I still get "foliage green", and not the "green green"), so we will have a decent supply. Keep this knife in mind if you come across any deserving Soldiers. Marines will just have to make do with our other Hobbit Hole sheath knives.