I’m older now, and Larry’s gone, but if I had a hero, it would be Larry Seecamp. Here was a guy that wore old clothes, drove an older car, worked sometimes 7 day weeks, loved reading and good music, and was so concerned about his customers getting a good product, that he, himself, carried a cosmetic reject. Yes, you can still buy a Seecamp, but it won’t be made by Larry or his 7 man crew.

I still have lots of guns, but my old Seecamp is still my favorite. Not the most practical by a long shot, but hand-made by an old-world craftsman who knew how to make things. There aren’t many out there, that aren’t motivated by profit, at the expense of quality.

I always wanted a Seecamp but never did get around to it. Probably out of the ballpark for me, especially an older one.

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“Look life in its iron face”

There is literally nothing like those little pistols. I'd be curious to know more about the double action (I think that is correct) modification Seecamp invented for the 1911 platform.

I believe the Seecamp was based on the CZ vz45, a 25acp DAO. Great little guns.

The DA 1911 mod was cool, but I’ve heard the DA part was pretty heavy. SA part was basically stock 1911, just shaved down.

Always wanted one back in the 90s when u couldn’t find one, and if u did u probably couldn’t afford it. I flirted with the idea of a NAA .32 but never bought it. Eventually I settled for a Beretta Tomcat .32.

The Seecamp is a fine pistol for it’s intended purpose. My son has a Southwick; I have a Milford, both .32 a.c.p.’s. There are no discernible differences between the two guns. I would not pay a premium for a Milford made gun.

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He's also responsible for the captured recoil spring design for which he sued Glock for patent infrigement.

From the very first run of 380’s.

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Sure you did

Had a .25 and regret selling it. Will never part with my Milford .32.

In the ‘90s I wanted a Seecamp .32 as a backup gun, but there was no way I could afford one on what the county was paying me. Heck, I couldn’t even find one for sale around here. I ended up with the KelTec P-32. I still carry .32 Silvertips in the P-32, because that was the recommended load for the Seecamp.

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Wheel guns are real guns.

Norm Paulton, a member of this group, was good friends with Larry and introduced me to him at a GS in the Northeast. I had my gunshop at that time and started having customers 45's converted to double action. This was back when he only had the 25acp. Did a bunch and none ever stuck to my fingers.
Joe D.

I'm pretty fond of Mr Seecamp's work as well. I've been looking for a 25 - just to have one, but I've never considered a 380. It's much more suited to the 32 in my opinion. I picked up this DA/SA conversion Combat Commander a year or so ago.

I never leave home without my .32 in a back pocket holster.

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Bill

Larry Seecamp was an innovator, and a helluva nice guy. The gun industry lost a giant.

I do have a 32 also but not an original Seecamp.

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Sure you did

I heard about the Seecamp .32 for decades and never thought I've ever see one in person, until suddenly they appeared in stock on Bud's - the CA approved model no less! To my surprise the price was amazingly low - around $443 IIRC!

As with all things guns, the original builds have been exalted being the best there ever was and ever can be, however, the model I have (Southwick) is quite excellent in all respects. It came with a high polish finish both inside and out, trigger pull is quite light, and I actually LIKE the California trigger because it's a nice little safety lock for when you want to put the gun up but not unloaded it - it reminds you it is loaded! The Seecamp is so tiny, and the slide so small it's difficult to chamber - especially as hands age.
The only "negative to the Seecamp is the convoluted process of removing the slide which requires about three hands with two extra thumbs. So I invented a "tool" that drops down over the slide, with two large handles that allow the slide to be easily retracted the distance of a .32 shell width, then a button pressed to release the slide and lift it right off! It makes the process of slide removal so easy it's "fun" to pop on the tool, remove the slide, then pop it right back on! The tool is also useful for chambering and ejecting chambered rounds.

The Seecamp .32 is so small and light it can be carried in the pocket of a T-shirt!

Technology-wise, Seecamp used a slightly flaired chamber which delays slide opening during the high pressure phase of firing and allows the gun to get away being both blow-back and have a lightweight slide.

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I paid somewhere near $750 for my 380. It was one of the first off the line by Larry and I wanted it just for that reason so I anted up.

Larry was doing custom serial #’s for $35. I got my initials and birth year put on mine. I guess it will be put into my casket.

I have correspondence from Larry himself from initial ordering to delivery. He always was hands on.

Just before Wuhan I saw them for ~ 500 at a large volume somewhat local dealer.
He had dozens of 32 and 380. Subsequent trips during Wuhan, he had none.

No regrets.

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Sure you did

Bill, as you say, one tough gun to break down, any of those tools for sale?

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Sure you did

I lusted after one for a long time. I finally snagged one here on the forum. It is a new favorite for dressy-dress clothes.

If there weren't an ammo drought in 380, I would shoot mine more

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On the Oak Savannah

I have one of the CZ45 25acp pistols. Carry it alot.
I met Louis Seecamp when I worked at Pedersen early 70's . He was just about to retire from Mossberg wher he had worked since coming from Germany in the late 40's/early 50's. Nice guy and great gun designer.
I think the orig little 25 Seecamp DA was Louis's (Ludwig) design.

I'd like to get a 380 Seecamp. I have a 32 model and paid $550 for it new a few months ago.

I've only ever saw one 380, but since it is not on the California approved roster, I can't buy it. It was in the LEO only section of a gun store's display cabinet about 1 month ago.

With California's screwy gun laws I'll have to wait until I can buy a 380 used from another California resident.

I have never had the diñero to get a Seecamp, but noted with interest that someone mentioned their Keltec P32. I probably only have 100 rounds through mine but it has been flawless. Very light - I’m sure compared to the Seecamp - and MecGar mags (same as the Beretta 3032) to keep it running smoothly. The über-street savvy here will probably laugh about some old geezer carrying a P32, but it sure beats a sharp stick!!

Added a link to allow others to see my slide removal tool in action.
The link is safe - it's to my Google Drive.

20200817_201316.mp4 - Google Drive

Here is mine. Great little gun. That target was at seven yards and typical for this gun. Back when I did traffic stops, I sometimes had it between the palm of my hand and my traffic cite book; out of sight, but immediately available.

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We're the reverse. My son owns a Milford; I own a Southwick. We shoot out back together on week ends. Absolutely no difference in quality, fit, finish, and performance between the two. Over on the Seecamp forum, I'm one of the "high round count" guys. Last month I put a box pf PMC Bronze through the Southwick to put the little gun over 2,800 rounds.

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John

As some have said, the Southwick guns are every bit as fine as the Milford guns.

They are great pocket guns. Sometimes the only gun I have with me.

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Sure you did

First - let me say to Bill Lear you should patent that tool and find a way to get in production - or try and partner with the brothers at Southwick. While the Seecamp community is small your gizmo would be readily welcomed I’m sure. Post it on the Seecamp Forum where a whole cottage industry sprung up over the years with people making and selling holsters, grips, magazine extensions, etc.
Next if I may, a hopefully brief enough personal Seecamp history. I met Larry when I was a young policeman spending an off duty day at the public shooting range near New Haven (pre .25 production). I was walking to the snack bar and saw a rather scraggly fellow sitting at a handgun bench with two cardboard boxes. He had cigarette butts shoved in his ears for plugs. He was picking 1911s out of one box and ammo out of another - shooting the gun - and then speaking into a handheld tape recorder. I stopped to watch. I realized what the guns were from the pages of gun magazines. I asked if they were Seecamp’s and Larry introduced himself and said he was test firing a batch of conversions and recording his notes. He let me shoot one. I should have given him my Lightweight Commander to make one for me. Long story short Larry made me one of the first personalized .25s and it was my police backup for many years.
I met his folks - his Dad thought my wife had the prettiest eyes and made her a personalized, polished and lightened trigger pull .25 which was her 25th birthday present, and the serial was her name xxx 25. Larry said it was the only full polish .25 to leave the shop out of the roughly 5,000 made before they switched to .32
His Dad showed me many guns he had customized and a 9mm prototype that never went into production. I brought Larry many of my co-workers who bought .25s and later .32s for backup or off duty. My .32 was a prototype and subsequently replaced with a production model which I requested to be two tone and to skip the “restricted edition” stamp on the slide which I now regret as I have a matched serial set - before the ATF told Larry he couldn’t repeat serial numbers (nonsense - two or three different model numbers and Colt and others made matched sets). I’m proud to say I knew Larry through good and bad times. He never married he focused on taking care of his parents. He thus had no kids or other family to take the reigns. He was firmly committed to building a product people could use to protect themselves and he had some stories of people that did around the world. Others have commented in this thread about his work habits and him personally and they are all spot on. He was a great guy who I think would be ok with the direction his company has taken. I only found out about his passing after the fact and regret not seeing him more after the company was sold. RIP Larry.

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I want one of those.

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Sure you did

What he ^ said, but I want two please.

I have a pair in .32 ACP one black and one bright. I love them. Even qual'd with them (3 to 25 yards). 50 rounds and your palm hurts.

Looks like you 3-D FDM printed that. Nice job! If interested you can also send it out to various 3-D printer shops that use laser sintered nylon. Nylon glass filled is a little brittle but nylon-12 is a little pliable and tough. A part like that would probably run you $10-$15.

I’m in for two also.

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Sure you did

I would certainly purchase one of these tools if they were available for sale.

The photo version is printed using ABS because it's just really tough, ready-to-go material that has excellent material properties. It can also be vapor smoothed for that "just out of the mould" look. It has to be printed around 240 C and an enclosure is advisable - or a draft shield. But ABS just feels good in the hand.

I've tested TPU flexible filament with the result being a strong, part that gives like it's made from heavy, almost inflexible rubber with the right fill %.

I invented this tool a couple of years back, but Covid kind side-tracked my thoughts about offering it for sale. But it IS just as easy to use as shown in video - only took a dozen or so prototypes to get the release button feel and feedback just right. I thought of sending samples out to those doing video reviews. The tool is something I suspect EVERY Seecamp owner would want once they see it in action, though, I don't know if there are subtle differences between the Milford production and Southwick, because it's designed to fit the Milford current production precisely.

“ I don't know if there are subtle differences between the Milford production and Southwick, because it's designed to fit the Milford current production precisely.”


Milford was the original place of manufacture, Southwick is the current spot. Sell me one of your tools, I have access to both versions of the gun.

They are sweet pistols, indeed. I've had this one a long time; I should shoot it more. It's been a very long time.

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Come and take it!!

We don't use ABS because, as you say, you need an enclosure. And ABS can be a bit brittle. We use a bunch of different FDM materials for our printers and also have an SLS printer that we use to make molds for urethane parts. We've had a lot of success using sintering with the various nylons - we have them dyed black for cosmetic looks. Our stuff has to be stable with heat, cold, UV etc for military/defense use. If I can help you just send me a PM. We use solidworks. BTW we use a urethane FDM for making fist load weapons like bottles, flashlights, and staplers for training in defensive tactics. If you keep the fill low they are durable yet soft enough not to split someone's forehead open.

Because of this discussion about Seecamps, I was prompted to search out some new ammunition for my .380 version, and SGAmmo has Winchester .380 Silvertips for about $20 per box, which is as cheap as I have seen it lately.

I have no interest in this company, just passing this along in case somebody out there reading this thread says to themselves, "Geeze - I really should practice some with my Seecamp."

And I'll offer a little tip - we call this redneck stippling, but a small strip of 3M tread tape (usually used on ladders and that sort of thing) below the trigger guard really improves the grip on the Seecamp. This particular little gun is obviously a Walther PPK, but you get the idea. This tape is really durable and comes off cleanly, but I have seen it hold up for years.

Start making a list and put me on it please! I'd like one or two of those tools, like everyone else. The demand is certainly there.

If you Seecamp owners have no luck buying one of Bill Lear’s take down tools be advised a Glock tool (3/32” punch) works perfectly to punch the Seecamp slide release. The Glock tool is about $8.00.

If I had the skills I’d be making that tool and selling boatloads of em’.

Wait, who’s the guy that makes the sight pushers, maybe he can gear up.

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Sure you did

Larry was a rare breed that few can live up to.

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I'm only allowed 30 characters

I’ll add to my earlier post - I see a couple here have mentioned the .380. Larry offered me one when they first were being produced. He had me shoot one in his test range (a closet lined with egg shell foam and a bullet stop box / drum). It wacked my trigger finger so hard I said “no thanks Larry”. That and the police price was more than I could afford at the time. Silly me …. I could have had the coveted “trifecta” that collectors on the Seecamp Forum gush about. And they would have all had the same serial number….. Hindsight …

Yep, I'd be interested in one of those slick tools too.
I don't even have a Seecamp pistol yet, but one is in my future!

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A Future and A Hope.

Nice little pistols …