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My Hero, Larry Seecamp

P

pharos

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Joined
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Location
S.W. Nevada
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.
 
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.

iuWQqQdh.jpg
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
ty3NjHDl.jpg
 
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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Bill Lear said:
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.
Click to expand...

Bill, as you say, one tough gun to break down, any of those tools for sale? ;)
 
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 ;)
 
mikerjf said:
I believe the Seecamp was based on the CZ vz45, a 25acp DAO. Great little guns.

....
Click to expand...

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.


MVC-010F.jpg

MVC-012F.jpg
 
ladder13 said:
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.
Click to expand...

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.
 
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