ASP (handgun)
Encyclopedia
The ASP was a custom made handgun
designed and built by Paris Theodore
, owner of Seventrees, Ltd. a custom gun leather shop in New York
from 1975 to 1987. The ASP was based on the Smith & Wesson Model 39 pistol
. The ASP featured clear Lexan
grips allowing the shooter to see how much ammunition is left, a rounded hammer, hooked triggerguard and no front sight. The ASP was responsible for later innovations made in the development of concealable handguns.
The ASP was a reworked Smith & Wesson Model 39 or 39-2, employing a shortened slide
; a fixed bushing (in lieu of the Smith and Wesson designed collet
bushing); the unique Guttersnipe sight system; clear Lexan
grip-panels; a fully ramped and throated, shortened barrel
; and a smoothed and radiused profile to ensure no risk of snagging on the draw.
The fixed bushing was tightly fitted to the shortened barrel and dry-lubricated by Teflon-S, which was applied to all components of the pistol
, with the exception of the clear Lexan grip panels. Teflon-S is regarded as safe for handling, but not for use in cooking
appliance
s and utensils. It is somewhat more durable than more typical Teflon formulations. Teflon-S is occasionally found on the blades of gardening
implements. The unique sighting system, referred to as the "Guttersnipe", was a narrowing U-channel with fluorescent
yellow panels that would form three triangles, all pointed at the target when the sight was properly aligned.
Checkering was kept to a minimum, and reserved for the frontstrap and backstrap, as opposed to the grip panels, which were smooth to prevent the drawing hand from catching prematurely on draw, thereby minimizing the risk of any misalignment of the pistol during presentation, aiming, and firing.
The ASP 9 mm handgun was made in either right-handed, or left-handed models, as the extended trigger guard
(which included a recurved hook for the index finger
of the supporting hand — one of the earliest known instances of such a feature) was cut away on the side of the strong-sided hand (which would depend on the handedness of the individual purchasing the weapon
).
Included with the gun was a patented double magazine pouch which used a magnet to hold the spare magazines in place. The cost for the complete ASP modification package on a customer-supplied gun was $475. Production of holster
s and magazine
carriers for the ASP 9 mm were contracted out to Ken Null, who still produces those designs. Theodore ceased production of the ASP in 1987.
The wood grips featured a clear lexan insert, allowing the shooter a visual account of the number of rounds in the magazine. The pistols were coated in an electroless nickel finish and featured traditional sights. Kelsey sent a sample gun to Smith & Wesson, for a factory agreement to produce these pistols on a large scale. An agreement was never reached, yet several of Kelsey's improvements were incorporated into the S&W 3913.
Handgun
A handgun is a firearm designed to be held and operated by one hand. This characteristic differentiates handguns as a general class of firearms from long guns such as rifles and shotguns ....
designed and built by Paris Theodore
Paris Theodore
Paris Theodore was an American inventor of innovative gun holsters and state-of-the-art firearms and shooting techniques used by government agents and police departments in the U.S...
, owner of Seventrees, Ltd. a custom gun leather shop in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
from 1975 to 1987. The ASP was based on the Smith & Wesson Model 39 pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
. The ASP featured clear Lexan
Lexan
Lexan is a registered trademark for SABIC Innovative Plastics' brand of polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. Polycarbonate polymer is produced by reacting bisphenol A with carbonyl dichloride, also known as phosgene. Lexan is the brand name for polycarbonate sheet and resin in a wide range of grades...
grips allowing the shooter to see how much ammunition is left, a rounded hammer, hooked triggerguard and no front sight. The ASP was responsible for later innovations made in the development of concealable handguns.
Specifications
- Type: Semi-automatic, locked breech, double action
- Caliber: 9 mm Parabellum
- Mass: 680g (24oz)
- Barrel length: 82.5 mm (3.25 in)
- Capacity: 7 Rounds
The ASP was a reworked Smith & Wesson Model 39 or 39-2, employing a shortened slide
Pistol slide
The slide is the part of the weapon on a majority of semi-automatic pistols that moves during the operating cycle and generally houses the firing pin or striker and the extractor, and serves as the bolt...
; a fixed bushing (in lieu of the Smith and Wesson designed collet
Collet
A collet is a holding device—specifically, a subtype of chuck—that forms a collar around the object to be held and exerts a strong clamping force on the object when it is tightened, usually via a tapered outer collar. It may be used to hold a workpiece or a tool.A collet is a sleeve with a ...
bushing); the unique Guttersnipe sight system; clear Lexan
Lexan
Lexan is a registered trademark for SABIC Innovative Plastics' brand of polycarbonate resin thermoplastic. Polycarbonate polymer is produced by reacting bisphenol A with carbonyl dichloride, also known as phosgene. Lexan is the brand name for polycarbonate sheet and resin in a wide range of grades...
grip-panels; a fully ramped and throated, shortened barrel
Gun barrel
A gun barrel is the tube, usually metal, through which a controlled explosion or rapid expansion of gases are released in order to propel a projectile out of the end at a high velocity....
; and a smoothed and radiused profile to ensure no risk of snagging on the draw.
The fixed bushing was tightly fitted to the shortened barrel and dry-lubricated by Teflon-S, which was applied to all components of the pistol
Pistol
When distinguished as a subset of handguns, a pistol is a handgun with a chamber that is integral with the barrel, as opposed to a revolver, wherein the chamber is separate from the barrel as a revolving cylinder. Typically, pistols have an effective range of about 100 feet.-History:The pistol...
, with the exception of the clear Lexan grip panels. Teflon-S is regarded as safe for handling, but not for use in cooking
Cooking
Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...
appliance
Home appliance
Home appliances are electrical/mechanical machines which accomplish some household functions, such as cooking or cleaning. Home appliances can be classified into:*Major appliances, or White goods*Small appliances, or Brown goods...
s and utensils. It is somewhat more durable than more typical Teflon formulations. Teflon-S is occasionally found on the blades of gardening
Gardening
Gardening is the practice of growing and cultivating plants. Ornamental plants are normally grown for their flowers, foliage, or overall appearance; useful plants are grown for consumption , for their dyes, or for medicinal or cosmetic use...
implements. The unique sighting system, referred to as the "Guttersnipe", was a narrowing U-channel with fluorescent
Fluorescence
Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength. It is a form of luminescence. In most cases, emitted light has a longer wavelength, and therefore lower energy, than the absorbed radiation...
yellow panels that would form three triangles, all pointed at the target when the sight was properly aligned.
Checkering was kept to a minimum, and reserved for the frontstrap and backstrap, as opposed to the grip panels, which were smooth to prevent the drawing hand from catching prematurely on draw, thereby minimizing the risk of any misalignment of the pistol during presentation, aiming, and firing.
The ASP 9 mm handgun was made in either right-handed, or left-handed models, as the extended trigger guard
Trigger guard
A trigger guard is a loop surrounding the trigger of a firearm and protecting it from accidental discharge.Some assault rifles can have their trigger guard removed or positioned as not to impair firing with gloves for example in Arctic conditions....
(which included a recurved hook for the index finger
Index finger
The index finger, , is the first finger and the second digit of a human hand. It is located between the first and third digits, between the thumb and the middle finger...
of the supporting hand — one of the earliest known instances of such a feature) was cut away on the side of the strong-sided hand (which would depend on the handedness of the individual purchasing the weapon
Weapon
A weapon, arm, or armament is a tool or instrument used with the aim of causing damage or harm to living beings or artificial structures or systems...
).
Included with the gun was a patented double magazine pouch which used a magnet to hold the spare magazines in place. The cost for the complete ASP modification package on a customer-supplied gun was $475. Production of holster
Holster
A handgun holster is a device used to hold or restrict the undesired movement of a handgun, most commonly in a location where it can be easily withdrawn for immediate use.-Function:...
s and magazine
Magazine (firearm)
A magazine is an ammunition storage and feeding device within or attached to a repeating firearm. Magazines may be integral to the firearm or removable . The magazine functions by moving the cartridges stored in the magazine into a position where they may be loaded into the chamber by the action...
carriers for the ASP 9 mm were contracted out to Ken Null, who still produces those designs. Theodore ceased production of the ASP in 1987.
Devel pistol
In 1976 a gunsmith from Cleveland, Ohio, named Charles Kelsey ordered an ASP pistol and never received one. His experience lead him to develop an improved version of the ASP. Working with Firearms Instructor Ken Hackathorn, he developed the Devel pistol.The wood grips featured a clear lexan insert, allowing the shooter a visual account of the number of rounds in the magazine. The pistols were coated in an electroless nickel finish and featured traditional sights. Kelsey sent a sample gun to Smith & Wesson, for a factory agreement to produce these pistols on a large scale. An agreement was never reached, yet several of Kelsey's improvements were incorporated into the S&W 3913.