Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	American Derringer Corporation More Info

About the Gun

American Derringer's LM4 offering is the current production version of the original Semmerling LM-4 design by Philip Lichtman, with rights acquired by American Derringer Corporation after the original Semmerling Corp. ceased operations.

Production

Limited production in the 1990s. Current production status is unknown.

Market value

The last available MSRP was $4,250. The current used value at 95% can reach $2,100.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	.45 Automatic
Alias:	.45 Automatic Colt Pistol (ACP)
More Info

Analysis

The American Derringer LM4 retains the original Semmerling LM-4's manually operated, locked-breech action, eliminating semi-automatic cycling to achieve extreme compactness and absolute reliability with full-power .45 ACP loads. The shooter manually cycles the slide forward to eject the spent case and backward to chamber the next round using serrations on the top and sides (typically with the off-hand thumb), followed by a double-action-only trigger pull to fire each shot. This deliberate two-handed technique requires practice for speed but removes potential malfunctions from recoil or fouling. The pistol holds 5 rounds total (one in chamber + 4 in the proprietary single-stack magazine), weighs 24 ounces loaded, and measures 5.2 inches overall with a 3.5–3.7-inch barrel. No manual safety, decocker, or slide lock exists; the protruding extractor indicates a loaded chamber. Production remains extremely limited—special order only from American Derringer. The design prioritizes deep concealment and stopping power over rapid fire convenience.