trailblazer firearms pivot 9mm. $1795

All efforts to build a new and better firearm are valiant and should be lauded, however we don't see a significant advantage provided by the pivot mechanism in improving compactness. This feels like a prototype and perhaps needs another size-diminishing feature?

When it comes to quickly-deployable collapsible 9MM rifles, the KelTec Sub2000 is the gold standard. So anyone going up against it has to beat it in terms of unfold-to-fire speed, compactness, weight, width, capacity, price point and ease of use. We haven't had a chance to fire the Trailblazer Pivot but from the spec sheet it doesn't outrun the Sub2000 in any of those above mentioned categories, so what's the appeal? Fit and finish, aluminum chassis and cool ergonomics for a high-incomer. It's definitely a looker, but it's absolutely not for the working stiff. Whilst gazing upon it we can't help scratching our heads and asking ourselves...why not just give it a folding stock to achieve the same overall closed length? Waaay simpler, waaaay cheaper!

Trailblazer is an interesting company and have clearly found a niche though I confess I'm not smart enough to understand what it is. Their $400 Lifecard 22LR Folding Single Shot Pistol seemed like an incitement to get yourself shot, stabbed or bludgeoned as you struggle to deploy it, and then it's only a single-shot?! 22LR is a viable self-defense caliber but probably only in volume and if rapidly dispensed i.e. 3 or 4 rounds selectively placed to stop a violent assailant. Against a mammalian attack I'd rather run or climb a tree. Or buy a Ruger Lite Rack 22LR (10 rounds of semi-auto, same price) if I wanted something of comparable compactness.

We typically choose to avoid previewing a new product unless we have something positive to say, so we're not bashing the Pivot, we just think it needs to go back to the drawing board and find a better way to get smaller. And cheaper. View the gun on their WEBSITE here.