Semmerling LM4: a classic case of too innovative too soon

American Handgunner, Sept-Oct, 2005 by Daniel Dibner

Everything about the Semmerling speaks in the language of quality. These were the days prior to injection-molded polymer frames, aluminum, scandium and epoxy finishes. The Semmerling's weight and feel is definitely old school. Built of the finest materials to be had, each Semmerling frame and slide was X-rayed and Magnafluxed by an independent lab--twice. Once before milling work begins and once when the frame was fully finished. Each Semmerling was essentially hand made with production averaging a little over ten pieces a month.

Every gun was proof tested and sent to the range for at least a dozen rounds of tuning before being sent out. The Semmerling is fashioned out of 33 parts (including screws) making it one of the simplest guns ever made. All the points of failure on a semiauto have been designed out of the Semmerling. Shock-resistant S-7 specialty steel was selected for everything except the stress-relieved "rocket wire" springs. S-7 material is super tough and accounted for only three extractors and one magazine ever to known to have failed. Production was always sold out, with people waiting months for their Semmerlings and the price climbed quickly. If you can find a Semmerling today there is an excellent chance the vast majority of its serviceable life can still be enjoyed.

Good As Gold

In its standard configuration, the Semmerling LM4 came in a matte black color, with the slide frames detailed in a high polish. The company also offered a complete high polish blued model as well as the hard chrome plated variant. Grips were available in plastic, Ebony or Cocobolo with a "thin kit" steel side plate available as well. There was a two-stage trigger available and both a gun and magazine holster were made.

Semmerlings can be found, all one has to do is look hard and bring a lot of cash. A perfect example was offered by Jay Hansen of Hansen & Hansen in early 2005 and was quickly snapped up for $2,500. Jay, the current Executive Director of the Ruger Collectors Association, commented that most of the Semmerlings he sees come out of the original purchaser's estate at a rate of about one every couple of years. Even at that price, a fine Semmerling enjoys a strong market and knowledgeable people are always on the lookout.

Those interested in a Semmeding will quickly come to find a stainless version is currently being marketed by American Derringer Corporation. It appears A.D.C. purchased the rights to produce the LM4 and have been making them for almost a decade. Neither Taps nor I have ever seen an A.D.C. version but when I mentioned it, Taps pulled out a Model 1 A.D.C. with an unusual .357 magnum over .45 ACP configuration.

"I've carried this on and off since '82. It's a nice small piece. If their quality is as good as this, it would be worth looking into." It was time to go. Everything cleaned, oiled and set neatly in place, the vault exhaling one last sigh of Hoppes No. 9 as the 6-foot door swung closed.

Upon closing the vault I couldn't help but notice the old silicon gel container located within the vault. I have admired it for years. They sure don't make 'em like that any more. In fact, when did they ever make them out of stainless with brass handles? "Soviet torpedo boats, this was pulled off an Egyptian P-6 in the early '70s. I charge it twice a year and that's it, thirty years and zero rust," Taps said matter-of-factly. I could have asked him how he ended up with it, but we'll leave that for another day.