Now Shipping: Heizer PKO45

Written by Jacki Billings

Heizer’s PKO45 is finally slated to hit dealer shelves after a year long release date tug of war.

Heizer took to social media earlier this week to announce shipping details, informing followers that the .45 was finally rolling out of the factory.

The pocket pistol design debuted at the United States Concealed Carry Expo in April 2016 with an original release date ambiguously set for September 2016. After September came and went with no PKO-45 in sight, the company  bumped the shipping deadline forward five months to February 2017. Once more, February passed with no signs of the PKO. With many Heizer Defense fans pondering whether the pistol would ever see the light the day, Heizer quietly began rolling out the handgun to dealers before dropping news of the PKO's arrival on social media earlier this week.

“We are proud to announce that we have shipped our first distributor load today! This is a huge milestone for us, and we are so thankful for our fans patience as we perfected the most advanced pistol to ever hit the market,” the company said in a statement.

The compact's all stainless steel design, touting no plastics or polymers, and fixed barrel grabbed the attention of low maintenance gun owners seeking a “no muss, no fuss” style handgun. The ultra-slim, single action pistol boasts a width of a mere 0.8-inches, but makes up for its lack of width in heft — weighing a hearty 28-ounces. For reference’s sake, that’s more than a full-size Glock 17. The pistol packs an ambidextrous safety alongside a snag-free design to encourage carry.

Currently offered in .45, Heizer explained that 9mm and .380 versions are on the horizon; but there’s no telling when those will actually come to market.

For now, consumers can focus on the fact that the .45 versions are finally here, featuring a price tag of $899.