1982 – 1999
Chino, California
- 1982 established by Jim Davis in Chino, California
– previously been the office manager at Raven Arms
– also Jennings’ son-in-law - sold pocket pistol clones of Raven Arms
– in larger calibers (.32acp & .380acp) - sold derringers based on the Remington Design
- one of the “Ring of Fire” Manufacturers
- 1999, Davis filed for bankruptcy and went out of business
Davis Industries
About Davis Industries
Davis Industries was a California handgun maker founded by Jim Davis in 1982 and based in Chino. It made small, inexpensive pocket guns. The best known were the P-32 (.32 ACP, introduced in 1986), the P-380 (.380 ACP, 1991), and a long line of two-shot derringers in calibers from .22 LR to .38 Special and 9mm. Davis was one of the “Ring of Fire” manufacturers in the Los Angeles area. In 1992 it was the fourth-largest handgun producer in the United States.
Davis pistols were sold at low prices, which made them a common first or backup gun for budget-minded buyers. The same price point put the company at the center of the 1990s “Saturday Night Special” debate and of product liability suits. Davis filed for bankruptcy in 1999. Cobra Firearms later bought the rights and tooling, so updated versions of the Davis derringer and pocket pistol designs stayed on the market after the original company closed.
Key Facts
- 1982: Founded by Jim Davis in Chino, California
- 1986: P-32 pistol and D-Series derringers introduced
- 1991: P-380 pistol introduced
- 1992: Fourth-largest U.S. handgun producer
- 1999: Filed for bankruptcy
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