established in 1989
Mira Loma, California
- 1989 established by Jim Waldorf in Mira Loma, California
- one of the “Ring of Fire” Manufacturers
- 1993 the number one pistol manufacturer in the United States
– produced 341,243 guns - 1996 filed for bankruptcy
-18 pending product liability, personal injury, and wrongful death lawsuits - 1997 emerged from bankruptcy
- 1998 closed
- 1999 Waldorf started Standard Arms in Reno, Nevada
Lorcin Engineering
About Lorcin Engineering
Lorcin Engineering Company was a handgun maker founded by Jim Waldorf in 1989 in Mira Loma, California. It built low-cost semi-automatic pocket pistols, including the L-25 (.25 ACP), L-22 (.22 LR), L-32 (.32 ACP), L-380 (.380 ACP) and L-9mm. Lorcin was one of the Southern California companies grouped as the “Ring of Fire” makers. In 1992 these shops together turned out about 34 percent of all handguns made in the United States, mostly inexpensive models.
Lorcin grew very fast. In 1992 it ranked fifth among U.S. handgun makers, and in 1993 it was the top pistol maker in the country with 341,243 guns. The company’s low prices also brought product liability suits, and ATF trace data put the L-380 among the most often traced crime guns. That history became part of the national “Saturday Night Special” debate. For gun owners the story matters because it shaped later state rules on “unsafe handguns” and drop testing. Lorcin filed for bankruptcy in 1996, came out of it in 1997, and closed in 1998. Waldorf then started Standard Arms of Nevada.
Key Facts
- 1989: Founded by Jim Waldorf in Mira Loma, California
- 1992: Produced 187,761 handguns, fifth among U.S. makers
- 1993: Top U.S. pistol maker with 341,243 guns
- 1996: Filed for bankruptcy with 18 product liability, personal injury and wrongful death suits pending
- 1997: Emerged from bankruptcy
- 1998: Ceased operations
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