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However, unlike almost all automatic pistols, the gun did not automatically reload its own firing chamber. To fire repeat shots, the shooter had to cycle the action by hand, which effectively makes the gun a manually operated repeater. The designers set out to build the smallest, lightest, most reliable .45 pistol possible and quickly determined that the size limits they imposed on themselves didn’t allow enough space for the repeating mechanism they wanted. This made them abandoned the idea of a semi-auto. While I have no experience with the Semmerling, my buddy, the late Chuck Karwan fired one extensively during his service with Special Forces. He told me that it worked, kicked and couldn’t keep up with a good mini-revolver. American Derringer of Texas still lists the gun in their catalog, but I haven’t seen one yet.