It looks like a keychain. Honestly, if you saw it sitting on a coffee table next to a set of car keys, you’d probably try to click it to see if it made a little electronic beep. But it doesn't beep. It fires. The SwissMiniGun is officially the world's smallest gun, and despite its size—coming in at just under 2.2 inches long—it is a fully functional, double-action revolver.
It’s tiny.
We’re talking about a firearm that weighs less than 0.7 ounces. You can hide it in the palm of your hand, which is exactly why the United States government isn't a fan. While collectors in Europe and the Middle East treat these like high-end mechanical watches, the ATF views them through a much more clinical, legalistic lens. To the US authorities, it’s not a masterpiece of Swiss engineering; it’s a dangerous, concealable weapon that fails to meet "sporting purposes" requirements.
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What is the SwissMiniGun exactly?
The official model name is the C1ST. It was created by Paul Erard in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland—a place famous for making the world’s most complicated watches. That heritage shows. Every single internal component is scaled down with the kind of precision you'd expect from a Rolex or a Patek Philippe.
It uses a 2.34mm caliber rimfire cartridge. To give you some perspective, the bullet weighs about 0.13 grams. That is roughly the weight of a couple of grains of rice. It travels at about 400 feet per second. Is it lethal? Technically, yes. Energy-wise, it packs about 0.71 foot-pounds of force. For comparison, a standard .22 Long Rifle round—already considered a "small" caliber—carries about 100 to 140 foot-pounds.
So, it's weak. But physics is physics. If you’re hit in a soft spot at point-blank range, it’s going to do damage.
The engineering behind the world's smallest gun
Most people think "miniature gun" and imagine a toy or a cap gun. The SwissMiniGun is different because it functions exactly like a full-sized Colt Python or a Smith & Wesson. It has a rotating cylinder. It has a hammer that strikes a firing pin. It has a trigger that requires a specific amount of pull weight.
Creating a firing pin that small is a nightmare.
Materials have to be incredibly high-grade because the tolerances are microscopic. If a part is off by a fraction of a millimeter, the timing of the cylinder won't line up with the barrel, and the whole thing becomes a paperweight. The manufacturing process relies on CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machining, but the final assembly is done by hand under magnifying glasses.
Because of this labor-intensive process, these aren't cheap. You aren't picking one of these up at a local sporting goods store for fifty bucks. They usually retail for several thousand dollars, and the gold-plated versions encrusted with diamonds can reach the mid-five figures. It’s a luxury item. It’s "lifestyle" gear for people who have everything else.
Why the ATF banned it
The ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) doesn't care about Swiss craftsmanship. They care about the "Smallest Firearm" title for a different reason: concealability.
Under US law, specifically the Gun Control Act of 1968, imported handguns have to meet a "point system" to be legal for civilian sale. They get points for height, frame construction, and safety features. The SwissMiniGun is so small it literally cannot score enough points. It’s too short. It’s too light.
Furthermore, because the barrel is so short, it’s basically impossible to rifling. Without rifling, it could technically be classified in ways that make it a legal nightmare. But the big kicker is the caliber. The 2.34mm ammunition is proprietary. You can't just buy it at Walmart. The ATF essentially blocked the import because it doesn't serve a "sporting purpose" like hunting or target shooting, and its tiny size makes it a "Saturday Night Special" on steroids in the eyes of regulators.
If you try to bring one into the US, you are looking at federal charges. It’s considered a Class 3 firearm in many contexts, and without the proper import licenses and tax stamps—which are almost never granted for this specific model—it’s a one-way ticket to a felony.
Comparing the SwissMiniGun to historical miniatures
Miniature firearms aren't a new fad. They’ve been around since the 16th century. Back then, apprentice gunsmiths would make "masterpiece" miniatures to prove they had the skill to work on full-sized muskets. If you could make a lock mechanism the size of a fingernail work, you could definitely build a rifle for the king’s army.
- The Berloque Pistol: This is a famous 2mm pinfire pistol from Austria. It’s been around for over 100 years. It’s often sold as a flare gun or a noise-maker. Unlike the SwissMiniGun, it’s a single-shot breech-loader.
- Watchmaker Handguns: In the 1800s, some European watchmakers built "ring guns" that sat on your finger like jewelry. They were terrifyingly impractical but technically impressive.
- The 2mm Pinfire Revolvers: These are the closest cousins to the Swiss model. However, most 2mm pinfires are "antique" or "curio" items. The SwissMiniGun is modern. It uses modern metallurgy and modern propellant.
The main difference is the "Double Action" capability. In a single-action gun, you have to cock the hammer manually for every shot. In a double-action like the SwissMiniGun, pulling the trigger does two things: it cocks the hammer and then releases it. Doing that in a frame that is two inches long is a feat of engineering that basically no one else has replicated successfully at this scale.
Ballistics: Could it actually protect you?
No.
Let's be real. If someone is charging at you, a 0.13-gram bullet moving at 400 fps is not a deterrent. It’s a bee sting. Ballistics experts generally agree that the world's smallest gun lacks the "stopping power" required for self-defense. Most airsoft guns used in backyard games have more kinetic energy than this.
However, the "danger" isn't about stopping a threat; it's about the fact that it is still a projectile. It can penetrate skin. It can cause permanent eye damage. It can, in very specific and unlucky circumstances, hit an artery or a thin part of the skull.
The manufacturer themselves markets it as a "collector's item." They don't want you using it for home defense. They want you to put it in a velvet-lined box and show it to your friends after a nice dinner.
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The Ammunition Problem
You can't just go out and buy a box of 2.34mm rounds. The ammunition is produced specifically for this gun, and it's almost as expensive as the gun itself on a per-round basis.
Each round is a rimfire design. This means the priming compound is spun into the rim of the cartridge. When the firing pin hits the edge, it ignites the powder. Because the cartridge is so small, the amount of powder is microscopic. We’re talking about a few grains.
Because the ammunition is so rare, most owners never actually fire their guns. They buy a "blister pack" of 24 rounds, look at them, and put them in a safe. In the world of high-end collecting, a "fired" SwissMiniGun is actually worth less than a pristine, unfired one.
Misconceptions and Internet Myths
You’ve probably seen the clickbait headlines. "The Gun You Can Hide in a Sandwich!" or "The Tiny Revolver That Can Kill from a Mile Away!"
Both are nonsense.
First, the range is abysmal. You’d be lucky to hit a soda can from five feet away. The barrel isn't long enough to stabilize the bullet, so it starts tumbling almost immediately after leaving the muzzle. Second, while it is small, it’s not "invisible" to X-ray machines. TSA and security professionals are well-trained to spot the distinct shape of a revolver, no matter how small it is.
Another myth is that it was designed for spies. There is zero evidence that any intelligence agency—CIA, MI6, Mossad—ever used the SwissMiniGun. Spies prefer suppressed .22s or specialized gadgets that actually work. A two-inch revolver is a gimmick, not a tactical tool.
How to buy one (if you're not in the US)
If you live in a country with more relaxed import laws for "novelty" firearms or you have a specialized collector's license in the UK or Switzerland, you can contact the manufacturer directly.
- Step 1: Check Local Legality. This is the big one. In many countries, the size of the gun makes it a prohibited weapon because it's "readily concealable."
- Step 2: Find a Dealer. There are very few authorized distributors. Most sales happen through high-end auction houses like Rock Island Auction or directly through the Swiss factory.
- Step 3: Export Permits. Moving a firearm across international borders requires a mountain of paperwork. You'll need an End-User Certificate and an Export License from the Swiss authorities.
- Step 4: The Wait. Because they are handmade, there is often a backlog. You don't just "Add to Cart" and get it in two days.
Practical insights for collectors
If you are a fan of mechanical miniatures, the SwissMiniGun represents the pinnacle of what is possible. It is the intersection of horology and ballistics.
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For those in the United States, the closest you can legally get to this experience is collecting "antique" 2mm pinfire pistols made before 1898, or looking into North American Arms (NAA) mini-revolvers. The NAA revolvers are much larger—about 4 to 5 inches long—but they are legal, functional, and actually useable for target practice. They fire .22 Short or .22 Magnum rounds and are readily available at most gun shops.
If you're dead-set on the "world's smallest" title, stick to the non-firing replicas. There are many high-quality "scale models" that look identical to the C1ST but have a solid barrel and no firing mechanism. These are legal to own, ship, and display without the risk of a visit from federal agents.
Ultimately, the SwissMiniGun is a testament to human obsession with "the smallest." We’ve made the smallest car, the smallest computer, and naturally, we had to make the smallest gun. It serves no practical purpose other than to exist as a marvel of engineering. It’s a conversation starter that, in the wrong country, could end the conversation very quickly with a pair of handcuffs.
What to do if you want to see one
Since you probably can't buy one, your best bet is visiting specialized museums. The Frazier History Museum in Louisville or certain private collections in Europe often have miniature firearms on display. You can also find high-definition videos from "Forgotten Weapons" or other firearms historians who have been lucky enough to handle these rare items in person.
Next Steps for Enthusiasts
For those fascinated by the engineering of miniature firearms, your next logical step is to research the History of 2mm Pinfire Pistols. These are the historical predecessors to the SwissMiniGun and are often legal to own in the US as "antiques" or "non-firearms" depending on their age and design. You can also look into North American Arms if you want a "mini" gun that you can actually legally take to a shooting range. If you are a resident of the US, do not attempt to purchase a SwissMiniGun from an overseas seller; instead, consult with a specialized firearms attorney if you are ever unsure about the legality of a specific miniature in your jurisdiction.