An infrared thermometer is disclosed comprising a first housing member having an interior chamber, and housing a sensor mounted within the chamber for sensing temperature change and generating an indicative electrical signal, means for directing infrared radiation from the object to be measured to the sensor, a shutter assembly for controlling the passing of infrared radiation to the sensor, an ambient temperature sensor for sensing ambient temperature within the interior chamber and generating an electrical signal indicative thereof, an electrical circuit for processing the electrical signals to calculate the temperature of the object to be measured, and an indicator for indicating the calculated temperature. A second hollow housing member operatively connected to the first housing member by a hinge. The second housing member is adapted to serve as a protective area for the probe of the IR thermometer inside the hollow configuration thereof and to serve as the lower portion of a pistol type grip when the IR thermometer is being operated by a user.