Looks like an interesting "pocket gun"
Backup - Bond Arms

A friend had one in 45 acp. One barrel shot close to point of aim at ten yards. The other barrel shot about 10" lower. It did go bang every time though. Ten yards was likely pushing the intended range of a gun like that. For the price I would prefer a J frame revolver.

Of course it has limitations but I like the fact it's flat, unlike a revolver, & the barrel interchangeability.

While I have a different model (mine is the Texas Defender. I have the .32 H&R Mag and .22 lr barrels.

The .32, even with .32 Shorts has considerable recoil so I keep the .22 barrel in place and shoot it often. Fun gun; very well made and has never failed to fire.

I had their customer service install the "competition trigger spring" as the original one was really stiff.

The trigger pull is now much better but still the motion takes some getting used to as it does not press straight back but more downward.

Their customer service is exceptional and the people are really nice to deal with.

As to the J-frame someone mentioned, I have a 637 also and really like the Bond much better but that is just me.

John
Charlotte, NC

Citroen loves his Bond but that's because he had it "fixed"! Seriously, it's the right move putting the competition trigger on them - THEY ARE HARD TO SHOOT! Top quality guns, they win cowboy action championships routinely, but ya gotta practice!

***GRJ***

I see they make it in 45 Colt... I wonder what a Buffalo Bore 255 grain LSWCHP would feel like.

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Proud anachronism

Don't see the appeal of an 18-19 ounce two shot handgun not really smaller--only thinner--than a five-round J-frame. If you don't like revolvers, why not a small pistol like the Shield?

But that's my opinion of any derringer in a credible self-defense caliber. Can't get past that two-round thing. They bill this one as quick to reload, but I'd rather reduce the chance of needing to.

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Oh well, what the hell.

Thinner is a consideration for some.

These are chubby little guns that hold zero appeal for me, with no disrespect inteded.

Yes, and for them there are small, flat autoloaders that hold six or more rounds. It's the two-round capacity of the derringer that turns me off.

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Oh well, what the hell.

I don't mean this to sound derogatory, and I can't think of the term I actually want to use, but derringers are almost novelty guns IMO. Now, I know they can be (and probably have been) used effectively in self-defense, but IMO they are not a great choice. They are heavy, expensive (comparatively), and have a very limited capacity. I've looked at them several times in my local gun shop, and they don't feel good in my hand.

On the other hand, they are unique in their versatility, and I can see the advantage of having multiple barrels/calibers. I just think there are much better choices for back-up guns, and certainly for primary guns.

All the above posters are correct. Derringers are love'em/hate 'em items. True, they have been superseded in many respects. There is, however, one carry mode never mentioned: the shallow-pocket carry.

Many outer jacket/coat pockets are very shallow. Even a smaller gun such as a J-frame or Glock 26/27 at 6.5" will be too big. Derringers run 5" or a bit less. They are perfect for this hand-in-shallow-pocket carry. Don't believe me? Try leaving a Boulder Strip casino garage at night here in Vegas and see why you might want to have your hand on a derringer in your pocket.

As to the new Bond: too heavy IMO for pocket carry. I've done everything to lighten my Bond: removed the trigger guard, installed the 2.5" .45LC barrel, had the front of the frame cut back by the company... still too heavy. The company and its people are wonderful, BTW, they will do anything within reason to assist a customer. An aluminum frame Bond derringer would interest me greatly.

Okay, okay...practicality aside, derringers have "style points." Sure, there are better self-defense handguns. There are guns that carry more rounds. There are guns that are far more practical. But....derringers are just cool.

They bring to mind the cigar-smoke-filled club room of the big stern wheeler on the Mississippi river, and the dimly-lit Long Branch saloon in Dodge City during the nineteenth century. They're reminiscent of the hideout gun, discreetly tucked in the lace garter of the cat house madam in the French Quarter in New Orleans.

Sure, they aren't practical...but they've got a class of their own. I can tuck my Bond .357 in my vest pocket on a fall evening when I take the dog for her evening walk up the canyon, and I know I'm okay. The booger man is not going to bother me. I am prepared with two venomous tubes of .357.

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Pack light and cinch tight.

I had one in .45 Colt. I bought it to use in pocket gun side matches at SASS shoots. The trigger was very heavy. It was better if pressed at the bottom of the trigger. It was slow to reload and required some effort to cock the hammer. It wasn't bad with .45 cowboy ammo but it was hard to use the crude sights and the grip was small...I thought it was fun as a toy and could be pressed into a defense weapon if needed but not by choice. Those factors and the fact that I would never chose a single action...Two or six shot...as a serious defence gun made it a curio for me. No, for the size and weight, I think there are many better choices. If you just want something to have fun with, it's ok but not for staying above ground.

The Bond Arms is much larger and heavier than a traditional derringer. If all you want is a 'classic' O/U derringer, check out the Cobra. While I don't care for Cobra's other pistols, their derringers are pretty decent. It's more the classic derringer size & weight, it's basically 'watch pocket' size, accuracy is just as good as the Bond Arms and it's also available in multiple calibers... I even found one in 9mm.

Sent from my Transformer TF101

Sorry, I thought the original post was asking about the specifics of the Bond derringer. I like the one I bought very much - period!

I purchased it originally for my wife. Most ladies have some difficulty dealing with a concealed handgun on their person so many do "handbag" carry. That was my intention when I bought it.

I was motivated by several attacks in grocery store parking lots and the fact that my wife, like most ladies I know, seldom wears a belt so purse carry is the best option. Unfortunately she could not cock the single action hammer so it became my "toy" - after I switched to the .22 lr barrel set.

Is it a perfect "self-defense" gun? Hardly. However, I teach that the gun you have with you when you need it is better than the dozen guns in the safe at home. And yes, I have pocket carried the gun when clothing did not lend itself to concealing my normal ATI Titan or my summer Kahr CM9.

It is not the best choice, perhaps, but I have yet to meet the person who expressed a desire to be shot with it.

Like so many other things, you pays your money and you takes your choice. I have a bunch of guns to select from and the Bond expands my options. I would recommend it highly to anyone seeking a well made "classic" little gun from a company that values their customers. No, I have no connection to the company.

John
Charlotte, NC

Well said!

.380 flat auto loaders turn me off....the round is anemic.
A .45 2 shot derringer packs the punch.

What about a small, flat 9mm? Or .40, or even .45 ACP? And which would be more controllable for most shooters?

I'm a revolver guy, I don't care either way. Just don't see the point of a derringer in any respectable SD caliber.

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Oh well, what the hell.