Bond Arms Question

[Rhetorician]

To whom it may concern:

Just bought a Bond Arms Cowboy Defender 357 / 38 special. I have not been able to get to the gun range yet. I also have a 410 / 45 lc barrel coming.

My questions is for those who have shot or own one: what am I to expect? from shooting it? from owning it?

Hit me with many answers please.

rd

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I own and shoot American Derringers, but they are similar. I doubt you will like it with 357 magnum loads, but 38 spl are fun. Low pressure 45Colt and .410 loads are not bad.

 

[KSDeputy]

They are very well made, but too much money for me to spend for two shots.

 

[Rhetorician]

The Cowboy Defender lists for aroung $490.00. They sell on the internet for $400 to 425. I found this one just surfing at Southern Ohio Guns for $309 and with shipping sent to my FFL was only $324. I thought it could even be an investment. They are outlandishly expensive. But I guess I justified it to myself. Anyway, will get back to you when and after I shoot it. I will start off with the 38 special wadcutters 148 grain and then build up.

Thanks for the comebacks.

rd

 

[Mule Packer]

I've got one in .38/.357. They're a novelty, no doubt about it. Shooting .357's through it is like getting your fingers slammed in the trunk of your car, but .38's are fun.

Like I said, they're a novelty. They're built like a brick shipyard, but, in my opinion, for only two shots, a nice little J-frame is a much better self-defense option.

 

[snuffy51]

Goes with the saying "only difference between men and boys is the price of their toys" and I would love to have one, but I have other priorities right now. They sure are pretty though.

 

[kaaskop49]

I own one with too many additional bbls. Too heavy for any CC use. I did everything I could to lower the weight: removed the trigger guard, installed the 2.5" .45Colt bbl, had the company cut back the frame. Nothing has helped. Frankly, I'm tired of small handguns that are compared to a 'tank,' as they usually have the weight of a tank.

Some folks make good use of it as a snake gun with the .410 bbls installed: more power to them! I adore derringers, yet not one that weighs almost as much as my two 340PDs together. It is well made, and Bond Arms is a wonderful company.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[CH4]

I played with them yesterday at the SHOT Show. Nicely made, but a lousy trigger, and very heavy for 2 rounds. For me and most others, they see most their use at parties and bbqs.

 

[jake1945]

Bond derringers are too high priced for 2 shots. They may be finely crafted, but I don't buy that!

 

[Adk.IBO]

I have one with 2 barrels in the calibers you are inquiring about. The recoil is highly dependent on the grips you use. Mine is a Girl Mini bought at a good price in 38/357. Very quickly replaced the pink grip with the black rubber one from Bond Arms. 357s are no trouble at all in the recoil department. 1/2 price second barrel got me the 3" 45LC/ .410. I use the larger black rubber grips from Bond Arms with this barrel. Very happy. Practice with it as the proper grip is not intuitive and takes getting used to, for me anyway. I have a magnet under the lip of my nightstand where it resides at night that will get me to other fire power if necessary. They make some impressive defense ammo in .410 and .45LC for that matter. Super reliable and well built. I have a pocket holster for the .38/357 set up and a owb holster for the 45LC/.410 set up, although I don't carry it often anymore.

Stay safe, John

 

[Erich]

They are very well made (and safer than the American Derringers, since Bond has the rebounding hammer), but aren't fast for follow-up shots. Hard to find a more compact heavy-hitter, but it's hard to say where it would be especially useful.

 

[kaaskop49]

Hard to find a more compact heavy-hitter, but it's hard to say where it would be especially useful.]

^^^^what he said. No one has said it better.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Erich]

^^^^what he said. No one has said it better.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

Thanks, amigo!

 

[MRH]

I have tinkered with them for years and am not selling mine, but am not using it much either. The 45 ACP barrels - and even 45 ACP shotshells - are so far what I consider the most useful in terms of recoil and effectiveness. I have used the 2-1/2" 410 a good bit on snakes and am not impressed ... 45 Colt shotshells did better in my opinion. I got smart and got a 3" 410 barrel and that thing just hurts. Extremely well made, very safe, significant trigger pull, but a lot of fun.

 

[Jim1392]

I almost bought one awhile back but after speaking to Kaaskop49 I changed my mind. I'm pretty sure he did me a favor. Not to mention after really thinking about it I couldn't figure out a reason to spend that much money on a gun with only two rounds. Other then just to be able to say I own one.

 

[Qc Pistolero]

One of my friend has one in .45Colt/.410.I tried it and while I liked the experience,in my book it is just that;an experience.I don't think I'd invest into one as they are made to be carried a lot and not shot much.I'd be more comfy carrying a 5 shot J frame or Colt Detective(6 shot).The thing is not easy to grip and will shift a lot under recoil even though there is not a lot of it either in regular .45 Colt or even .410 slug.
You definetely have to reposition your hand for the second shot.
I must say though that the little thing is well built.It is a quality gun and,like they say,it is better to have it than having to throw stones.