BearBio
Member
I just can not imagine firing one of those Bond Arms or whatever in 44 or 45 caliber! Ouchie Momma!
I have fired on years ago==your worst imagination might be close.
Any recommendations for a Derringer?
- Thread starter TheHobbyist
- Start date
I have fired on years ago==your worst imagination might be close.
I still have this one...purchased way back in the late '70s.
It has been fired 4 times only. I kept it as a reminder of dumb things I have done in the past.
Of course when I test fired it, I just had to load it with 125 gr full magnum
rounds.
It has been fired 4 times only. I kept it as a reminder of dumb things I have done in the past.
Of course when I test fired it, I just had to load it with 125 gr full magnum
rounds.
I still have this one...purchased way back in the late '70s.
It has been fired 4 times only. I kept it as a reminder of dumb things I have done in the past.
Of course when I test fired it, I just had to load it with 125 gr full magnum
rounds.
What is it? the picture is reversed or something?
Alpo
Member
I don't know if that picture is reversed or not, but that's a COP. Compact Off-duty Police. 4-shot 357.
First time I shot a derringer, it was an ADC in 45 Colt. I forgot to latch the frame. I have no idea where the bullet went, but when I came down out of recoil, the barrels were pointing at me. They had flipped completely up and over. That was just the standard 45 Colt round. The guy that owned it said he carried Cor-Bons in it. It was his "always with me" gun.
First time I shot a derringer, it was an ADC in 45 Colt. I forgot to latch the frame. I have no idea where the bullet went, but when I came down out of recoil, the barrels were pointing at me. They had flipped completely up and over. That was just the standard 45 Colt round. The guy that owned it said he carried Cor-Bons in it. It was his "always with me" gun.
oldafsp, man that had to leave a mark.
Dave Nash
Member
- Joined
- Mar 7, 2009
- Messages
- 110
- Reaction score
- 474
“TheHobbyist”
As to “recommendations” regarding a derringer (and only in something other than a RF chambering), here are a few thoughts (and maybe a couple of reiterations) about them.
Things have gotten better since the days of the original two-barrel, over-and-under Remington pattern that many of them are based on. Some people do still shoot the original (Remington) guns and while I am sure that it’s neat to do so, I can’t recommend it nor can I recommend their being carried.
However, you do have to be careful in terms of their modern copies as well for while there are some excellently engineered and manufactured versions out there (I used to do a lot with the American Derringer guns a few decades ago but I don’t know what they are producing these days), there are still a lot of cheapies floating around out there that could be questionable in terms of both shooting and carrying.
If traditional appearance is meaningful to you than I would look at what American is making currently and I’d also take a look at Bond Firearms as well for at least some of their models included a supposedly patented feature (I have no reason to doubt this but I have not verified it personally) that eliminates the kind of accidental opening that can be seen with some of these designs and that might be along the lines of that experienced by “Alpo” who contributed to your thread. But in any case, it is up to you to decide if their size, quality and safety features will meet your unspecified needs.
If traditional appearance is not important to you and you are just looking for about the smallest and flattest two shot device you can find in the market today, I would agree with “mc5aw” and tell you to take a very serious look at the extremely sophisticated Heizer Double Tap pistol. Made by a company in Missouri that can truly claim to be an Aerospace manufacturer, it was introduced to the American dealer network this past January at the SHOT Show (having previously been shown to distributors at the Wholesale Show in November) and was just introduced and thoroughly explained to the Members at the Annual Meeting of the NRA two months ago in May.
The introductory gun is in .45acp and it is barely wider than the caliber itself. Two initial versions will be offered: one with an Aluminum frame and the other with its receiver constructed out of Titanium. Two options are available in regard to the stainless steel barrels common to both configurations: one includes a porting system and the other does not. There is no exposed hammer and the lockwork can be best described as a Double Action design.
It is a very interesting gun and one that is not only being made here in the U.S. by a company that already makes a broad range of very sophisticated items for other industries but it is being steered along by several people who actually understand and have long worked within the "gun business". They know what people want, want the end user and the dealer expect, and they know how the product should be sold and supported. All of which are things that sometimes in the past, “startup” gun companies have not always understood.
If you haven’t already looked at them, I would scan back up to “mc5aw’s” entry and use the link he included to go there. Make sure you watch the live fire video the site now includes for the first things you’ll notice are the great controllability and quick second shot the Double Tap offers. Both are something not usually associated with conventional Remington pattern “derringers”. The same thing is true of the flat, concealable format that the Heizer offers while the others do not.
All that said, and again because you didn’t include any of your expected applications for a gun like this, I would also tell you to give at least some thought to the other concepts and firearms within the families put forth by “Texas Star” and “The Last Standing Night” for something out of the myriad of quality .380’s and the huge number of J-Frame type revolvers within the marketplace today might better suit your needs. That said, and without wanting to sound like a commercial, if it is all about size, flatness and caliber, I would again tell you take a serious look at the Heizer.
Hope this helps.
Bullzaye
US Veteran
I still have this one...purchased way back in the late '70s.
It has been fired 4 times only. I kept it as a reminder of dumb things I have done in the past.
Of course when I test fired it, I just had to load it with 125 gr full magnum
rounds.
Yes, it is a COP .357 4-shot derringer. No, the pic doesn't appear to me to be reversed.
I've had one of these for about 20 years. Actually, I don't think the recoil is all that unbelievable. Certainly, it is substantial...but since the gun is all stainless steel, it has some heft to it, and a decent sized grip. Since it has no external safety, it is equipped with a long, stout, double-action trigger, coupled with 4 separate barrels, the accuracy beyond 5 yards or so is not that great.
When I worked at a gun shop one of our regular customers, who had a fondness for big-bore rifles, ordered an American Derringer in .45/70. We asked him how it went after he'd had a chance to shoot it, and he said he'd fired one round, and didn't think he'd ever shoot any more .45/70s out of it, he'd stick with the .45 Colts (I believe that is the other round that it could fire...maybe .410s also?) that could also be fired from it.
Tim
Chuck Jones
Member
I remember the COP, interesting novelty but pretty awful. The .357 J frame is a much better way to carry and deliver 4 rounds to a threat, and you even get one extra round!
The Heizer "Double Tap" is a whole different animal, not only clever and extremely well made, but lighter and smaller than the J frame.
I admit I was skeptical until I held one, felt the action and dry fired it at the NRA Annual meeting in St. Louis. Believe me it deserves practical consideration quite apart from how amazingly cool it is.
The way I see it, if African dangerous game has been faced down with 2 shot rifles and effective cartridges for over a century, it's reasonable to assume 2 rounds of .45 ACP delivered at handkerchief range isn't "under-gunned" on the urban savanna of today.
/c
The Heizer "Double Tap" is a whole different animal, not only clever and extremely well made, but lighter and smaller than the J frame.
I admit I was skeptical until I held one, felt the action and dry fired it at the NRA Annual meeting in St. Louis. Believe me it deserves practical consideration quite apart from how amazingly cool it is.
The way I see it, if African dangerous game has been faced down with 2 shot rifles and effective cartridges for over a century, it's reasonable to assume 2 rounds of .45 ACP delivered at handkerchief range isn't "under-gunned" on the urban savanna of today.
/c
Still have my Hy Hunter Remington-sized .357 derringer that I took to school in 1963. Fired a couple of Magnum rounds through it and lived to tell about it. Never again...
The rather soft and poorly fitted innards sidelined it and it spent the next three or four decades in a shadow box on the wall. A year or so ago I found parts for it at Numrich and got it up and running again. Fired a couple of moderate .38 Special rounds through it and pronounced it fixed.
I much prefer my 442 to that little hand grenade.
The rather soft and poorly fitted innards sidelined it and it spent the next three or four decades in a shadow box on the wall. A year or so ago I found parts for it at Numrich and got it up and running again. Fired a couple of moderate .38 Special rounds through it and pronounced it fixed.
I much prefer my 442 to that little hand grenade.
I used to carry a Davis in 32 ACP in my watch pocket. The old Davis models seemed well made for the type of firearm they were and loaded with Silvertips a good light carry piece. I'd never replace my P3AT with one today though.
sq hunter
Member
bond arms 410, versatile woods gun. 16 barrel chamberings.
OP
TheHobbyist
Member
@ Dave Nash,
Thank you for taking the time to explain some of the variants and considerations; it is sincerely appreciated.
As far as usage or an application, it is more for historical curiosity and a few trips to the range. I have my CCW permit, but I have no interest whatsoever in relying on this platform in that capacity.
My interest is more in the traditional design, but it is interesting to see these other firearms in this category.
Thank you for taking the time to explain some of the variants and considerations; it is sincerely appreciated.
As far as usage or an application, it is more for historical curiosity and a few trips to the range. I have my CCW permit, but I have no interest whatsoever in relying on this platform in that capacity.
My interest is more in the traditional design, but it is interesting to see these other firearms in this category.
I'm waiting for the Heizer Defense, mentioned by mc5aw above, to hit MA. I'll probably buy two. I have a use for a thin flat .45.
The very first gun I bought, even before a Model 40, was a .45 Colt derringer, I believe by the same folks that made the Dakota SAA copies. The recoil wasn't too bad, but it was just as big as the 5-shot Centennial, and slower. I don't believe that that will be true of the Heizer.
The very first gun I bought, even before a Model 40, was a .45 Colt derringer, I believe by the same folks that made the Dakota SAA copies. The recoil wasn't too bad, but it was just as big as the 5-shot Centennial, and slower. I don't believe that that will be true of the Heizer.
Last edited:
smithnframe
Member
I'd go with a 45/70 but it is my favorite cartridge. I've seen a few youtube videos of them being shot. Doesn't seem so brutal.
i bought a Excam O/U 38 derringer @1976 for $25 and i think retail was probably under $50, and still have it, but have never fired it. I have always considered it my "ace in the hole" gun. I place it as a option gun in the house and it's a handy slip it in your pocket gun, just because you feel bare without something
all i'm hoping for is that it goes bang when you pull the trigger
.
all i'm hoping for is that it goes bang when you pull the trigger
.
For the calibers you have mentioned the Bond is your best choice.
However, I thing a better self protection gun would be a S&W Bodyguard or Centennial in 38 Special or 357 Mag. 5 shots vs two in about the same weight.
However, one Derringer that does have some merit, is the old High Standard DA Derringer in 22 Mag. It advantages are, it is very light, very slim, and as a double action you do not have to cock for it each shot.
If you practice a little with one, you will be suprised how well you can shoot with it to 15 yards or so.
Some company made a 38 Special along the same lines, but I have no knowledge of its quality.
Another thought would be one of the 22 LR/22Mag mini revolvers.
They are single action and must be cocked for each shot, but they are well made, and very small.
I consider these very small guns to be a Number 2 or a Number 3...
Never a Primary...
However, I thing a better self protection gun would be a S&W Bodyguard or Centennial in 38 Special or 357 Mag. 5 shots vs two in about the same weight.
However, one Derringer that does have some merit, is the old High Standard DA Derringer in 22 Mag. It advantages are, it is very light, very slim, and as a double action you do not have to cock for it each shot.
If you practice a little with one, you will be suprised how well you can shoot with it to 15 yards or so.
Some company made a 38 Special along the same lines, but I have no knowledge of its quality.
Another thought would be one of the 22 LR/22Mag mini revolvers.
They are single action and must be cocked for each shot, but they are well made, and very small.
I consider these very small guns to be a Number 2 or a Number 3...
Never a Primary...
Last edited:
hudsonvalley
Member
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2008
- Messages
- 168
- Reaction score
- 32
For the size difference...my recommendation is a 442....
My friend has carried an American Derringer Co. piece in .38 special for years. He almost shot himself in the 'jewels' the first time he carried it, due to his unfamiliarity with the supposed "safety".
The safety on his is a spring-loaded bar the slides in between the hammer and the firing pins in the frame. When the hammer is cocked the bar moves out of the way. He found out that it CAN move when bouncing around in the pocket of his jeans. There was nothing preventing a sharp blow to the hammer from firing the little gun in his pocket, a fact that made him turn white as a sheet when he found out later that day. He still carries it to this day, for reasons that escape me..
The safety on his is a spring-loaded bar the slides in between the hammer and the firing pins in the frame. When the hammer is cocked the bar moves out of the way. He found out that it CAN move when bouncing around in the pocket of his jeans. There was nothing preventing a sharp blow to the hammer from firing the little gun in his pocket, a fact that made him turn white as a sheet when he found out later that day. He still carries it to this day, for reasons that escape me..
Bullzaye
US Veteran
I don't know if this is what you're referencing, but I own a polymer-framed O/U D/A derringer in .38/.357. It was made by Intratec, and is called the Companion. It worked okay for me for a couple years, but then the mechanism which automatically alternated which firing pin was active, broke. Now it will only fire the lower barrel, so it's a single shot, with an "on-board" reload. I have read that these are a nightmare to attempt to disassemble/reassemble, so the cost of attempting to have it repaired is likely more than it's value, if I could even find anyone who would agree to attempt it.
Tim
Similar threads
