David LaPell
Member
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2008
- Messages
- 5,541
- Reaction score
- 6,781
Does anyone here like or carry modern derringers? I have a CVA .45 blackpowder derringer but was thinking of a little pocket gun. I don't know why but I just like them.
Anyone like derringers?
- Thread starter David LaPell
- Start date
Register to hide this ad
pilgrim6a
Member
----------NO----------
USAF385
US Veteran
I actually think they're really cool... I just don't own one and would never carry one.
mjr
Member
"Derringers do nothing well. Shun them." --Jeff Cooper
labworm
US Veteran
I like derringers, but I like my hand better.
trapper704
Member
I have several 22 mag, 38, 45 acp 38 short. I wear a vest all the time, and a lot of the time there is one in my pocket. It usually accompanies a 45 in a shoulder holster or a 38 inside waistband holster. But they are a last resort belly gun. stick it in their belly and pull the trigger.
High Standards DAO design always fascinated me, and I've
owned a couple. Probably will again, but not for carry. TACC1
owned a couple. Probably will again, but not for carry. TACC1
I carry a NAA 22LR all the time. In my shirt pocket. Not much of a gun but beats the Hell out of not having one.
LouisianaJoe
Member
Had some. Sold them.
Quote the Raven: "Never More"
Quote the Raven: "Never More"
LoadedRound
Member
Like: Yes
Own: Yes
Carry: Nope
Own: Yes
Carry: Nope
tork'd
Member
...DITTO...
BubbaBlades
Member
I modified the above broken High Standard Derringer with a main spring of my own design and an improved striker spring. The result is a trigger pull that is 3 pounds less than factory and rim (primer) strikes that are more solid than original.
I like to carry my .22 magnum derringer as a back-up to my KelTec PMR30. This gives me 32 rounds of .22 magnum without reloading.
I first became impressed with the power of the .22 magnum back in the early 70s when I responded to a double shooting where both fatalities were caused from a single shot each from a HS .22 magnum derringer.
Mark
In 1963 I traded into a "Great Western" .38spl Derringer. At 25 yards I was able to keep both shots in the "Kill Area" of a B-27 target.
In 1966 I had a "High Standard" Derringer in .22 magnum. I was still able to put both shots in the "Kill Area" of a B-27 target.
In 1968 I traded into a "Maverick" .357 Derringer-Which I couldn't hit a barn with plus it was "HEAVY" in weight.
In 1991 My shift supervisor had a "High Standard" .22 magnum Derringer that he carried in his right rear pocket as a "BUG". Him and no one else could hit a B-27 target at 7 yards. We never could find where the bullets were going.
My Wife has a small collection of "Little Pistols" which includes Derringers, NAA Revolvers, and .25acp Semi-Autos.
IMHO the rightful place for these "Little Guys" is "Deep Cover" to be used when everything else is out of ammo, been lost, or jammed.
Also has a safety device when hiking in Bear Country with a companion that might run faster than you when being chased by a hungrey/mad Bear.
In 1966 I had a "High Standard" Derringer in .22 magnum. I was still able to put both shots in the "Kill Area" of a B-27 target.
In 1968 I traded into a "Maverick" .357 Derringer-Which I couldn't hit a barn with plus it was "HEAVY" in weight.
In 1991 My shift supervisor had a "High Standard" .22 magnum Derringer that he carried in his right rear pocket as a "BUG". Him and no one else could hit a B-27 target at 7 yards. We never could find where the bullets were going.
My Wife has a small collection of "Little Pistols" which includes Derringers, NAA Revolvers, and .25acp Semi-Autos.
IMHO the rightful place for these "Little Guys" is "Deep Cover" to be used when everything else is out of ammo, been lost, or jammed.
Also has a safety device when hiking in Bear Country with a companion that might run faster than you when being chased by a hungrey/mad Bear.
Larry from Bend
Member
I got my first one in '68. A German 22 LR. Since then I've had a HS in 22 Mag and I still have a HS knock-off from a defunct company in Arizona. I have carried them on rafting trips and once in downtown Reno. They aren't much good for anything but, as the man says, "better than nothing."
Maximumbob54
Member
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2010
- Messages
- 7,202
- Reaction score
- 1,928
I like and own one of NAA's mini revolvers. Mine is the short barrel .22WMR version. Don't know if the ballistics are any better than the .22LR version, but the bark and flash is pretty crazy. There are a couple of .22WMR short barrel specific loads out and I keep meaning to try some to see if they feel any different. I like the NAA's hammer rest notch between the chambers.
Like, Yes.
That is untill i tried one
Had the craving for one to fill my Cowboy alias pocket.
But after i shot one of the Davies .38, the craving went away.
They look cool, but i got my self two IverJohnson .38S&W revolvers instead
That is untill i tried one
Had the craving for one to fill my Cowboy alias pocket.
But after i shot one of the Davies .38, the craving went away.
They look cool, but i got my self two IverJohnson .38S&W revolvers instead
Got these years ago. Just always liked them.
Got these years ago. Just always liked them.
My Wife has one like your two. Her's is a "Butler".
cowart
US Veteran
These guys just came out with a 12oz to 14oz 45acp derringer which resembles the High Standard derringer. You can shoot it first...
Heizer Defense - Creators of DoubleTap™
Last edited:
forindooruseonly
Member
I like the old HS, just cause. I don't carry them, I don't shoot them particularly well, but they are kinda funky, and certainly cheap enough to indulge in.
Have had a few; a West German .22LR pot metal one back in the early 60s that always went bang. Then a Hy Hunter Remington style one in .357 Magnum (!) that hurt like hell to shoot and was probably unsafe at any speed. When it quit working 30 years ago I mounted in a shadow box and it sat above the TV till last year. Numrich had the parts and I put it back into firing condition. Put two rounds of .38 Specials through it and declared victory. Don't expect to push my luck any further with it.
Always sort of liked the High Standards and recently got one in .22 LR. It's not real practical but neither do I expect it to blow up in my hand. I was going to disassemble it and give a thorough cleaning until I read the instructions and popped the side plate as in the one shown above. I put a few drops of oil where it seemed it might do the most good, and buttoned it up again. (I don't do clocks, either).
Always sort of liked the High Standards and recently got one in .22 LR. It's not real practical but neither do I expect it to blow up in my hand. I was going to disassemble it and give a thorough cleaning until I read the instructions and popped the side plate as in the one shown above. I put a few drops of oil where it seemed it might do the most good, and buttoned it up again. (I don't do clocks, either).
Catshooter
Member
Mr. LaPell,
As you are seeing, many dislike them. I feel a large part of this is there have been soooooo many derringers that were junk.
I bought an American Derringer in 45 ACP years ago (like 30 now) as a pocket piece to match my 1911s. Wonderful reliability. Absolutley never failed to go bang.
Absolutley bad sights. A huge design flaw that they have never, ever corrected is that the sights are merely for looks. Their height and placement have to correlation to what the little guy needs to place the bullet where you want it.
Prior to me altering mine it would put both rounds about four inches left and thirteen inches high at fifteen feet. The rounds would be about two inches apart.
I removed the front sight and installed a higher one in a dovetail. Now it shoots within an inch or so of point of aim.
One place that the derringer excells is as a "get off me" gun. No out of battery problems and no cylinder gap. The bullet and all of the gas go into the bad guy.
They are heavy, at least compared to toadys plastic fantastics. Loaded, mine weighs exactly one pound.
With two 260 grain soft lead bullets at over 900 fps it doesn't lack power.
Cat
As you are seeing, many dislike them. I feel a large part of this is there have been soooooo many derringers that were junk.
I bought an American Derringer in 45 ACP years ago (like 30 now) as a pocket piece to match my 1911s. Wonderful reliability. Absolutley never failed to go bang.
Absolutley bad sights. A huge design flaw that they have never, ever corrected is that the sights are merely for looks. Their height and placement have to correlation to what the little guy needs to place the bullet where you want it.
Prior to me altering mine it would put both rounds about four inches left and thirteen inches high at fifteen feet. The rounds would be about two inches apart.
I removed the front sight and installed a higher one in a dovetail. Now it shoots within an inch or so of point of aim.
One place that the derringer excells is as a "get off me" gun. No out of battery problems and no cylinder gap. The bullet and all of the gas go into the bad guy.
They are heavy, at least compared to toadys plastic fantastics. Loaded, mine weighs exactly one pound.
With two 260 grain soft lead bullets at over 900 fps it doesn't lack power.
Cat
sipowicz
Member
Only when I play poker.
They make those in a 45.70, right? Well, I guess as an absolute last ditch resort, I'd pull the trigger, but I sure can't imagine doing it for fun!
Raiden
Member
I like the "a cheap gun to get another gun with" concept behind the Liberator or Cobray/Daniel/Leinad derringers... But I never saw one that was the right blend of dependability and low price, for my tastes.
Were they cheap enough, yet fired every time, I wouldn't mind having a few of them stashed around some of my workplaces, retreat, or home. Their size would make them easy to hide, and I wouldn't feel terrible if I had lost one to the elements or theft. I'd almost always have the one or two shots necessary to get to a more suitable firearm. However, most of the dependable ones are no less expensive than entry level revolvers and semi-autos. Actually most of the dependable ones cost more than my favorite sidearm, and aren't considerably smaller than more-popular semi-auto deep-conceal pistols.
The nicer ones like Bond Arms or NAA are certainly interesting, but not inexpensive or practical enough for me to consider adding to my battery in place of other arms on my "to get" list.
Were they cheap enough, yet fired every time, I wouldn't mind having a few of them stashed around some of my workplaces, retreat, or home. Their size would make them easy to hide, and I wouldn't feel terrible if I had lost one to the elements or theft. I'd almost always have the one or two shots necessary to get to a more suitable firearm. However, most of the dependable ones are no less expensive than entry level revolvers and semi-autos. Actually most of the dependable ones cost more than my favorite sidearm, and aren't considerably smaller than more-popular semi-auto deep-conceal pistols.
The nicer ones like Bond Arms or NAA are certainly interesting, but not inexpensive or practical enough for me to consider adding to my battery in place of other arms on my "to get" list.
Similar threads
- Locked
- Locked
