Bond Arms Roughneck, WoW-oooOOOuch!

[hyena]

Perhaps the OP bought the gun just for the heck of it. I didn't make the assumption he was planning to carry it for self defense. Might have just been because he wanted it, and wanted to shoot it.

Not my cup of tea, but I found the post interesting. Several years ago a buddy bought a Bond Arms in .45ACP, and brought it to the range. I don't recall it being painful to shoot, but the trigger pull was astronomical. It was so hard the first time I tried to pull it I stopped and asked him if there was some sort of safety. Nope. We never did find out if that was normal, because he traded it for something else. I know he didn't buy it to carry...just wanted one.

I don't think I would even try that Cyclops.

 

[Spencerivey101]

I'll consider the Cyclops if I can find someone who put one round through it and decides to sell at a loss. I can use my reloads that wouldn't be moch hotter than 45 colt.
I think the trigger hangs a lot of people up on them since it hinges and not straight back. Plus you have to get over everything you've learned about gripping as high as you can. If your hand is against the hammer it can increase the trigger weight significantly.

 

[Funflyer]

I believe the problem with BA derringers is the lack of grip combined with the odd trigger pull. Trigger needs to be pulled downward and back at the same time so it makes one's grip change at the same time. There are some larger grips available so I'll go that route and try again. Thankfully 327 ammo and reloading brass are scarce but I've got plenty of 32 S&W-L and 32H&R.

 

[Spencerivey101]

Could look into getting those new B6 grips they're marketing towards the big bores.

 

[Rpg]

Certainly some grips can improve these bond guns.

The real issue is " WHAT IS A BOND GUN FOR?".

It's not much of a self defense gun

It's fairly large so not particularly concealable.

Big grips improve your ability to tolerate the recoil, which is a good thing, but interfere with concealing it.

You get two chances to hit your target, but they're slow to get off and at ranges beyond arms length, are impossible to hit with.

I wonder whether Paladin and his derringer influence the interest in derringers we see today, mostly by folks old enough to have watched Paladin on Saturdays. Younger folks seem less interested in these things than older shooters.

I still don't know what these things are FOR.

 

[sigp220.45]

There's a video of a little girl shooting the single-shot .45/70 and she survives quite nicely.

This is my riverboat casino gun, with 3 reloads.

 

[kaaskop49]

For every Jack, there's a Jill. I belong to a small, elite group of "Jacks" who likes these "Jills," i.e. derringers. A lot of experienced shooters above have gone over the plusses and minuses of these little guns, especially the minuses. And they are correct. But some of us like little guns and we own mini-revolvers, .25 and .22 autos, derringers, and whatever else "fits our pistol" as John Wayne once said.

I won't repeat what has already been said about the trigger pull of the BA derringer. I wish that fine company would devise a better trigger on its American-made firearms. Weight? I tried everything to lower the weight of a BA gun: remove the trigger guard, install the shorter 2.5" .45LC bbl, have BA cut back the frame under the bbl... still too heavy. At least now they are making a smaller-framed "Stinger," and I'll prolly buy one in .38, just because I like little guns.

But Ds as I call them are still out there, either as a last-ditch item or maybe because they're all somebody can obtain in a less tolerant environment. I won't go into undercover LEOs who could only carry a 'mouse gun.' Maybe some other time. Good shooting, everyone!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. Anyone remember how John Wayne used a D in his last flick "The Shootist"?

 

[sigp220.45]

P.S. Anyone remember how John Wayne used a D in his last flick "The Shootist"?

He used it to dispense career advice.

Let's not forget Buster Scruggs and his Senorita Pistols:

 

[Bald1]

I'm with hyena. OP probably bought it for the same reason I bought a 22mag NA mini revolver. Just because. Ive shot some 357 Bond Arms and don't think the recoil was earth moving. But they are loud. I like shooting new and interesting things. A 327 derringer qualifies

 

[Mikey1871]

30+ years ago I got a Davis Derringer in 32acp. Fit nicely in my uniform front shirt pocket just under the badge. Very last ditch gun.
Switched to a NAA 22wmr a few years later. I still carry the NAA as a back up to this day.
Never wanted to go any higher caliber in the mini format, kudos to those that do.

 

[vipermd]

I like Derringers for backup carry and just for fun. Buffalo Arms Model 1, Made in Tonawanda NY, in 357 mag. SS, very good trigger, Head shot at 7 yards consistently. Unfortunately the company went out of business. I also have American D's in various caliber's, including 44 mag. I am looking forward to the Cyclops in either 45-70 and or 50AE. I shoot my snub 500 SW, snub S&W 44 mag, there is recoil, I do not shoot 50 rds at a time, but enough to feel comfortable with them, just I have for the last 50 years, Father's and Brother's S&W's. The High Standard 22 mags look nice but are not as accurate as the Buffalo Arms or the American Derringer's. I carry a 40SW in a S&W, with 2 spare mags, usually a 638 in my pocket, and a 38/357 derringer tucked somewhere on me. I have been looking to get a wrist holster. I agree that D's would not be my first choice, but I certainly like them as my last chance. My Ruger Speed Six snub, works well at 100 yards, but less now due to my eyes, not the gun. And they are fun to collect and shoot. Be Safe,

 

[chief38]

Derringers are basically a throwback to the late 1800's and the old west. Back then it was their version of a .380 Hide-Out gun. In todays world, a two shot hard to shoot Derringer makes no sense to me! I shot a few in stupid calibers for a Derringer (.357 Magnum and .44 Magnum) and shooting those was insane and painful. Even the ones chambered for 38 special and 22 magnum still make no sense to carry as in less weight, more capacity, easier shooting you can get a 11 or 13 round .380 pocket pistol.

Why people still carry them is beyond me! The ONLY thing I can see them being used for are S.A.S.S. Cowboy matches. You can not use modern firearms for that purpose. That is mostly when I shot them. BTW the trigger pulls are usually ridiculously heavy!

 

[Dvus]

I had an American Derringer. 45 Colt/.410/.45-70. Now the American Derringer design is closer in size to the original Remington, so it's smaller than the Bond Arms. The .410 was not pleasant, and the .45 Colt was downright brutal. Looking at the. 45-70, I quickly got a big case of "NOPE!" I firmly believe that just because you can, doesn't mean you should.

 

[ogso]

I have a 9mm American derringer for deep deep cover. That little gun has been through several amusement parks and museums not to mention geology field trips with college students. I'll be damned if I'm out in the desert with 20 college kids and nothing to scare off the "desert rats". And a wallet with 10 or 12 more rounds if I needed them. I recall it was accurate at 5 or so yards. Also have a NAA mini. That is a gun we always shoot when we go to range and without exception everyone is smiling after shooting it! Its just fun!