Bond Arms Roughneck

[CH4]

Been intrigued with Bond Arms derringers for the past several years. I admire the workmanship and barrel/caliber interchangeability, but always questioned the utility of a derringer beyond novelty and the price.

About 6 months ago I spotted their welfare models, the Rowdy and Roughneck in a LGS, increasing my intrigue. So after striking out at a small show in Vegas, I went elsewhere to hunt for guns on my “buy” list, which includes the SP101 in 9mm and a Bond Arms Roughneck in 45acp. Didn’t take long to find a Roughneck below MSRP.

I took it out this morning and put 6 rounds through it. Recoil wasn’t bad with 230 FMJ, but working the controls is awkward and counterintuitive. I know for me and most others it’s not considered an EDC gun so fast reloads aren’t an issue, which is a good thing because there’s nothing smooth and fast about it, especially using rimless auto cartridges that need to be extracted with a thumbnail, etc. I learned that only barrels for rimmed cartridges have ejectors. Nonetheless, it worked as designed and fit and finish met my expectations. Think I’ll remove the trigger guard, look for a barrel chambered for a rimmed cartridge, possibly 44spl and carry it periodically as a New York reload.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have a 30+ year-old American Derringer in 357 Mag. It and Bond share the same design without the trigger guard. Bond's guns are much better built!

If using 357mag ammo the bottom barrel is dead on and the top barrel is 14" High at ten yards. If using 38 Special standard velocity LRN ammo the top barrel is dead on and the bottom barrel is 14" low at 10 yards.

So using two ammo kinds of ammo, I got the barrels regulated at 10 yards. Unless I reverse the loading, then it is shooting a 28" two shot group at 10 yards!

Ivan

 

[CH4]

I have a 30+ year-old American Derringer in 357 Mag. It and Bond share the same design without the trigger guard. Bond's guns are much better built!

If using 357mag ammo the bottom barrel is dead on and the top barrel is 14" High at ten yards. If using 38 Special standard velocity LRN ammo the top barrel is dead on and the bottom barrel is 14" low at 10 yards.

So using two ammo kinds of ammo, I got the barrels regulated at 10 yards. Unless I reverse the loading, then it is shooting a 28" two shot group at 10 yards!

Ivan

Thanks for the info. I am also considering a 38/357 barrel. The sights are also regulated for the bottom barrel. The trigger guard is coming off later today.

 

[OLDSTER]

Do those things come with a cast for your hand and wrist. ??

 

[CH4]

Recoil from 230 45acp isn’t that bad - better than shooting +p from a Smith air lite

 

[OLDSTER]

Recoil from 230 45acp isn’t that bad - better than shooting +p from a Smith air lite

YEP-even standard .38sp out of a S&W AirWeight is an experience. Much more torture is .357 in a 340 AirLite. Need some real stones to touch off one of those.

 

[CH4]

YEP-even standard .38sp out of a S&W AirWeight is an experience. Much more torture is .357 in a 340 AirLite. Need some real stones to touch off one of those.

Stones and brains are not always found on the same man. These are my current S&W torture devices.
342PD
296 Air Lite
329PD

 

[1BadSmith]

Have a Bond Arms Defender...the trigger is awful, and yes I do know to pull down and back. The interchangeable barrels are expensive and impossible to get. The kick is awful. They are indeed a very well built paperweight. In Brandon's America, the new 2022 barrel prices will be even higher.

 

[ShivasIrons]

I love my Bond Roughnecks. I have a 357, 9mm, 45ACP and a 45/410. I like them all better than I thought I would.

When people speak of using a derringer for a CCW piece, they forget the scope of work it was designed for; self defense at Bad Breath ranges. Jumping out of the car for a late night, fill up at a gas station with a Bond in my pocket is way better than a sharp stick.

 

[Ruger 13]

I picked one up in 357 magnum a couple of months ago. Carry it in my front pocket!

 

[Tntcwg3]

My "get off me" gun is a BA Ranger2, loaded with Winchester PDX .410 , it patterns nicely at "bad breath" ranges, stringing the 4-.35 cal discs about an inch apart.

 

[kaaskop49]

Bought my BA derringer about 9 years ago. Much too heavy: I removed the trigger guard, still too heavy. I phoned BA in Texas: great American company staffed by wonderful people. I explained my problem, they replied that if I would buy the just-offered 2.5" .45 Colt bbl and send them the gun, they would cut back the frame in front of the trigger. Done and done. Still too heavy, but better than before.

I'm a derringer guy, have several. I can accept the Bond for what it is, but that weird trigger pull is a turn-off. Didn't stop me from buying add'l bbls, though! I find it easier to shoot than the American Derringer guns which handle better but turn up abruptly in the hand on firing. Check 6.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[kaaskop49]

My "get off me" gun is a BA Ranger2, loaded with Winchester PDX .410 , it patterns nicely at "bad breath" ranges, stringing the 4-.35 cal discs about an inch apart.

IF (big 'if') you can find them: Brenneke USA loads a rifled slug in a 2.5" shell. Don't know about fps, but it feels like a 3" round on firing. Happy holidays.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

P.S. Box lists 1500fps/578fp but these are likely shotgun figures.

 

[Loyaljeeper]

I have messed with Bond and American Derringers as a hobby. My dad illegally carried some American Derringers when I was younger. I occasionally got to shoot them. Dad had a 32 mag ADC in the 80s, a 38 in the late 90s, and then a 10mm. Today he has one of the all aluminum ADC in 380.

To me they shine for shotshell purposes or in big calibers you can’t practically have a revolver or pistol chambered such as 40, 10, 44, and 45. I very rarely carry only a Bond as a primary, but I don’t feel unarmed when doing so. I have shot all kinds and feel a 3” 40 is my favorite. It’s big bore, a little less recoil than a 357mag, and ammo for it was free.

 

[rockquarry]

I've never even looked at these derringers. Is there any practical weight and size advantage over an airweight J-frame?

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I've never even looked at these derringers. Is there any practical weight and size advantage over an airweight J-frame?

Not really! You do pick up a thickness advantage. (If you have tight fitting clothes.)

Ivan

 

[BB57]

I have one that I bought in .45 ACP and then added 9mm and .357 magnum barrels, mostly as a vest pocket or ankle carry backup. I can swap barrels to match whatever my primary carry happens to be.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have one that I bought in .45 ACP and then added 9mm and .357 magnum barrels, mostly as a vest pocket or ankle carry backup. I can swap barrels to match whatever my primary carry happens to be.

A two-shot derringer shouldn't matter for companion ammo. Your primary gun ammo is already gone. The derringer I do carry, is a High Standard 22 Mag M-101, these are DAO. (Double Action Only) I have the same design by American Derringer in 38 Special, but for size and weight I'll stick to a J-frame. My EDC is a 49 no dash 38. 22 Mag is very nasty at 10 yards or less!!!

My primary defense comes from Mr. Miogi in Karate Kid: "When the blow falls be somewhere else!" When I can't be somewhere else. I go with a 12 gauge!

Ivan

 

[rockquarry]

A two-shot derringer shouldn't matter for companion ammo. Your primary gun ammo is already gone. The derringer I do carry, is a High Standard 22 Mag M-101, these are DAO. (Double Action Only) I have the same design by American Derringer in 38 Special, but for size and weight I'll stick to a J-frame. My EDC is a 49 no dash 38. 22 Mag is very nasty at 10 yards or less!!!

My primary defense comes from Mr. Miogi in Karate Kid: "When the blow falls be somewhere else!" When I can't be somewhere else. I go with a 12 gauge!

Ivan

I had one of the High Standard .22 magnum derringers about fifty years ago. Only fired two rounds to see if it worked, just before dusk on the day I bought it. I shot at a gallon paint can, I think, up pretty close and I believe I missed it with both shots, but what a flame came out the the barrels! Never seen anything like it since.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have the High Standard and a Davis, in 22 Mag. Neither likes 22 Mag ammo meant for rifle but both shoot very well with Federal 50 grain HP (product # 747) That ammo was developed just for handguns. But that waas 30 years after the High Standard came out! I have no Idea what ammo they recommended, But I don't think they intended for the distance to more than two or three bar stools away!

Ivan