Derringer: Primary Carry?

[JayFramer]

Inspired by the lively feedback from my Single Action Revolver Defense thread, I am now curious what the board thinks about using 2-shot Derringers as a primary carry gun:

I personally know a man (retired Desert Storm vet) who uses a Bond .410 derringer as his main carry weapon, and have heard of others using these handguns as their primary. What do you all think about this? They seem reliable and can be chambered in some effective cartridges but of course are capacity limited, but does it really matter?

Who here carries a double barrel derringer as their main concealed and carry, or would feel comfortable with it for defense?

Discuss!

 

[patrol]

I suppose its better than no gun, but not by much.

 

[Muss Muggins]

I sometimes pocket carry my NAA .22 WMR, which kinda the same thing. Whatever makes you comfortable . . .

 

[aphelion]

Based on the rationale expressed in the SA thread I've decided a cut down TC Contender is the answer for EDC. If you can't get it done with a single .357 Herrett, 375 JDJ or a 45-70 maybe more training is in order.

 

[Old TexMex]

As a primary? Well, yeah.....if I carry my regular backup (mdl 38).

Actually, no. I don't even own a derringer.

 

[murphydog]

Yes, one can. No, I wouldn't.

 

[Cal44]

Any gun is better than no gun.

But why carry a derringer?

They are almost as big and heavier than an Air Weight J frame and much less effective.

 

[Rpg]

Folks can do as they like in selecting a sd weapon: freedom of choice is a great thing indeed.

However, I suspect those who would use a derringer as a primary weapon either have no alternative or little practical experience with them.

 

[buzz754]

"A slightly better choice would be a scalding hot cup of coffee."
Manny Mansfield

 

[robertrwalsh]

The trouble with Derringers is you have only two shots and the bad guy KNOWS you have only two shots. Also, with any sort of serious cartridge, they are unpleasant to shoot so most people don't shoot them much. ON top of that beyond contact range the accuracy is highly suspect. Definitely not my first choice. Or even second or third choice.

 

[Marshal Tom]

They are heavy for only having two Rd's. They have to be cocked for each shot. They generally have horrible triggers and little to hold on to in the way of a grip. Oh yes I forgot to mention the rudimentary sights. Other than that they would be a fine choice but not my first choice!

 

[ken158]

The way guys fret about the lack of rounds in a Shield I can't imagine a 2 shot derringer would seriously be considered.

 

[delcrossv]

Hmm. Derringer or 342PD? Well, it's not the olde west, and I don't own a gold lame vest, so I guess I have to go with the 342.

 

[BAM-BAM]

Not even Paladin carried one as his primary.........

 

[Glouglou]

Sincerely I'm not sure that's a good idea. Slow to use, inaccurate, small capacity very hard to reload quickly and poor quality specially when it's expensive.
If you like small things a LCP, see amp or roughtback will do the job.
On my opinion the derringer is just a big boy toy with a touch of vintage romantism. It can be very cool in a gun collection, but not in a pocket for fight

 

[Rustyt1953]

Carry what you like.

I do.

 

[2K7]

I started to go down this slippery slope just about like all of us. We inadvertently "dress down" gradually for a multitude of reasons.

"It's a hot day"... "I'm only running to the store to pick up something"..., etc.

One day, I was struck by a nasty thought..... "What if this is the DAY?"
What if this is the day that I'm going to have to use this thing to safe my life?

Do I really want to be standing there with a two shot derringer in my hand? Do I want only two shots at saving my life? Do I want trust the remainder of my life on my ability to get a defensive round on a target more than 5 feet away?

From that day forward, I never again dressed down going anywhere. I was, and remain well armed. I kept my derringer, and sometimes it's actually in my pocket....but never alone!

 

[GeoJelly]

Mee too on an NAA .22mag revolver. Just sent my longer-barreled version back to Provo for open-heart surgery. I only carry four rounds in mine ... and as Cal 44 said - any gun is better than no gun! I carry mine in a little DeSantis cheapy sticky holster - got it used for $150 and it's the best $150 I've spent in years!!

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Everything I said in your earlier thread applies here with respect to justifiable shootings, etc., and everything everyone said about carry what you like always applies. OTOH, there are few guns that you can choose that are worse for self defense than a single action derringer.

They are hard to cock, impossible to aim, with effective calibers recoil is a disaster, they are too large and heavy for the trade-off in firepower, and except for the cool, Old West factor, there is nothing one can say about them that is positive.

That about sums it up for me in re derringers for self defense.

 

[steelslaver]

The Bond 45acp weighs 23 1/2 oz. My 325pd with a 2 1/2" barrel and titanium cylinder weighs 21.5 oz. Has decent sights and a great trigger. Load it with 5 rounds off 200 gr Gold Dots, put 2 in the Bond and they should about level a balance beam scale. Guess which I carry.

The NG I am converting to a 45 colt will have a steel cylinder so it will be heavier, but not much.