Derringer suggestions...

[forrestinmathews]

I have done the searches and rather than exume the dead, I will start a new thread. I know that this has likely been beaten to death, but I'm looking at it from my own recent interaction with both companies.
Bond Arms:
Seems to have a good product that is slightly larger of the two.
Fast locking cam really seems to limit the cartridges they are willing to chamber.
Order what they make and then buy a custom barrel if they don't make the caliber you want. Little to no customization.
Bigger operation that is interested more in distributor sales.

American Derringer:
Smaller and more aesthetically pleasing.
Seems more customer service oriented.
Willing to listen to special requests.
Apparently a stronger design as they aren't afraid to chamber higher pressure calibers.
Slower to reload due to the longer locking lever stroke.
Possibly a one barrel proposition.

I'm looking at possibly a 10mm or .45 LC derringer for kicks. I think it would be something that is fun to shoot and I enjoy reloading those calibers. I am not interested at all in the .410 chamber as it seems to be a huge accuracy nullification for the .45 LC bullets.

Can those that have shot them or that currently own them provide opinions? Please include the caliber, make, model and barrel length
Not interested in negatives of derringers, carry feasibility or capacity discussion. Looking for objective comparison of the two makers.
Thanks.

 

[03hemi]

I had the Bond Arms 45LC/410 and it was extremely well made, the only down side I found was it is about the same size as a J frame 38 so I didn't keep it for this reason. I should have keep it just because it was so cool and well made. I've met the lady who owns American Derringer and your comment doesn't surprise me because she was a very nice and gracious lady. Good luck. p.s.- the Bonds have a very, very nice holster(s) they come with in some cases, but available for all, fwiw.

 

[oneounceload]

I'm looking at possibly a 10mm or .45 LC derringer for kicks. I think it would be something that is fun to shoot and I enjoy reloading those calibers

KICK is correct with either of those 2 in a derringer....OUCH!

 

[Inusuit]

I had an American Derringer in .38 Special that I used in Cowboy Action (SASS) side matches. It was very well made, fairly easy on the hand with wadcutters or standard velocity cartridges. Configuration was closer to the Remington original. Not sure what you mean by "one barrel proposition." Mine reliably cycled between barrels. No experience with Bond, but many SASS shooters used them with no complaints. Either will be slow to reload, although that was only an issue on the clock in matches.

 

[Arik]

No idea which is better. Neither are that fast on reloads and if it's just for kicks does that really matter?

I have shot the Bond Arms 45lc and it's quite a handful. One shot tore up the webbing in my hand and I was bleeding all over the place with one shot. The grip is small and the hammer is pointy. Once it kicks and flips up that hammer is going into your hand.

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[Arik]

I had an American Derringer in .38 Special that I used in Cowboy Action (SASS) side matches. It was very well made, fairly easy on the hand with wadcutters or standard velocity cartridges. Configuration was closer to the Remington original. Not sure what you mean by "one barrel proposition." Mine reliably cycled between barrels. No experience with Bond, but many SASS shooters used them with no complaints. Either will be slow to reload, although that was only an issue on the clock in matches.

There are some Derringers with single barrels. Looks like a very small flare gun

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[KEN L]

Years ago I shot an American Derringer in .223. Talk about a kick. Great Balls of Fire!

 

[Erich]

I have a Bond Arms 3" in .45 Colt only with another barrel set in .45 ACP. The rebounding hammers make me feel the gun is safer than the alternatives. Very high quality manufacture - Bond just had a sale on its 10mm barrels, too.



I have decided that the .45 ACP is a lot more efficient out of these short barrels, and - since I'm a handloader - that's pretty much what I shoot in the gun these days. I do use the .45 Colt barrels with both .45 Colt and .45 Cowboy Special loadings, as well as with .22 LR chamber inserts that I got inexpensively from Sportsman's Guide (I got six for very little, and shared four of them with two friends who also have .45 Colt derringers).

 

[forrestinmathews]

I hear you on efficiency. I think the 10mm is better off than the LC. I was considering a .460 S&W barrel just to be cute and chase the other patrons off the range. I think it would be hilarious. If there are 52 grains of powder in the shell and 45 burn after the bullet leaves the barrel....we have achieved acceleration outside of the muzzle. Just kidding!

American has much better service. Bond people really don't know how to give me what I want. Take the money... provide the product...simple.

 

[RobertJ.]

I have an older American Derringer M1 in .45 Colt. This was made before they started chambering them in .45/.410.

With factory ammo, I don't find the recoil unpleasant. With handloads (that I shoot in my New Service) it's a little bit snappier, but still not painful. Once, I shot a friend's in .357 Magnum. I shot it twice and handed it back, that was all I needed to know! That was the most painful pistol I've ever fired. In .45 Colt, it's not that bad. In the type of situation one of those would be used in, though, I doubt that recoil would be a consideration.

I like the rebounding hammer of the Bond, and this doesn't have that. It does have a hammer block that has to be put in place manually, if you were going to carry it seriously. The block is under spring tension, so when you thumb the hammer back it automatically returns to its original position.

Mine isn't a target pistol by any means. It's an up close and personal type of thing.

I like it because it's unique, and I've always liked the stying of the old Remington. However, I'm still not sure if two shots from a .45 Colt would be more effective than six from a .380 ACP, which is what I normally carry when I do carry a back-up. But let's not open that can of worms!

 

[forrestinmathews]

I appreciate your canning of the worms. Haha!

I am looking at this for a backup where it could serve as a same caliber backup. The magazines serving as ammunition storage devices and the derringer having the ability to have two independent firing systems is attractive. Barring a mainspring failure there is quite a bit of redundancy. It seems a bit safer in a sleeping bag than a Glock 29 and I'd have two reliable shots of get off me should I be joined unexpectedly in the night.

 

[dave1918a2]

I had an American Derringer in 38/357 which wasn't bad to control. I shot one in 45LC and it was ok also. Of course I shoot a 475 Linebaugh all the time so I am somewhat brain damaged when it comes to recoil. I did ONCE shoot one in 45/70 and I mean ONCE. Hit what I was shooting at ONCE. Much nicer in 45LC.

 

[steelslaver]

There are still some of those COP 4 barreled 357 mags around, but I can't imagine they are lighter than a J frame

 

[Farmer17]

I had a Davis .32acp chrome Derringer I bought new for approximately 40 bucks back in 1990. It had its faults that's for sure but it was 100% reliable and I had confidence in it out to about 20 feet, and it would easily fit places the pocket .380s won't go, like up your sleeve. Wouldn't mind having another one just for the heck of it.

 

[kaaskop49]

I own both Bond and ADC models. Still can't understand why I bought the Bond, or the too-many bbls. Fortunately, it has not rained here in almost 3 months so I won't drown by stepping in a puddle while carrying it. It is too HEAVY! I removed the trigger guard, had Bond (nice folks!) cut back the frame and installed the 2.5" .45LC bbl. Nothing helps. It does print close to POA, so that's not a problem. The quirky trigger pull is. Safe non-queen. If I didn't adore derringers, I would call it a klunk.

The ADC is lighter and has the smooth contours of a well-used bar of soap, which is it's shortcoming: the gun bucks hard upward in the hand. It's good for about 6 feet, as the bullet strikes where it wants to. To ADC's credit, the instruction sheet which must be read indicates that their derringer is designed for bad situations really up-close.

I carry neither, preferring the High Standard .22 Magnum, which I will not go into as it was not specified. My 340s seem to have replaced my .45 derringers. Good shooting!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[forrestinmathews]

Kaaskop,
Is your American a .45/.410 by chance?

 

[vipermd]

I like the feel of the ADC's better than the bonds. I like that the safety comes of when I thumb the hammer. I have them in 357, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 Colt, 45 Colt/410. I have not noticed a significant difference in feel or accuracy out to 7 yds between 45 Colt and 45 Colt/ 410. I have shot many of them for many years without any problems. Be Safe,

 

[ISCS Yoda]

Bond Arms makes high quality guns and I recollect some years back being impressed with an American Derringer, too. I think they make great fun toys - if you're just plinking with them you should enjoy either one. These each used to show up at Cowboy Action side matches so I can't say which ones I shot but they worked fine for side matches.

 

[forrestinmathews]

I like the feel of the ADC's better than the bonds. I like that the safety comes of when I thumb the hammer. I have them in 357, 41 mag, 44 mag, 45 Colt, 45 Colt/410. I have not noticed a significant difference in feel or accuracy out to 7 yds between 45 Colt and 45 Colt/ 410. I have shot many of them for many years without any problems. Be Safe,

Which calibers did you find to be most accurate?
Did you group them by barrel fired or by collective rounds on paper in relation to a common POA?

 

[vipermd]

Which calibers did you find to be most accurate?
Did you group them by barrel fired or by collective rounds on paper in relation to a common POA?

Hi: The 357 & 45colt/410 were most accurate by pairs fired on paper. I have been using 125 gr ( Super Vel made under the name --Qualifier), I have also tried Speer Gold 135gr SB ( sku: 23917 ), both allow me to make hits on paper plate at 7 yds with both barrels. I use a 250 gr XTP in 45 colt loaded by R & R Enterprises out of Wisconsin. I have been using their ammo for more than 20 years through 9mm/ 40 S&W /223 for paper, and their 240 XTP 44 magnum for hunting.

I have not measured every group- My skill level does allows 1" - 5" groups with the derringers, depending on the day. Some days two rounds touch, other days they are 5" apart, But still in the paper plate. I like them both. Be Safe,