High-Standard .22 Magnum Derringer

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JayFramer

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EDIT: Turns out mine was not reliable and I’ve gotten rid of it. Make sure to test for reliability with your carry load and POI if you decide to carry an old HS .22 derringer.

Hey gun buddies! :)

I just bought a NIB High Standard .22 Magnum Derringer:

098-E3-BE6-564-C-4-A8-A-ABD4-8375930582-F0.jpg


This one isn’t mine but this is what they look like. I am going to carry it as a BUG to my J-Frame (or Springfield Hellcat if I buy one soon) in my unused back pocket in a Safariland wallet holster like this:

98-B12-E82-B273-446-D-950-D-2241951-F4558.jpg


Oh no! AOW I’m breaking the law felony alert! :eek: Not with this design holster, guys. As you can clearly see the gun is not in any way hidden in this one, therefore it doesn’t fall under that definition and is perfectly legal. The wallet holsters that fully conceal the gun minus a hole for the trigger are the ones that are a no-no. This holster is made to carry with the flat leather backing pointing outwards from the pocket to make it seem like a wallet.

Check out this video on YouTube from Lucky Gunner describing this pistol:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6lvuXfMX5zQ&app=desktop[/ame]

Also check out his .22 Magnum ballistics testing video. Seems Speer Gold Dots are a winner in this caliber (Paul Harrell also tested them in his meat target with good results) and I’ve got a few boxes for testing and carry coming:

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMkp2m6ZuIc&t=95s[/ame]

E3386-F26-48-ED-49-E8-AEC3-FA416-C38-AD30.jpg


Seems these guns have quite a following from law enforcement guys as a backup gun (or backup to a backup gun) or for deep concealment. It will in no way be my primary, but I like its attributes and definitely has a cool factor going there. These seem well made and two rounds of reliable .22 magnum at point blank is nothing to sneeze at.

And, I just think they’re nifty and have wanted one for years, and sure beats having nothing if my primary goes under or if I get disarmed (anything is possible) or other reasons. Again, this will NOT be my main carry weapon and will be in my back pocket (which I never use) tucked in its wallet holster ready for use if it ever comes to that.

Thanks gang! :)

-Jay
 
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You illustrated your post with a a "type two" version of the gun. These were made from 1967 to 1970 and had a "trigger" logo. The early ones, from 1962 to 1967, had an "eagle" logo, and the third type, made until 1984, had no logo at all.

You will find that with practice, you can "stage" the trigger with a distinct pause before final letoff, and you can then squeeze that off similar to a single action gun. Shot in this manner, it can be fairly accurate out to around 15 yards or so. I found that I can handle the gun better when firing by extending my index finger alongside the barrels and pulling the trigger with my universal symbol finger.

A word of caution on the magnum-chambered guns. With some use, they will loosen up considerably and the lockup will not be secure. The .22 LR versions will hold up way better. I'd suggest this should be a "carry a lot, shoot little" gun. More detailed info on these little guns can be found in my book "101 Classic Firearms" beginning on page 182.

John
 
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PALADIN85020 said:
A word of caution on the magnum-chambered guns. With some use, they will loosen up considerably and the lockup will not be secure. The .22 LR versions will hold up way better. I'd suggest this should be a "carry a lot, shoot little" gun. More detailed info on these little guns can be found in my book "101 Classic Firearms" beginning on page 182.

John
Click to expand...

Thanks, Paladin! :)

PS: I just annotated my OP mentioning that one is not my gun, just one I found a picture of on the internet. My serial number starts with 1431***. I’ll be sure to post some pics when I get the gun in hand.

It won’t be a regular range gun, just enough shooting for testing and familiarization.
 
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I had one of these many years ago. A hot little handful. Don't remember where it went.
 
I have come across several of these in .22 mag over the past few years. I would've bought one, but every one I've encountered was loose as a goose. I haven't seen a .22 LR version in quite a while.
 
I have one of these for years now. Like others have said, it's loose as a goose. I wore it for several years on the strap on my vest under a uniform shirt. That is till I fell on it and cracked some ribs. I was young and dumb. Thought it was a good idea at the time. Still have it though. The finish on it took a beating riding close to the body for a few years. It looks dreadful.

Where in the heck did you find a NIB example?
 
Back before CCW in this state, I was known to carry an NAA .22 magnum mini-revolver in a pocket holster. After CCW, it still went along as a BUG, at least until the morons in Santa Fe decided to amend our statutes to prohibit the carrying of more than one concealed weapon. But, sometimes I open carry, and then the little .22 magnum goes along for the ride.

If I ever have to use it, just like that cute High Standard derringer, it is going to be the gun of last resort.
 
jimmyj said:
*** when loading, make sure the cartridges are seated fully to avoid mis-fires.
Click to expand...

^^^what he said. I own a couple because I like derringers. Since I don't dress 'skin tight,' I prefer a J-frame as a BUG, preferably a 340. The weight difference between the 2 is insignificant. Some folks remove the grip panels to make the gun thinner: the panels are mostly for show, the gun works fine without them. Note, this is NOT a gun to fieldstrip or play with to reduce the trigger pull. Fire 4 rounds at a close range silo, clean it and then carry it. Fire 2 rounds each year. That's it. Trust me. Welcome to the wonderful world of derringers.

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103
 
Thanks guys! And thank you especially to the LEOs out there, active and retired.

Anything else I should know about these guns? This forum is so knowledgeable!
 
Late friend of mine had a High Standard in 22 mag. We tried it out on a sheet of plywood at 7 feet. Top barrel hit foot and a half to right of point of aim, lower barrel a foot and half to left of point of aim. Only gun I ever saw where you could stand in front of it and most likely not get hit. You could open it, hold it up to the light and see , without squinting, that the barrels were not bored in line. Save your money for something better.
 
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I’ve always liked those. The first time I shot one was at the indoor range at the FBI Academy during firearms instructor school. They had a bunch of them for issue to guys working undercover. They didn’t look like cop guns and they were so ungodly loud help was sure to come running.

I gave my last one to my niece in ABQ. It was in her car when it got towed and nowhere to be found when she bailed it out.
 
Carried a .22 Magnum every day I was with DPD. Had it in a Bianchi #6 swede IWB holster clipped to the body armor under the left arm..

Only probably 100 to 150 rounds through the gun but still tight... Took the grips off to make it slimmer.

To me however the best last ditch gun now made is the Keltec .32...

Would never bother owning a full size derringer other than a range toy...

Bob
 
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I have one in .22 Magnum and I don’t think this was mentioned yet. I don’t have chubby fingers at all, but one time I got pinched real hard between the trigger and 1/2 guard. My mistake with bad finger position, I guess, but watch out for that.
 
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