Time for another Derringer thread discussing what else? Derringers of course!

[Miami_JBT]

Picked one up for cheap this past weekend. Paid $250 out the door from Academy Sports after haggling and discounts.

It is the size of a J-Frame, only has a capacity of two rounds, is a single action, takes forever to reload, and somehow it breaks the laws of physics. It only weighs in at 19 ounces, but it feels like it weighs more than my Colt D-Frame King Cobra, which weighs in at 28 ounces.

Honestly, this thing is on the same level as my North American Arms mini-revolvers to me.

They keyhole at 5 yards.

In terms of modern defensive tactics, they're basically worthless comparatively speaking, since you have modern subcompacts like a Ruger LCP that are great BUGs.

But still, those little NAA guns are fun and loud as hell too!

I think the Bond Arms is going to be on the similar level, just with wrist pain. Okay, on a serious level. The Bond Arms is a more viable self-defense capable firearm. Yes, it is outclassed by my S&W Model 342Ti. But that doesn't matter. Why?

I've always wanted a Bond Arms derringer but didn't want to pay crazy prices for one. The Roughneck series is cost affordable and still reliable. It isn't like the Cobra Arms derringers made out of pot metal.

So, it is a horrible choice for self-defense? There are better options out there. But is it worthless? Not really, it beats a sharp stick and loaded with .38 Special, it is manageable.

Will it be my primary carry piece? No. But it will be in the rotation as a BUG sometimes and will be fun at the range.

Next month, I'm doing a defensive shooting course and to challenge myself, I'm going to do it with a Colt Lawman MKIII snub-nose and the Bond Arms as a BUG to the Colt. I want to make things fun and challenging. I can only do so many different courses with a GLOCK.

Fun story, my Dad had a partner back in the day that carried a similar mini-revolver made by Freedom Arms as a BUG. Got into a scuffle with a suspect and lost his duty gun. He pulled out the mini-revolver, shove it in the guy's face, and cranked off a round. Fight ended.

 

[Marshal Tom]

Just No, for all the reasons you stated above. IMHO they are just a waste of money except for the fun factor and as a range toy as you also stated above. I think they are well made and all but there are just to many better and more shootable choices out there.

 

[Pisgah]

I have a Beretta Pico, 7-shot .380, that is smaller and lighter, and a Taurus 650 .357 5-shot, and a Charter Arms Undercover .38, each no bigger or heavier than a Bond derringer. All three MUCH easier/faster to reload.

I just can't see where the derringer fits in...

 

[Drm50]

I class all those guns as novelty items. Reminds me of the time a customer came in with his new custom built fly rod. He was telling how much the stick cost, the eyes, the virgin cork for grip, ect. The rod was for upcoming trip to Alaska to fish for Salmon. After the show and tell played out he got down to what he came for. Bear protection. Ask him how much he wanted to go. Of course $50 to $100 was his budget for bear gun. Moral how can you carry a range toy for SD? Rotation? You are better off with one you can handle in the dark or without looking at it.

 

[DixieRanger]

All good thoughts/opinions. Feel some are just that...opinions...not from hands on? Lincolns assassin thought it fit in just fine. Carried pocket holstered in .22mag daily 28yrs in landscaping work. Called it my 'get off me' gun. Shrugged off sweat & grime. Could reach in pocket put thumb on top rim of holster, grip handle & pop out pretty quick. On 2nd holster. The American Derringer Corp. is heavy for size. With a 2 & 1/2in stacked disc .410buck & a .45 long colt in tube wouldn't want to be on receiver end. Other NAA .22mag. folder never fired along with the tiny NAA .22short. Picked up at a deal! Novelty maybe but better'na sharp stick me thinks. Still drop the holstered one in pocket working in yard from habit even now.

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[Miami_JBT]

All good thoughts/opinions. Feel some are just that...opinions...not from hands on? Lincolns assassin thought it fit in just fine. Carried pocket holstered in .22mag daily 28yrs in landscaping work. Called it my 'get off me' gun. Shrugged off sweat & grime. Could reach in pocket put thumb on top rim of holster, grip handle & pop out pretty quick. On 2nd holster. The American Derringer Corp. is heavy for size. With a 2 & 1/2in stacked disc .410buck & a .45 long colt in tube wouldn't want to be on receiver end. Other NAA .22mag. folder never fired along with the tiny NAA .22short. Picked up at a deal! Novelty maybe but better'na sharp stick me thinks. Still drop the holstered one in pocket working in yard from habit even now. View attachment 629966View attachment 629967View attachment 629968

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Even when Lincoln was assassinated, the gun used was already outclassed. John Wilkes Booth's gun was an older singe-shot percussion capped muzzle loader.

Heck, the Remington Model 1866 in .41 Rimfire came out in 1866.

Again, is the lethality of these guns diminished? No, a Brown Bess from 1775 will still kill a man. But that doesn't mean better things have come.

I just spent money on one of these and I did it knowing that there are better options out there. Would it ever be my primary self-defense gun? Nope. But it can in a pinch be used. Heck, my Browning BT99 12ga trap gun can be used for self-defense.

Also, if I recall, the American Derringers aren't safe to carry since they can go off when dropped.

 

[Rustyt1953]

In the late 80's I bought a COP .357 Derringer.

After 4 rounds my carpals and metacarpals lodged a formal protest and threatened a strike.

I acquiesced to their demands.

 

[Rustyt1953]

PS: my LCP is only slightly more bulky than a center fire derringer.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I just can't see where the derringer fits in...
________________

In today's world of compact handguns it is hard to argue with that statement.

Fun, maybe, if you like the noise and the recoil and make sure to not shoot off a fingertip.

Novelty? Of course, but see fun above....

Anecdotal evidence of survival using one is great but, still, in today's world....wait, I said that....

I have a few........

Remington .41 rimfire (Unfired AFAIK)

NAA Mini-revolver .22Short - has to be the smallest one they ever made. (Unfired/NIB in its little velvet box)

High Standard .22 Magnum (NIB I might add - unfired, anyway, I am not sure that I still have the box)

And then there is this one, the one that gives the lie to "I can't see where the derringer fits in....." - another High Standard .22 Magnum, BUT.....

....the but is that in this ATF approved "garment" it rides in my robe pocket every day, 365, so I am NEVER unarmed, even inside my own house.

 

[DixieRanger]

American Derringer has a push in cross bolt safety on left of hammer. Pic of on & when cocking hammer, pops off. Selective barrels .45cal./.410. Pic of firing pins & .45bore. Carried at SASS Cowboy matches not to shoot but added nice touch to rig along with pocket watch and belt Bowie w/indian bead on retaining rawhide thongs. Lotta fun

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[DixieRanger]

Read more posts. Hey...look at OP thread title. Post all ya want but practically/self defence comparisons ain't the thread but all threads take lotta turns & curves...and so it goes. [emoji2957]

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[Miami_JBT]

In the late 80's I bought a COP .357 Derringer.

After 4 rounds my carpals and metacarpals lodged a formal protest and threatened a strike.

I acquiesced to their demands.

I've always wanted a COP .357 for stupid reasons.

 

[Miami_JBT]

American Derringer has a push in cross bolt safety on left of hammer. Pic of on & when cocking hammer, pops off. Selective barrels .45cal./.410. Pic of firing pins & .45bore. Carried at SASS Cowboy matches not to shoot but added nice touch to rig along with pocket watch and belt Bowie w/indian bead on retaining rawhide thongs. Lotta funView attachment 629977View attachment 629978View attachment 629979

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The cross bolt safety, if not engaged, makes the firearm dangerous if dropped. The Bond Arms design with a rebounding hammer, makes it safe to carry with the safety off.

 

[Miami_JBT]

Read more posts. Hey...look at OP thread title. Post all ya want but practically/self defence comparisons ain't the thread but all threads take lotta turns & curves...and so it goes. [emoji2957]

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I've always been wanting a derringer but I didn't want to pay the higher prices for one. So, when the opportunity came for a quality made one at a reasonable price. I jumped on it. In the end, it is stibetter than nothing. But in today's world, there are better options. The same goes for half the guns I own. Right now, I'm carrying a Colt Lawman MKIII snub-nose. It is the size of a GLOCK 19, weighs more than one, and is limited to six rounds.

Why am I carrying it? Why am I personally handicapping myself in regards to self-defense when I can reach into my safe and grab my GLOCK 48 with 15rd Shield Magazines?

Because I want to.

In the end, guns are fun. I'm going to enjoy this one too.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I have about six O/U derringers including 32 ACP, 22 Mag, 38 Special and a old American Derringer in 357. People have often said on this forum: Two guns is one and One is none. DA High Standards make a great BUG or 2nd BUG!

Traditional styles are more for entertainment value, or maybe the gun you willingly surrender!

Ivan

 

[kaaskop49]

Boy, with all the rancor, bad vibes and negative waves above, I'm glad my surname isn't Derringer! Got a bunch of these little things, absolutely love 'em! Recently learned that Bond has come out with the Stinger line: lighter and thinner in .38, .380 and 9mm. If an aluminum frame in .38 comes in, it's mine!

Kaaskop49
Shield #5103

 

[Miami_JBT]

In today's world of compact handguns it is hard to argue with that statement.

Fun, maybe, if you like the noise and the recoil and make sure to not shoot off a fingertip.

Novelty? Of course, but see fun above....

Anecdotal evidence of survival using one is great but, still, in today's world....wait, I said that....

I have a few........

Remington .41 rimfire (Unfired AFAIK)

NAA Mini-revolver .22Short - has to be the smallest one they ever made. (Unfired/NIB in its little velvet box)

High Standard .22 Magnum (NIB I might add - unfired, anyway, I am not sure that I still have the box)

And then there is this one, the one that gives the lie to "I can't see where the derringer fits in....." - another High Standard .22 Magnum, BUT.....

....the but is that in this ATF approved "garment" it rides in my robe pocket every day, 365, so I am NEVER unarmed, even inside my own house.

Jelly! Years ago, I had a chance to buy one of those High Standards for stupid cheap but didn't. Ever since then, I kinds have been kicking myself for not. They're neat little guns and when they came out, they were pretty revolutionary for self-defense BUGs.

An internally acting double action system in such a compact and reliable platform. From an era where ultra compact guns like that were mostly Saturday Night Specials that choked on the second round or ultra expensive European imports.

High Standard made a gun, in .22 LR and .22 WRF, that was reliable. Plenty of cops back in the 70s carried one as a BUG and some of them are alive today because of those little guns.

I wish I could find the American Derringer DA38 clone of it for a price that isn't ridiculously expensive.

 

[Rpg]

T

In the 1960’s-1970’s, my uncle briefly fell in love with some of these little guns. He ended up with several of the little revolvers and a High Standard derringer. One was in 22magnum, the rest 22 lr. We spent many afternoons trying to hit things with them, generally without success.

Neither of us could hit anything with the little revolvers that wasn’t within arms reach. The high standard was much better, but only with one barrel. The barrels are only casually regulated so you’ll find only one barrel shoots more or less where it’s pointed.

My uncle’s interest in these guns was the result of planning a cross country bicycle ride. After playing with the revolvers and High Standard, he settled on a M38.

I think I still have a little single shot 22 derringer that was one of the derringers he considered. It’s cute and tiny, but you can’t hit anything beyond arms length with it.

Any J frame is a much better sd hand gun. They often weigh less than variations on the derringer and are MUCH easier to shoot.

 

[Muley Gil]

Back in my cop days, my usual armament was a 5" 1911 .45, built on an aluminum frame, a 2" .38 special nickel Colt Cobra, carried in an ankle holster and a 1" .22 magnum NAA revolver in my left pocket. I also carried a few knives.

And yes, I DID work in a rough city.

 

[DixieRanger]

Saw on GB NIB COP .357 starting bid $2400. No bid as yet. Yikes!

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