Bond Arms

I was out bush hogging today and scarring up a bunch of rats and mice in the field. I plan to continue some cutting tomorrow. Maybe I'll take out the Bond Arms derringer and see if I can with the.410 barrel and dispatch a couple rats. Probably not, but maybe some fun.

The rats are not really moving too fast but from the time you see them until they disappear in the cut grass is fairly short.
 
Tallball said:
I owned a derringer for a little while, back in the early 90's.

It was a 32 or a 38.

My hands are XXL and it was a smaller derringer, like a Cobra or whatever... maybe a Davis?

I had to point it at the ground in front of the target to hit the paper at 20 feet.

There just wasn't enough gun for me to hold onto.

It would be fun to try a Bond sometime. They look to have some meat on their bones. :)
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Yeah, they are much more substantial and quality. The issue is, they are generally heavier and larger as they are all steel. The Bond is accurate at SD distances once one gets used to the grip and trigger. I think anyone who has only shot the cheapo Ring of Fire (Cobra, Davis) derringers should try a quality one such as American Derringer or Bonds before swearing off all derringers. However, the limitations of capacity and so on still exist.
 
I can't see calling a Bond Derringer "impractical". Derringer designs have served for many, many years as close-in defensive weapons and back-ups. High quality ones like Bond are all reliable and depending on your budget readily available. The versatility of one frame accepting a wide variety of calibers and barrel lengths is an attractive feature as well. If I lived in a state with less prohibitive carry laws, I would definitely own at least one.
 
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DTL said:
I can't see calling a Bond Derringer "impractical". Derringer designs have served for many, many years as close-in defensive weapons and back-ups. High quality ones like Bond are all reliable and depending on your budget readily available. The versatility of one frame accepting a wide variety of calibers and barrel lengths is an attractive feature as well. If I lived in a state less prohibitive carry laws, I would definitely own at least one.
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Right, they serve the same function they did when derringers were used by many, as well as when fuller sized single shot pistols were used. And, modern Bond Arms derringers are more powerful than many of those (except full sized historic pistols were often powerful), and more reliable. My BA derringer has never failed to fire, ever.

I'm going to reiterate something I may have mentioned earlier. When I use the 2.5 inch 9mm barrel (the smallest length barrel BA makes, also in some other calibers), and smallest grip not extended one, my BA is the smallest, powerful handgun I have. It's hard to get a 9mm or something stronger in a smaller or similar size. That's what BA says. The main issue is capacity.

Here are tests showing that the 9mm does well still out of the BA.
 
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If I was limited to a pocket gun, I'd rather have a LCP 380 than a derringer.
Thankfully, I'm not limited to a pocket gun and I'd rather have a Glock 19 than a pocket 380.
How about a derringer as a "back-up"? No, pocket 380 would still win; and that is coming from someone who carries larger than 380.
Anywhere I'd rather have just 2 rounds of ammo instead of 7 rounds? No, nope.
 
CDW4ME said:
If I was limited to a pocket gun, I'd rather have a LCP 380 than a derringer.
Thankfully, I'm not limited to a pocket gun and I'd rather have a Glock 19 than a pocket 380.
How about a derringer as a "back-up"? No, pocket 380 would still win; and that is coming from someone who carries larger than 380.
Anywhere I'd rather have just 2 rounds of ammo instead of 7 rounds? No, nope.
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Carry is definitely a personal choice.
 
I thought a comparison picture may help in this discussion.
20211112_143139.jpg

One of these four handguns finds it way into my pocket everyday day.
1) Taurus 605 357mag is the largest /heaviest
2) Ruger LCP 380 is the lightest with the most capacity.
3) Bond Arms Rowdy 45/410 3"
4) S&W 442 38 special.

They all have the same general purpose (self defense), but all have a few different capabilities or advantages. I carry the LCP during the heat of the summer and the 442 during the cooler months. The 605 has turned into a hiking companion when I want more punch. The Rowdy is great while hunting with its versatile loads.

The Bond Arms is really versatile with its different loads 410 & 45lc.
Jeff Quinn summed it up as a great car /truck gun for car jackers. [Shoot them in the face if it doesn't kill them they can learn braille in prison].
 
WisBorn said:
I thought a comparison picture may help in this discussion.
View attachment 1037568

One of these four handguns finds it way into my pocket everyday day.
1) Taurus 605 357mag is the largest /heaviest
2) Ruger LCP 380 is the lightest with the most capacity.
3) Bond Arms Rowdy 45/410 3"
4) S&W 442 38 special.

They all have the same general purpose (self defense), but all have a few different capabilities or advantages. I carry the LCP during the heat of the summer and the 442 during the cooler months. The 605 has turned into a hiking companion when I want more punch. The Rowdy is great while hunting with its versatile loads.

The Bond Arms is really versatile with its different loads 410 & 45lc.
Jeff Quinn summed it up as a great car /truck gun for car jackers. [Shoot them in the face if it doesn't kill them they can learn braille in prison].
Click to expand...

They also have a driving holster that attaches to the seatbelt I think for quick use in such situations.

Also, something I noted earlier is if you put a BA 2.5 inch barrel on, it is smaller than the snubbies and micro 9 mm's. I've done the comparison. As in your picture, the 3 inch makes it slightly larger.
 
Autodidactic said:
Yeah, they are much more substantial and quality. The issue is, they are generally heavier and larger as they are all steel. The Bond is accurate at SD distances once one gets used to the grip and trigger. I think anyone who has only shot the cheapo Ring of Fire (Cobra, Davis) derringers should try a quality one such as American Derringer or Bonds before swearing off all derringers. However, the limitations of capacity and so on still exist.
Click to expand...
The Cobra and Davis derringers have one thing that makes them more practical than the Bond derringers tho: size and weight. They're not quality by any means, but the Cobra/Davis derringers meet the most basic function of what a derringer is supposed to be and it's be small.

No, they won't last as long as a Bond and they have terrible triggers, but for a belly gun or across the table gun, they do the job.

I still don't see what any derringer is going to do that another gun can't do better.
 
TTv2 said:
The Cobra and Davis derringers have one thing that makes them more practical than the Bond derringers tho: size and weight. They're not quality by any means, but the Cobra/Davis derringers meet the most basic function of what a derringer is supposed to be and it's be small.

No, they won't last as long as a Bond and they have terrible triggers, but for a belly gun or across the table gun, they do the job.

I still don't see what any derringer is going to do that another gun can't do better.
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Yes, the weight of the Bond Arms is an issue. All steel. I heard some American Derringers, which are barely made anymore or hard to find, meet the lighter yet high quality derringer fit.

Regarding the Cobra/Davis derringers, my only concern is safety with them. I'm okay with safe cheaper or budget guns. The issue is I've heard they aren't carry or drop safe. Just 2 months ago in my town there was a news article about a cheapo .38 special derringer I think dropped in a movie theatre and firing. Didn't hit anyone. However, I may get a .22 LR one simply because I want to, and Bond Arms no longer makes the .22 LR derringers.

I got a derringer because for historical reasons I've always liked them and wanted one. It's like people buying black powder, single shot hunting rifles, or 1800's Colt single action reproductions. Some things are for personal, collecting interests.

My view is if someone doesn't have a functional serious, service caliber self defense firearm, such as a modern revolver, semi-auto, or long arm, then they should first focus on the more serious need. Once one does though, it's perfectly okay to get a few collector or fun guns.
 
IMG_6626_LI.jpg

I see the Bond derringers as an "old west" theme. Sorta fits in there with the SAA Colts, Mule ear shotguns and such. For mine I wanted a distressed leather holster. Like it had been on 50 cattle drives. I had a very old and beat up pair of cowboy chinks and took about a 10"x10" piece of one and made this holster.


loose
 
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GEM said:
The 380 version might not be that bad to shoot. Still not something I would carry seriously but why not if you cash in some bonds.
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None of them are, to me, "unpleasant"; although some calibers are farther from it than others. :D
Thanks for this. I'm a huge fan of Bond Arms and I wasn't aware of the Stinger. I just sent a text to the owner of my LGS telling him I'd take the first .380 he could get hold of.
 
I wonder how a 38 SPL shooting mild wadcutters would feel. Or even a 32 SW Long with some of the wadcutters that are out there. Not a bear gun but if you are into retro, why not. Put in your hat like Yancy Derringer.
 
GEM said:
I wonder how a 38 SPL shooting mild wadcutters would feel. Or even a 32 SW Long with some of the wadcutters that are out there. Not a bear gun but if you are into retro, why not. Put in your hat like Yancy Derringer.
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The derringers have a very rounded grip which, much like a single action revolver, rolls up and back rather than slamming back. I have barrels in .22, 9mm, .45/.410, .45 ACP, and .357 Mag. None of them are painful, though I probably wouldn't shoot a full box of .45 Colt or full-house .357 Mag. My standard target/plinking .357 load is a 158 grn CSWC that chronos at 950 out of a 4" revolver and I can shoot all of them I want without discomfort and 9mm is even milder so I have to think the 9mm in an aluminum frame would be a non issue. The .38, if they chamber it in that, should be fine as well.
 
Loosenock said:
View attachment 1044589

I see the Bond derringers as an "old west" theme. Sorta fits in there with the SAA Colts, Mule ear shotguns and such. For mine I wanted a distressed leather holster. Like it had been on 50 cattle drives. I had a very old and beat up pair of cowboy chinks and took about a 10"x10" piece of one and made this holster.


loose
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Awesome, and yes, fits that old west nitch. Recently I was wearing a sports coat with tweed elbows, and my BA fit into the inside lined pocket and I felt like an old school gent.

GEM said:
Did someone mention the slimmer versions that are coming out: https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/review-bond-arms-stinger-derringer/

The 380 version might not be that bad to shoot. Still not something I would carry seriously but why not if you cash in some bonds.
Click to expand...

I didn't know about these! Certainly, I'd like a smaller/thinner/lighter derringer but the quality of BA. When do they come to stores? From the article sounds like it's not all steel like normal BA's, but partly aluminum?

Old_Grouch said:
None of them are, to me, "unpleasant"; although some calibers are farther from it than others. :D
Thanks for this. I'm a huge fan of Bond Arms and I wasn't aware of the Stinger. I just sent a text to the owner of my LGS telling him I'd take the first .380 he could get hold of.
Click to expand...

You haven't shot the .357 magnum then, lol. They only sell .357/.38 barrels, not .38 only. My BA is bru-TAL with .357.

GEM said:
I wonder how a 38 SPL shooting mild wadcutters would feel. Or even a 32 SW Long with some of the wadcutters that are out there. Not a bear gun but if you are into retro, why not. Put in your hat like Yancy Derringer.
Click to expand...

My Bond Arms with .38 wadcutters is perfect. Done it, all about it.
 
Autodidactic said:
You don't find the magnums in such tiny guns rough?
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Oh yes, they're quite rough. As I said, I wouldn't shoot a whole box in one session. I just wouldn't call them "painful", at least not for the first dozen or so rounds. (I suspect my answer may change a bit if I ever try the 10mm)
A couple of years ago I sold my 3" .357 barrel to a friend who is a CAS shooter and I bought the 6" barrel. (I have no idea why). I had expected it to be even more snorty due the the extra velocity of the longer barrel but the extra weight offsets it enough that I really don't notice a difference.
 
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Old_Grouch said:
I bought the 6" barrel. (I have no idea why).
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I've been looking to get myself a Bond Arms derringer (.45/.410), and I've been debating barrel length. Do you think the 6" barrel offers any advantage(s) at all?
Call me "weird," but I really like how the 6" ones look - at least how they look in the pictures I've seen of them. It's just my luck, but I haven't seen a Bond Arms derringer of any caliber or barrel length in any gun store around here since I started looking for one 6 months ago or so. Nevertheless, I'm going to keep looking. I'll find one eventually.:thumbup:
 
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