Derringer accuracy

[WestKentucky]

Recent thread responses got me fired up a bit with folks making comments about how you can’t hit squat with a derringer. I don’t believe that to be true, and I just so happen to own one of the worst Derringer’s for accuracy because my zinc barrel with multiple rounds down the pipe is pretty well shot out and has developed its own straight scars which likely negate what little rifling was ever there to begin with. I can still get hits with this gun, but I would contend that mine is among the worst.

Gun: Butler 22 short. Modified to allow colibri ammo to chamber.

Distance: 21 ft measured with a tape measure.

5 shots, no warmup, no fliers.

target, 1/4 plywood with a 3” orange dot.

results... not stellar, but 5 hits. Plywood is roughly the size of an adults torso so I’m calling a hit on plywood a decent hit. Group size from opposite impact to opposite impact, 5 inches. Shots all roughly toward 10-11 o’clock position. Furthest shot from bullseye, almost 6 inches.

Now, this gun sucks. Blunt truth. It was not made to be shot, but I do shoot it a bit. My frustration is that this gun is horrible... trash trigger, awful grips, dismal sights, sewer pipe barrel... but it still hits, so why do so many people bash Derringer’s as inaccurate and unreliable for defense because you can’t even get a hit at 7 yards? It’s bunk. Here are the pictures. I would do more but I’m headed back to work to train the night shift crew.

really interesting that I had one stop in the plywood and was able to dig it out and see a relatively un-mangled colibri bullet. I have tried and couldn’t catch a good one but now I do catch one shooting wet plywood...

yes I know it’s just a 22 and I’m shooting the weakest ammo commonly available. That doesn’t change how the sights line up or change where the bullet hits.

 

[Trey Veston]

If you're comfortable carrying a single-shot pistol that can barely penetrate plywood, then more power to you.

 

[bangswitch]

I consider a derringer to be a last-ditch holdout, ultimate concealment, arms-length-range gun. Good for them to anyone who can hit something 20 feet away with one.

 

[BSA1]

It is of small comfort to your family and loved ones if your attacker dies 1/2 hour after you do.

 

[Armored farmer]

He didnt say it was carrying it for sd.

 

[WestKentucky]

Nowhere did I ever say I was carrying this thing. I’m just fed up with people spouting BS that you can’t hit with them. My guess is that 95% of the people who shoot see one immediately dismiss any derringer no matter the caliber, 4% shoot one a couple times and dismiss it, and 1% decide to enjoy them. Of that group, there clearly are a bunch who pretend to be experts on them and can’t hit anything beyond “bad breath” or “get offa me” distance. If this were in anything 32acp or larger I would not feel bad carrying it as a deep concealment piece.

The whole point is, people spout BS more than they spout info. This particular gun has no business in any accuracy measurement, and yet it still makes hits. Clearly all of these people who pretend to be experts who can’t hit with them are full of crap. Is it a 100 yard gun, no, but it is not the phantom that people act like it is where it’s most dangerous to the shooter.

 

[WestKentucky]

If you're comfortable carrying a single-shot pistol that can barely penetrate plywood, then more power to you.

Not the point. People make bogus claims constantly on here and elsewhere about how guns like this are wildly inaccurate. Not so. I would never carry this thing for defense. There are far better options in my safe.

 

[Varminterror]

I recall participating in side matches at cowboy action matches in which we fired derringers at 7-10ft, usually seated at a wooden cable spool, to mimic a poker table. The ace of spades on a cardboard IPSC type target as a bonus score target. The Ace was rarely replaced between shooters.

 

[Trey Veston]

Not the point. People make bogus claims constantly on here and elsewhere about how guns like this are wildly inaccurate. Not so. I would never carry this thing for defense. There are far better options in my safe.

I guess it depends on your criteria of "wildly inaccurate". 6' groups at 20' is about 600% larger than what I get with my other defensive carry pistols, so I would classify that as wildly inaccurate. Can you hit a man-sized target at 20'? Yep, so it would be acceptable for a last ditch gun.

I've never shot a derringer, never owned one, never had the desire to own one, but I really don't care if someone else likes them and wants to carry them.

 

[Fyrstyk]

When I sometimes carry my derringer as deep cover SD firearm, it is usually during the summer when I am dressed lightly. I do not, and would not draw and shoot the derringer unless my attacker was within 10' or less of me. I have shot it many times at the range at 10' and less, and even with the long hard trigger pull I have been able to keep both shots center mass on the standard police target. Two hits with a 22 mag at near point blank range is going to hurt.

 

[bdickens]

He didnt say it was carrying it for sd.

English is hard....

 

[Zaydok Allen]

I was able to get hits with my Bond out to 7 yards reliably and 10 yards if I slowed way down.

Yeah, they can work and I think inaccuracy claims are in many cases exaggerated.

But I still think they make no sense for SD as there are loads of other small guns that’ll do better.

But a fun gun is fine to have around too.

Hyperbole is a way of life on the “online internets”.