Derringer

[Mordoc]

Well, I finally got a derringer. It is a Cobra 22lr. It is styled like the classic Remington derringers and for $79 let me satisify my interest cheaply. It is matte black with white plastic grips. It requires about 20 pds. to cock the hammer and the trigger pull is about the same. There is a half-cock position on the hammer and it is fitted with a crossbolt safety. The manual warns not to dry fire the derringer and this is good advice. I dry fired it once and now have a ding on one chamber. The hammer appears to rest directly on the firing pin when at rest so the safety is a neccesity. The sights are crude but it will stay in the 'C' zone on an IPSC target which was the only one I had at about five yards. Function is good, no missfires and it does fit the watch pocket on my jeans but I wouldn't depend on this thing for any real defense need. It is a neat curio for the money and is a good match for my .22 Bisley.

 

[George Hill]

How much is an American Derringer? I wouldn't turn down one in 9MM, but I don't think I would spend my own money on one.

Okay, I have no interest in these guns at all to be honest. I am usually the type of guy to say that no working gun is obsolete. However when it comes to the Derringer, I can't say that. I think the gun is obsolete. If you want a micro small 22, a North American Arms Mini Revolver will give you 3 more shots over the Derringer, smaller, and they are even more accurate. Not to mention the fact that they are made by totally gonzo gun nuts just like us... on CNC Mills and hand fit and finished. Each one is practically a "Production Custom" even on the base model... and you can get it anyway you want. They will do anything for you finish wise. Same with the Guardians.

Of course if you only had 80 bucks...

hmmm... I think I'd have bought a Spyderco...

 

[Mordoc]

The point was that it is a derringer. I wanted one just because it is different. I have a P-32 for a small carry gun if needed. The derringer is as I said just a curio. It shoots like it cost $80 which it did. I have no doubt anything by American Derringer would be far superior. It was an impulse buy while I was looking for a Smith M-18 or M-67 or (one day) a M-58.

 

[WonderNine]

I've fired a Davis derringer in .22lr before. It was a total P.O.S., but it would work. Why not buy one in a serious defensive caliber? I have a 9mm American Derringer and that thing kicks ???. I really like to have a backup gun in the same caliber as my primary so 9mm fits the bill for that and other reasons. If you're primary gun breaks then at least you have somthing else. However for serious CCW it's third string. Browning HP first, then something like a Kahr MK9 or another BHP as backup and then the derringer in a pocket as a hideout gun.

IMO derringers are certainly not obsolete.

 

[sm]

Back some 20+ years ago I had the HIgh Standard 22 mag derringer that fit into a wallet. Kinda neat. I broke whatever the dealie is that switches from one bbl to the other about 3 times. Low round count, the first time at about 20 rds, the 2nd at 10 rds, and again at around 20 rds.

It was a fun deal with the wallet that carried two extra rounds. Someone wanted it more than I did for a collection and I got rid of it. Loud lil devil.

 

[Standing Wolf]

I've sworn off cute guns, but if I ever break my vow, it'll be for a Derringer.

Curiously, the original Deringer spelled his name with two Rs rather than three.

 

[Mordoc]

The really neat thing about a derringer is that they just look mean at least from the front, especially in a larger caliber than .22. They look kind of like a minature sawed off shotgun. I have read that the derringer was feared because since it was pocket carried the bullet lube picked up all kinds of dirt and grim so if you were shot with one you would likely die from massive infection after several days of suffering. I'm talking about the originals here and this was before antibiotics of course.

 

[Jim K]

Not a defense gun? Do you expect THREE attackers?

Jim

 

[Hal]

Mordoc,

I have a .22lr Davies I bought for the same reason.

I just wanted the thing.

Yeah, it's amost useless for anything but a grin generator.

Things a hoot and a half to shoot with CB caps.

Only thing it's really any practical use for is loading it with 1 shot load, and 1 CB cap to dispatch snakes that get tangled up in the mower blades this time of year.

 

[Mordoc]

I had forgotten about cb caps. I'll have to try them in mine. They are probably closer to the original .22 load then anything else. I wonder if any vintage derringers were made in .22 rimfire. I may pick p a .38 some time although I doubt it would be very much fun to shoot. It would look more like one of the classic derringers. It is good for grins for sure and everyone who sees it at the range wants to try it.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

I wouldn't mind one in .45 ACP.

then, if my gun breaks, i can use my magazines as spare ammo carriers.

 

[Hal]

I've thought about getting one of the blued Davies in .38spl.
Then cutting down some of the grungier .38spl cases I have to about half length and loading a gallery type load of 1 gr of Unique over a magnum primer.

As it is, my .22 is one of the gawdy chrome plated ones. Darn thing is almost an exact double of one of those belt buckle toys I had way back when.

It is good for grins for sure and everyone who sees it at the range wants to try it.

Here's a sure fire grin getter. Have them shoot a heavy magnum first, then hand them the Derringer loaded with CB caps. The sheepish grin on their face as the little .22 plows foreward about 2 feet in anticipation of the non existant recoil is priceless. Heck it's so much fun I do it to myself!

 

[Zeus]

I've got a Bond Texas Defender in..

44 Magnum that is pretty sharp. They are built like tanks and if you are going to buy a derringer, they seem to build some the best. They are expensive ($360) for a play gun but hey you can't take it with you. I bought it just for fun I guess but with 260 grain Nosler Partitions, this thing kicks like a mule. My 454 Freedom Arms doesn't even come close. Very sharp and quick. What I've done is loaded some 44 shotshells and at 5-7 yards, on a sillouette target, there are two holes in the nose (capsule and base) and the rest of the head area is covered in holes. The other barrel holds a 44 mag hollow point. I'm going to load it with 200 grain 44 Spl HP soon but I'll probably still keep the bottom barrel with the shotshell. If you haven't seen these, give them a look, they're neat... mine is the Texas Defender with the 3" barrel. I was very surprised at the accuracy of mine.

www.bondarms.com

Glenn

 

[22luvr]

Good grief guys......lighten up !!

Man, some of you are merciless!

Isn't it wonderful here in the good ol' USA that we can buy practically anything we want to shoot??

If poor Mr. Mordoc wants to have his .22 derringer, then cut him some slack and let him enjoy his purchase! Good for you, Mordoc; I hope you enjoy owning and shooting your new toy.

As for me, I'll hold out on derringers until they make one that chambers the S&W .500........(?!)

Best wishes............

 

[critter]

Mordoc, you mentioned 'look mean from the front'. I once fired one that belonged to a friend (don't even remember the brand). It was chambered in .45 Colt/410 shotgun!!!!! Kicked well aplenty!!!

But you talk about LOOK MEAN FROM THE FRONT!!!!! Loaded in .410, the end of the shell was within an inch or so of the muzzle! You could EASILY read the '#6' on the end of it! Most intimidating!

Other than really intimidating, it was mostly worthless. 'Bout a 20# trigger pull! Unique though.

 

[makdaddy03]

Zues, Beat me to it. I was going to say checkout the Bonds Arms 44mag. Wooo.... I bet that thing is a kicker witha a roar...

 

[makdaddy03]

So do you guys like the Davis or Cobras? I would like to have a cheap but good backup for my backup gun. I have been looking at the Naa Minis,Keltec P32 and others but dang those things are expensive. I have also found an old FN 7.65mm semi auto in which the gun dealer recommends $75.

 

[WonderNine]

I saw a Cobra 9mm derringer, I think it was nickle, on Auction Arms the other day for $85 + shipping NIB. Good cheap fun gun and certainly wouldn't hurt to have one in the pocket. I believe that since Cobra took over Davis the quality of their cheap derringers has increase slightly or so it appears. I was thinking of picking one up in 9mm or .32ACP myself.

The reason why I said the Davis I shot was a POS was because the safety kept falling out. I think it was an early 1960's model judgeing from the box. It worked great though.

 

[makdaddy03]

Cool, Thanks for the info.