Derringers: Carry Them? and Advice Needed

[DFW1911]

Folks,

I'm posting this here because I don't think we have a Derringer category

I've been thinking about adding a couple to the collection just because. Does anyone carry one as a primary CCW or BUG?

NAA, Davis, Cobra, and others have been checked out. I want one that is "traditional," meaning 2 shot, exposed trigger (see attached). Some of the models are produced in 45 Colt. I cannot imagine that would be fun to shoot, but maybe I'm missing something.

What manufacturers / models / calibers do you recommend? What's the effective range of a short barrel derringer?

Oh, and any pics will be appreciated.

Thanks,
DFW1911

 

[fireside44]

Be prepared to get ripped on for your derringer lust.

I got a Cobra derringer. Not exactly a high quality piece, but it works. I can hit a man sized target center of mass at ten feet, no problem.

I've found that it works best when you draw it weak (left) handed because of the location and function of the safety. My left thumb can easily access and push it to "fire" where my right hand requires the use of both hands to bring into action.

It is what it is, a last ditch weapon when your *usual* carry piece is empty, damaged, or lost.

The Bond arms (.45 long colt) are high quality and very nice but they aren't really derringer sized. Kind of defeats the purpose.

 

[David E]

Any gun is better than no gun......but that does not mean that all guns are equally effective.

Carrying a derringer for a primary is a great idea..............for the other guy.

 

[dirty dave]

Yea I carry one from time to time,But always have something better in my truck.Have a Cobra 38 long bore.fits my hand better than the small ones.Best to take it apart and hone the parts or else the trigger pull is the worst you ever tried.But after a little work mine has a very good trigger.you get what you pay for.But they seem to be alright guns after working ontrigger.

 

[Claymore1500]

I have three, Davis/cobra .22lr, Excam .38spl., And an American derringer .45acp.
I have carried them all at one time or another, In fact, the American derringer lives in my "bank bag", that's where I keep the night deposit envelopes for payday and such, if I am going to the atm, it goes with me.

Now as you may know, nearly everyone on this board will tell you "There are better choices for carry" and I don't have an arguement with that. But in my 55 years on this rock, I have NEVER been in a situation that I needed to present a gun in the face of a bad guy, so maybe I am tempting fate, But I do not feel unarmed with them.

 

[farscott]

I have a Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV that I like. I usually keep in my pocket for snake duty when doing chores on the farm. I have three barrels for it: .45 Colt/.410 shot shell, .38/.357, and .22 LR. Construction and materials are first-rate, and the barrel changes are easy. The trigger guard is removable, which offers the traditional exposed trigger wanted by the OP.

Effective range depends on the shooter. I have watched Bob Munden make shots with his Bond derringer that I would be hard pressed to make with a target gun. For self-defense, it is going to come down to how much you practice and how long it takes you to get used to the Bond trigger. I practiced a lot with mine with the .22 LR barrel to break in the gun.

 

[rogertc1]

Derringers are more of a novelty now days unless you need a 3rd gun for deep cover or into CowBoy action. The one pictured by the OP is kinda a junk derringer I would be afraid to carry safely.
Yes I do have a few so I know what I am talking about. I also have had a CCW for over 35 years.
Pic of mine:

few more

 

[smince]

Any gun is better than no gun

Disagree. I'd much rather carry one of these (or about any good quality folder) than any derringer:

 

[DFW1911]

Thanks for the info. Mine would probably see very limited, if any, CCW, in any capacity.. I would, however, take it to the range / farm to fire off some rounds. Great idea as a snake gun.

So Bond arms appears to be decent quality...what others should I consider?

 

[Mp7]

... i think the use of it in "the bank bag" as one poster wrote - is the best use of it.

Of course if you have Semmerling .45 like rogertc ...
( and would actually depreciate it by shooting it )

Not having handled it ... the Ruger LCR would probably
be my minimum for CCW.
That and all the tiny pocket guns in .380
are what derringers have become IMHO.

02$ Mp7

 

[lima_w]

I've been reading up on the Bond Arms Snake Slayer and finally got to handle one yesterday, it's very solid and well made. I thought for the size that it had a good weight.
How well does it handle the .410? I have shot .45LC through a derringer before (Not through the Bond Arms) and it didn't seem too bad. But when I shoot .410 from my Judge the recoil is considerably more so I was wondering.

 

[Slamfire]

I shot a couple. Was not impressed. A Deringer is an arms length weapon, none of the ones I fired shot any where near point of aim. The recoil of the first shot pivots the thing so much you have to reposition it to cock and pull the trigger.

The ones in an effective caliber, like 38 or 44, are only a little more compact than a J frame S&W.

The continuing popularity of Deringers is due to re runs of the TV series "Wild, Wild West". James West pulls out a Deringer from his sleeve, and everyone wants one.

 

[KevininPa]

So Bond arms appears to be decent quality...what others should I consider?

American Derringers are well built. Also a little smaller and more in line with a traditional derringer look (like the old Remingtons). That being said, I have the Bond Arms Snakeslayer. Built like a tank and the oversized grips make it easier to control. But it's size and weight are almost the same as my Taurus 605 or my Sig 232, so those get carried.

 

[farscott]

How well does it handle the .410?

.410 is not bad in the Bond Arms IF you have the extended grips offered with the Snake Slayer and Ranger variants. The grips make a big difference in the perception of the recoil.

I shoot three-inch .410 rounds, usually #6 or smaller shot, quite often in my Bond.

 

[No Quarter]

My Bond Derringer in .44 mag will throw a 240 grain bullet at 1100fps.

That will ruin absolutely anyone's day. Most powerful pocket gun you can find.

Torso accurate out to 15 yards. I shot a lot of rounds through mine to get good with it. I noticed a marked improvement in how well I shot it after 100 rounds. Now after hundreds more, I am confident with it. I don't carry it all the time, but when I do, it works mighty fine in a back pocket of a pair of jeans.

They have a place. I admittedly usually carry a Sig P238 or Colt Commander, but it has its place in the rotation...

Oh yeah, one more thing. The recoil in that little .44 mag is INVIGORATING!

 

[w_houle]

Have it set up to where the bottom barrel shoots first, that way you increase your chances of hitting your target.

 

[No Quarter]

Just for fun,

Here is a picture of my little hand cannon:

Bond Arms .44 mag. Faux ivory grips and gold engraved barrel.

 

[DFW1911]

My Bond Derringer in .44 mag will throw a 240 grain bullet at 1100fps.

Wow! How's the recoil on that? Do you ever load it with .44 Specials?

 

[No Quarter]

Recoil is pretty stout. I am a big dude so I have plenty of arm and shoulder to help absorb the kick. I have shot 50 rounds in a session and still retained the use of my hands

I have indeed shot many .44 special rounds through her. After some mags, it seems like a kitten shooting the 200 grain silvertip .44 specials. I love this gun. Can't see ever getting rid of it. It is consistently a conversation piece wherever I shoot it.

I can tell you it will get your attention at an indoor range. The noise of a heavy duty mag round out of it turns everybody's head! Loudest gun I have ever shot.

NQ

 

[Confederate]

Derringers are nice to collect, but they have the disadvantage of being single-action (most of them), they lack firepower, and the recoil is horrendous for the most effective calibers.

When I see ads for derringers, I almost expect them to read: "Fires real bullets!" or "Actually fires real ammo!" Almost anyone would be better off with a small revolver, and most all the derringers I've seen are heavy little brutes. They're small, but most are still all steel. As someone stated above, I'd rather have a good folding knife at effective derringer distances.

Any small auto would be better, followed by a small revolver, and then on up to bigger guns.

At point blank range, a derringer would deliver a good blow, but a second shot is pretty iffy if someone is close to you, and if they're armed, I'd sure hope they didn't have a knife.

 

[David E]

Any gun is better than no gun

Disagree. I'd much rather carry one of these (or about any good quality folder) than any derringer:

I didn't say that it was a choice between derringer or knife. If I HAD to carry a derringer, I certainly would carry a knife at least as big as the one pictured.

 

[M2 Carbine]

I have a Bond Arms Derringer in 45ACP.


A Derringer is awkward to use, so should be practiced with as much as possible.
When I bought the Bond I loaded a thousand rounds for practice.

And since you are limited to two shots you had better be able to make them count.
The derringer, like most guns, isn't inaccurate but is a little hard to shoot accurately.
And who is to say that you might have to use the gun at 10-15 yards.




I don't carry the gun.

 

[eldiabloe1]

If you must have one the Bond is the best choice. I have fired 3" .410 #4 defense loads from Federal and you wouldnt want to be ont he receiving end of that. The recoil seemed to be straight back instead of up.

 

[rogertc1]

With the Bond derringers one can get different barrels. Mine as pictured is a Snake Slayer in 45C/410. I also have a 45ACP barrel and a 22LR barrel that can be switched. You can order most any caliber.
They are not cheap however.
I'd rather carry a derringer than a knife however.

 

[RugerNut9]

I have looked at them up close but never fired any. My favorite as far as construction goes would definitely be the Bond Arms. I want one too. Just because, it's kind of like a Desert Eagle you have it to say you have it. Gun collectors, collect guns...who cares why?