What are those tiny single shot pistols called and does anyone here carry one?

[iiibdsiil]

What are those tiny little single, sometimes two shot pistols that you always see in movies? The ones that the good/bad guy is always able to smuggle past security and save the day/make the scene?

Does anyone carry something like this on a regular basis? I gotta imagine they can't be very serious caliber, but it would be better than nothing.

I wish I could find a picture.

[Snake Eyes]

They're called "Derringers" and, by definition, they come in very serious calibers. To wit, from dictionary.com:

der·rin·ger n.
A short-barreled pistol that has a large bore and is small enough to be carried in a pocket.
My friend has one in .44 mag and another in .410--both double barrel.

I refuse to attempt to fire them, but I've watched him and the hilarity is spectacular.

:D

[RyanM]

Bond Arms (http://www.bondarms.com/) and American Derringer Company (http://www.amderringer.com/) are two popular manufacturers of derringers. And North American Arms (http://www.naaminis.com/) mini-revolvers might count as derringers, too, kinda. Then there's the World's Smallest Pistol, made by Downsizer Corporation (http://www.downsizer.com/)

American Derringer even makes derringers in calibers like .223 Remington and .45-70.

[Crosshair]

Good info so far, yes Derringers are by design made to be easily consealed and pack a big punch for their size. In real life they are almost useless past 5-10 yards because accuracy is not their strong point. They are defensive only and come in such large calibers mainly because when the BG is close enough to need a Derringer you need him down quick. Plus you get, at most, two shots before you have to reload so they might as well be as big as you can get. Plus a big slug at lower velocity works best out of the short barrels that Derringers have.

Derringers are actualy quite common in warmer climates where you dress in thin clothes. They fit nicely in a back pocket or down a sock. I met one person at the gun store who has his CCW. He had a Derringer (two barrel .357) in a holster on his left upper arm and the gun was basicly in his armpit. I don't know if the holster was custom or not, though the gun was stainless finish (To protect from moisture :rolleyes: ) It was easy for him to get to and you would not notice unless you knew he had it.

[Werewolf]

My son in law owns a derringer that will fire either .410 shot gun shells or .45 Long Colt.

I fired it - once - using the .45 LC. Never again. And no - I won't even consider firing it with the shotgun shell. NOPE! Not me... :D

[Standing Wolf]

They're called "Derringers," so called after a fellow named "Deringer."

[Rockstar]

I suspect that Derringers made in very large calibers have a lot more to do with the psyche of the shooter than the threat of the potential shootee. :rolleyes:

[Dr. J Frame]

Here's the one that got President Lincoln.
http://aboutfacts.net/People/People22/pistol1bFBI.jpg
http://aboutfacts.net/People/People22/pistol2bFBI.jpg

[iiibdsiil]

Thanks guys

[HankB]

Hi-Standard made a 2-shot DAO derringer chambered for .22 Mag which was quite popular as a police officer's deep-cover backup in the 70's. It was flat and had little recoil - though with a surprisingly large muzzle blast - but didn't meet the criterion of being a "large bore."

[Geno]

My daughter and I went to the indoor range yesterday. She has repeatedly looked at the mini-revolver display and asked if she could look at them yesterday. So, we did. They were the most uncomfortable handgun I had ever held. I do recall the words of our CCW instructor Re: the "mini" guns:

"They're for nothing more than point-shooting, to 'mark' the person, at point-blank range. Consider the birdshot in .22LR or .22MAG for a face shot". It'll allow you time to escape. But you might end up doin' nothing more than p!$$ing the guy off".

I have never fired one and can only imagine the recoil of the BIG little guns. If I ever bought one, I would make a b-line to the lanyard display.

They are cool-looking, but for my part (my opinion only) I'll just stick to my pistol in .45 or 9MM. Thanks for the website suggestions...they were a fun review.

Doc2005

[Vern Humphrey]

Consider the birdshot in .22LR or .22MAG for a face shot".

When you pull the trigger, you're using deadly force. You can use deadly force only when absolutely necessary.

When you do something like fire a "warning shot," "shoot to wound" or use non-lethal birdshot, you're admitting deadly force was NOT absolutely necessary.

[Double Maduro]

A friend has one in .22 mag. Shoots nice, but loud with lots of fire and smoke. The only problem with his is the shells stick in the chambers and reloading is a real bear.

I told him if he ever has to use it, and two shots don't stop the bg, to hand the gun and a couple of rounds to the bg. While he is trying to get the empties out my friend can make his get away.

Those of you worried about the accuracy and the recoil from the large caliber derringers, if you use it right don't have to worry too much. The best way is to press the muzzle into the bg's belly and pull the trigger. Hard to miss.

DM

[Vern Humphrey]

Those of you worried about the accuracy and the recoil from the large caliber derringers, if you use it right don't have to worry too much. The best way is to press the muzzle into the bg's belly and pull the trigger. Hard to miss.


Hard to do if the BG is standing 10 feet away and pumping 9mms in to you.

The bad thing about self defense is that the attacker, not the defender, chooses the conditions of the fight.

[Double Maduro]

Vern,

If the bg is 10 feet away, pumping 9mm into you, you have already lost.

I agree that the bg sets the terms for the attack, but not necesarily for the fight.

My point was that the derringer was designed to be a last ditch defensive weapon. You may be able to hit a target at 10 feet with one at the range, but I wouldn't want to have to do it under pressure and pain, while trying to duck and cover. I really don't think they make a good primary ccw, although as a bug they would probably be better than nothing.

One alternative would be something along the lines of the Seecamp or the Kel-tec P32. Not much bigger, not much heavier, 6 or 7 rounds, almost as easy to conceal, and certainly easier to control.

Granted the .32 is not as powerful as a .357, .44, .45 or even a .38 but I think I would rather have one than a derringer.

DM

[Vern Humphrey]

If the bg is 10 feet away, pumping 9mm into you, you have already lost.


Not if you pump .45s into him at 20 feet. ;)

The point is, weapons that work only at contact range are not a good idea.

[Jamie C.]

"They're for nothing more than point-shooting, to 'mark' the person, at point-blank range. Consider the birdshot in .22LR or .22MAG for a face shot". It'll allow you time to escape. But you might end up doin' nothing more than p!$$ing the guy off".

I don't think anybody in their right mind would rather have a little bitty gun than a great big one, if their life was on the line..... however, the little gun is most certainly NOT for just "marking" an attacker.

Our firearms officer at the Sheriff's department here was involved in a shooting while off duty, a few years ago. The only weapon he had at the time was a NAA mini-revolver in .22lr. He always carried it in his shirt pocket, when he was in civilian clothes.

It did the job quite well, when he was forced to use it, resulting in there being one less thug in this world.



J.C.

[Double Maduro]

Vern,

I edited and we crossed posted.

I agree entirely, that's why I carry a .45.

My wife is interrested in a derringer or the little Kel-Tec. She has a ccw class scheduled for next month and I hope to be able to get her to consider something a little bigger, maybe my Makarov. But she is a bit stubborn, it is a miracle that she is considering carrying at all.

I didn't even push her into it, we were at a little gun shop, she went in because they also sell jewelry, lol, and she fell in love with a bright blue Kel-Tec. Go figure.

DM

[Vern Humphrey]

My wife is interrested in a derringer or the little Kel-Tec. She has a ccw class scheduled for next month and I hope to be able to get her to consider something a little bigger, maybe my Makarov.

I'm desperately trying to come up with an answer here that won't get me accused of sexism. The best I can do is, "I know how you feel -- I'm married, too." :scrutiny:

Maybe if she shoots the smaller pistols side by side with something like the Mak, she'll make the switch on her own.

[Double Maduro]

"I know how you feel -- I'm married, too."

Maybe if she shoots the smaller pistols side by side with something like the Mak, she'll make the switch on her own.

A friend of ours is going to the class with her and afterwards we will probably do some shooting at the range. Hopefully she will like the Mak. One good thing, this range doesn't have any mouse guns for rent.

DM

[Vern Humphrey]

A friend of ours is going to the class with her and afterwards we will probably do some shooting at the range. Hopefully she will like the Mak. One good thing, this range doesn't have any mouse guns for rent.


One thing I have found is that hand strength (or lack of it) is critical with women. The ability to retract a slide can be a deal breaker.

One of my daughters cannot use anything comfortably but an old Colt revolver with has a velvet smooth action.

[Double Maduro]

Vern,

I know what you mean, my grand daughter has a problem with the double action trigger pull on my EAA 2" .357. Another friend has a love affair with a Paraordnance .45 but can't work the slide.

Both of the women who will be going to the ccw class do a lot of typing and they should be ok. If they don't have the strength for one, we'll just have to keep trying 'til we get it right. What a chore, going shooting with a couple of women, maybe my grand daughter will want to go too. All you guys will be jealous then. :neener:

Heck, they'll probably even spring for the ammo.

Now if I can only convince them that cleaning guns is fun.....

DM

[MICHAEL T]

I tell you "The Gambler " has no trouble kicking butt with a derringer and we all know Kenney wouldn't mislead us.

[Double Maduro]

we all know Kenney wouldn't mislead us[QUOTE]

You must not have had any of his food yet, LOL

DM

[epijunkie67]

One alternative would be something along the lines of the Seecamp or the Kel-tec P32. Not much bigger, not much heavier, 6 or 7 rounds, almost as easy to conceal, and certainly easier to control

I'll second this from personal experience. I bought a two shot derringer in .32 because I wanted something as a deep concealment weapon. Because of the size and shape of the handle it's almost impossible to aim. At 5 feet I have to aim 2-3 FEET below what I want to hit. The recoil rotates the gun in my hand and elevates the barrels before the round can exit. And I have small hands.

I bought a keltec .32 and never looked back. Accurate enough to do 15 yard shots if I must, it feels lighter than the derringer when it's unloaded, I get 3 times as many shots, and reloading with a magazine sure beats fumbling to deconstruct the derringer just to shove two more rounds in it.

I also have the P3AT which is almost the same size but with even more "bad news for the bad guy".

[klover]

+1 on the above.

For just a bit more money, a 638 with laser sights is 100x the weapon.

I couldn't hit the side of a barn with the silly derringer. :uhoh:

[Vern Humphrey]

I know what you mean, my grand daughter has a problem with the double action trigger pull on my EAA 2" .357. Another friend has a love affair with a Paraordnance .45 but can't work the slide.


My solution was to find an old Colt -- they seem best for people with weak hands. In DA, the Colt stages, which is best for people who have trouble pulling the trigger through a smooth arc.

[TimboKhan]

I fired it - once - using the .45 LC. Never again. And no - I won't even consider firing it with the shotgun shell. NOPE! Not me..

Your a braver man than I am. I learned my lessons about shooting what I know is going to own me when I shot a 3 1/2 in. mag shell, once. I have a bad shoulder, and I usually am smart enough to know my limits (my 7mm is about as much as I can take, repeatedly), but I had to be a tough guy.... Let me tell you, the second I pulled that trigger, my hunt was over for that trip. I scared up two or three pheasants and couldn't even get my shotgun up, let alone fired.

Timbo

[Mark8252]

These were ok in their day....... but now with so many others available there really is no reason to be limited to one or two rounds on top of very limited range.