[mcg-doc]

In the movie For A Few Dollars More, Colonel Mortimer shoots the hunchback with a derringer across the room. How accurate are these type of weapons?

[Manedwolf]

When they're firing a blank and the actor being "shot" responds by triggering a squib under their clothing even if it wasn't aimed at them, perfectly. :D

In real life, not so much, not unless someone is pretty much on top of you.

Try one at a range sometime, and good luck hitting the target at any kind of distance, or if you do, check out the keyhole hits they tend to make.

[Biker]

Across the room ain't that far, and a .45 caliber keyhole just might leave a mark.;)
Biker

[scbair]

The other "Derringer" thread has provided food for thought. In the end, I keep thinking along these lines:
1) A full-sized service sidearm (revolver or auto) is a lot easier to fire than a derringer.
2) In actual self-defense scenarios, LEOs armed with service sidearms tend to miss their targets with alarming regularity (not "down on cops;" used to be one, and am simply aware of this fact).
3) If ya miss once or twice with a revolver, even a 5-shot snub, ya still have 3-4 rounds. Not so with a derringer.

Therefore, no derringers for me! At least, not for serious self-defense purposes. My choices, in order of preference (presuming a 12 gauge pump from behind cover is not a workable street solution :D ):

1st: M1911 .45 ACP
2nd: Officer's-sized .45 ACP
3rd (and most often actually carried): S&W M642 .38 snub
4th: Kel Tec P32
5th (and, may I add, strictly as a BUG): NAA .22 WMR mini-revolver
6th: sharp pocketknife
7th: Dull pocketknife
8th: Derringer :p

Several forumites love their derringers, and the above ranking is at least partially in humor (the derringer is arguably better than a dull pocketknife . . .). Still, I know of too many options that are, to me, much better.

[Biker]

If forced to pick between my little Charter Arms 5 shot .38 snubby and the Bond Arms .45 LC derringer that I plan on buying as a primary carry weapon, I guess I'd go with the .38.
However, that little .45 derringer is gonna make a great BUG for my Taurus 450.
Gotta love seven rounds of .45 LC!
Biker

[Camp David]

In the movie For A Few Dollars More, Colonel Mortimer shoots the hunchback with a derringer across the room. How accurate are these type of weapons?

mcg: In my experience: not very! The large caliber, break-open derringers (45LC et al.) have crude sights and I doubt their accuracy is designed in, but rather I think they were created to fire from hip at extremely short range as a last-chance type weapon...I think I saw a Cowboy Action mag recently test fire a host of derringers and the end result was very modest accuracy at even short ranges... However, there are shotshells (I think sold by CCI) designed in those calibers (45LC et al.) that seems to work in these derringers that may be a more practical load for such weapons... While not an expert (maybe someone else can chime in), I believe that such a short barrel as a derringer would not allow even half a twist of rifling so round does not get proper accuracy before being vented from barrel... keyholing at target??? Thus... poor accurancy....

Ref: The movie "For a Few Dollars More"... While I do remember that scene I can't attest to more than that!!!

[kid_couteau]

Just for kicks

Order of use of weapons

Rifle
pistol
derringer
knife

[Tim Burke]

Rifle
Pistol
Knife
Derringer

[lyricsdad]

forgot to add shotgun to that list..

[popbang]

Biker, I have to admit I carry Bond Arms .45 Colt as my BUG. The only difference I have from your setup is a Ruger Bird's Head Vaquero in .45 Colt is my primary.

A derringer is not inaccurate, but rather hard to shoot well. Mine is capable of good groups out to 15 yards. After that I end up with two groups centered a bit apart.

Of course a derringer is not the most accurate firearm out there, but to me it beats a knife everytime. Now, if you ask if there are better choices out there. I would be the first to say that there are. The things that makes the difference in the end are commitment and practice.

[kjeff50cal]

Rifle
Pistol
Knife
Sharp Stick
Derringer
:evil:
kjeff50cal

[Biker]

15 yards is more than adequate for a BUG, IMO. Sounds like you are prepared, Friend.:)
Biker

[Geno]

The derringers that I have held just seem too bulky. But, I saw a brand last week on-line (don't recall the name) that the indicated weight was about 1/2 of those that I had held. For my likes and needs, the Kel Tec .32 or .380 are better. They are lighter, and they have more rounds. All the same, there is something nostalgic about derringers. Regarding accuracy, my little Kel Tec .380 will place all shots touching at 15 feet, although the recoil in that little pistol is something. It isn't at all painful, just very sharp. I also carry the NAA .22Mag/.22LR combo. I usually carry 3 rounds of "shot" and 2 rounds of "Golddot". Both of those are carried in ankle holsters.

Doc2005