[Monkeybear]

I think a two shot O/U .357 derringer with 2" barrels would be an excellent back up gun.

Most snub nose revolvers have a 2" barrel so the ballistics would be the same. It could be much smaller in size with a micro frame, tiny grip and no wheel. Not comfortable to shoot but you could carry one anywhere. What do you guys think? Ultimate back up gun? Bad idea?

Is there one out there?

[Buck Nekkid]

There is one fine derringer available in about a hundred different calibers. Check out http://www.bondarms.com/ makers of the famous Texas Defender!

[ArchAngelCD]

Cobra makes a good Derringer but not in .357. They have them in .22 LR, .22 Mag, .25 Auto, .32 Auto, .32 Mag, .38 Sp and 9mm.
http://www.cobrapistols.com/products/derringers.htm

[Cosmoline]

There have been a bunch, including the infamous COP four shot.

"Tell me all the good things that come to mind, about your mother."

http://www.kitsune.addr.com/Firearms/Single-Shot-Pistols/COP_357.htm

[Monkeybear]

Excellent! That bond arms is exactly what I had in mind. I think it will make a great BUG. If you cant do it with 19 shots of .40sw use a couple .357s to top it off.

[Soybomb]

What do you guys think? Ultimate back up gun? Bad idea?
My keltec p3at is about the same size as my derringer, lighter, more accurate, just needs to have the trigger pulled to fire, and has 7 shots. I kinda' think the derringer is outdated, but everyone has their own preference.

[Monkeybear]

My keltec p3at is about the same size as my derringer, lighter, more accurate, just needs to have the trigger pulled to fire, and has 7 shots. I kinda' think the derringer is outdated, but everyone has their own preference.

yeah, I just finished looking around. Its really not much smaller than a really small smith and wesson J frame.

Oh, well. Thats what I get for having ideas at 3am :o

[nelson133]

A derringer in .357? You better try before you buy on that one. Added to all the difficulties and inaccuracies of a derringer, you are adding enough recoil to pop it out of your hand, given the usual derringer grips.

[NukemJim]

I have shot a derringer in .357. I will not do so again unless it is a real emergency.

The only more painfull recoil I've ever felt was a .45 70 derringer. ( Yes I was stupid )

NukemJim

[foghornl]

American Derringer Company in {I think it is} Waco, TX makes those things.

Shooting buddy of mine bought one of those in '91-'92 or so, and a box (50 Rem 158-GR SJHP) ammo. Last time I asked, he still had 49 of 50 rounds. When I asked why he hadn't shot more of those, he muttered something about "...A tiny fractional bit more 'Kick' than I expected...."

[Chindo18Z]

At their intended effective range (point blank to a couple of feet) they can certainly work. Their short barrels provide almost no rifling to stabilize bullet for any accuracy at distance. Derringer design ensures a loss of velocity and penetration regardless of caliber. Small grips and horrendous recoil makes hitting a target even more difficult. Their safeties (usually crossbolt) are not particularily intuitive or easily manipulated under stress.

Like many of you, I've gone through several bouts of "Wouldn't a derringer be a good idea?". They are hard to resist and fun to play with.

I'm a fair shot with a handgun and have owned or fired several over-under derringers througout the years (.22LR, .22 Mag, .38 Special, .357 Magnum,
.45LC). I've convinced myself that .38 Special is the upper limit of usefulness for MY abilities.

The bigger Bond Derringers are more controllable and accurate, but some of them are approaching S&W J-rame size anyway.

For me, a .357 derringer is damn near uncontrollable (and I love .357, .41, and .44 magnums out of 3-4 inch revolvers). They are quite literally painful to the hand and wrist.

If you are only going to have 2 shots, you might want to make sure that they are in a caliber you can consistently hit the target with.

The four-shot COP always sounded interesting, but I've ever fired one and I believe that niche is covered today by ultralight .357 snub revolvers that weren't around when the COP hit the market.

I honestly think that something like a 9mm Kel-Tec P11 would be a better choice than a .357 derringer.

But, if you've got the derringer itch, get one for the range. They can be lots of fun to shoot (except in .357).

[Ohen Cepel]

Why not just stick with .38? In a barrel that short I don't think it's going to make any difference.

[geekWithA.45]

As carry guns, given their heavy weight and 2 shot limit, derringers have been made obsolete by guns that are lighter, smaller, and have higher capacity.

They will certainly "work", but there are better choices.

[xilch]

I saw Bob Munden on Shooting USA yesterday shooting a .45 Derringer with 250g bullets. Of course being Bob, he hit everything he aimed at, including a balloon tied to a popper from 70-75 yards.

Simply amazing! I imagine the "kick" was pretty intense though, and his fingers were almost black at the end.

I wonder if Tom Gresham saw that show? ;)

[Zen21Tao]

I'm just waiting for someone to finally come out with a S&W .500 Magnum Derringer. :evil:

[Vern Humphrey]

At their intended effective range (point blank to a couple of feet) they can certainly work.

But work on who?

The shooter will certainly feel pain -- but the shootee is another matter. The shooter is not likely to have practiced extensively with this little monster -- and derringers are remarkably easy to miss with.

[CSA 357]

I have bond arms in 45 long colt,i dont use it for a carry gun but it is a neat little gun! and a great fishing gun as it will shoot .410 shells, yea itkicks a little but not that bad, it will ware a snake out! :scrutiny:

[3rdpig]

http://members.cox.net/3rdpig/cop.jpg

[possum]

i actually do have a .357 derringer that was given to me when a family member on my wifes side passed away, i haven't shot it yet but i am wanting to put some .38 special through it, just to see how it does.

[gandog56]

Maybe if you LIKE bumping your forehead from the recoil.:D

[MillCreek]

I have an American Derringer DA .38 in stainless. The first time I fired it, I had to gingerly look to see if all my fingers were still attached. It is a safe queen now.

[dairycreek]

Several years ago I had an American Derringer in 38/357. It was an absolutely elegant looking little gun. I shot it several times in 38 special and just once in 357 magnum! First, at seven yards I could not hit the side of a barn (actually an 8-1/2 x 11 piece of paper) with either the 38 or 357 ammo. Second, shooting the 357 was an act of self immolation.:cuss: It hurt when I shot it and for several days thereafter. I just would not choose this gun for concealed carry.

[Seven High]

Has anyone shot an original Remington 41 caliber derringer? I wonder how they compare to the modern derringer for muzzle blast and recoil.

[The Lone Haranguer]

Originally posted by Seven High:
Has anyone shot an original Remington 41 caliber derringer? I wonder how they compare to the modern derringer for muzzle blast and recoil.
This was a .41 rimfire, a 130-gr. bullet at some 450 fps IIRC, far milder than almost any modern centerfire cartridge.

I suggest avoiding derringers in general and any caliber above .38 Spl. in particular even as backup guns, on the grounds that you only have two shots and are likely to miss with at least one of them due to the tiny, poorly shaped grips and heavy recoil.

[chipp]

I like the cop 4 shot 357. but in my opinion is too bulky and heavey as are deringers. Might as well have a j frame as someone said.
22mags are a nice size but then why not a mini revolver. deringers don't seam practical to me.
praticality aside if I ever run into one of these, its mine.
top loading
http://members.aol.com/wsp45/

[Richard]

"I think a two shot O/U .357 derringer with 2" barrels would be an excellent back up gun.

Most snub nose revolvers have a 2" barrel so the ballistics would be the same. It could be much smaller in size with a micro frame, tiny grip and no wheel. Not comfortable to shoot but you could carry one anywhere. What do you guys think? Ultimate back up gun? Bad idea?

Is there one out there?"

The best laid plans... This is a superb idea until you light up the first round. You will then realize why shooters shy away from 357 derringers and scandium revolvers. They hurt to fire and you are better off with a small handgun in a caliber you can shoot well. An example is the Glock 26 makes a lot more sense to me than your idea. Regards, Richard:D

[twoshot]

i own a bond 357 and it does not kick shooting 38 special rounds

[farscott]

I also have a Bond Arms derringer, and one of my barrels is the .357/.38 barrel. I also have the .45/.410 barrel. With the right grips, it is surprisingly easy to shoot. I am not going to say it is like shooting .38 in a S&W M27, but it is not shooting .357 in an M&P 340 either.

For me, the biggest issue with the Bond is the trigger. It is unique as the pull is as much down as it is back. I needed lots of practice to get a round off when I wanted to get a round downrange. The sights also require some practice to acquire, especially as they cannot be aligned until the hammer is cocked. Mine is used as a snake gun. I rather use a J-frame as a BUG.

[Walkalong]

American Derringer (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=105114383#PIC)

[gru556]

45colt Bond arms 25 to 30yd 8" target no problem

[1858remington]

I bought the Bond Arms Texas Defender in 44special.

What a great gun.

You might think about the 44special over the .357magnum. :confused:
The 357 round needs about 6inches of barrel to reach best performance. :barf:
This being the case, your gonna have major muzzle flash, not good in low light situations.:scrutiny:

The 44special is a heavier round, 240 grains to the 357's 158 grains.
Thus more knockdown energy.:evil:

The 44 special will have less muzzle flash, and recoil will be more controlable.:D

The bond arms is a pussycat shooting the 44special.

[rnr4me]

I've had this for 15 years or so. I've shot probably 4 boxes thru it w/o it flying out of my hand or turning my fingers black. I even challenged the Boy Scout troop I volunteer with to shoot it which several of the boys did successfully.

The trigger is not something I'd accept in any other gun, but it doesn't detract from shooting it. I can hit a monitor sized target at about 10 yards with it. It automatically changes barrels when you shoot it. There's no lever to flip for the other barrel.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g240/rnr1022/357derringer.jpg

[ArchAngelCD]

Excellent! That bond arms is exactly what I had in mind. I think it will make a great BUG. If you cant do it with 19 shots of .40sw use a couple .357s to top it off.
Monkeybear,
If you can't get it done with way less than half of those 19 .40 S&W rounds you're not going to need the 2 rounds of .357 Magnum!!! LOL

[Phil DeGraves]

At their intended effective range (point blank to a couple of feet) they can certainly work. Their short barrels provide almost no rifling to stabilize bullet for any accuracy at distance.

Actually, they are capable of surpriing accuracy. we had a sideshoot at a CAS match where we needed to hit targets at 15 yards with our derringers. Agreed, it wasn't target type cloverleafs, but we hit six inch plates pretty regularly at 15 and 20 yards, certainly a target equivalent to the vitals in a person.
I would strongly recommend against shooting full bore .357 in it. Light .38 loads are nice. Mine is an American Derringer.

[doc2rn]

To use a Bond Arms derringer it helps to have big hands. I had trouble with the large grip.

[Threeband]

I think a two shot O/U .357 derringer with 2" barrels would be an excellent back up gun.

Most snub nose revolvers have a 2" barrel so the ballistics would be the same



Actually, the ballistics would not be the same.

Barrel lengths in revolvers do not include the length of the cylinder, while in pistols the barrel length is measured from the breech face, that is, it includes the length of the chamber.

A 2" barrel on a .357 revolver would be the equivalent of about a 3 5/8" barrel on a pistol. Of course, you'll get some velocity loss from the cylinder gap.

[dairycreek]

Some years ago I owned a NIB American Derringer in 38/357 and an elegant little gun it was. Using 38 special ammo accuracy was limited to about 10 feet and, beyond that, accuracy was non existent. I fired a full house 357 load exactly once and that was enough. Recoil was both horrendous and painful. Enough was enough.

While I consider the derringer an interesting weapon I would absolutely not choose to rely on one to protect my life. Bad, bad, choice:neener: