[Phriend]

Is there any reason to carry a double-barreled pistol? If so, are there any companies that make a good one?

[Waywatcher]

Yes.

A Derringer.

[PointOneSeven]

Better than a 1 shot derringer :D.


If there is one in a side by side configuration like a sxs shotgun, I want it.

[dfariswheel]

The Bond Arms are the best quality and offer the most options.

[Timthinker]

Dixie Gun Works sells a double-barreled muzzleloading pistol termed the Howdah. As I understand it, the standard Howdah is a double-barreled 20 gauge. More information on it can be found on our black powder subforum. This short barreled shotgun is legal because it is a muzzleloader and not a cartridge firearm. I hope someone finds this info interesting.


Timthinker

[Chuck Dye]

Check here (http://www.hellinahandbasket.net/2007/04/double_barreled_revolvers.htm) for a great take on a double barreled pistol.
http://www.hellinahandbasket.net/hdhcylinder.jpg

http://www.hellinahandbasket.net/hdhhammer.jpg

[Phriend]

Ok, so.... are there any modern-day, double-barreled pistols that are practical for self-defense? (Every time I see one of these guns, it looks like it's a hundred years old!) :p

[budder]

The Bond Arms pistols mentioned earlier don't look 100 years old: http://www.bondarms.com/ifirearms.htm

[dfariswheel]

The Bond Arms guns operate much like a 125 year old Remington derringer, but the actual design is very modern and the construction is of stainless steel.

The Bond Arms derringers are high-end guns, intended largely as totally reliable back-up guns for people who MUST have a reliable "last chance" gun.
A surprising number of fishermen have a .45/410 Snake Slayer in their hip pocket or tackle box.

[Novus Collectus]

There were actually double barreled revolvers. I doubt the claimed advantages were ever proven.

[Timthinker]

Phriend, while double-barreled pistols certainly exist, they are not considered as practical for self-defense needs as a snubbie revolver or compact semi-auto pistol. Why? Well, both of the handgun designs I mentioned are multi-shot, something worth considering in a life-threatening situation. Also, some derringer designs are considered crap. Now, Bond Arms does produce a quality derringer with a barrel length over 4 inches. Unfortunately, the size of this gun approaches that of small revolvers and compact semi-autos, thereby negating its virtue of compactness.

Why do people still focus upon derringers? Mystique. History and Hollywood have popularized this small gun in the public imagination. So, the derringer remains an option for this reason. I hope my explanation helps.

If you are determined to purchase a derringer, then I advise buying one of good quality chambered for an adequate caliber. There is one more piece of advice I will also offer: practice. You will need skill to use it effectively in a stressful situation. This is the best information I can offer.


Timthinker

[CZ223]

I have had 2 American Derringers which honestly I wish I had never sold. Both Bond and American Derringers are built like tanks. Very High quality. I had a Davis, now called Cobra, a long time ago. They are crap.

For many of the same reasons that Tim Thinker has given, I WOULD NEVER CARRY A DERRINGER FOR SELF DEFENSE, EVEN AS A BACKUP. I could just as easily conceal my 5 shot S&W model 36 or any of the NAA small autos.

[doc2rn]

I have seen a couple of SXS shotgun firing pistols in other countries, but a good derringer like the ones from Bond should work better for you.

[Okiecruffler]

There's also that nasty little 45colt/410 from someone who's name escapes me. Pretty much useless from what I've seen.

[farscott]

We have a Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV which is carried ONLY for its named task. It indeed is as large and as heavy as a J-frame revolver (23 ounces), and it is much harder to accurately shoot than a J-frame as the ergonomics just do not work. However, it does allow my wife and I to shoot some troublesome snakes with .410 shot shells with manageable recoil, and .410 is still a heck of a lot cheaper than .38 or .45 shot shells. It is a lot easier to lug the Bond than it was to lug my .410 BPS.

Would I carry it as a concealed handgun? Heck, no. I have other guns much more suitable for that task. But as a snake stopper it is a very good choice.

[Mot45acp]

There's also that nasty little 45colt/410 from someone who's name escapes me. Pretty much useless from what I've seen.

Cobray, about $150 locally.

You have to engage the safety to flip the barrels. The safety is extremely hard to engage.(2 hands and about 40 cuss words) Probably needs a lil fluff n buff on the guts. I am currently kicking around the idea of the tackle box gun as someone mentioned.

[dfariswheel]

Where the derringer still "fits" is as a very small, very flat, minimalist "last ditch" back up gun.
In larger calibers, it can fill that need very well, but like most people, I'd never consider one as a primary.

[Patrick_Henry]

Okay so from looking at the bond guns I'm trying to figure out what niche these fill... wouldn't a snubby be almost as easily carried and give you way more shots and accuracy? I'm kind of curious what these would be used for?

[Mastiff4570]

I want a Bond Arms for one very simple reason that is JOHNW WAYNE. I think the only real reason to have one or want one is that people who have watched westerns and such for years think they are cool.

[Timthinker]

Patrick Henry, the derringer fills the need for mystique. Seriously, the shortcomings of the derringer have been discussed here and elsewhere. Based on this evidence, I find derringers lacking in comparison to other small handguns. Now, I certainly believe a quality derringer would be a hoot to shoot, but that is not an endorsement for it as a self-defense firearm. Yet, even an analytical person such as myself finds them fascinating, no doubt due to the influence of Hollywood. I hope this helps.


Timthinker

[Patrick_Henry]

Answered my question, I suspected that might me it... Thanks.

[No Quarter]

The Bond Derringer is safe to carry, flatter than a snub .38, shorter by over and inch than a snub and carries some serious power.

I have a .44 mag Bond derringer that launches a 240gr jsp at 1100 fps. It carries easily in the back pocket of my wranglers without any trouble at all.

You can argue the capacity issue but if you think about IF you only get one shot at arm's length distance, would you rather have a big boomer or a .38 or smaller caliber?

With practice, it is accurate out to 10-15 yards and can be carried every day, all day no matter what I am wearing.

Not a choice for everybody, but I live out here in West Texas and am not in an urban environment.

I do agree that it is not the best choice in a high-risk environment, but it is not the hopelessly outdated piece of junk that so many people tag derringers with.

[spiroxlii]

I have one of the Cobray/Leinad .45/.410 SxS derringers.

I'm a gun nut, so I'll never get rid of it. I hate it, though. :) I hear that the Bond Arms and American Derringer models are better.

[Deer Hunter]

There have been some double barreled revolvers made. A .38 caliber with a .22 caliber rimfire on the inside of the large cylinder. Pretty nifty idea. I've got a picture somewhere on my phone of one at A&M's Gun Room.

[Gord]

Leinad (aka Cobray, I think) makes SxS... things (can't really call them derringers as they come in barrel lengths up to 11") in .45LC/.410. Last time I looked they were selling for $120-180 depending on length - my local pawn shop actually has a couple of them, but in .38 IIRC. The concept of a break-action shotshell handgun has always intrigued me for some reason. Heck, I've even got a line in my sig about 'em. :p

See here (http://www.derringer.de/new223.htm), here (http://www.thewarbirds.com/Main%20Page/warbirds%20bxpx/weapons%20cage/Handguns/Single%20Shot/leinad%20model%20dd%20410%2045.htm) and here (http://www.thewarbirds.com/Main%20Page/warbirds%20bxpx/weapons%20cage/Handguns/Single%20Shot/leinad%2011%20double%20barrel.htm).

[Cosmoline]

The Howdah on DGW looks pretty interesting, but their charges seem really light. The real Howdahs packed quite a bit more punch than that, which makes me wonder if they altered the design.

[Hkmp5sd]

Here's my Cobray SxS .45LC/.410 handgun. As stated before, overall it sucks. Cheaply made. Safety sucks. Rough on the hand to shoot. Other than that, I love it. :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v495/Hkmp5sd/410a.jpg?t=1203981852

[Timthinker]

No Quarter, I do not consider Bond derringers junk, but I believe there are better choices available for self-defense. True, some derringers are crap, but Bond is one company that does not fall into that category.

Now, can a derringer kill or wound? Absolutely. But I believe that choosing one of these handguns over smaller revolvers or compact semi-autos does handicap an individual in a stressful self-defense situation. Think about the following for a moment. Can a muzzleloading handgun kill or wound someone? Of course. But there are much better choices available. That is the only point I am making. By the way, happy belated birthday.


Timthinker

[No Quarter]

Timthinker,

I hear you. I do agree that they are not for everyone. I have practiced enough with mine that I am pretty fast and good with it. for fun, go to http://www.bondarms.com and watch Bob Munden do his thing with a Bond derringer. It is AMAZING!

Thanks for the belated B-Day wishes. I hit the big 4-0.



Regards,

NQ

[Shadan7]

. . . the Bond Arms .45LC/.410 derringers are quite well made. I recently inherited a barely used one, and set out to explore what role it might take in my collection, beyond just being a curiosity sitting in the safe.

After experimenting a bit with .410 shells locally available, I poked around online and came across this: 3" 000 Buck - 5 Pellets (http://ammunitiontogo.com/catalog1/product_info.php?pName=25rds-410-gauge-winchester-superx-3-ooo-buckshot&cName=410-gauge-buckshot). :what:

If you're not a shotgunner, you may or may not know that a .410 is as 'powerful' as a 12 gauge - essentially, the shot will travel as fast, as far, there's just less of it (there's less perceived recoil for this reason). Typically, a 12 GA defense load in 00 or 000 buckshot will have anywhere from 8-12 pellets. This is widely considered to be one of the best home defense rounds available, for almost any type of weapon.

Looking at that, I thought "well, here's a way to have the power of a shotgun combined with the smallness of a pistol. In theory." So I ordered in some of that ammo to test the theory.

Let me tell you, it kicks like a mule out of that 23 ounce derringer. But at 5 yards, I was getting a spread of the 000 buck that was up to about 14". That's five pellets the size of a .38/9mm, though without the same mass. From one shot. With a second shot immediately available.

This derringer is *not* a replacement for the 642 in my pocket. Nor is it a replacement for any of the larger pistols I may also carry from time to time. It is also not a substitute for my hi-cap .45 'go to' home defense pistol, let alone a good Mossy 500 12 gauge.

But you know, it is almost the perfect last-ditch home defense pistol for my wife, who has shot guns and isn't afraid of them, but neither is she a 'gunny' with lots of experience. It is very much a "draw it from a hidden place, point it in that direction, and pull the trigger" weapon. And after experimenting with it, I am confident that it will serve that purpose well.

7

[missouri dave]

How about one of these?

http://www.hatchergun.com/sbs.htm

[Timthinker]

Missouri Dave, a man could recoup the money spent on that legal shorty by renting it out for others to shoot. In fact, I would spent some bucks just to say I had fired one. Consider this entrepreneurial advice.


Timthinker

[GrendelPrime]

Despite still being a derringer, I like the look of the COP 4-barrel, and could actually see having one as a curiosity-of-last-resort.

Seen here (http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=91110876#PIC) on GunBroker.com.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v722/grendelprime/COP38.jpg

[Gator]

I like this (http://www.glocktalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=829946) one!