[kingpin008]

Hey folks -

I was in a local shop the other day, and they had a derringer on display in their case, which I've fallen in love with.

Now, I've never seen a real derringer before, until we walked into that shop. I'm sure part of my interest in it, is simply the fact that I finally "spotted" one, if you know what I mean.

But, I am somewhat interested in going back and buying it at some point.

Here's where ya'll come in - In my rush to fondle it, I neglected to ask who the manufacturer was, or what the model was. I do know that it was double-barreled, over-under style, and that there was a little latch on the side that when pushed, released the barrels (which tipped upwards). The entire gun was stainless, with wood grips in what I can most closely describe as a "birds-head" style. I think it had a full trigger guard, but I can't remember exactly. Definitely a new-production gun, not an antique. Quite chunky, very solid.

Any ideas who makes it, and/or what model it is?

And while I'm asking, can anybody fill me in on what it's like shooting a .38/.357 derringer? I can't imagine it's a powder-puff, but like I mentioned earlier, the thing is built pretty dang solidly, so I'd think it'd soak up the recoil better than most.

And lastly, the asking price was $450. Based on what ya'll think the maker/model is, does that seem like a fair price?

THANKS! :D:D

[lee n. field]

. I do know that it was double-barreled, over-under style, and that there was a little latch on the side that when pushed, released the barrels (which tipped upwards). The entire gun was stainless, with wood grips in what I can most closely describe as a "birds-head" style. I think it had a full trigger guard, but I can't remember exactly. Definitely a new-production gun, not an antique. Quite chunky, very solid.

That's almost any derringer out there.

And while I'm asking, can anybody fill me in on what it's like shooting a .38/.357 derringer?

I had a .38 derringer for a few years. Really wasn't that horrible to shoot.

And lastly, the asking price was $450. Based on what ya'll think the maker/model is, does that seem like a fair price?


EEEEeeee -- really need make and model. Derringers range from really low end crap to expensive.

Any chance it was from Bond Arms or American Derringer?

[kingpin008]

After looking at the Bond Arms site, it's definitely this fella:

http://www.bondarms.com/gunTDlarge.gif

If I'm reading it right, the website lists MSRP at just under $400, so the $450 asking price at the shop seems a little steep.

This would strictly be a range fun gun, at least until we're able to move to a CCW friendly state, which would take a few years.

So, is Bond considered a good brand? I've not read much about 'em.

[PTK]

Sportsman's Warehouse sells those NIB for $319. I own one.

My review (http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=356211&highlight=bond)

[kingpin008]

Good stuff, PTK. Thanks. I don't have a Sportsman's Warehouse near me, and all the Bass Pros don't have anything like this in stock, and even if they could (or would) order it in for me, I'd rather support the local guys.

How many rounds would you say that you could put through it during one session in the original .38/.357 configuration before the recoil got to be too much? I'd be shooting .38's, because currently, the only other pistol we own is my fiancee's 642 snubby.

[mio]

got to be better than davis

[kingpin008]

I'm not familiar with Davis, other than hearing the name here and there on forums. What's wrong with them?

[mio]

i bought one in 9mm and broke the firing pin in under 2 boxes of ammo.

[PTK]

kingpin008

It's heavier than most "airweight" snubs, being about a pound and a half loaded. Recoil isn't anything to worry about, even with extended shooting.

[kingpin008]

PTK - Wow. I hefted it in the shop, but for some reason it didn't seem quite that heavy. I believe it though.

One last question, if I may - how would you rate the ease of cocking the hammer/pulling the trigger? I can see how it might be pretty stiff right out of the box, but I'd be interested to hear how it smooths out (if at all).

[KevininPa]

I have the .410/.45 Colt. They do wear-in some.

[DPris]

The Bond is the best derringer ever built.
It is, however, large & heavy.
Recoil in .357 is not fun & I'll never understand those who buy the things as a range toy.
Triggers are stiff, and I doubt you'd go through more than 20 rounds in a session. Adjusting the trigger can be problematical.
If you want the gun just because, or as a snake charmer, I wouldn't try to talk you out of it. But, as a self-defense tool, there are many better choices.
Denis

[No Quarter]

I own one in .44 mag. It is a terrific gun. It has held up to hundreds of full-bore .44 mag loads and shows no signs of wear at all. I carry it regularly and consider it a wonderfully made heirloom-quality firearm.

NQ

[kingpin008]

Thanks for the replies guys. I have one last question! (sorry!)

I got to thinking, that it might serve me better if I bought it in .22LR/.22Mag, and then bought the .38/.357 barrels later on, since you can swap barrels easily on your own.

I can't find any info on the Bond Arms site, but maybe one of ya'll know - If I'm switching from rimfire barrels to centerfire, is there anything else I need to do other than swap the barrels? It seems to me that there might be something else involved, but I didn't see anything.

[lee n. field]

Where does the firing pin strike?

[kingpin008]

I don't know. We were kind of in a hurry, I didn't get a chance to examine it that closely.

[KevininPa]

...........interchangeable, there is nothing else to do.BTW, when I said they smooth out I wasn't kidding (at least in my experience ). But I also have the Snakeslayer model with that extra 3/4 inch extension on the grip. Makes a big difference in control and recoil. I've tried the firearm with normal derringer grips and it was a disaster for me, your usage may vary. So from my viewpoint the extended grip is more beneficial.

[kingpin008]

Kevin - Thanks for the heads up. I figured it was probably just that simple, but it never hurts to ask.

I wish I knew someone around me that owned a derringer, so I could try it out first before I plunked down the cash. Four hundred bucks is a pretty hefty chunk of change for me, especially if I find out it's something I hate shooting.

Eh - I'll probably save up for it nice and slow, so by the time I get the cash I won't feel so bad if it turns out that I wanna get rid of it. :D

[Claymore1500]

I have an American derringer in .45acp. It say's in the manual "Don't fire more than ten (or so) rounds at a time, or damage to wrist and elbow may result"

I have gone thru 50 in one session, and did not have a problem, YMMV.

My .38spl. I can shoot all day, the gun takes more beating than I do.

[kingpin008]

Claymore - Do you happen to know if the American Derringer company has been having any problems lately? I've been trying to visit their site, but it seems that they've let their domain expire. Every time I try to visit, it shows that the site is up for grabs.

[Claymore1500]

Kingpin008, I am not aware of any, But I haven't tried to access thier site for some time, They could have closed it.



I just did some searches and found that the domain expired this month, I would give it a couple of weeks and check again, I don't think they went out of bussiness, But according to the info I got, they only made $800,000.00 last year so they may be scaling back.

[Claymore1500]

Hey! Kingpin;

I just found out that ""american derringers" website is back up, In case you are still interested.

[Phil DeGraves]

I have an American Derringer in .38 spl. I was shooting a pretty stout 160 grn 850 FPS round but the cases would stick in the chamber. I downloaded some .38 with 95 grn .380 bullets at about 650 fps. Much more comfortable to shoot, and they don't stick.