Derringers?

[eurohacker]

Anyone tried these?

Would a derringer work as a back-up gun? It's small, for sure...

I hear they come in pretty weird calibers too. I think I saw some in .50BMG and 12 gauge But I'm not sure I remember correctly...

[Ed]

If I had a derringer in 50BMG, and was attacked I would feel safer handing it to the other guy and letting him try to shoot me.

[1 old 0311]

Hi,
Allthough millions of Derringers are sold each year I may be the only one to admit to carying one at times.I have a .32 cal Cobra 2 shot loaded with Glasers. Paid $99.00 for it at a gun show.It is small and light enough to be carried where my larger guns would be impractable. The small "mouse" guns, Beretta, Kel Tec, NAA,Seecamp, Colt .25 etc. will hold more rounds, and I have owned and carried each of the above, I just dont have faith in their reliability.With a Derringer I KNOW I will have 2 shots for sure.
When weather permits I carry a S&W PPK/S, Glock 19, or one of my Smiths. Confidence is a major factor in carry.

[Smoke]

If I had a derringer in 50BMG, and was attacked I would feel safer handing it to the other guy and letting him try to shoot me.

Amen.

Smoke

[Primersinmyshoe]

I wouldn't feel undergunned with my Bond Arms Derringer. It is a stout litte double barreled beast. I have the barrels for 45 Long Colt (also takes 410 shot shells) and 45acp. There are many other calibers of barrels available. Check them out at: http://www.bondarms.com/

[eurohacker]

I saw this combo-derringer once, apparently used by Paris street gangs in the 19th century. Derringer, knuckle duster and bayonet in one weapon

[Jim101]

I hvae an NAA Mini-Mag, 5 shot .22 mag.,great small gun, I call it my EEMT Gun(eye, ear, nose & throat). Just drop it in your pocket and go.....

Jim

[Logan5]

I have one of the Colt single shot derringers in .22 short. It's mostly something pretty to look at.

[Javelin Man]

I own a Cobra .38 derringer. I still don't know how to aim it as between the barrels I can have up to four feet difference in about 15 feet of the target. I'm sure it's mostly me, but still. Of course, I know it's not a target gun and other derringers are decently accurate. Mine would be used in bad breath range and be quite efficient at that.

That said, I prefer my Ke-tec P32. It had 8 rounds at my disposal and is much lighter, about half the weight, actually. Considerably more accurate. I don't need to be within arms reach to pull the trigger.

The sight of two .38 barrels in gleaming chrome staring at you could be quite intimidating though. Don't discount that factor. I've heard of guys owning derringers in .45-70 and have never shot the second barrel. They couldn't afford the second hospital trip.

A derringer is not the first choice to take to a gunfight, but you're well protected if that's what you're holding. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

[shoot870p]

This is a useful pocket piece for snake when fishing but that is about all I use it for. Would not want a 12 ga version.

[dev_null]

> I call it my EEMT Gun(eye, ear, nose & throat).

Presumably because that's the only way it's going to be effective? I had the same thought about mine. Definitely a LAST last resort. Well, other than screaming like a banshee and trying to remember my karate.

[Nick_90]

As an ultima ratio , it is better than nothing but do not forget that the first task of a gun is to impress the ennemy and, maybe, get him to give up before fighting. A Derringer probably won't do that...

[Jim101]

Null,

I don't think it would be a nice experience to get hit 5 times with a CCI+V at close range, but, EENT would be the most effective. During the summer here in Texas the NAA is a great pocket carry,but, when we go on a "day trip" the S&W 6906 goes with me..

Jim

[shooter1]

No more derringers for me thanKs!
Too slow--too heavy----- too inacurrate---two shots.
The "Bond" seems to be the best of rhe lot.
str1

[Hkmp5sd]

There are too many very good and small handguns around today to use a derringer. For the same physical dimensions and less weight, you can carry a 9mm/.40S&W/.45ACP as a backup with 5 or 6+ shots. Much better than a single or double shot derringer.

[SouthpawShootr]

Never tried one. But it would seem to me that most of these designs would be easily fumbled. Lots of practice, maybe, ok. But there are much better designs only a little bigger on the market for carry guns. Now if you're going to use it for some sort of cowboy competition, then practice, practice.

[Primersinmyshoe]

As an ultima ratio , it is better than nothing but do not forget that the first task of a gun is to impress the ennemy and, maybe, get him to give up before fighting. A Derringer probably won't do that...

I think the first task of a gun is to shoot the enemy. I would not expect the sight of my gun to halt an opponents advances. If I feel threatened enough to pull my gun, it will be fired.

[GEM]

A derringer won't impress the opponent - OK, give me the empirical data that proves this.

If threatened enough to pull my gun, I will fire - that's baloney also.
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Sorry guys. Some research is need here.

[shooter1]

If the sight of the gun is enough to eliminate the threat, then I'll not be firing! I have on two occasions, avoided a shooting situation by drawing my weapon. I didn't have to present it, just draw and go to ready. On both occasions there was no one around but the actors, so no alarm was caused by my actions. Had I not acted as I did, the situtation would have surely escalated in to a shooting. I'd much rather be aware enough to avoid a confrontation where shooting was my only option. If the other actor had a weapon in his hand then the story would have been quite different. As a police officer, I have drawn and presented my weapon numerous times. If I fired it everytime I presented it, there'd be no room for all the notches--
str1

[Ed]

GEM said A derringer won't impress the opponent - OK, give me the empirical data that proves this.

A 50 BMG derringer will.

[M2 Carbine]

Nick_90
first task of a gun is to impress the ennemy and, maybe, get him to give up before fighting. A Derringer probably won't do that...
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Nick, if this doesn't impress you, you definitely aren't easily impressed.

[M2 Carbine]

I carried that Bond 45 around town today. I didn't feel under gunned.

No, I don't think a Derringer is an all around good carry gun, far from it, but they can have their place.

[mountainclmbr]

I had a Derringer in 45 Long Colt/410. I shot it twice at the indoor range at 25 yards. First shot of 45 LC 225JHP and nothing on the "large" silouette target. The second shot hit the cable support structure (about 2 ft high) and brought the whole pully system down on my head. I promptly sold the gun. It would be a good gun for very close up, but any distance makes it a liability.

[earthworm]

The old High Standard .22MAG DAO's were decent despit a trigger pull that would give you a hernia.I understand the American Derringer Co's DAOs are the same,& for the price of one you can get 2 KelTecs.
I find the SA derringers with the tiny grips & spur trigger too difficult to manipulate & shoot worth a flip.
Your money,your life,your choice.

[21H40]

A couple of years ago, I met a man at the range who had picked up a .357 Mag Derringer for his wife. He had just bought it and was going to test it out. His intent was that she could carry it well in her purse and it should fit her hand because of the small grip area. He fired it twice while I watched. I declined the invitation to try it out. It shifted noticibly in his hand after the first round, and it took him a while to fire round two. I dearly hope she never needs it.

If you're thinking between taking a derringer or taking a sharp stick, go with the derringer. If you're choosing between one gun and another ... well I prefered to adjust my wardrobe (well, back home in TN it really doesn't get too hot, a long shirt tail can cover almost any pistol) than to "make do." A good belt and holster make a world of difference for comfort.

Then again, I'd rather drive an old beat up car so I can afford to carry a good pistol. It all depends on your priorities in life, I imagine.