Traditions Vest Pocket Derringer

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Pocket

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I have been debating for over a year whether or not to get one of these. Some reviews on the net lead one to believe it is not any better that a sling shot..they are wrong.

When I opened the box, I saw some discoloration on the finish. At first I thought well damm...so I broke out my "Mothers" mag wheel polish and BAM, sparkled like a diamond.

Next broke it down All the way. My nipple wrench that I use on all of my BP big guns fit perfectly. There are not many parts. The screws are tiny, dont drop them.
Reassemble was quick.

Now was the test. The paper from DGWs indicated 12 g of BP. I wasn't sure because some reviews used 9 to 10.

I didn't have any .310 or .311 balls so I used the .330 that I use in my other 31. Cal.s.

Loaded up with 12g and a .330 rb.
Wow I was impressed. These are not intened to be target practice guns.
At 8 feet it was spot on and the first shot went all the way through one 1x4 board and lodged in the second board.
Five more reloads and got the same results.
I am impressed!!! Love it!!!
 
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I have looked at that gun a bunch simply based on its price point and the design being so close to my Butler 22 short pistol. I might just go ahead and put that on the list for Santa to consider...
 
They are pretty scarce right now just like all the other blk powder guns on the inner web.

I lucked out and got the last one that DGW had.
 
I've seen them, great price and all, but when NAA makes their own cap and ball revolvers for not much more, but hold 4 more shots and the cylinders can be changed quickly like the 1858 NMA, I don't see what make these single shot .31's worth the money.
 
I can't find the NAA C&B's in stock anywhere which makes their current price unknown.
Whereas the Traditions Vest Pocket Derringer is listed as low as $162.97 at Old South [backorder] and in stock for $169 at Muzzle-loaders.com
 
I bought my Pedersoli screw barrel .44 that takes regular .452 revolver balls onto the barrel with no wad and you just top off the powder chamber in pistol frame which is 15 grains. When you screw on the 2" barrel the ball is forced into the rifling tightly and the ball is against the sealed powder chamber. The little thing is accurate to 7 yards pointing it with no sights and the ball makes a .45 hole in 2" of redwood ! I paid $200 at a sale acouple years ago from Dixie.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...uct_name/PH0530+Pedersoli+Screw+Barrel+Pistol
 
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I can't find the NAA C&B's in stock anywhere which makes their current price unknown.
Whereas the Traditions Vest Pocket Derringer is listed as low as $162.97 at Old South [backorder] and in stock for $169 at Muzzle-loaders.com
$261 on NAA's website, but I've seen them sold for less online around $225. Check gunbroker and they'll pop up on occasion and they usually come in a kit with bullets, loading tools, holster, and a spare cylinder, so you get a lot for the money.
 
$261 on NAA's website, but I've seen them sold for less online around $225. Check gunbroker and they'll pop up on occasion and they usually come in a kit with bullets, loading tools, holster, and a spare cylinder, so you get a lot for the money.
There's also a company that was on Ebay, selling conversion cylinders with button style firing pins to fire 22 LR in your 22 mag B/P NAA, I got one before they were removed and it works fine as an alternative to B/P shooting the little pistol, even the mag load is below the penetration of the 22 LR in the same pistol. I tried 4f real Black and 4F tripple7, still less than the 22 LR.
 
$261 on NAA's website, but I've seen them sold for less online around $225. Check gunbroker and they'll pop up on occasion and they usually come in a kit with bullets, loading tools, holster, and a spare cylinder, so you get a lot for the money.

Thank you. I found the product pages for the Companion, Super Companion and the Earl.
Many folks load them with Bullseye powder.

1. $251 --->>> https://northamericanarms.com/shop/firearms/naa-22lr-cb/
2. $302 --->>> https://northamericanarms.com/shop/firearms/naa-22m-cbk/
3. $322 --->>> https://northamericanarms.com/shop/firearms/1860-earl-4-barrel-cap-ball-2/
 
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I like that little pocket Companion. I sent them an email. I hope it is in stock...

Thanks for the lead....
 
So I poured some .311 balls thismorning. MAJOR disappointment. They were snug but not like the .330s.

I see now why some say that their round balls bounce off the target with this little gun.
This first picture shows 2 shots at a 1x4 board. The one in the white is from the .311 RB, merely a dent in the wood. The one on the left is from the .330, all the way through. Both rounds were loaded with 12g of Goex.
The second picture shows how tight the .330 is when loading. 20200809_101001.jpg
20200809_101623.jpg
 
I found that if the ball is not a snug fit the powder does not get a chance to build enough pressure before the ball is exiting the barrel.I think it even mentions in user manual not to use a patch. The exact right ball makes all the difference in this little gun. .323 or .324 seems about perfect.
 
I found that if the ball is not a snug fit the powder does not get a chance to build enough pressure before the ball is exiting the barrel.I think it even mentions in user manual not to use a patch. The exact right ball makes all the difference in this little gun. .323 or .324 seems about perfect.

You're right that the manual does say not to use a patch, but that would seem to be an error since it also says to only use a .310 round ball.
And in another part of the manual it says that "shooting patches are not required for this pistol."
I guess that a person needs to use their own judgement when interpreting the directions since it clearly warns against using loose projectiles.
And the directions are contradictory.
Here's the Vest Pocket Derringer manual. --->>> https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/data/product_owner_manuals/P1381Derringer_manual_1362674682.pdf

CAUTION: Any gap between powder and ball is a dangerous situation and could cause a burst barrel.
CAUTION: Do not use any type of shooting patch with a round ball.
CAUTION: A projectile which does not enter the barrel under pressure may not stay seated on top of the powder.
 
I just bought this Derringer and glad I found this thread. It should be here no later than Saturday. I had found damoc's video on YouTube also.
Before I bought this Derringer I currently only had a 50 cal rifle muzzleloader. So this will be my second black powder gun.
I just happened to come across the Derringer on the internet did some research and thought it was a nifty little gun for the price. Plus I like shiny guns LOL.
I look forward to shooting it. I now know to make sure I have a tight fit with the lead ball to get the maximum performance out of it.
 
I really like mine. I had taken some wood dowel and made several loading rams.

After trying several different hammers I found a hard plastic one at Harbor Freight that works best for my liking.

image_16577.jpg
 
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