BBQ Gun - .44 mag style

[Ultraman]

"In my opinion, Bond Arms makes the best derringer. I have owned a couple of the American Derringer guns. They are pretty, but not as stout or easy to shoot as the Bond guns."

I respectfully disagree and agree. Yes, the Bond Derringer is stouter and a bit easer to cock and shoot than the American Derringer and you can add additional barrels to it too.
But IMHO the American Derringer is better looking and at 15 oz about 20 % lighter than the Bond. The Bond Derringer is safer to load due to it staying on half cock but the American Derringer's cross bolt safety disengages automatically when you pull the hammer back. This alone makes it more desirable for self defense to me. With the Bond Derringer you have to manually disengage it to shoot. I was dry firing my Bond Derringer the other day when I noticed that the safety was still on! No damage done but not a good thing to do.

I think comparing a Bond to an American is kind of like comparing a Ruger to a Smith. The Ruger is stouter and looks to last forever but a Smith is more elegant.

So back to me disagreeing and agreeing. The Bond does look to be the best of the best when you add up all it's pluses but to me due to the added size, weight and manual cross bolt safety not automatically disconnecting... I prefer an American Derringer.

Bill

 

[No Quarter]

Bill,

I won't argue that American Derringer makes a really pretty gun. They are indeed smaller and lighter. I think the bad rap that ADC gets also makes me nervous to get another one of them or to ever get one instead of a Bond. No answering of the phone, no replies to emails, quality control issues, etc. etc. A quick search of the net will show you what I am talking about. form practical experience, I believe that the Bond guns are more accurate as compared to ADC guns. Of course, this is based on my limited ownership of a total of 2 ADC guns and 3 or 4 Bonds over the years.

I love the more traditional look and lighter weight of the ADC guns.

Anyhow, in regards to the Bond Arms safety, try this with your gun UNLOADED.

Without the trigger pulled and the safety off, try and force the hammer to touch the firing pins - you can't do it. Now, with the gun UNLOADED, pull the trigger and you will then be able to move the hammer forwards to touch the firing pins. My point is that the safety is completely not even necessary with a bond. I use the allen head screw to lock mine in the off position. I can't imagine a scenario where the trigger could be pulled and the hammer struck hard enough to force it to go off.

I would own another ADC gun, if I was able to cherry pick through a bunch of them to find the absolute best one first.

I'll say this much though: It sure is a pleasure to meet some other derringer fans on the board. most times, a mall ninja will pop up and tell us how stupid we are to like any gun that carries less than 15 rounds of whatever the latest snake oil is!

Pretty guns sir! you are building a nice collection of derringers. I need to catch up to you


Regards,

NQ

 

[Ultraman]

It sure is a pleasure to meet some other derringer fans

Strange, I've called ADC three times in the past month and Miss Elizabeth has answered every time. Also I've emailed them twice and got both replied backed to the very next day.

A week ago Monday I called and ordered a French Fitted Box and got it on Friday.

I bought a Model 4 off a guy on the Smith & Wesson board this past Saturday and emailed ADC yesterday with the SN for the BOD and got my answer today. Can't believe everything you read on the net.

As to accuracy, my experience with my three is the .38 ADC shot best then the .9mm then last was the Bond. But the .45 bullet has a little jump before it can hit that 1/2" of rifling.
But ALL THREE were expectable to me, all shots on a paper plate at 7 yards! I know that your .44 would have to be more accurate than a .45 / 410.

You are completely right about the safety on the Bond too! Either way, one can't go wrong with either make!!!!

Comming soon...Woo Hoo!!!!!!

 

[No Quarter]

That's good news that they seem to be back up and running properly again. I think they might have gone through some rough times in recent years with a lawsuit or some such. I will definitely start seriously considering another one. I have not seen any around the gun shows here in Dallas. Hopefully I'll see some around soon. If you search in Sassnet.com and other forums, you'll find numerous stories of them not answering emails or their phones. I am glad that they are coming back around. I'd hate to see a Texas gun company go under!

Regards,

Nq

 

[No Quarter]

ADC in Waco is only 1 1/2 hours away from me. Worth a drive down there just to see their shop! Bond arms is only a little over and hour away from me. I am in Derringer country!!!



Ok - now I will have to buy another derringer just to try and keep up with you.

Pictures coming soon!

 

[Ultraman]

I'd love to see more pictures of thoes grips!

 

[MCgunner]

For reloads, I'd think a Bianchi Speed Strip would work. Well, okay, I don't know if they make 'em in anything, but .38/.357, but that's probably the caliber I'd get if I got a derringer.

 

[No Quarter]

Another pic of the .44 sans trigger guard and with another daily pocket gun:

 

[No Quarter]

I need to take the time to take better pictures

 

[bulbboy]

...

 

[MCgunner]

The pic with the NAA mini puts the size into perspective for me. THANKS! They're smaller guns than I was thinking, though that 3" barrel one would take up a little room in the pocket I reckon.

 

[No Quarter]

My pleasure. The Bond is 5" long with the 3" barrels. It is fatter than the naa mini and obviously weighs more. I really do find it a very easy gun to carry in my front jeans pocket. Easy to have my hand on the gun ready to draw if I feel things seem a bit off.


Speed strips would indeed work for a .38 or .357 derringer. I have tried to fit .44 rounds into one, but it is not a good fit.
I use the revolver method of hand loading two rounds at a time and it works just fine.

I have a nifty little rattlesnake skin holster and a 4 round cartridge belt slide made by William at leathergunsetc.com

He does beautiful leatherwork at a very reasonable price. He is a huge fan of Bond guns and makes several holsters for them.

Nq

 

[Working Man]

Anyone ever go to Elm Fork Shooting Range here in Dallas is more than welcome to watch me pop a few off then give it whirl as well!

That's right off Luna Rd.

I've been going there before I could even hold anything larger than a .22.

Edit: I have an American Derringer in 9 mm. I would not mind getting a .357 or even the .44.
I'll have to give Bond a look.

 

[No Quarter]

It sure is! My favorite place to shoot. I cannot stand indoor ranges!
One of these days, maybe we can hook up and I'll let you give my gun a workout with some .44 specials so you can try before you buy.

NQ

 

[CSA 357]

can you get that in 45/70 or 458 lott?

 

[1KPerDay]

Sorry, but what's a BBQ gun?

 

[No Quarter]

A BBQ gun is a fancy gun that is worn for special social events such as a BBQ here in Texas. I am sure other southern states have this tradition as well.

For instance, a nickle plated SAA with ivory grips and full engraving would be a BBQ gun, while a model 28 S&W would be just a good old carry gun.

NQ

 

[MCgunner]

Perhaps we should explain that in Texas, a "barbeque" isn't so much about food as it is a social event. I mean, you yankees wear your best to the opera, don't ya????

 

[Working Man]

No Quarter, sounds good, I'd appreciate that. You can give my Mateba
a try if you like. It is a .44 as well.

 

[No Quarter]

I'll post in this thread the next time I am heading out to the range in case anyone wants to comes and let 'er rip. I'll bring plenty of ammo Should be within the next weekend or so.

Regards,

NQ