Bond Arms in .40 S&W?

[steak-knife]

Recently picked up an excellant condition used Bond Arms Texas Defender in .357 mag., more as a BBQ gun than a primary carry. Haven't shot it yet, but I suspect that it's going to be a whopper.

Anyway, one of the features that also made it attractive is the interchangable barrels for different calibers. My primary weapon is a Glock 23 in .40 S&W. As such, I was thinking about getting a new .40 cal. barrel for the Texas Defender.

Anyone have any experience with .40 cal in a Bond Derringer? or any other caliber that is rimless (9mm, .45 ACP)?

 

[No Quarter]

I have a Bond derringer and love it. I currently have the 4.25" .410 barrel and a .44 mag barrel set. I owned a set in .45 acp and it was an accurate little thumper. Obviously, the ejection feature won't be a factor since it is removed on the rimless barrels.

I think you'll love it. Just take the time to learn how to shoot it properly and don't judge it after one range session. the longer I own mine, the more confident I have grown with what it can do.

At some point, I would like to own all the barrels and have a display built for it. Probably be worth something someday. I am sure the gun will last for generations.

Go to Bondarms.com and watch the videos of Bob Munden shooting one. It is amazing.

NQ

 

[steak-knife]

No Quarter

Thanks for the response.

Finally got around to shooting mine with a mixed batch of loads ranging from .38 wadcutters, .38 +P Golddots, and full-house .357 Hydroshocks. Besides the expected fireball from the .357 loadings, it was actually managble and accurate, capable of getting head shots at 7 yards.

Will order the .40 barrel soon, as well as the .22 LR.

Oddly, Bond doesn't list a .22 mag barrel.

 

[No Quarter]

Glad you like it thus far. I often carry mine in a little pocket holster loaded with 240 grain .44 mags.

If you have not had a chance to do it yet, definitely head over to bondarms.com look at the vids, read the articles. It is a really neat little gun.

NQ

 

[bluetopper]

My gosh! I bet that a Bond in a 44 mag would be more than a handfull.
It's a handfull in my 6'', 629.

Is there enough of a grip to hang on to?

 

[No Quarter]

It is quite a handful. I have shot it with the usual grips and also a set of the larger grips that Bond puts on the Snakeslayer IV. With the large grips, it is not too bad. With the small ones it is a handful but I can handle it ok. I have put 50 or more rounds through the gun in one range session and can still write my name so I guess no damage was done.

I figure in the event that I have to shoot someone with it, I will not notice the noise or kick. When I was in the USMC, I never remembered the sound of my own weapon in the heat of battle.

With .44 specials, it is an absolute pleasure to shoot. Almost donwright mild in my opinion. Of course, I like to shoot the heavy stuff.

 

[steak-knife]

BTW. The trigger guard (Texas Defender) helped a lot in handling this little pocket rocket, with cocking, and the follow-up shot. I suspect that taking the trigger guard off (ala Cowboy Defender) would result in having the barrel flipping straight up after each shot. I'll find out next time at the range.

I've fired NAA mini-revolvers with the stock wood grips, and even with mild .22 LRs, the muzzle flip is pronounced. Of course the bigger wood grips solve the problem, but make it almost twice as big. Also, if you like a lot of muzzle flash, load these mini-guns with CCI Stingers.