Bond Arms Stinger: Thoughts?

[TTv2]

I'll give Bond some credit here in that they looked at ways to improve on their clunky, heavy derringers and put them on a keto diet to slim them down and lighten them up and make them slightly more practical. Choosing to build these Stingers around 9mm, .380, and I presume in the future .38 Special and never having any intention to make them in larger calibers means thinner guns as well as a lower price because aluminum is cheaper to work with than steel.

At $300, these are fine. I still find the old double action American Derringers in .22 Mag to be more practical and if Bond ever wanted to copy those and make them in .32 or .38 they would likely find some who would buy them.

 

[MedWheeler]

I've been craving a Derrie lately, just to round out my Western-themed guns (.357 1873 revolver, lever .30-30, and 12 gauge SXS coach.) This one won't be it. I don't like the trigger guard at all, and am hoping for stainless or nickel/chrome-plated. Probably won't even shoot it. The closest Bond has to what I want it the Cowboy Defender.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Another person looking for them to make it in 38SPC or 32mag (.327 could be neat if possible, but I would shoot 32mag or Long out of it).

I was surprised that they didn't go 38 from the start. However, 9mm is king of the hill these days it seems. I could do it in 9mm but prefer 38 for snake shot options as I see that on the shelf more and can load my own. 9mm isn't as good for shot in my mind. Also, I like a WC bullet in something like this as velocity won't be high.

 

[Autodidactic]

Given it's a smaller caliber, I would be down for a .32 Mag derringer, but only if it was a 4 barrel type pepperbox. Years back a company was going to make something like that and I guess could never make it work or make a profit selling it at $300. It'd be a thick derringer, but still thinner than the cylinder on a revolver.

Bond is one of the few companies I could see making such a gun, just it would cost $500 because it's Bond.

A pepper box would be cool.

Bond Arms does make a .327 magnum barrel, but in the two shot format.

Bond Arms - 3 Inch Accessory Barrel - Polished (bucksnortoutfitters.com)

 

[Autodidactic]

I'll give Bond some credit here in that they looked at ways to improve on their clunky, heavy derringers and put them on a keto diet to slim them down and lighten them up and make them slightly more practical. Choosing to build these Stingers around 9mm, .380, and I presume in the future .38 Special and never having any intention to make them in larger calibers means thinner guns as well as a lower price because aluminum is cheaper to work with than steel.

At $300, these are fine. I still find the old double action American Derringers in .22 Mag to be more practical and if Bond ever wanted to copy those and make them in .32 or .38 they would likely find some who would buy them.

Yes, for carry purposes, this is a good move because the all steel BA derringers are heavy. Those are good for the heavier calibers, but not necessary for lighter ones.

The issue is it is very hard to find currently available, currently made alternatives to BA that are quality. I'd love a smaller American Derringer in the classic format, but they are hard to find and I'm not even sure they still make them.

I've been craving a Derrie lately, just to round out my Western-themed guns (.357 1873 revolver, lever .30-30, and 12 gauge SXS coach.) This one won't be it. I don't like the trigger guard at all, and am hoping for stainless or nickel/chrome-plated. Probably won't even shoot it. The closest Bond has to what I want it the Cowboy Defender.

For the purposes of Western-themed guns, I definitely think the normal Bond Arms derringers are a better fit.

Another person looking for them to make it in 38SPC or 32mag (.327 could be neat if possible, but I would shoot 32mag or Long out of it).

I was surprised that they didn't go 38 from the start. However, 9mm is king of the hill these days it seems. I could do it in 9mm but prefer 38 for snake shot options as I see that on the shelf more and can load my own. 9mm isn't as good for shot in my mind. Also, I like a WC bullet in something like this as velocity won't be high.

Yes, wadcutters are a good fit for the .38 in these. However, testing shows that 9mm in the BA's actually still do fairly well with velocity due to higher pressure. It would seem the 2.5 or 3 inch barrels do atleast as well as 9mm subcompact 3 inch barrel handguns. I think these figures are for the 9mm Roughneck with a 2.5 inch barrel, which I have.

 

[Autodidactic]

Here's my BA with the 3 inch .357/.38 barrel and an extended Altamont grip.

 

[Old_Grouch]

I have the Stinger in .380. It's not unpleasant to shoot, but it's close enough to it that I imagine the 9mm version would be. The recoil impulse of the .380 Stinger is very similar to that of my steel frames with the 9mm barrel set.

 

[Autodidactic]

I have the Stinger in .380. It's not unpleasant to shoot, but it's close enough to it that I imagine the 9mm version would be. The recoil impulse of the .380 Stinger is very similar to that of my steel frames with the 9mm barrel set.

Aha! We found an owner . Besides recoil, how does it shoot?

 

[Old_Grouch]

It shoots fine. As with all of my Bond derringers the sights are largely cosmetic, or at best, a guide. Accuracy is more dependent on the shooters "point shooting" abilities. It comes with two sets of grips. A rubber set like those on the Rowdy and Roughneck, and a thin plastic set. I put the thin ones on so it feels a bit sharp in the hand, but between those grips and the design of the frame it is quite a bit thinner than the standard steel frame guns.
The build quality is typical Bond excellence.

 

[sparkyfender]

I have no experience with the Stinger, but I think Bond derringers are neat. Haven't parted with the cash to buy one though. Hmm.

 

[tinhorn]

I can't think of any use I would have for one of them but you do you Boo

Snake shot. I could see having one in my pocket if I still lived in rattlesnake country. Only snakes I've seen in the past decade were some little garter snakes and a big, harmless black snake that scares the heck out of my wife and the neighbors--hahaha. I like the looks of the Stinger but I'm a sucker for reproductions and steampunk.

 

[Seymour380]

It shoots fine. As with all of my Bond derringers the sights are largely cosmetic, or at best, a guide. Accuracy is more dependent on the shooters "point shooting" abilities. It comes with two sets of grips. A rubber set like those on the Rowdy and Roughneck, and a thin plastic set. I put the thin ones on so it feels a bit sharp in the hand, but between those grips and the design of the frame it is quite a bit thinner than the standard steel frame guns.
The build quality is typical Bond excellence.

Ditto on what Old Grouch shared.

I also picked up the 380 Stinger last month. Got out to the range and put 20 rounds through it using the thinner grips (it stings). Wouldn't want to go bigger in caliber (the 9mm), but I also have some hand issues that impacted my experience.

Called Bond and you can't yet get the barrels like 9mm from them, can only use Stinger barrels. I read somewhere that Bond is thinking about a 22lr version. I agree that 32 acp would be a great option, as 380 is as much as I want to handle with this derringer.

After looking through my holsters I found that the Stinger fits perfectly in my leather OWB Bianchi No. 5 holster, or easily fits in a pocket. Also got 2 No. 8 Quickstrips, and they work very well with the derringer.

Very high quality, glad I got it.

 

[Autodidactic]

Ditto on what Old Grouch shared.

I also picked up the 380 Stinger last month. Got out to the range and put 20 rounds through it using the thinner grips (it stings). Wouldn't want to go bigger in caliber (the 9mm), but I also have some hand issues that impacted my experience.

Called Bond and you can't yet get the barrels like 9mm from them, can only use Stinger barrels. I read somewhere that Bond is thinking about a 22lr version. I agree that 32 acp would be a great option, as 380 is as much as I want to handle with this derringer.

After looking through my holsters I found that the Stinger fits perfectly in my leather OWB Bianchi No. 5 holster, or easily fits in a pocket. Also got 2 No. 8 Quickstrips, and they work very well with the derringer.

Very high quality, glad I got it.View attachment 1064530 View attachment 1064531 View attachment 1064532 View attachment 1064533

Very nice. How is the recoil compared to the micro .380 semi autos? LCPs, Bodyguards, etc. I’d love one in .22 or .32 acp. For the regular steel Bond Arms, they stopped making .22 lr barrels. Also, those are way overbuilt for a .22 lr. But a stinger?

 

[Seymour380]

Very nice. How is the recoil compared to the micro .380 semi autos? LCPs, Bodyguards, etc. I’d love one in .22 or .32 acp. For the regular steel Bond Arms, they stopped making .22 lr barrels. Also, those are way overbuilt for a .22 lr. But a stinger?

Thanks Auto!

The only micro 380 I had previously was a Kimber, and I parted with it because I couldn't get it to function reliably.

This derringer is definitely snappier for me than the Kimber was, and 20 rounds was enough with the thin grips for one range session. I plan on trying the thicker rubber grips on the Stinger for my next trip to the range. I am impressed that Bond provided the two sets of grips.

 

[sgt127]

Hard to find now. The American Derringer Model 7. .38 Special. Barrel and frame aluminum. Guts, stainless. Great beach gun.

So light a good Speedo will support it.

(pics available, PM me)

 

[1KPerDay]

It'd be cool if they could figure out a DA trigger for these and keep things the same size.

 

[1KPerDay]

So light a good Speedo will support it.

(pics available, PM me)

LOL

 

[Autodidactic]

View attachment 1064564

Hard to find now. The American Derringer Model 7. .38 Special. Barrel and frame aluminum. Guts, stainless. Great beach gun.

So light a good Speedo will support it.

(pics available, PM me)

Very cool. It’s too bad American Derringers are hard to find now days. Do they even still make them?

 

[sgt127]

Very cool. It’s too bad American Derringers are hard to find now days. Do they even still make them?

Kind…Sorta. I think they will make one on order. But, for all practical purposes, they’re gone. No more all aluminum though. And, they’re prices are as high as the trigger pull weight.

I’ve had Craftsman staplers with better triggers.

They are easy enough to find on Gunbroker. Most are the .45LC/.410. Perfectly good little Derringers. I’ve owned quite a few.

I had an all aluminum in .44 Special. Sold it years ago. The .38 with poo poo loads is more than enough.

 

[1KPerDay]

I had an all aluminum in .44 Special. Sold it years ago. .

Yyyyeeeeeouch....

 

[Autodidactic]

Kind…Sorta. I think they will make one on order. But, for all practical purposes, they’re gone. No more all aluminum though. And, they’re prices are as high as the trigger pull weight.

I’ve had Craftsman staplers with better triggers.

They are easy enough to find on Gunbroker. Most are the .45LC/.410. Perfectly good little Derringers. I’ve owned quite a few.

I had an all aluminum in .44 Special. Sold it years ago. The .38 with poo poo loads is more than enough.

I do think they look cool with the "Remington Look," meaning that classic Remington derringer style. I had heard they may still make them upon order. On Gunbroker, they are not cheap.

 

[Autodidactic]

It shoots fine. As with all of my Bond derringers the sights are largely cosmetic, or at best, a guide. Accuracy is more dependent on the shooters "point shooting" abilities. It comes with two sets of grips. A rubber set like those on the Rowdy and Roughneck, and a thin plastic set. I put the thin ones on so it feels a bit sharp in the hand, but between those grips and the design of the frame it is quite a bit thinner than the standard steel frame guns.
The build quality is typical Bond excellence.

The first time I took my bond out, it was hard to shoot accurately. I also got cut by the recoil pushing the barrel lever into my finger. But, after some practice sessions and getting used to the grip/size/trigger, I can now shoot it okay at SD distances.

 

[high country]

Glad to see these making it to market. It looks like a very compact little piece, I may be tempted at some point. I thoroughly enjoy my roughneck and the .38 and .45 Colt 4" barrels that I have for it, but it is hardly a featherweight in that configuration...

The trigger looks like the same pieces found in the standard frame models, so I am guessing the trigger pull is more or less unchanged from the larger models. For the few gents that have gotten these, do you find the pull to be similar?

I think they made a good choice going with the higher pressure .380 and 9mm. I haven't been super impressed by the performance of lower pressure rounds like the .38 and .45 Colt in the short barrels. I have had tumbling bullets and sub-par velocities. Granted I haven't tried ammo designed particularly for use in short barrels. I think a .32acp stinger would be the bees knees.

 

[Seymour380]

Glad to see these making it to market. It looks like a very compact little piece, I may be tempted at some point. I thoroughly enjoy my roughneck and the .38 and .45 Colt 4" barrels that I have for it, but it is hardly a featherweight in that configuration...

The trigger looks like the same pieces found in the standard frame models, so I am guessing the trigger pull is more or less unchanged from the larger models. For the few gents that have gotten these, do you find the pull to be similar?

I think they made a good choice going with the higher pressure .380 and 9mm. I haven't been super impressed by the performance of lower pressure rounds like the .38 and .45 Colt in the short barrels. I have had tumbling bullets and sub-par velocities. Granted I haven't tried ammo designed particularly for use in short barrels. I think a .32acp stinger would be the bees knees.

High Country,

I tried the trigger on some of the other models at the LGS, and I think the 380 Stinger trigger is lighter by comparison. I don't own any of the other models, so that is the limit of my experience with the trigger pull.

 

[claguit]

I e-mailed Bond Arms customer service asking about a future 38sp Stinger and they have nothing in the works and customer service hasn't been made aware of any future plans.