Bond Arms Stinger: Thoughts?

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No, 9mm and .380 only. They no longer make a 22 Mag or LR barrel for the Defenders either.
I want one in .32 acp. I feel like everyone is trying to stuff bigger and bigger calibers into micro handguns, when in reality a lot of the classic .32’s (auto and revolver) were probably about perfect for pocket guns. More power than the other mouse calibers, but low recoil.
 
… I’ll post a brief range report when I do.

Range report: Bond Arms Stinger Derringer; caliber, 9 mm; two shot capacity; steel barrel, aluminum frame.

As expected, this Derringer is a handful to shoot. The grip size is small and thin at about 0.9 inches. I used the thinner grip scales provided; Bond Arms also provides slightly thicker rubber grip scales that add about 0.1" to the width. The handgun is single action with a cross bolt safety, and a rebounding hammer. The manufacturer does not recommend carrying this handgun cocked and locked. On my sample of one, the cross bolt is very easy to disengage, and relatively easy to engage.

I did not use a gauge to measure the trigger pull weight, but I would estimate it is fairly stiff at 12 pounds or more. The tricky thing about this trigger is that it does not pull straight back; due to the geometry of rotation around the trigger pin, it is easier to pull down slightly rather than straight back. Therefore, a straight-back pull would be perceived to be an extremely heavy trigger. The NAA mini-revolvers' triggers are similar in their geometry. The Bond Arms derringer barrels for rimless ammo do not have extractors, and I used the rim of an empty case to extract fired cases. I believe that the top barrel fires first and the bottom barrel second, but you will want to verify that from Bond Arms information; the next information uses this barrel firing order assumption.

For this initial range trip I used steel cased, FMJ, 115 grain, 9 mm by Monarch (cheap range ammo), shooting half size torso silhouette steel targets at 30 feet. The rear sight is a miniscule notch (about 1/16" deep) with a front sight blade that is part of the barrel. I shot 10 rounds: 8 with my strong hand, and 2 with my weak hand, and the small size limited me to a 1-1/2 finger grip. See photo: the top barrel (red circles) grouped about 3” to 6” above point-of-aim (black X) and the bottom barrel (blue circles) grouped about 2” to 5” below point of aim.
17229B4C-0DA6-4636-BAA4-7161A374B48A.jpeg
[For comparison, I also shot a new-to-me Kel Tec P11 during the range trip, and have included a photo of a 6 shot group from it. That group shows: 1) that I need to spend more time at the range since the group size is about 8 inches, & 2) the Stinger has less practical accuracy for me than a semi-auto with full grip, traditional 3-dot sights, and a long 12# DOA trigger pull.]
3E4BA5E9-4CED-45C4-AF50-527D997F1D7B.jpeg

Conclusion: The Stinger lives up to its name as one might expect. Please don’t make me shoot it more than 10 times during a range trip! For practical use, it will serve as a deep concealment or back up gun, and functions best at very close distances as a "get off me" gun. I expect to use Hornady Low Recoil Critical Defense as a driving back up gun on a belt holster while my regular EDC is in my pocket.
3DDBAD16-9624-4070-BF46-D407F4CBD217.jpeg
(I had painting chores before the range trip)
 

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Range report: Bond Arms Stinger Derringer; caliber, 9 mm; two shot capacity; steel barrel, aluminum frame.

As expected, this Derringer is a handful to shoot. The grip size is small and thin at about 0.9 inches. I used the thinner grip scales provided; Bond Arms also provides slightly thicker rubber grip scales that add about 0.1" to the width. The handgun is single action with a cross bolt safety, and a rebounding hammer. The manufacturer does not recommend carrying this handgun cocked and locked. On my sample of one, the cross bolt is very easy to disengage, and relatively easy to engage.

I did not use a gauge to measure the trigger pull weight, but I would estimate it is fairly stiff at 12 pounds or more. The tricky thing about this trigger is that it does not pull straight back; due to the geometry of rotation around the trigger pin, it is easier to pull down slightly rather than straight back. Therefore, a straight-back pull would be perceived to be an extremely heavy trigger. The NAA mini-revolvers' triggers are similar in their geometry. The Bond Arms derringer barrels for rimless ammo do not have extractors, and I used the rim of an empty case to extract fired cases. I believe that the top barrel fires first and the bottom barrel second, but you will want to verify that from Bond Arms information; the next information uses this barrel firing order assumption.

For this initial range trip I used steel cased, FMJ, 115 grain, 9 mm by Monarch (cheap range ammo), shooting half size torso silhouette steel targets at 30 feet. The rear sight is a miniscule notch (about 1/16" deep) with a front sight blade that is part of the barrel. I shot 10 rounds: 8 with my strong hand, and 2 with my weak hand, and the small size limited me to a 1-1/2 finger grip. See photo: the top barrel (red circles) grouped about 3” to 6” above point-of-aim (black X) and the bottom barrel (blue circles) grouped about 2” to 5” below point of aim.
View attachment 1083843
[For comparison, I also shot a new-to-me Kel Tec P11 during the range trip, and have included a photo of a 6 shot group from it. That group shows: 1) that I need to spend more time at the range since the group size is about 8 inches, & 2) the Stinger has less practical accuracy for me than a semi-auto with full grip, traditional 3-dot sights, and a long 12# DOA trigger pull.]
View attachment 1083844

Conclusion: The Stinger lives up to its name as one might expect. Please don’t make me shoot it more than 10 times during a range trip! For practical use, it will serve as a deep concealment or back up gun, and functions best at very close distances as a "get off me" gun. I expect to use Hornady Low Recoil Critical Defense as a driving back up gun on a belt holster while my regular EDC is in my pocket.
View attachment 1083845
(I had painting chores before the range trip)
Wow, very nice. Thanks for the range report!

I like the way the Stingers look, and feel.

Honestly, your 30 foot shooting is pretty good for a derringer. A lot of people would do worse than that at 15 feet.

If I bought one, it would definitely be the .380 out of the current options.

Have you tried carrying it yet? I assume the lighter weight, and thinner profile, help.
 
I think of it like the NAA mini.

But two rounds or 9mm probably trump 5 rounds of 22 lr. Been loading the 22 punch rounds, seem to be made for the short barrel and penetrate better with less recoil than stingers etc.

Pretty much contact gun to arms length.
 
I kind of like the idea of the 410 in these guns.

With the federal handgun buckshot rounds, if you only get two shots, why not have each shot make 5 holes?
I like the idea. But a lot of the ballistics tests on YouTube show marginal results for .410 out of the derringer. Apparently with the 3 inch barrels (may not be true for the 6 inch BA’s), .410 doesn’t develop a lot of velocity. In the first link, three inch barrel, only one buck shot pellet made it to 12 inches out of 2 shots.



Out of snake slayer:

 
Oh wow, yeah that is not terribly confidence inspiring.

I'm a well known SW governor apologist, so I've spent a lot of time looking into 410 short barrel ballistics (especially since the round is considered marginal from shotgun length barrels!)

From what I can tell, ammo selection is everything if you use a short barrel 410 defensively. Only one round seems to have buckshot rounds all meet/exceed the 12 inch mark and that is the federal 410 buckshot round made for handguns. It comes in 2 1/2 and 3 inch, I'm not sure what the bond will chamber. My gov only chambers the latter, but the 3 inch is even better.
I'd be interested in bond arms tested with federal handgun buck. Sadly I have not found federal on the shelves in two years. I'm down to my last handful.


I've also heard tell that Hornady changed their powder load or otherwise improved their 410 critical defense rounds. Initially written off when poor ballistic tests started showing up by users. Now I've seen a few short barrel tests showing the 41 caliber projectile expanding and the two buck rounds meeting the 12 inch mark. If I run across a decently priced box I will sometimes grab one.

Winchester pdx has never met that mark and doesn't seem interested in changing it's formula or payload ( more discs vs bbs etc). The three discs can end up sideways and tend to go about ten inches while the bbs, about four. It's a fine load for snake defense. It has been used in self defense in a few cases I've found.

From what I've seen the first round usually hits ( the bbs spread very quick and insure they are going to hit anything close range down barrel. The discs actually group very well and tightly giving you three close wound channels). They tend to stop the bad guy, and the bad guys in the accounts I've read survive to go to trial. The first part of that sentence is what we're after, so I do have a few PDX on hand.

Usually I will pick up the split box of shot shell and 45 colt jhp because it's not a terrible price given the big 45 defense rounds. Probably won't expand but gel tests show quite the wound channel.
 
Oh wow, yeah that is not terribly confidence inspiring.

I'm a well known SW governor apologist, so I've spent a lot of time looking into 410 short barrel ballistics (especially since the round is considered marginal from shotgun length barrels!)

From what I can tell, ammo selection is everything if you use a short barrel 410 defensively. Only one round seems to have buckshot rounds all meet/exceed the 12 inch mark and that is the federal 410 buckshot round made for handguns. It comes in 2 1/2 and 3 inch, I'm not sure what the bond will chamber. My gov only chambers the latter, but the 3 inch is even better.
I'd be interested in bond arms tested with federal handgun buck. Sadly I have not found federal on the shelves in two years. I'm down to my last handful.


I've also heard tell that Hornady changed their powder load or otherwise improved their 410 critical defense rounds. Initially written off when poor ballistic tests started showing up by users. Now I've seen a few short barrel tests showing the 41 caliber projectile expanding and the two buck rounds meeting the 12 inch mark. If I run across a decently priced box I will sometimes grab one.

Winchester pdx has never met that mark and doesn't seem interested in changing it's formula or payload ( more discs vs bbs etc). The three discs can end up sideways and tend to go about ten inches while the bbs, about four. It's a fine load for snake defense. It has been used in self defense in a few cases I've found.

From what I've seen the first round usually hits ( the bbs spread very quick and insure they are going to hit anything close range down barrel. The discs actually group very well and tightly giving you three close wound channels). They tend to stop the bad guy, and the bad guys in the accounts I've read survive to go to trial. The first part of that sentence is what we're after, so I do have a few PDX on hand.

Usually I will pick up the split box of shot shell and 45 colt jhp because it's not a terrible price given the big 45 defense rounds. Probably won't expand but gel tests show quite the wound channel.
Good info. I still think the .410 might be useful in Bond with the difficulty in aiming them except slowly. But, under pressure? Like you said, 3 or 4 buckshot pellets could be persuasive.

How much is the total Governor barrel length including the cylinder?

For example, does it have a total length of let's say 5 inches?

The BA 3 inch barrels are flush basically with the end of the .410 cartridge as shown in the first video I posted, hence the low velocity.
 
Well barrel length is 2.75 in (7.0 cm).

The 410 shells sit pretty well flush in the cylinders, so I don't think they would get much, maybe that .25 ..
Yeah but while there is some cylinder gap loss, the cylinder plus 2.75 inch barrel really is more equivalent to a 5 inch barrel.

Whereas, the BA barrel is 3 inches including the cartridge. No additional barrel
 
I believe that the top barrel fires first and the bottom barrel second, but you will want to verify that from Bond Arms information; the next information uses this barrel firing order assumption.
They alternate. If the last barrel to fire was the bottom the next will be the top. Loading and unloading has no effect on barrel selection as it does with most double barrel shotguns.
 
I think of it like the NAA min. But two rounds or 9mm probably trump 5 rounds of 22 lr…
Bond Arms Stinger Derringer; caliber, 9 mm; two shot capacity; steel barrel, aluminum frame…I expect to use Hornady Low Recoil Critical Defense as a driving back up gun…

Follow up from carrying the Stinger for the past month: defjon is correct- this thinner, lighter Bond Arms derringer has taken the place of a holster-grip-.22mag-NAA mini-revolver for a “drop in the pocket when nothing else works” handgun. It’s what I carry walking to the mailbox, around the yard, or a quick trip to the grocery while wearing shorts with minimal pockets. Yes, I agree that only two 9mm rounds is sub-optimal, but it can be pocket carried when the other choice is no firearm at all.

The Stinger serves as a readily accessible driving handgun, too.

One negative note - the grip screw is blued, not stainless like other steel parts, and it quickly started rusting from summertime sweat. I’m periodically putting a drop of oil on the screw head and on the two tiny roll pins in the frame for corrosion prevention.

Another Conclusion: I have the Bond Arm original derringer in .410/.45colt and the Roughneck in .357/.38spl; both are lots of fun on the range but - with only two, single action rounds available- they are too big and heavy to fill a spot for my firearm carry use (suburban and urban environments). The Stinger is light enough and thin enough to fill a niche in my EDC needs. I hope Bond Arms does well with this line; I’d say it makes them a little more relevant to the daily carry market.
 
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I purchased one on an impulse buy. Believe me I’m not recoil sensitive. I shot just about every caliber and this little gun was ridiculous and 9 mm. I guess I shot about 10 shots put it down and moved on to something else. It’s a well-made gun no doubt like all bond arms are but I dumped it as soon as I could took the loss which was a big loss and moved on to something else. That’s my review. You guys that have one and love it god bless you. Your rheumatologist will thank you later in life.
 
I hope Bond Arms does well with this line; I’d say it makes them a little more relevant to the daily carry market.
They've announced another one. The Stinger RS. 2.5" barrel and stainless steel frame. The frame will be finished like the Rowdy/Roughneck. MSRP $279.00.
I have the original in .380 and I'm fairly certain I'll have one of the new SS in 9mm about 2 days after our distributor has them.
 
They've announced another one. The Stinger RS. 2.5" barrel and stainless steel frame. The frame will be finished like the Rowdy/Roughneck. MSRP $279.00.
I have the original in .380 and I'm fairly certain I'll have one of the new SS in 9mm about 2 days after our distributor has them.
Wait what....
 
I purchased one on an impulse buy. Believe me I’m not recoil sensitive. I shot just about every caliber and this little gun was ridiculous and 9 mm. I guess I shot about 10 shots put it down and moved on to something else. It’s a well-made gun no doubt like all bond arms are but I dumped it as soon as I could took the loss which was a big loss and moved on to something else. That’s my review. You guys that have one and love it god bless you. Your rheumatologist will thank you later in life.
I believe it because the bond arms stainless steel 9mm has reasonable recoil. It’s much heavier than the Stinger. I also have the .357/.38 barrel. .357 is way too stout. That’s why I want a .380 acp stinger. This is how we know people like Old Grouch like self punishment with the .45 Colt, .410, etc. ;)
 
Follow up from carrying the Stinger for the past month: defjon is correct- this thinner, lighter Bond Arms derringer has taken the place of a holster-grip-.22mag-NAA mini-revolver for a “drop in the pocket when nothing else works” handgun. It’s what I carry walking to the mailbox, around the yard, or a quick trip to the grocery while wearing shorts with minimal pockets. Yes, I agree that only two 9mm rounds is sub-optimal, but it can be pocket carried when the other choice is no firearm at all.

The Stinger serves as a readily accessible driving handgun, too.

One negative note - the grip screw is blued, not stainless like other steel parts, and it quickly started rusting from summertime sweat. I’m periodically putting a drop of oil on the screw head and on the two tiny roll pins in the frame for corrosion prevention.

Another Conclusion: I have the Bond Arm original derringer in .410/.45colt and the Roughneck in .357/.38spl; both are lots of fun on the range but - with only two, single action rounds available- they are too big and heavy to fill a spot for my firearm carry use (suburban and urban environments). The Stinger is light enough and thin enough to fill a niche in my EDC needs. I hope Bond Arms does well with this line; I’d say it makes them a little more relevant to the daily carry market.
Right the weight of steel bond arms makes it hard to carry. That’s why I rarely do. Stinger? Yes.
 
I wonder what the street price will be. I think I'd go for 380, and just use flat points.

Bond makes great durable pistols. Looks like a good minimal discrete carry or stash option.

Already stock the 9mm Kurtz so...
 
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