Bond Arms

[miamivicedade]

So I have a bond arms 45LC/410 that I got a while back, and it's been in the safe and I have never even fired it. I bought it cause it, "looked cool" and felt like an anvil. Do they serve a real world purpose? I don't think I'd ever carry it, as obviously that is not practical. What are your thoughts?

 

[earlthegoat2]

My thoughts are that it is a very high quality example of a design that is very impractical. It’s easy to tell a Bond is much higher quality than say a Cobra. Both of which are in the same class of firearms.

They are very cool for what they are but are inferior to most other designs out there many of which can and do cost less.

 

[high country]

Not sure what counts as real world purpose, but I picked one up a while ago just for fun. Seems like a decent purpose to me. I have carried it in an IWB holster some times when walking fences, etc. in case of a snake encounter, but have never had to actually use it for that. Happy to just let them be and walk around as long as they aren't under the front porch where my kid plays.

They are just cool, and built like a tank. I like simple mechanical things and the bond arms certainly qualifies. I have never taken it to the range without having a fun conversation about it with someone.

Mine started as a 9mm roughneck, and I have a .357 4.25" barrel also. I like it with the longer barrel and would like to get a dedicated .45 colt 4.25" barrel too. I hated the "palming a golf ball" feel of the grips, so I grabbed a cheap set of extended grips and shaped them down to something more like a j frame hogue. Finally, I pulled it apart and did some polishing on the internals to smooth up the action a bit. Probably because it was a roughneck, the finish work inside left a bit to be desired. I swapped in a lighter mainspring which made a huge difference in the effort needed to pull back the hammer and lightened the trigger a bit. I can very easily and quickly cock it with one hand. Note-it took some tinkering to find a weight that did not result in light strikes. If you have plan to CCW or something, I would strongly recommend against that. Definitely a cowboy action/range toy modification only!

With the long barrel, it is actually decently accurate for what it is as long as you know which barrel you are firing. The barrels are not well regulated, probably about a 10" difference in POI at 15 yards. Other barrels may be better (or worse) I have no idea.

Long story short, cool for what they are and well built, but certainly not the most effective firearm design available in 2021. Real hoot to shoot though, and that is enough purpose for me.

 

[sgt127]

I have an American Derringer in .410/45 LC.

I’ve owned several, in different calibers. Not sure why. I had one in .38 Special. All aluminum as I recall. That was likely the handiest of the bunch.

But, they are a neat oddity with very little practical utility.

 

[vwfool]

I originally bought mine for protection against snakes sneaking up on me while shooting prairie dogs. It is kinda hard to aim a scoped rifle at a snake thats 2 feet away in grass that’s 18-20” tall while sitting on a 4 wheeler. If they had made the Judge or Governor back then I probably would have bought one of them instead. Would I trade it for one of them now? Hell no.


The Bond Arms is designed better than most (American, Cobra, Davis, Remington) other derringers. The barrel/caliber changing capabilities, rebounding hammer, better designed loading lever are just a few reasons why.

Besides being a handy, short snake gun while hunting or mowing, they are fun too shoot and play around with and make a fun conversation starter at the range. Mine started as a used .357, and now I have barrels in .22LR, 45LC/.410, and 45 ACP.

Figure out where each barrel shoots, and start playing around. A friend of mine figured out if he aimed 3 feet high and 4 feet to the side he could repeatedly hit a 12” steel square someone hung in a tree about 125 yards across a pond he fished at all the time. He won a LOT of beer money betting people he could hit it with a .22 derringer.

One gun for everything the rest of your life, best CCW, handgun hunting, bear defense...probably not. Safe, well built, fun to play around and plink with, challenge friends to a contest with, shoot snakes, carry in your vest on poker night..sure, it is a hoot. As someone else said, the 2 barrel O/U derringer design has its limitations. The Bond Arms is a great gun if you keep that in mind.

 

[Armored farmer]

I can think of a few uses:
Boat gun
Truck gun
Pack gun
Hideout gun in lockbox or other location.
Backup gun when hunting or fishing...
?

 

[TTv2]

Bond is a company that has every ability in the world to produce very high quality guns that are actually practical, but they don't instead insisting on making outdated derringers and that funky Bullpup. I mean, the derringers are their bread and butter and they've gotten quite a few suckers to shell out $500+ for a two shot pistol the size and weight of a Hi Point C9 based solely on it looking so purdy and people thinking of derringers and how in Western movies the whores kept them hidden in so many places.

No, there is no practical value, the Bond derringers are display guns, nothing more. If you actually want to shoot one then get the Roughneck, it's much less in price and equally craptastic when shooting.

 

[ThomasT]

I have picked up a couple at the gunshows years before and they were as big and heavy as a 5 shot 38 snub. They are built about 40 miles from me. Excellent quality but I will never have one. I might if they could put that same quality in a gun the size and weight of one of the Cobra Derringers and make it a deep concealment/last ditch gun I would be interested. No need for a 45/410 just a simple 22/22 mag, 32 long or 32 mag would be great. OK you can have a 32acp or even 380 if thats what blows your hair back.

 

[jstert]

i have a couple of original gen2, with several barrels, picked up over the years at decent prices used or on sale. their barrel interchangeability is great, making them useful as a traveling piece during ammo droughts. expensive niche pieces indeed and stay away from the cheaper, lesser finished, ill fitted rowdy/roughneck/grizzly versions, which lock up and wont swap barrels well at all. if there comes a time when most modern firearms are banned due to being a public health threat b.a. derringers will fly under the gun grabbers’ radar. anyway an original gen2 b.a. derringer wouldn’t be my first or third handgun, but at the right price with a couple of barrels in my favorite handgun calibers, maybe my fourth if i had a bit of crazy money.

 

[.308 Norma]

What are your thoughts?

As coincidence would have it, just a couple of weeks ago I too decided I’d treat myself to a Bond Arms derringer. Unfortunately, I quickly found out that Bond Arms derringers are tough to find in this part of Idaho right now. I’ve checked Cabela’s, Sportsman’s and 4 different LGS’s in Pocatello and Idaho Falls, and none of them has a single Bond Arms derringer in stock.
So, I haven’t even decided on a model yet - I need to actually hold a few of them in my hand before deciding. I’m sure I want one that shoots .45/.410, but that’s about all I’m sure about.

 

[WisBorn]

The Bond Arms Derringers have a very practical purpose HAVE FUN GUN

I have a Rowdy 45/410. I wanted a Bond Arms for years and with the Rough and Rowdy series I could justify the purchase.

I have carried mine for snakes as a second handgun. I have carried it as a primary carry on a few walks in the neighborhood. It also makes a great defense gun in your car/truck even with shot shells.

The 45/410 is very versatile with the loads it is capable to shoot. I can't think of a better companion to carry while big game rifle or bow hunting.

I think everyone should own at least one

 

[Meeks36]

Remember reading on the nra magazine a few years back a gentleman used one to stop a attempted car jacking. It worked. I believe he had it loaded w 410 buck. Wouldn’t mind owning one. Just to have it.

 

[WisBorn]

I don't have anything against the other cartridges that you can get the Bond Arms in. I like the 45/410 for its versatility. I need to find some of the buckshot.

 

[jmorris]

I used to use mine fishing, until I developed .380 shot rounds.

 

[Charlie Martinez]

Where I live it's hot and humid almost year round and a powerful little handgun like the Bond would be nice to toss in your trouser pocket and easily keep it concealed. It's for close range defense and with the 45 LC/410 option I would think pretty deadly. I've never actually shot one so I may be wrong but I think I could find a lot of use for one of those little guns.

 

[unclenunzie]

The very best reason for me was to fill a gap in my collection. I wanted a derringer just to have one. The Bond has limited practical use but the fun and cool factor is high, and the quality is there.

I'd also love to get one of those double action models from American Derringer. The design is so art deco it calls me....

 

[cfullgraf]

I bought the 4" 45 Colt/.410 Bond to use while bush hogging the pastures. Never figured out a good way to carry it. Recoil is a bit stout but with .410, you do not have to be as precise in aiming.

They are well made. Trigger pull on mine is kind of stink-o and difficult to get a good let off.

I have purchased several more barrels. 38 Special, 327 Fed Magnum and one more that I forget the cartridge (It has been a while since I fooled with it).

It would be a good kit gun when in the great outdoors.

 

[TTv2]

Where I live it's hot and humid almost year round and a powerful little handgun like the Bond would be nice to toss in your trouser pocket and easily keep it concealed. It's for close range defense and with the 45 LC/410 option I would think pretty deadly. I've never actually shot one so I may be wrong but I think I could find a lot of use for one of those little guns.

Can do the same thing with a Taurus Public Defender Poly and hold 3 more shots and not have to cock the hammer for each shot.

 

[Old_Grouch]

Can do the same thing with a Taurus Public Defender Poly and hold 3 more shots and not have to cock the hammer for each shot.

You must have really big pockets.

 

[GEM]

Most guns that fire something will most likely impact the attacker. Sometimes it won't. You can carry a flintlock pistol with a RDS with an AIWB holster if you want and then post how 'it served you well'.

Will my NAA 22 Mini revolver discombobulated someone if I shoot them with it? Perhaps, but is it a good choice for primary? No.

So the Bond will do it but with comparable sized pocket guns, is it the best choice for EDC in common handgun rounds, no.

I totally support buying fun guns that have no optimal use or just silly. I've wanted one of those Pedersoli Howdahs but would I OC it - NO.

If I were Paladin in his time line, might carry one under my belt buckle!

 

[TTv2]

You must have really big pockets.

Neither the PD Judge or Bond will fit well in skinny jeans or any jeans for that matter. Concealment is a different factor and I don't view the either as a good choice for pocket carry, but I read that comment thinking he was focused on something for outdoors activity like hiking, but appears to just want to pocket carry something that conceals well (minimized bulge) and for that the LCP Max would fit the bill.

 

[WisBorn]

Neither the PD Judge or Bond will fit well in skinny jeans or any jeans for that matter. Concealment is a different factor and I don't view the either as a good choice for pocket carry, but I read that comment thinking he was focused on something for outdoors activity like hiking, but appears to just want to pocket carry something that conceals well (minimized bulge) and for that the LCP Max would fit the bill.

@Charlie Martinez mentioned throwing a Bond Arms in his trousers pocket. It would be much easier to do that with a Bond Arms than the Judge. Please note: I think the Judge is a fun revolver.

 

[Autodidactic]

The very best reason for me was to fill a gap in my collection. I wanted a derringer just to have one. The Bond has limited practical use but the fun and cool factor is high, and the quality is there.

I'd also love to get one of those double action models from American Derringer. The design is so art deco it calls me....

Right, for simply historical and collecting purposes I wanted a derringer. And, because Bond Arms is the current quality manufacturer, here we are.

So I have a bond arms 45LC/410 that I got a while back, and it's been in the safe and I have never even fired it. I bought it cause it, "looked cool" and felt like an anvil. Do they serve a real world purpose? I don't think I'd ever carry it, as obviously that is not practical. What are your thoughts?

No disrespect, but how have you never fired it even just once? I've never bought a gun and never fired it, unless I didn't have ammo yet.

Yes, they do serve the same purpose derringers did throughout history, a close up self-defense weapon. They serve the same purpose they did in the 1800's. It's always strange to me that people think that because there are better options nowadays, mysteriously the functionality of the old guns completely disappears.

Not sure what counts as real world purpose, but I picked one up a while ago just for fun. Seems like a decent purpose to me. I have carried it in an IWB holster some times when walking fences, etc. in case of a snake encounter, but have never had to actually use it for that. Happy to just let them be and walk around as long as they aren't under the front porch where my kid plays.

They are just cool, and built like a tank. I like simple mechanical things and the bond arms certainly qualifies. I have never taken it to the range without having a fun conversation about it with someone.

Mine started as a 9mm roughneck, and I have a .357 4.25" barrel also. I like it with the longer barrel and would like to get a dedicated .45 colt 4.25" barrel too. I hated the "palming a golf ball" feel of the grips, so I grabbed a cheap set of extended grips and shaped them down to something more like a j frame hogue. Finally, I pulled it apart and did some polishing on the internals to smooth up the action a bit. Probably because it was a roughneck, the finish work inside left a bit to be desired. I swapped in a lighter mainspring which made a huge difference in the effort needed to pull back the hammer and lightened the trigger a bit. I can very easily and quickly cock it with one hand. Note-it took some tinkering to find a weight that did not result in light strikes. If you have plan to CCW or something, I would strongly recommend against that. Definitely a cowboy action/range toy modification only!

With the long barrel, it is actually decently accurate for what it is as long as you know which barrel you are firing. The barrels are not well regulated, probably about a 10" difference in POI at 15 yards. Other barrels may be better (or worse) I have no idea.

Long story short, cool for what they are and well built, but certainly not the most effective firearm design available in 2021. Real hoot to shoot though, and that is enough purpose for me.

Nice, I started with a 9 mm Roughneck, and then got the 3" .357/.38 barrel and then Altamont extended grips. While these two options make it look a hell of a lot nicer, more accurate, and a better grip, they also make the gun noticeably larger.

Bond Arms | Altamont Company

 

[Autodidactic]

Neither the PD Judge or Bond will fit well in skinny jeans or any jeans for that matter. Concealment is a different factor and I don't view the either as a good choice for pocket carry, but I read that comment thinking he was focused on something for outdoors activity like hiking, but appears to just want to pocket carry something that conceals well (minimized bulge) and for that the LCP Max would fit the bill.

Bond Arms will absolutely fit into jeans. It depends on the size. The smallest size Bond has a 2.5 inch barrel. With the factory smallest grips, it becomes the size of a pocket pistol. I've pocket carried one many times, including in jeans. If one puts a 3 inch or greater barrel on one, and especially the extended grips, then yes it no longer is really a pocket pistol.

 

[Tallball]

I owned a derringer for a little while, back in the early 90's.

It was a 32 or a 38.

My hands are XXL and it was a smaller derringer, like a Cobra or whatever... maybe a Davis?

I had to point it at the ground in front of the target to hit the paper at 20 feet.

There just wasn't enough gun for me to hold onto.

It would be fun to try a Bond sometime. They look to have some meat on their bones.