Davis Industries Derringer Parts

[The Avatar of Time]

Hello,

I just picked up a Davis Industries Derringer for next to nothing (and on a side note, what's it worth used?). It looks to me like it's an "O-32" or "0-32" from reading the barrel, but from what I've found on line I'd say it's actually a "D-32". It's a .32 caliber.

I need to find a place to get a bearing for it. The 'lock ball' I believe. I checked e-gunparts.com and didn't see the part I needed. I read that Cobra has the rights to the gun now. Assuming the manual I downloaded is correct, the lock ball is "100-23-L".

I'm still looking, but I thought perhaps someone here would have or know where I could buy one. Or know of another compatible part? I've been looking around the house for a bearing the same size but no luck yet.

The part in question decided to go flying across the room when I was putting the gun back together. It's no doubt still in here somewhere, but I can't find it. Even if I do I think want to buy about three more of them.

Thanks.

 

[kudu]

Used might be worth $50, if I remember right a new one was in the $150 area.

 

[The Avatar of Time]

Well, $50 is what I payed . It's in nice condition, minor wear. And of course a missing part now.....

 

[Bo]

I have a 38 cal. Davis . It was $60.00 NIB, and I think I still got taken. They make good paper weights.

 

[The Avatar of Time]

Yeah, I know they're a cheap gun, but any gun is better than no gun. And I'm a believer that if you can get any functional gun for $50 you should take it. I have a lot of much nicer guns for showing off, shooting, and carrying. I got this mainly so my mother could pack it in her purse because the pistol she bought ended up being too big to fit.

Still haven't found a place to get that lock ball.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Shame on you Your mother deserves better a KelTec 32 would be a great pistol not a derringer
Cont tact cobra they might send you the part Then you can trade it

 

[Ron James]

Cobra Ind. took over the Davis production and will honor the Davis warranty

 

[mustang_steve]

Cobra Derringers can be had for about $120-140 new. I've never owned one, so I won't comment on the quality. I do plan on picking one up later on to see if they are any good though.

The idea that something as simple as a breech-loader has to cost more than a Kel-Tec to be decent rubs me the wrong way...so I really do need to see if these things are crap, or just more bash-bandwagon action.

 

[gopguy]

I got one for $20 ages ago. Brother in law did not realize the gun had to be on half cock and safe when you closed it and put a .22 slug in his floor. He thought it was defective. No matter what I said he could not be convinced he screwed up, not the gun, so I offered to buy it. Played with it a few years and then traded it towards something better. Davis has been gone for a decade but I have also read the parts do interchange with Cobra...

 

[The Avatar of Time]

Shame on you Your mother deserves better a KelTec 32 would be a great pistol not a derringer
Cont tact cobra they might send you the part Then you can trade it

Well no argument there. But she has a couple better pistols she can carry. They just won't fit in her purse, this is more of a backup. Besides, I don't believe in getting rid of a gun once I get it (with the exception of giving it to family).

I'll have to get a hold of Cobra. Might be the only option, I can't find any place else that sells the part I need.

I got one for $20 ages ago. Brother in law did not realize the gun had to be on half cock and safe when you closed it and put a .22 slug in his floor. He thought it was defective. No matter what I said he could not be convinced he screwed up, not the gun, so I offered to buy it. Played with it a few years and then traded it towards something better. Davis has been gone for a decade but I have also read the parts do interchange with Cobra...

Yeah, I noticed when I was cleaning it that the firing pin stuck out when the hammer was down. I would think you'd have to slam it closed pretty hard to make it go off though? I noticed one of the bullets that came with it has an indention in the primer. The lady that had it was very non-gun oriented. She must have tried closing it with the hammer down.

The idea that something as simple as a breech-loader has to cost more than a Kel-Tec to be decent rubs me the wrong way...so I really do need to see if these things are crap, or just more bash-bandwagon action.

I agree. I have a friend that's determined to get this derringer with interchangeable barrels, even though it's going to cost him more than my .45 did (Rock Island Armory 1911. So far it seems like a very nice product, esp. for the money). I can't understand that personally, but if that's what he wants it's none of my business I guess.

I'll let you know if this one blows up on me when I shoot it. I've never handled another derringer so I can't really compare it to anything. The barrel strikes me as rather loose when closed, but maybe they're all that way.

I take it that the Kel-Tec's are supposed to be pretty good then? I've never handled one. With the exception of a 9mm rifle/carbine that a friend has. It folds in half. Pretty neat, but very ugly.

 

[mustang_steve]

It shouldn't be loose. Having a slight amount of play maybe...but loose is bad news. find out why it's loose...maybe it was someone's home desk toy and they flipped it around a lot, or it was used regularly as a blank gun. Either way, it shouldn't have much play if any when closed.

 

[The Avatar of Time]

It shouldn't be loose. Having a slight amount of play maybe...but loose is bad news. find out why it's loose...maybe it was someone's home desk toy and they flipped it around a lot, or it was used regularly as a blank gun. Either way, it shouldn't have much play if any when closed.

Thanks for the advice. I know the lady shot it at least once when she had it, so it 'should' be safe to shoot, but I'll inspect it right good first, once I get a bearing so I can use it again. It wobbles left and right for the most part. Not so much up and down. But it did strike me as a bit unsafe.

I can't figure out how that little bearing can be hiding from me in a 10'x10' room but.... it's an elusive one.

 

[Gunfighter123]

I owned a Davis der. in .38Spl and had LOTS of problems with it -- TOTALLY unreliable and I WOULD NOT trust my/loved ones life to it.

And YES WHAT OTHERS SAID ---- to lock the brls. when gun is loaded ----ALWAYS put the hammer on the 1/2 cock position or if you slam it or have a high primer --- IT WILL GO OFF AND FIRE !!!!!

 

[The Avatar of Time]

http://www.cobrapistols.net/parts-ssd.asp"]http://http://www.cobrapistols.net/parts-ssd.asphttp://www.cobrapistols.net/parts-ssd.asp[/URL]

Well, I found the place I need it looks like. Just figured I'd include the link in case anyway else that comes along needs it.

I was searching for "Cobra Arms" and wasn't finding their site. "Cobra Enterprises" did the trick.

Think I'm going to get at least three of those bearings. I plan to lose more in the future!

 

[The Avatar of Time]

I owned a Davis der. in .38Spl and had LOTS of problems with it -- TOTALLY unreliable and I WOULD NOT trust my/loved ones life to it.

And YES WHAT OTHERS SAID ---- to lock the brls. when gun is loaded ----ALWAYS put the hammer on the 1/2 cock position or if you slam it or have a high primer --- IT WILL GO OFF AND FIRE !!!!!

Well from the sounds of it then I think I may just keep that myself to have around instead of letting my Mother have it. I wouldn't want her to get hurt with it.

 

[The Avatar of Time]

Oh, on another note, the safety ball and lock ball are the same part. So if one had to they could take out the safety and use that bearing for the lock ball I would think.

 

[billdeserthills]

Looks like a 1/8" ball bearing. Go to Ace Hardware and buy them
As a gun dealer I can assure you that Cobra is one of the cheapest built guns made today. Their ball bearing won't be any stronger than the one you get at the hardware store. I am glad your gun is only a .32, that way you can use your right hand to shoot it without having to worry too much

 

[Ron James]

When I took mine apart I also lost the little bearing. It is a little bitty thing. I have one in 22 Magnum. When I used to hike the high desert and didn't want to carry any thing else, I carried the Little Davis loaded with CCI snake shot. Once in a while I ran into a Sidewinder that didn't know the rules. I also had a couple of loose rounds of .22 mag in my pocket just for fun.

 

[mustang_steve]

By the way, on the question about the Kel-tec. yeah, they're good guns. They aren't meant to look nice. They're inexpensive carry pieces. They do have a higher return rate than other firearms, but I suspect part of that has to do with the low price.

They aren't as durable as higher priced firearms though...they're simply made to save your butt, not to be a practice arm.

I'm probably going to pull the trigger on one of these in 22mag in the near future...I can get one new for $120 after the paperwork+taxes. It's worth it for a little range fun.

 

[Brianb1]

Even though this post was created a little over a year ago it was a big help when I was recently searching for where to find a replacement lock lever and lock lever screw for my Davis 32 cal. derringer. I'm glad I decided to read through this even though it was an old post. The site The Avatar of Time found was still active and I was able to order the two parts I needed for less than ten bucks with shipping and handling. Thankfully I was paying attention because the site's ordering system increased the quantity on the lock lever from one (1) to two (2). I started over and the second time it changed the quantity on the lever to three (3) and the quantity on the screw to two (2). I found I was able to change it at that point in the sale without starting over and was able to purchase one of each. I just wanted to say thanks for the post and warn anyone else that might go to that site to order parts.

Thanks,
Brian