Deringers
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TimboKhan
Member
you know, I bought a Davis .32 a few years back just because I thought it would be fun to shoot, plus it was inexpensive. I ended up giving that gun to my buddy for his birthday one year, and he pulls it out every now and again, and we blast away happily for a few minutes with it. The thing is, I can't hit the broad side of a barn with it, and neither can he. I don't know if it is the gun or us, but really, that gun has just become a fun little blaster, and nothing more. With that being said, I can see some real advantages to a derringer as a carry piece. When it comes to two-legged varmints, it isn't great but it's better than a sharp stick. However, as a piece to carry jogging or hiking or whatever to ward off dogs or snakes or rabid squirrels, I think it is a great solution, particularly in the case of the .410 models. Its obviously small enough to hide easily, and there are simply times when you can't carry you normal piece. Its not the best solution, but it is a good one, in my opinion.
Joe Sacco
Member
In 1969 while working undercover I had a guy shove a cocked Hawes 357 cowboy style derringer in my mouth. I was impressed. Still have the chip on my front tooth from the sight. For derringers group size isn't an issue. I think he got out of the joint a few years back. Best, Joe
KINGMAX
Member
I own two small bore Derringers
I own two Davis Derringers, a .22 & .25.
I do carry them during road trips. I slip one into my watch pocket and pull my shirt over it. I carry them into public places that I am not comfortable with, (i.e., bathrooms that are located outside of the main building, I hide one in a soap dish 
when I am in a shower room at a campground or truck stop - take it right into the shower.)
You never know!!!
The dictionary describes a derringer as a concealable big bore pistol. I would like to have one that shoots a .45 & 410. I think I would keep it loaded w/ # 1 buckshot in 410. That would shoot out one long streak of fire when used.
That would be scary. Thankfully I have never had to use it.
I own two Davis Derringers, a .22 & .25.
I do carry them during road trips. I slip one into my watch pocket and pull my shirt over it. I carry them into public places that I am not comfortable with, (i.e., bathrooms that are located outside of the main building, I hide one in a soap dish when I am in a shower room at a campground or truck stop - take it right into the shower.)You never know!!!
The dictionary describes a derringer as a concealable big bore pistol. I would like to have one that shoots a .45 & 410. I think I would keep it loaded w/ # 1 buckshot in 410. That would shoot out one long streak of fire when used.
That would be scary. Thankfully I have never had to use it. Joe Sacco - That can't be a true story. Everyone knows derringers are just toys
On a serious note however. I'm glad things worked out and you are still here to relate the tail. I'd say that fella knew the exact purpose and way to use a derringer.
They may not have the advantage of range or power, but they can still make the brown stuff flow.
My buddy bought a Cobra .22lr derringer from a guy for $5 so he could put it in his cowboy collection. I took it out and dinked around with it. The range was 10' and the top barrel shot 6" low and 6" left, the bottom barrel was right on the money. The little bugger was damn hard to cock though. I want to kick my own butt everytime I remember this next bit. It took about 20 rounds before I realized I was cupping my hand over the muzzle to provide leverage to cock it. Could have been a bad incident indeed.
On a serious note however. I'm glad things worked out and you are still here to relate the tail. I'd say that fella knew the exact purpose and way to use a derringer.
They may not have the advantage of range or power, but they can still make the brown stuff flow.
My buddy bought a Cobra .22lr derringer from a guy for $5 so he could put it in his cowboy collection. I took it out and dinked around with it. The range was 10' and the top barrel shot 6" low and 6" left, the bottom barrel was right on the money. The little bugger was damn hard to cock though. I want to kick my own butt everytime I remember this next bit. It took about 20 rounds before I realized I was cupping my hand over the muzzle to provide leverage to cock it. Could have been a bad incident indeed.
Ultraman
Member
"The little bugger was damn hard to cock though."
My BOND TEXAS DEFENDER is extremely easy to cock. My .9mm American Derringer takes two men and a small boy to cock! My carry gun... American Derringer .45 Colt is fairly easy to cock though. The cocking effort is all over the place on these but they are all pretty easy to shoot once you figure out to pull back and DOWN on the trigger.
My BOND TEXAS DEFENDER is extremely easy to cock. My .9mm American Derringer takes two men and a small boy to cock! My carry gun... American Derringer .45 Colt is fairly easy to cock though. The cocking effort is all over the place on these but they are all pretty easy to shoot once you figure out to pull back and DOWN on the trigger.
Ultraman: Nice collection of stainless wheel guns & derringers.
It makes my stainless 45/410 American Derringer feel like an orphan. However, I'm feeling a hint of discrimination from you. I don't believe it's politically correct to leave out blue finish and/or semi autos. I think I'll file a complaint with the Rainbow Coalition!
It makes my stainless 45/410 American Derringer feel like an orphan. However, I'm feeling a hint of discrimination from you. I don't believe it's politically correct to leave out blue finish and/or semi autos. I think I'll file a complaint with the Rainbow Coalition!
TimboKhan
Member
A fear of muzzle blast... you know, I never really thought about that, but I will say that when I bought my Davis, the guy that sold it to me made an enthusiastic point of telling me not to shoot my fingers off. I still think about that everytime I shoot the darn thing, and that might account for my lack of accuracy.
I got an el cheapo in 45/410 its only a single shot but at 25 yards I can keep all my shots in a 6 inch circle at 25 yards. With birdshot in it if I shoot at you the fire will get you as good as the shot will. With 000 buck at 10 feet all the will stay on the head or chest depending where I aim.
carpettbaggerr
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- Nov 13, 2003
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- 1,676
M2 Carbine
member
FWIW a few chronographed loads from the Bond Arms 3 inch barrel 45ACP.
1942 230gr GI Ball = 745fps
Aguila IQ = 1245fps
230gr Federal Hydro Shock = 787
185gr Winchester Silvertip = 866fps
185gr Speer Gold Dot handload = 999fps
230gr GI Ball handload = 857fps
1942 230gr GI Ball = 745fps
Aguila IQ = 1245fps
230gr Federal Hydro Shock = 787
185gr Winchester Silvertip = 866fps
185gr Speer Gold Dot handload = 999fps
230gr GI Ball handload = 857fps
Kenneth Lew
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- Jan 26, 2003
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- 534
http://www.amderringer.com/m4.html
Shot one twice in 45/70. Left a big smile on my face and a bruised hand.
Shot one twice in 45/70. Left a big smile on my face and a bruised hand.
TimboKhan
Member
Bob, I can see your point when you say
However, just because I can see it, doesn't mean I agree with you. Fundamentally, the derringer is a weapon that can kill, and as such, they are perfectly viable as personal defense guns. Now, your right, I can think of a hundred better solutions than the derringer, but I can also think of a hundred worse solutions than it too, and as I said in an earlier post, I do see situations that it would be a good choice for. If the question was "is it a good PRIMARY defense gun?", I would emphatically say no, but as a backup, last resort or a "deep cover" gun, I have to say that I think it is perfectly viable.
However, just because I can see it, doesn't mean I agree with you. Fundamentally, the derringer is a weapon that can kill, and as such, they are perfectly viable as personal defense guns. Now, your right, I can think of a hundred better solutions than the derringer, but I can also think of a hundred worse solutions than it too, and as I said in an earlier post, I do see situations that it would be a good choice for. If the question was "is it a good PRIMARY defense gun?", I would emphatically say no, but as a backup, last resort or a "deep cover" gun, I have to say that I think it is perfectly viable.
Golddog
Member
The three of us shooting crappy deringers had about 70 years accumulated experience as shooters and 100's of guns in our collections. We were also wearing the best hearing protection, and muzzle blast was a zero factor.
Be that as it may, the deringer is obsolete, given the products currently on the market that do everything better.
Be that as it may, the deringer is obsolete, given the products currently on the market that do everything better.
M2 Carbine
member
So is the 1911 but the manufacturers and us shooters don't seem to understand that.
All this derringer talk.
I'll have to break mine out tomorrow, haven't shot it in a couple months.
Ultraman
Member
...the deringer is obsolete...
I'm under the humble opinion that "most" people that poo poo Derringers have never owned one, shot one or even handled one.
Derringers are what they are and what they are is a small dirty little package that will kill a bad guy right now if he is up close and in your face (or across a poker table... LOL) They are NOT meant to be used as an assault weapon. They are not meant to be used as a target gun. They are not designed to be used for hunting. Could you use a derringer for these applications? Yes! Would you? Probably not. Why? A derringer is a "stick it in their face or chest" gun or maybe better known as a Doctors gun... Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat.
Also, there are Derringers and then there are Derringers and all Derringers are not created equal. An American Derringer or a Bond Derringer are both extremely well made. They cost as much as a quality Simi or Revolver. They are definitely NOT toys.
I have spent a great deal of time lately shooting my Derringers and I have a new found respect for them! They are quick, accurate and deadly with practice! Yes I too use to poo poo them as well... before I got to know some personally. To know them is to love them!
JMHO, Ultraman
I'm under the humble opinion that "most" people that poo poo Derringers have never owned one, shot one or even handled one.
Derringers are what they are and what they are is a small dirty little package that will kill a bad guy right now if he is up close and in your face (or across a poker table... LOL) They are NOT meant to be used as an assault weapon. They are not meant to be used as a target gun. They are not designed to be used for hunting. Could you use a derringer for these applications? Yes! Would you? Probably not. Why? A derringer is a "stick it in their face or chest" gun or maybe better known as a Doctors gun... Eyes, Ears, Nose & Throat.
Also, there are Derringers and then there are Derringers and all Derringers are not created equal. An American Derringer or a Bond Derringer are both extremely well made. They cost as much as a quality Simi or Revolver. They are definitely NOT toys.
I have spent a great deal of time lately shooting my Derringers and I have a new found respect for them! They are quick, accurate and deadly with practice! Yes I too use to poo poo them as well... before I got to know some personally. To know them is to love them!
JMHO, Ultraman
M2 Carbine
member
Do you mean that picking one up at the gun show or shooting a couple rounds from one doesn't make a person a expert?
Well who da thunk.
When I got my Bond 45ACP I loaded about 1,500 reduced loads so I could practice over and over and get used to the gun. Fun.
I've got a piece of 1/4 inch steel about the size of COM and from 7+ yards the Bond will put the two 45's pretty centered on that steel time after time.
If I can help it, I don't want to get close enough to play doctor.
my first carry gun was a 38 spec. bond arms derringer. i thought i would be enough untill i got robbed one day at work. i was out side at night and some guy just ran up behind me and took what i was carring out of my hands and ran off, thank god. it made me think about how fast would i would be able to pull out the gun and cock it, and then cock it again after the first shot if i missed. plus the muzzle flash that would come out of the derringer if i needed it at night again
i didnt think it was the best choice so i bought a tiny kel tec .380. its almost the same size as the derringer, has 7 rounds, and can be carried with 1 in the chamber. i feel a lot more comfortable with the kel tec than i do with the derringer.
ALSO my dad has a 44 mag derringer i have shot it once and couldnt feel my hand for a few hours
i didnt think it was the best choice so i bought a tiny kel tec .380. its almost the same size as the derringer, has 7 rounds, and can be carried with 1 in the chamber. i feel a lot more comfortable with the kel tec than i do with the derringer.
ALSO my dad has a 44 mag derringer
i have shot it once and couldnt feel my hand for a few hoursM2 Carbine
member
Did a little plinking with the 45 ACP Bond Arms Derringer this morning. I forgot how much fun that thing is to shoot.
I thought I'd see what the gun will do at 15 yards.
The sights on the Bond aren't really too bad but the stainless was shining in the sun a bit. I started to blacken them but I thought, they won't be blackened if I had to use the gun.
I shot 50+ rounds. (more this afternoon )
This is the third target and typical of the others.
The first couple targets had some misses. I found that the top barrel (first to fire) shoots a good foot high at 15 yards and the bottom shoots about 3 inches high.
Other Bond owners, how much spread do your barrels have?
I think when I move back to 25 yards I'll use a regular silhouette target instead of these 8x11 inch targets.
Question.
Why practice shooting a derringer from 10, 15, 25 yards?
Answer.
Because that's how far away the BG may be when he's shooting at you.
I thought I'd see what the gun will do at 15 yards.
The sights on the Bond aren't really too bad but the stainless was shining in the sun a bit. I started to blacken them but I thought, they won't be blackened if I had to use the gun.
I shot 50+ rounds. (more this afternoon
)This is the third target and typical of the others.
The first couple targets had some misses. I found that the top barrel (first to fire) shoots a good foot high at 15 yards and the bottom shoots about 3 inches high.
Other Bond owners, how much spread do your barrels have?
I think when I move back to 25 yards I'll use a regular silhouette target instead of these 8x11 inch targets.
Question.
Why practice shooting a derringer from 10, 15, 25 yards?
Answer.
Because that's how far away the BG may be when he's shooting at you.
JERRY
Member
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- Jun 5, 2003
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as somebody who has been in a lethal force confrontation, i can say a derringer could save your life as an ear nose and throat gun. but one that requires you to draw, cock the hammer and fire it with one hand, may be your undoing.
if you are going to get one for a gun that may be needed as you are "wrestling for your life" a DAO derringer would be the only one i would consider.
those old Hi-Standard .22magnum DAO derringers fit the bill. but so does a J frame.
if you are going to get one for a gun that may be needed as you are "wrestling for your life" a DAO derringer would be the only one i would consider.
those old Hi-Standard .22magnum DAO derringers fit the bill. but so does a J frame.
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camp_gunner
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- Jul 14, 2006
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- 67
As noted, the proper time to use one of these is when you are so close to your oponnent that you can stick it in their ear and pull the trigger. If you are using one of these as a primary defense gun you are probably kidding yourself. The proper role for these guns is in situations where the other party must not detect the gun, even when in close physical contact.
M2 Carbine
member
Is it written in the Bad Guy's training manual that if the Good Guy's primary gun is disabled or unavailable for any reason, that the fight must stop so both combatants can close within arms length so the Good Guy can be effective with his small back up gun?
The fight is what it is.
Personally I'd rather be able to use the backup gun effectively, at whatever distance, than just accept the premise that, "No problem, I'll just stick it in his ear."
Chances are the BG isn't going to be very receptive to that idea.
IMO, I want to be as good with the back up gun as the primary gun. If you are reduced to the backup you are probably in a lot of trouble. It might not be a good time to find out that you can't hit squat with it from a few yards.
RioShooter
Member
THR Newbies
Bob wrote:
Bob,
Welcome to THR. You will find a wealth of information here. However, comments like yours do nothing to promote intelligent discussion of gun related issues. I suggest you read as many threads as you have time for to get a feel for this forum. It is the most polite and gentile forum you will find. I hope your future comments will help to continue that tradition.
Bob wrote:
Bob,
Welcome to THR. You will find a wealth of information here. However, comments like yours do nothing to promote intelligent discussion of gun related issues. I suggest you read as many threads as you have time for to get a feel for this forum. It is the most polite and gentile forum you will find. I hope your future comments will help to continue that tradition.
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