I am toying with the Idea of picking up a derringer in 38/357 as defense/ shtf back up. I have never messed with a derringer style gun & wonder what people here think. I would appreciate anyone with experience with these weapons. I already have a 357 mag lever gun and 6 in GP100 357 so this seems to dovetail in with what I have already. Yes there is also a niche of 5 shot J/frame or sp101 to filled when the budget allows.
Derringer 38/357 for defence what do u think?
- Thread starter KodeFore
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Personally, I'd go for the snubby before a derringer. Those guns aren't as small as you may think. And, for 2 rounds, they're rather heavy...but not heavy enough to handle a .357 Magnum round.
Just my opinion...
Just my opinion...
I second that notion.
All the derringers in .357 are pretty big. I think an airweight snubbie would be lot's better.
And correct me if i am wrong, but aren't derringers more to to AD's?
All the derringers in .357 are pretty big. I think an airweight snubbie would be lot's better.
And correct me if i am wrong, but aren't derringers more to to AD's?
I have a .38 derringer ... it shoots well and would work as a last line of defense ... At the distance you would be using this gun I have to think that a .38 is sufficient ... That said, just about any quality snub would be more useful and fun to shoot ... 
Chester
Chester
derringers
derringer technology is far behind other guns...if you want one, get one, i did....gpr
derringer technology is far behind other guns...if you want one, get one, i did....gpr
I had an IntraTec double action 38 derringer 18 years ago and while it was a decent gun it was still about the same size and weight as an airweight snubby revolver. American Derringer made an all stainless DA derringer when they were in business as a better version of the IntraTec but again if it's going to cost as much and weigh as much as an airweight snubby I would rather have 5 shot instead of 2. I know it's not in your caliber but the best derringer now is the NAA 22.
Brian Williams
Moderator Emeritus
I'm thinking that you can do a lot better. Even a well-made derringer, and there are few of them out there, are outclassed and outgunned in today's world. It's one thing to carry one as a secondary gun ... a true BUG. It's another thing entirely to bet the ranch -- or your life -- on two shots out a short barrel, regardless of the caliber involved.
+1 on doing better. If you shove it into someones gut or for deep "last ditch" I can see some use. But a snubby or small auto would be better.
I was at a range and a guy bought a .38 derringer. He came in to test fire it. He was rooting thru the trash for a target and I gave him a b27 (22.5"x34.5"). He moved it out 3 yards. He said he was going for center mass. Six shots, two off the paper
, one on paper off the silhouette, two gut shots, and one in the shoulder outside the rings. Probably not a marksmen, but these results at 9 feet in a non-combat situation does not bode well for combat.
I was at a range and a guy bought a .38 derringer. He came in to test fire it. He was rooting thru the trash for a target and I gave him a b27 (22.5"x34.5"). He moved it out 3 yards. He said he was going for center mass. Six shots, two off the paper
, one on paper off the silhouette, two gut shots, and one in the shoulder outside the rings. Probably not a marksmen, but these results at 9 feet in a non-combat situation does not bode well for combat.Derringers are pretty small, but not terribly practical. A DA38 (made in .357 by American Derringer) is 4.84" x 3.3", and weighs 14.5 ounces empty. Effective barrel length, in terms of distance to the tip of the bullet, is 1.71". Add on the length of the bullet to get the actual distance the bullet accelerates.
In comparison, an S&W 340 is 6.3" x something, and 13.3 ounces. Effective barrel length 1.88" + bullet.
Kahr MK40 is a little under 5.6" x 4.2" (seems like Kahr pulls a Glock and only gives the slide length, not actual overall length) and about 25 ounces empty. Effective barrel length 1.88" + bullet again.
So a derringer is substantially smaller, dimensionally, than anything else in the same power range, but not any lighter. And with a minimal grip, hard to control. Triggers are heavy, too, in the ballpark of 18". And because of the impossibility of regulating such a small double barreled gun, the barrels print about 8" apart at 10 yards, just in .38 SPL. A harder-kicking round like .357 mag would be considerably worse.
In comparison, an S&W 340 is 6.3" x something, and 13.3 ounces. Effective barrel length 1.88" + bullet.
Kahr MK40 is a little under 5.6" x 4.2" (seems like Kahr pulls a Glock and only gives the slide length, not actual overall length) and about 25 ounces empty. Effective barrel length 1.88" + bullet again.
So a derringer is substantially smaller, dimensionally, than anything else in the same power range, but not any lighter. And with a minimal grip, hard to control. Triggers are heavy, too, in the ballpark of 18". And because of the impossibility of regulating such a small double barreled gun, the barrels print about 8" apart at 10 yards, just in .38 SPL. A harder-kicking round like .357 mag would be considerably worse.
weisse52
Member
Well, not to much to add. I have to agree that a 38 snub is about the same size and offers five rounds.
Derringers are fun to play with, but better options for CCW.
Derringers are fun to play with, but better options for CCW.
I like Derringers. I've got a Bond Arms 45ACP. Fun to shoot.
But, Derringers are awkward to use, slow to get into action, difficult to shoot accurately, only two shots and forget about a reload.
Not qualities that you want in a defense gun.
But, Derringers are awkward to use, slow to get into action, difficult to shoot accurately, only two shots and forget about a reload.
Not qualities that you want in a defense gun.
If you do, you need to get a better one than I had. Back around 1985 or so, I acquired an FIE .38 derringer.
If you dry fired it, you risked chipping the little flipper thing that switched from one firing pin to the other. If that was damaged, ignition was iffy.
One or the other firing pin protruded from the breech face, contacting the primer --> hideously unsafe to carry with both chambers loaded.
Mine was a POS. That said, I did not find it particularly punishing to fire.
I bought a Cobra .38spl derringer a few years ago. It is a handy little gun. I would never rely on it as a primary sd gun, but load it with some shell shot and put it in your pocket, wahlah instant snake killer when you are outdoors. Oh, and it was only 80 bucks at the gun show.
VA27
Member
Add me to the list of Derringer lovers. I think it all comes from my youth, watching 'Have Gun, Will Travel'.
I would try to actually shoot one before you buy one, just so you'll know what you're getting into. A good one is fun to shoot and you can get good enough for it to be useable as a defensive handgun for two shots...BUT, as nearly everyone else has stated, the modern one's are nearly as big as, and weigh more than, a quality snubbie or pocket pistol.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
I would try to actually shoot one before you buy one, just so you'll know what you're getting into. A good one is fun to shoot and you can get good enough for it to be useable as a defensive handgun for two shots...BUT, as nearly everyone else has stated, the modern one's are nearly as big as, and weigh more than, a quality snubbie or pocket pistol.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
I was thinking it might fit the bill as a last ditch gun, a role currently served by a HP22. I was hoping to stay with 38 or 357 for that role though 38 seems more practical I guess I should actually paw some over at local shop but it sounding like it might be a total waste and a maybe a snubby wheelgun might be the better bet thanks.
Frankly, a P3AT or LCP .380 is smaller and easier to carry, more accurate, more firepower, and I'd reckon more effective than a derringer. We have advanced quite a bit since the 19th century. I like old guns, but if my life is on the line and I need to be discreet with my firearm, there are better choices in the 21st century.
Complete waste. For the same size, get yourself a S&W J-Frame and 3 more shots all at the same time.
I have a derringer that I use for CAS. While fun little guns, the J-Frame is MUCH more practical as a concealable self defense gun.
VA27
Member
There are only two derringers that I would consider for self-defense. The American Derringer/BJT DA - they made them in 9mm, 38Spec, .357 and .40S&W - and the old High Standard in 22 Magnum.
The trigger pull on the AD/BJT is smooth and light and it has a thumb safety (if that matters to you). The trigger pull on the HS is on the order of 20+ pounds, but the thing is so doggone slim that it's worth it to me.
The trigger pull on the AD/BJT is smooth and light and it has a thumb safety (if that matters to you). The trigger pull on the HS is on the order of 20+ pounds, but the thing is so doggone slim that it's worth it to me.
The only derringer I would own is the original Remington .41 rimfire. Of course, there is no ammo available for it, but that makes it no less useful than the rest of the derringers on the market.
If I was going to carry one it would be a Bond. For th simple reason With and Alen wrench you can change barrells to another caliber extra barrells are around $140. But they are not small guns by any means.
I've thought often about picking one up in .38/.357 to backup my everyday carry. Everytime I start looking at them and see the price of a decent one I start thinking about how close that money would put me to something more useful. So I don't have one but the possibility is always there for a good one if my ship comes in.
Deaf Smith
Member
The derringer is bad for several reasons.
1. Non-existant sights
2. difficult to cock fast under pressure (if it's a SA version.)
3. if easy to control it can't be powerful, if powerful it can't be easy to control.
4. difficult to hit well with
5. Two shots!
6. Extreamly slow reload
It's a last ditch weapon, not ones primary nor really backup.
1. Non-existant sights
2. difficult to cock fast under pressure (if it's a SA version.)
3. if easy to control it can't be powerful, if powerful it can't be easy to control.
4. difficult to hit well with
5. Two shots!
6. Extreamly slow reload
It's a last ditch weapon, not ones primary nor really backup.
I have an old Davis .32acp double-derringer. It's actually a lot faster to shoot than I thought it would be...once I got the method down. I use a two hand hold and thumb the hammer with my left thumb. I can fire both barrels in about a second and a half that way. The .32acp version is tiny...it's on same frame as the .22's. I carry it now and then as a backup. At under 7 yards it's no problem to hit your intended target: Bang Bang Run!
Davis and the current Cobra derringers (same gun) have a push button hammer-block safety which is quite good. The only thing you really need to pay close attention to is while loading...make certain it has cycled to the top firing pin and the hammer is on half-cock before you close the action.
Derringers are a lot of fun to try and chase a can at 15 yards
Jack
Davis and the current Cobra derringers (same gun) have a push button hammer-block safety which is quite good. The only thing you really need to pay close attention to is while loading...make certain it has cycled to the top firing pin and the hammer is on half-cock before you close the action.
Derringers are a lot of fun to try and chase a can at 15 yards
Jack
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