Derringer a waste of money???

Status
Not open for further replies.
derrenger

I had a derrenger in the 45/ 410 .So much recoil it always ended up on the ground. Too big of a shell for such a small package
 
I've a Freedom Arm Mini Percussion revolver that I load with one grain of Bullseye and it nearly flys out of your hand........if it fires?!? not that reliable.
But looks good and is a real attention getter down the range.:D
 
I love derringers. Is it the ideal defense gun? No. If you knew nothing at all about guns. NOTHING. and read all of the posts in these forums you could form either of two conclusions.

1. There has never been a firearm made that is suitable for self defense as autos can jam, revolvers don't have a high enough capacity, derringers lack capacity and accuracy, shotguns and rifles can't easily be concealed. Therfore nothing is any good.

or

2. Any gun that you like, are competant with, have confidence in, and suits your needs is a perfect defense weapon.

Just an observation :eek:
 
That is an example of another advantage. That view from the BGs side would quite likely stop the gunfight before it even got started!
 
PlayboyPenguin said:
As I have said in another thread I am not as thin as I used to be and have a hard time comfortably concealing a weapon of any size on my person. For this reason I have considered buying a small derringer to keep in my vehicle that I could put in an ankle holster if I ever needed to carry it out with me short term. I know they are typically only 2 shots (except some of the mini revolvers like NAA, which I already have one of, but I want like a .32 or .38) but thought this might be a nice compromise. Much better than andmiting I need to buy a size or two up in waist size next time.:D
Any thoughts or suggestions?

PS- Yes, I know I am going to kill my hands shooting a .38 derringer but it beats the alternative of being attacked.
Click to expand...

Don't know if derringers are a waste of money but for concealed carry you have a number of much better choices. As for carry? Take a look at piocket carry options. Lots of good inside the pocket choices which don't require you to do anything to your waste size.

P3ATHOLSTERRETOUCH.jpg

This is my Kel-Tec P3AT in a K&D 2n1 holster. Fits nicely in either the side pocket or the rear pocket of my jeans. Easy carry!
 
Boom-stick said:
I've a Freedom Arm Mini Percussion revolver that I load with one grain of Bullseye and it nearly flys out of your hand........if it fires?!? not that reliable.
But looks good and is a real attention getter down the range.:D
Click to expand...
You should not be loading smokeless powder in a blackpowder firearm.
Pat
 
Personally, i opt for a larger gun for primary defense. My life is worth it I figure. I cary a NAA .22 for an asolute last resort back up. To quote Betty on Combat carry forum, "its a nosepicker gun" .
Point being , you need to to be close to use it effectively.
 
355sigfan said:
You should not be loading smokeless powder in a blackpowder firearm.
Pat
Click to expand...

Pat,
You can still download the manuel from Freedom Arms website which states, where blackpowder is unavailable, bullseye is the suggested replacement. Use of smokeless powders in converted/reproofed black powder firearms is becoming more and more common over here in the UK, where to hold blackpowder you need to apply for an explosive certificate and have specialy constructed boxes to store it in. None of which is required for smokeless powder.

Check it out, http://www.westlakeengineering.com/4640/4694.html

I'd only ever do it where recommened, with a strong, modern pistol, I do like my hands afterall.
And a lot of our smaller ranges are indoors which isn't good for blackpowder shooting;)
 
Derringer

A deringer is a joke? That's like saying that a knife is a joke. It's a potentially lethal weapon.

A derringer isn't what I'd choose for a primary defensive handgun, but as a backup, it has a lot to offer. When you get into the sizes that take the huge
calibers, though...you may as well carry a J-frame revolver. A superposed (Over/Under) in .38 Special or .45 ACP is small enough to be comfortable and effective enough to save your life at contact range...which is what they were meant for anyway. The story of "The Onion Field" would have likely turned out differently if one or both the cops had been carrying .38 O/U
hideouts...or even the old High-Standard .22 Magnum two-shooters.
 
Another vote for a Kel-Tec 32 in a pocket holster. You will not even know it's there. It doesn't get any easier than this.
 
Boom-stick said:
Pat,
You can still download the manuel from Freedom Arms website which states, where blackpowder is unavailable, bullseye is the suggested replacement. Use of smokeless powders in converted/reproofed black powder firearms is becoming more and more common over here in the UK, where to hold blackpowder you need to apply for an explosive certificate and have specialy constructed boxes to store it in. None of which is required for smokeless powder.

Check it out, http://www.westlakeengineering.com/4640/4694.html

I'd only ever do it where recommened, with a strong, modern pistol, I do like my hands afterall.
And a lot of our smaller ranges are indoors which isn't good for blackpowder shooting;)
Click to expand...

Did not know that.
Pat
 
i used to have an american derringer in .45LC/410ga. recoil with bird shot wasn't bad at all, and talk about a comforting "snake charmer" when hiking in the desert ;) also, the build quality couldn't help but bring a smile to your face
 
Jim101, that NAA in the pocket holster is the twin to my own! I also substituted the checkered rubber grips for the wood ones. I was amazed at the difference in handling that the wider base made! I actually cobbled up a pocket holster of my own, but that Graham model looks nice (as expected from Ron Graham).

I carry mine when I want a BUG to my S&W 642. As to doubts about the stopping power, I doubt the stopping power of my 1911 .45ACP, too. The li'l NAA is a lot better than a sharp stick. If I ever have to use it in a defensive situation, it will be either the NAA I have, or the 12 gauge I'll wish I'd brought . . .
 
banditele said:
Too big of a shell for such a small package
Click to expand...
As I understand the stated purpose of a derringer, it is a back-up weapon, for last-option type situations... I don't think it's made for comfortable shooting, or made to bring down an elk... Rather, it is like having a cheap spare tire in your jeep.... you can criticize it all you want: when you really need it one is doggone glad to have it!!!
 
The derringers in .38 are IMO an obsolete weapon given the myriad of options you have today. Look at NAA Guardians or KelTec (.32 or .380) and the S&W 642. Any one of these will serve you much better than a derringer.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

Unkei
  • Locked
Derringers
2 3
Replies
62
Views
6K
scaatylobo
S
O
  • Locked
Ballistics for a 38 derringer?
Replies
7
Views
2K
BullpupBen
B
fallout mike
  • Locked
derringer
2
Replies
42
Views
5K
gpr
G
M
  • Locked
Derringers
Replies
8
Views
1K
Mordoc
M
A
  • Locked
In post WW-II years did S&W make a derringer?
Replies
12
Views
1K
GRIZ22
G
Back
Top