Derringer discussion

[Reddbecca]

Does anybody here own a derringer? The old tip-up double barrel design?

I'm giving serious consideration to getting one, likely something chambered in .38 Speical, although if the price is good I'm gonna pick up two others in .22LR and .22 Magnum.

One thing I'd like to know is if the Cobra company makes quality derringers. They've got some very nice looking designs that I'm interested in. I know Bond Arms makes very good models, but they're kind of pricy.

 

[glassman]

I looked at the bond arms derringer and thought it was a cool little piece 'just to have'. Then thought that a 642 wasn't much bigger and has 3 more rounds. I still think the derringer would be a nice vest pocket gun but it wouldn't be my primary.

 

[MikeJackmin]

Here's my reply to an earlier thread:

http://www.thehighroad.org/showpost.php?p=2631048&postcount=3

 

[wilson]

I have a .22 mag.one that i really like. I know its small but i wouldnt want to get hit by one.

 

[Sheldon J]

I have 3 to be exact, one is a .22 Mag tip up not very accurate, the second is a .357 / .410 a real hand banger, and the last is the nicest a North American arms 5 shot with both the Mag and LR cylinder, and will hold a 8" group at 21'.

 

[shooter1]

Fun to play with, not pratical for serious carry. Too many better choices that are faster to get into action, safer, more accurate, lighter, about the same size, and have superior firepower.
str1

 

[Pistol Toter]

Don't waste your money!

 

[mavracer]

I have a cobra 38 its kinda fun, really rolls in your hand with full 38 spcl.top bbl shoots 8" higher than bottom at 7 yards.I got some 38 S&W cowboy loads they shoot more POA.also got some std glasers these are fast enough to shoot POA also and talk about fireball.It goes bang every time.I have carried it as a BUG to a 45 colt Birds Head Uberti or Vaquero

 

[revjen45]

A Hi-Stranded .22 Mag makes an OK 3rd gun.

 

[Blackbeard]

I've put "derringer" on the list of things I'd eventually like to get. If I ever get to CCW, it could be a backup to the primary. I don't have any illusions over accuracy or stopping power. Just that it's better than a knife for the first two shots.

 

[Scotticus]

I used to have a Davis .38 special o/u derringer. Recoil was manageable, but the trigger pull REALLY sucked bad--hard to keep it pointed at something before it went off. Fun, but probably couldn't hit a snake at my feet with bird shot. Then I got an American Derringer .45LC/.410--much better quality than the Davis and still fun to shoot, but not as many rounds at a time!

 

[GRIZ22]

I have had a couple of derringers in the past and would catergorize them as novelties. I will add that any gun beats a empty hand. I prefer a small 25 or 22 auto with 6 or more shots. You need to deploy a small calibver firearm in 2, 3 or more shots as fast as you can. With a derringer you only have 2.

 

[No Quarter]

Assuming that a derringer would be used as a pocket gun - something that would be used when things have already gone wrong, if you'll search the forum to look for the gel testing that has been done with these by one of our intrepid members. IMO the ballistics of a derringer in a large caliber are far superior to any other gun in the same size. I carry one in .44 mag. Assuming you only get one chance to put a round into somebody and that it will be at spitting distance, I think mine will do what needs done.

I am not a ninja nor a government operative. I am just a guy living a regular life. I do not reasonably need anything other than a pocket gun - a Bond derringer serves my purposes to a "T". I have a 30-30 in the truck if remote-controlled spider monkeys sent by terrorists and armed with laser death rays happen to attack

DO a search for Bond arms via Google and the various web sites. Most that disparage them never owned one or took the time to practice with them enough to see their potential. They are great guns. I can own and carry whatever I want and this .44 has turned out to be the best easily portable gun with some thump I can carry no matter what I am wearing.

NQ

 

[Reddbecca]

My take on it is that a derringer makes a good backup to your BUG; if 7 shots of .380 ACP doesn't work then 2 rounds of .38 Special or whatever would definitely look very appealing right about that time.

NQ, ever use .44 Specials in that palm cannon?

 

[lee n. field]

Does anybody here own a derringer? The old tip-up double barrel design?

Had one for a while (a decade or so). An FIE .38. Serious piece of crap, as bad or worse (if that's possible) than my Jennings. Unreliable and unsafe. I did not, however, find it painful or "punishing" to shoot.

Maybe somebody makes a good one. Someone else will have to answer that one.

 

[No Quarter]

I usually load a .44 mag in the bottom barrel (less barrel flip due to it being closer in line with my arm) and a .44 special silvertip in the top barrel.

I have shot quite a few specials out of mine - it is quite pleasant to shoot actually.

 

[Coyote3855]

Mavracer, Do I understand you are shooting .38 S&W loads in a .38 Special derringer? Interesting.

 

[KevininPa]

I have the Bond Arms Snakeslayer .45/.410. At five yrds it will leave a 1 1/2 string of buckshot running in a diagonal up/down pattern. I leave it in the nightstand in case I have to point it at the door. Also carry it for dogwalkin' loaded for snake and the other barrel with a #4 shotshell for slightly bigger rabid critters. I live rural and I've seen and dispatched two infected animals this year.


Kevin in Pa

 

[No Quarter]

Kevin,

Hoe did that #4 shot perform on those animals? Good penetration? Did it knock them down pretty quick?


Thanks,

Nq

 

[arctictom]

Gave my wife a NAA in 22 lr and she really likes it .

 

[aaronrkelly]

I dont consider the NAA mini revolvers as derringers - they are revolvers.

That aside I have a .22lr Cobra derringer, just merely to say I have one. Its always worked (so far) but the trigger pull must be 25+ lbs.....it REALLY sucks.

This makes it a very poor self defense option.

 

[shooter1]

I know several people who carry the NAA revolvers. Although, not actually a derringer, they're pretty much in the same class as far as usefullness for CCW is concerned. They have all the drawbacks of the derringers, with the exception of capacity.
str1

 

[dav]

I would never want to depend on a derringer for self defense. With adrenaline pumping I could not handle something that small without fumbling.

However, I do want a Bond derringer, probably the one in .45/.410.

I have looked at both the Cobra and Bond at the same show. Night and day difference in size/weight (the Cobra is much smaller and lighter) and perceived usability. I've never fired either, but have no interest in owning a Cobra while I do want a Bond. But just for fun.

But again, have never owned either, just my feeling.