Derringers as Gifts?

[BevrFevr]

I was toying with the idea of giving derringers as gifts to my best man and groomsmen but I don't really want to spend over a $100 dollars each.

These guns will probably see little service and I was thinking only .22 caliber.

Any experience with the Cobra or Davis? Others? What are the pitfalls? Where can I find em cheap?

Any info advice etc. will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks -bevr

 

[MatthewVanitas]

Check out www.naaminis.com

Not exactly a derringer per se, but a single-action revolver even tinier than most derringers. Somewhat pricier than Cobray, but these have a great reputation for durability and quality. They also have (for a lesser price) the same firearm in black powder. Should save you some legal paperwork, as there's no such requirement for black powder revolvers. Definitely novel products in any case.

You could also check out some of the black-powder websites for inexpensive replica derringers. www.dixiegunworks.com and such.

Perhaps you can get a price break for quantity, buying for a wedding party.

As always, there's tons of good info on the abovementioned products, available by hitting the "search" button at the top of the page. Let us know how it works out for you.

 

[Jim K]

Hmmm. How does your soon-to-be better half feel about this? Her thoughts might be interesting if you tell her and even more interesting if you don't and she finds out later.

Jim

 

[VNgo]

Somewhat pricier than Cobray, but these have a great reputation for durability and quality.

I dunno about that. A sweet ol' granny type lady at the firing range let me try hers, and she was clearly shocked when I fired all five rounds with no problems -- she said she'd never been able to fire it without at least one misfire per set.

Granny also had a Sig P226 with ten magazines...she let me shoot that too, was *very* impressed with the accuracy of the thing. No wonder the SEAL teams use it!

 

[Hal]

Any experience with the Cobra or Davis?

Yeah, I have a Davis in .22lr. From what I gather, Davis went under and resurfaced as Cobra Industries.

It's a POS. Poor materials, poorly assembled, no safety to speak of, double digit trigger pull - best guess low to mid teens. Closing it w/the hammer down and loaded chambers can casue it to fire since the firing pin's aren't the inertia type. Accuracy in one barrel is non-existant - probably due to the (as Thebluesman so abtly put it) the "subtle" rifiling. I have to agree, the land (note the singular) is pretty shallow.

Still and all, the thing is a hoot and a half to shoot. I actually do use mine as a woking gun too. In the spring, when the grass is real heavy, sometimes snakes get caught up in the mower blades. .22shot shells from close up put them out of their misery. No doubt, I'd rethink that tactic if the snakes were poisonous. Most are garter types.

If the guys are gunnies, and like derringers, I think it would be a pretty cool gift.<-- as long as they know the things are mostly a toy. Real key is the liking a derringer. Not all people do.***

.22 cal is definaly the caliber to get one in. Limit the ammunition to low power standard velocity and it should last a long time. CB caps and/or the Aguilla(sp?) powderless ammo would be even better. Don't run high or hyper vel stuff thru it.

***PS - might want to print this out and leave it laying around - start dropping hints - set the stage so to speak. Usually people that ask about derringers fancy them themselves. Probably make a good 6mth or 1st year anniversary gift or stocking stuffer for the groom.

PPS - congrats on your upcoming event. Going on 22 years here soon @ the old ball and chain. Best thing I ever did.

 

[Nick96]

I've got a Davis .32ACP derringer that's going on about 14 years old now. Think I paid about $50 for it. Chrome with rosewood grip panals - really pretty sharp looking. As with many derringers, accuracy is only good to about 10 feet or so - and the trigger is pretty stiff - and the safeties leave something to be desired. I'd agree with previous posters, it's really more of a toy than a serious handgun - and as such a .22 would be the best bet for cheap fun. If current models are like mine, it should be perfectly suitable for quite a few .22 rounds.

Like I said, mine is quite good looking for an inexpensive gun. In todays dollars you should be able to outfit everyone for right around the budget you mention. Why not get them engraved with their names & date too. Would made for a unique gift that would likely be around a lifetime (even if they did eventually break).

 

[Tropical Z]

I think the NAA minis would be the best bet.I got mine for $140.00 in hand new.
www.naaminis.com

 

[cratz2]

I've had good luck with the Phoenix Arms HP22s. They're pretty heavy for such a small gun but I doubt I've had more than 5 to 10 failures in thousands of rounds in multiple guns. I would recommend going with the stainless guns over the 'blued' ones as the finish seems harder. And they continue looking nice longer. The biggest drawback to them is they are single action and they have two active safeties so they take some effort to become very comfortable with their manual of arms.

I think I paid $109 for the last stainless one I bought and $99 for the last blued one. You can also get a kit that comes with a flush magazine and an extended magazine and comes with a 3" barrel/slide and a longer 5" barrel' slide with adjustable sights. These kits are around $150. I have two friends that I know that have the guns and they have had largely positive experience with them as well. For the price, they are very decent guns in my opinion.

The NAA Minis are very nice as well. I'm kind of surprised to hear of VNgos friends problems with them unless the problem is specific to her gun. I've fired many of them and dont' remember enough failures to even relate.

I assume you know her feelings on the subject, but if there's any doubt, I would strongly suggest you heed Jim Keenan's advice.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

Another vote for the NAA's.

The other guns aren't all bad. However, would be real sad if you got one of the many lemons in the lot.

The NAA's are consistantly better.

 

[seeker_two]

If these are gifts, you don't want to give out junk--unless you don't like these guys. And you have to spend some significant money to get a quality (American Derringer or Bond Arms) derringer.

I'd lean more toward the NAA's. Or you could take a hard look at the Phoenix Arms HP22's or Taurus PT-22's. All can be found for less than $150 each with a little shopping around.

On the other hand, you could get them airguns or paintball guns & avoid the possible "straw buyer" allegations...

Another thought would be a good set of binoculars or scopes. A good, inexpensive red-dot scope would be a heck of a groomsman gift...

 

[Gordon]

Not a unique idea though! Val Forgett used to liberally give as gifts his 4 barrel Sharps .22 pepperbox derringer. I have a relative who got one and I am covetous!

 

[25/20]

honestly, how many rounds can you put through a derringer in a range session though? my dad has an old davis .22 that he lets me shoot whenever i want, and i really like to shoot it and all , but i'll bet i never put more than 50 rounds through it every time i shoot it. Its a toy, thats all it is, something for when your bored with everything else thats not, and you forgot what a PITA it is to extract the shells with the tiny button on the side of the barrels.