Guns and more
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Well, there's a reason to buy.
Derringers - how do you shoot one?
- Thread starter Rival
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PRM
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American Derringer
I've owned a Model 1 in 45/.410 since the early 90s
The 45 is a handful even in black powder cartridges. The OOO Buck in .410 is a fairly comfortable load and puts three (.357 calibre) buck shot on target pretty accurately at 5-7 yards (around 4-5 inch pattern). Good defense round, but a two shot gun. Bird-shot are snake killers at 5 yards or less. I usually drop this one in my pocket on trips to the woods.
At best they are a two shot, short range proposition - but they do have their place.
I've owned a Model 1 in 45/.410 since the early 90s
The 45 is a handful even in black powder cartridges. The OOO Buck in .410 is a fairly comfortable load and puts three (.357 calibre) buck shot on target pretty accurately at 5-7 yards (around 4-5 inch pattern). Good defense round, but a two shot gun. Bird-shot are snake killers at 5 yards or less. I usually drop this one in my pocket on trips to the woods.
At best they are a two shot, short range proposition - but they do have their place.
M2 Carbine
member
I've got the Bond Arms Derringer in 45ACP.
A Derringer is somewhat awkward to handle and shoot accurately so I loaded a thousand lead SWC target loads for practice. And I'll throw in a few full loads and +P loads to stay in practice.
It's fun to shoot but I don't use it for concealed carry.
A Derringer is somewhat awkward to handle and shoot accurately so I loaded a thousand lead SWC target loads for practice. And I'll throw in a few full loads and +P loads to stay in practice.
It's fun to shoot but I don't use it for concealed carry.
jackstinson
Member
I have both a Davis D22 and Davis D32 (.22LR and .32acp respectively). Since the .32acp version is built on the .22LR frame, it's tiny. But since it's .32acp, it is still controllable.
I normally use a 2-hand hold and thumb the hammer with my left hand....that empties both barrels in under 2 seconds. Accuracy is minute of pie-plate at 15 yards. But it's really designed to be a sub-5-yard gun. It makes a fair backup gun if pressed for pocket space. Reloading is slow though.
As for selecting the barrel fired? The selector goes from barrel to barrel with each cocking. I load it to fire from the top barrel first. The Davis derringers have a hammer-block safety. Currently the Davis line is made by Cobra.
I normally use a 2-hand hold and thumb the hammer with my left hand....that empties both barrels in under 2 seconds. Accuracy is minute of pie-plate at 15 yards. But it's really designed to be a sub-5-yard gun. It makes a fair backup gun if pressed for pocket space. Reloading is slow though.
As for selecting the barrel fired? The selector goes from barrel to barrel with each cocking. I load it to fire from the top barrel first. The Davis derringers have a hammer-block safety. Currently the Davis line is made by Cobra.
mr.trooper
Member
dug this thread up from a google search, after a recent derringer purchase of my own.
I recently purchased a Cobra Derringer in .32acp. I purchased it as a curiosity piece because i already have several .32acp weapons. I paid $140. here is my brief review.
Accuracy: It will hit a pop can out to 6 yards with regularity, but even a single yard beyond that, and the bullets magically disappear. Probably due to the unregulated 2" smooth bore barrels....
Weight:: While it is very small, it weighs just as much as my KelTec P-32... and the P32 holds eight rounds, compared to the derringers two.
Recoil:: you may think the recoil would be the same as other 32 pocket guns, with its weight being comparable. The reality is that while the total amount of recoil energy may be the same, the amount that you actually feel is much greater. its compact size and poor grip design conspire to concentrate that force on a much smaller area of your hand. While the recoil of the 32 derringer isn't BAD, its enough to make the gun shift even in a tight grip, and if you hold it wrong it will sting your hand slightly. I think the 32 or the 22 magnum would be the practical limit for this type of sub-compact derringer. Something like a Bond arms with its greater size, weight, and ample grip would be able to handle something more potent.
conclusions: I think that its an impractical shooting gun. But as a backup gun or a stash gun it would be fine.
I recently purchased a Cobra Derringer in .32acp. I purchased it as a curiosity piece because i already have several .32acp weapons. I paid $140. here is my brief review.
Accuracy: It will hit a pop can out to 6 yards with regularity, but even a single yard beyond that, and the bullets magically disappear. Probably due to the unregulated 2" smooth bore barrels....
Weight:: While it is very small, it weighs just as much as my KelTec P-32... and the P32 holds eight rounds, compared to the derringers two.
Recoil:: you may think the recoil would be the same as other 32 pocket guns, with its weight being comparable. The reality is that while the total amount of recoil energy may be the same, the amount that you actually feel is much greater. its compact size and poor grip design conspire to concentrate that force on a much smaller area of your hand. While the recoil of the 32 derringer isn't BAD, its enough to make the gun shift even in a tight grip, and if you hold it wrong it will sting your hand slightly. I think the 32 or the 22 magnum would be the practical limit for this type of sub-compact derringer. Something like a Bond arms with its greater size, weight, and ample grip would be able to handle something more potent.
conclusions: I think that its an impractical shooting gun. But as a backup gun or a stash gun it would be fine.
coinshooter
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I've just bid on a Bond Ranger on Gunbroker IT COMES WITH A REALLY nice holster they call the bad for USING IT WHILE DRIVING. I wanted something that has a low profile for when I am out metal detecting either in the woods or in some of the older section of town. Check out the bond web page.
Claymore1500
Member
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If yours has smooth bore barrels it's broke, send it back, as they are deffinately supposed to be rifled.
I have three, an "American derringer" .45acp, An "Excam .38spl., And a "Davis/Cobra" .22lr.
I tend to agree with Trisha, They are fun to shoot, And I shoot them a lot each time I get to the range.
I consider derringers as a weapon worthless, with small modern auto pistols and small, powerful, revolvers available.
I also STRONGLY recommend that anyone with an antique gun, especially the Remington, NOT shoot it. The Remingtons were made of cast iron and the frame hinge tends to break. When it does, a $1500-1700 gun becomes a $300 gun - "destroyed in seconds" as they say on TV.
Plus, those Remingtons have a humongous mainspring, the very devil to cock.
Jim
I also STRONGLY recommend that anyone with an antique gun, especially the Remington, NOT shoot it. The Remingtons were made of cast iron and the frame hinge tends to break. When it does, a $1500-1700 gun becomes a $300 gun - "destroyed in seconds" as they say on TV.
Plus, those Remingtons have a humongous mainspring, the very devil to cock.
Jim
My understanding is a derringer as a defensive weapon, is only useful for point-blank situations, like your arm around the bad guy's neck and derringer to his temple, (awaiting the police.)
I acquired one some years ago. The chambers were rough to the point it is a real pain to extract fired 32 ACP. I was unable to hit, well only three out of ten hits, a three foot target at 10 feet.
I acquired one some years ago. The chambers were rough to the point it is a real pain to extract fired 32 ACP. I was unable to hit, well only three out of ten hits, a three foot target at 10 feet.
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