Derringers??

Status
Not open for further replies.
H

HiWayMan

Member
Joined
Mar 15, 2004
Messages
895
Location
NE Ohio
My buddy just picked up a Cobra Enterprises .22lr derringer in trade for 100 rnds of .357. He got it for display purposes only, but we're taking it to the range tonight just to monkey around with. I'm intriged by how small it is. It is actually the first derringer that I have handled, outside of a .50cal muzzleloading one. I've just finished reading Sixguns by Keith and he has some interesting commentary on the Rem. .41 rimfire derringer. He says that while highly ineffective, "true gunmen" feared it on account of the bullet carrying dirt into the wound and then the wound becoming infected. This was obviously a problem before modern medicine and the development of antibiotics, but it seems largely irrelevant today.

So, my question is: Does anyone out there in High Road Land carry a derringer as a BUG? If so, which caliber and brand (Davis, Bond Arms, Cobra, ect.)?

Thanks all.
 
I handled a Bond Arms one in .357. It looks very robust and with the weight, shouldn't be TOO bad to shoot. It looked like it wouldn't be comfortable, but holding it felt real nice. I'd like one in .410.
 
Yes, I do.

American Derringer M-1; .45lc/.410.

The tactical option of being able to shoot the first goblin in the face or groin, with the second shot going into the remaining goblin's throat or pelvis makes it ideal for some scenarios (and this girl loves to accessorize appropriately for any given occasion!).

Trisha
 
American Derringer M-1; .45lc/.410.


And I bet that baby kicks like a pack of mules, especially with the .410, huh?
 
Sure there's some recoil, but I rather cope with that than face waking up in intensive care after being raped again, you know?

After 20 rounds my hand is sore for a little while (and I practice shooting it equally competently with either hand) - but even with the limitations of the weapon I find it's been sooo reassuring in my hand on a few occasions.

I'm looking forward to taking pictures of it in operation at night, now that we have a nice digital camera - the residual optical afterimage alone is remarkable.

It has a place in defensive layering considerations, IMHO.

Trisha
 
Greeting's All-

The gunshop where I work sold a NIB Texas Defender by Bond
Arms in .45/.410 last week for $329.88. The person buying it stoked
it with #6 .410 shot shells for personal defense. Like another poster
said, the gun is robust. I don't think males would have an easy time
concealing this firearm.

Best Wishes,
Ala Dan, N.R.A. Life Member
 
I have had doulbe barrel derringers in the past. The .32 acp from Cobra or Davis are nice, but they are too small for my hand. The .38 spls are a little bit big in my opinion. I used to have a Hy Hunter .22 magnum that I really liked, but the nickel finishing started to bubble. Now, if I want to carry something really small, I use my Colt .25acp 1908 model. To me, it is a derringer with a magazine.
 
I occasionaly carry the .22lr for sh*ts and giggles... but it's such a pain to cock the hammer and squeeze the tiny little trigger that it's ususally not even fun to take to the range.

...and the Kel-Tec p3-AT is quite a bit smaller and lighter than that bond arms pocket cannon, from when I saw them side by side at the shop...

-Colin
 
As a novelty, derringers are a lot of fun! Had a .357 I played with for a couple of years. I currently have a Hi Standard derringer in 22 mag. Neat little gun! As a carry gun, derringers are a poor choice. They are bulky, heavy, limited ammo capacity, and slow to get into action. Wouldn't mind having one chambered in 45/70, just for KICKS!!!!
str1
 
For those with the American Derringers, how heavy is the hammer spring? I tried a Bond Arms derringer the other day, and the hammer felt like it had a 60 pound spring. I'm a fairly big guy with strong hands, and I doubt I could have cocked it one-handed.
 
Quote:<<<Sure there's some recoil, but I rather cope with that than face waking up in intensive care after being raped again, you know?



We'd be a happier, more peaceful nation if every girl and woman in the country understood that.>>>
__________________

I agree. Trisha said it all there! :D
 
It has a stout spring, Magnum88C; but is easy to master with snap caps. I tell you what - now that we have the ability to make mpegs with our digital camera I'll be sure to take both to the range when the weather improves and make a little clip, okay?

It's not feasible to do that in the immediate future (it's 8 degrees outside now, with +30mph winds); but I've put a note to do that on my white board (a passable substitute for a memory).

I'd guess you'd prefer the M-6 or the M-8 (the M-8 is on my wish list, I must admit. . .)

Trisha
 
My Derringer

I own a Davis Derringer in .22 magnum. I was picking up a new .357 magnum at a gunshop when I spotted it...couldn't resist. I have carried it CCW a few times when I didn't want to take the time to strap on my usual carry piece, like a trip to the store to pickup some bread... :evil:

I posted a pic in the 22mag thread...
 
I've carried the same High Standard D-101 for over 25 years now.

It's saved my assets on more than one occasion.

It's not my first choice for self defense but it does have its place in the grand scheme of things.
 
I still have my Hi Standard DA derringer in 22 mag, along with the evil wallet holster!! Believe it or not, it was my first backup, I actually qualified with that thing!! I graduated from that to a S&W mdl 36 to a AMT Backup. I currently carry a P-3AT. It's the best of the lot, 7 rds of .380 in a more carryable package than any of the others.
str1
 
I've tried several. The one I finally kept is NAA 5-shot 22Mag SA revolver. It's smaller & lighter than the "derringers", has 3 extra shots, has a lighter hammer-spring & lighter trigger-pull (though still substantial), and fits in my shirt pocket without causing a sag.

But I have also lately bought a KelTec P3AT, & it's a gem, too!!
 
Carried a .22Mag many years back as a tertiary "Last Act of Defiance" sneaky backup weapon. Can just barely remember it now, but IIRC it was High Standard brand.
 
It has a stout spring, Magnum88C; but is easy to master with snap caps. I tell you what - now that we have the ability to make mpegs with our digital camera I'll be sure to take both to the range when the weather improves and make a little clip, okay?
Click to expand...

Sounds great, looking forward to it.

As for caliber choice, I was thinking something that throws a heavy bullet fairly slowly would be the way to go. Something like a .44 Special or .45 Colt with cowboy loads? Figure that'd be easier to control and while expansion wouldn't really be there, you'd get good penetration to make up for it.
 
ok well i was wondering when i would break this stupidity out=

i haul junk, we were cleaning out a foreclosed house in the hood, and we find some weapons. guy working with me wanted to keep the derringer, pretty nice, old round handle style , some obscure manufacturer.

anyway i had to take my truck to the dump, after making sure it was unloaded i told guy to put it AWAY and just then later put it even farther away.
Stupid. stupid stupid.

so i am leaving the dump, I get a call from my other helper. THANK GOD i had 2 guys there that day, MIracle that other guy had a truck also.

Idiot had decided to load the Derringer with some bullets he found , they were all over the floor.
then he tried to close the gun.

Then my other friend DUCKED while guy with gun is screaming and shooting blood everywhere.

LUCKY LUCKY LUCKy. he's a big guy, it went right through the fat part of his hand, didnt hit any bone, and since he had military medical thru parents, he got taken care of and was totally fine after a few weeks.

since it was an accident and he did it himself (DOH!) it was no legal problem, but it sure wasnt fun to tell the client about.
of course, once people hear he was ok, they laugh at what an idiot.

anyway, point is they are a bit sketchy. no safety. no trigger guard.

i guess he opened it with the hammer back, then as it shut, it fired.

anyway, after that, i took it to one of my friends to clean it , make sure it was safe, and then gave it to another guy who has a fair collection but no little tiny guns. (the guy who cleaned it already had several derringers)

too small for defense, too dangerous to keep around for plinking is my take on them.
 
Thorn,
Some of the older derringers had a nonrebounding hammer. With the hammer down a firing pin would protrude. If you slamed the barrels closed the gun could fire. This might have been what happened. These are not guns for the novice!
str1
 
Sometimes :)

On Occassion I carry an AD Model 7 in .44 Spl. 7OZ!!!! in .44 :) and it is mild to shoot with proper load choice. The 2 rd. cap. limitation dosent bother me as much as the single action. for SD . I love the AD saftey system. And cant overlook the option of 2 rds. of .44 under 10oz. loaded so ive kept her. I prefer to carry it while hunting. loaded with silvertips since I usually have a SuperBlack Hawk .44 mag when afield and the ammo(.44spl.) can be fired out of both.
Loandr.
 
I have an American Derringer (the people in Waco) model DA-38: a stainless steel double-action two shot in .38 caliber. It can handle +P ammo, and I must say, it is quite impressive to shoot. If the bullet doesn't stop the miscreant, the muzzle flash and noise will! The very first time I shot it, I had to stop for a moment and do a quick inventory to ensure that all the digits were still there on the hand.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

U
  • Locked
AMERICAN DERRINGER QUESTION
2
Replies
31
Views
5K
ecmp
E
J
  • Locked
DAVIS/COBRA .38 SPECIAL DERRINGER (SAFETY/AMMO ISSUES)
Replies
3
Views
4K
jsmosby
J
L
  • Locked
Range Report: Cobra “Big Bore” .38 Special Derringer
Replies
22
Views
21K
kBob
K
M
  • Locked
Combat wounds proving less deadly
Replies
14
Views
1K
Glockster35
G
A
  • Locked
RKBA Commentary in the Times of London
Replies
12
Views
837
sailortoo
S
Back
Top