Derringers

[Kruff]

I have never owned a Derringer but have fired a few. All had a beast of a trigger. The last one I fired was chambered in 357 mag, I don't remember what make it was.

I fired one shot and only one. I held as tight as I could and the barrel latch still came back and ripped a big chunk of skin out of my thumb. I won't be shooting another one any time soon, at least not one in 357 mag.

For a small carry gun I think you would be better served by a Ruger LCP, S&W Bodyguard, or something similar.

 

[shafter]

I think derringers are the worst choice of a firearm that one could carry. As a former cop I'm surprised you wouldn't already know this. Can they kill, sure, however so can the gun the bad guy is carrying and I'm willing to bet his will hold more than two rounds.

 

[scaatylobo]

Before google

Doubt the information is on google,as it happened prior to the search engine [ or ANY such thing ].

But I was on the job as an LEO,when a man was carjacked and he took out BOTH his attackers with a 2 shot .22 magnum High Standard derringer.

One was KIA on the spot and the other was in hospital.

They do have a purpose.

 

[golden]

Is that all that you can find?

SCAATYLOBO,

Can you name any other cases? Nothing has changed. The Hi Standard Derinnger is like a .25ACP pistol. In a gun fight, it beats nothing and that is all you can say for it. The one that I handled and intended to buy as a collectible had a horrible trigger. It was so bad, that I passed on it.

All your Hi Standard shooter had to do to get killed or maimed was miss 1 shot, then where would he be. Remember, most shots fired in self defense miss the target.
If he had a J-frame .38 Special, he would have had 3 more chances. With a GLOCK 42, 5 more chances.

Jim

 

[kBob]

I twice fired a .45-70 derringer. Bottom barrel was fake and just for carrying a spare round. It was an experience.......much like a teenaged attempt at "donkey basket ball".

Both were no doubt forms of testosterone poisoning.

"Wanna see something neat? Here, hold my beer." How DID I get this old?


-kBob

 

[MedWheeler]

Shafter writes:

I think derringers are the worst choice of a firearm that one could carry. As a former cop I'm surprised you wouldn't already know this. Can they kill, sure, however so can the gun the bad guy is carrying and I'm willing to bet his will hold more than two rounds.

You fail to provided any new "knowledge", only an opinion (albeit one with merit.)

As a former LEO, he may well know more than you can imagine (I'm also former LE, and choose not to carry a derringer for self-defense.)

But you come across as someone who would tell a group of 30-year smokers that the habit is unhealthy.

 

[Unkei]

I think derringers are the worst choice of a firearm that one could carry. As a former cop I'm surprised you wouldn't already know this. Can they kill, sure, however so can the gun the bad guy is carrying and I'm willing to bet his will hold more than two rounds.

Hey shafter,
Well...with 35 years as a cop..I've got just a smidgen of experience..and I hope a tiny bit of wisdom..maybe not! As a detective I saw many bodies in the morgue killed with a lousy 22lr! Have you ever been in a morgue attending an autopsy? Have you ever been in a gunfight ( not with a paper target )? If your answer is no, then I wonder how you can justify wondering how I as a cop would not know better. I already said a derringer is not the best weapon for self defense so not sure what you are questioning about my possible expertise. If it's just your opinion on the effectiveness of a derringer for self defense..then you are certainly entitled to it! Just don't make judgements on something you probably have zero experince with. If I am wrong about your real world experience with gunfights or wounds and kills made by derringers or any other handgun, then I most humbly apologize! But from the tone of your post..somehow I don't think so!
Cheers,
Unkei

 

[scaatylobo]

@ golden

I guess I missed your point.

Are you actually saying that the man that SAVED HIS LIFE with a HS .22 magnum derringer would be better off dead ?.

He did not have a 5 shot 'J' frame,he did not have a Glock 42 /43 [ they were not even made then ].

I see that he SAVED HIS LIFE with 2 shots from a gun that held 2 shots.

I own and carry one as a BUG and NOTHING is faster than the gun in pocket and ready to fire ---- I do the drill at the range OFTEN,and I don't miss at the range it is designed for = "MINUTE OF FACE" !.

Is it "THE BEST" gun for S/D = hell no.

BUT its worked and he is alive = point,game !.

 

[golden]

Scaatylobo

No, no game, because you did miss the point.

First, I am always happy when a good guy survives. However, bad choices often mean they may not.

You presented your story as anecdotal evidence. So what did it prove? Maybe, that if you get lucky and everything in a bad situation goes you way, a Derinnger is good enough.
Jeff COOPER told of a .357 magnum Derinnger being used successfully, but he did not advocate their use.

Having only 2 shots means you no margin for error. That is a very bad plan.

Oh, if you are worried that the GLOCK 42 was not available, substitute WALTHER PPK. I carried one for several years prior to the GLOCK 42 introduction. Around since the 1930's, unlike a Derinnger, it is a useful defensive weapon.

Jim

 

[exbrit49]

Davis 38Spl

I have had the Davis 38 SPl derringer for over 10 years. Yes its a handful to shoot and the trigger pull is so-so.
Why do I keep mine? simple, it is effective at close range and is one of the few firearms I can carry concealed when wearing just summer shorts. It fits in the pocket and is well concealed.
I made the decision to carry it, only after quite a few effective trips to the range. I got used to the pretty brutal kick from the .38s in such a small package, and I got to the point it would hit where I pointed it. I learned how to press that safety button while pulling it from my pocket and thumbing the hammer back also.
For me , yes there is a place for the Derringer. For me, being small in stature, it fits the bill for a concealable firearm in the summer months when I am just wearing shorts.
Yes a lot of people carry 9mm or 380 or other small framed calibers, but on me the outline is always there,whereas, the Davis is well hidden and easily accessible from the front pocket.
Dont get me wrong, if I am wearing heavier clothing its definitely one of my .357s that will fill the bill and in the winter under a heavy jacket will be a 9mm or even one of my 45 autos. and more often than not the Davis is still there in a pocket as a BUG

 

[Tallball]

I briefly owned a 32 derringer. With my giant hands I had to aim at the ground under the target to hit it. I was young then. Maybe I could grip it better now.

Imho the Keltec P32 made derringers instantly obsolete for SD.

But to each his own. What other people carry is none of my business. A 22 caliber one would probably be a fun range toy and plinker.

Yeah, the H&R 410 is also my "poisonous snake in the backyard" gun.

 

[MedWheeler]

Tallball writes:

Imho the Keltec P32 made derringers instantly obsolete for SD.

I agree, for the most part. For a while, I thought my P32 was as small a useable SD gun as they came. Then, someone here corrected me on the PSA .25 (I think it was in a thread on that caliber.) Not long after, I got a Bauer, an identical pistol to the PSA, and it really does fit in conceal-carry places the P32 does not. So does my just-acquired (today) NAA mini-revolver in .22LR.

However, I cannot think of any time I've been dressed in attire that would effectively conceal either of those, but not the Kel-Tec (I didn't buy either the Bauer or the NAA for carry.)

 

[scaatylobo]

@ GOLDEN ,again

Sorry but your still sounding [ to my ears ] as if success is not success .

he did save his life = PERIOD.

That is THE end of the conversation in my not so humble opinion.

A win is a win ,period.

And the Walther is a MUCH heavier gun than the Glock 42 or 43.

AND he saved his life with 2 shots,guess that was all he needed.

And mine is a BUG to be used as a CQC that happens fast at VERY close range.

Obviously if there is time to draw a REAL gun,or leave ---- then take the best choice and go with it.