theboyscout
Member
Are they different?
Well i bought a derringer today and i find the trigger is ridiculous to shoot. Upon further look i see this is a bear man from UT and bond arms is from texas. So im asking if they are competitorsWhat? Are you asking?
WARNING- make sure the hammer is not down when closing the barrels. On the older Davis / Cobra models the hammer rests against the firing pin causing it to stick out so when you close the barrels the firing pin strikes the primer of the loaded rounds.
i like the original, gen2 (indented trigger, wider hammer spur, improved action), models, certainly not the cheaper roughneck/rowdy models. the latter are less finished and it shows, mine locked up after shooting and wouldn’t accept other barrels. i sent it back to b.a. at my expense, where it was supposedly fixed, and i sold it.
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I am curious about this because I have had an itch for a Bond derringer for a while. I figured on getting one of the roughneck series at some point as a less expensive entry, and could add a nicer one if I like it and start adding extra barrels etc. If I end up not caring for it I could probably sell it without taking too much of a hit. Hate to end up with a $500 derringer that no one wants to buy from me, $300 is a lot easier to swallow.
Do you feel like Bond made it right? Curious if you shot it to confirm whether the issue you had was fixed, or tried other barrels. They claim the barrels swap no problem, but if that is hit/miss the rough series become way less interesting.
short answer, no
Wow, that is definitely not a good customer service experience, and out of keeping with what I would have expected from them. It does make some sense that less time in finishing/qc would lead to some of the types of issues you had though.
Thanks for sharing. You aren't wrong, once you are already spending the money on a rough series, it isn't that far of a jump to the nicer ones and they are sooooo purdy. I have had an itch for one for quite a while, but it is such a niche gun I haven't made the plunge. I figure I will just keep my eyes out and when a decent used example crosses my path I will snatch it up. Unless someone used it as a hammer, it doesn't seem like much you could do to hurt one that wouldn't also break your hand. Thanks again for sharing your experience.
I have a Bond Arms Roughneck, which is basically a Rowdy. It came with a 9 mm 2.5 inch, and I also bought a 3 inch .357/.38 barrel for it. It's a bit hot with 9 mm, but manageable. With .357 it is too much, brutal. However, with normal .38 loads it's quite nice. The Bond Arms weighs more than many .38 revolvers. Honestly, I think it's a lot to put anything above a 9 mm or .38 in such a handgun due to size and hard to grip. The thing shoots like a dream with .38 wadcutters or other lower powered rounds. I think if I carry it the smart way is to use basic wadcutters. Will be sufficient.I have a Bond Arms Rowdy 45/410. I will confess that it is not easy to shoot. It is a up close and personal choice. This handgun is well made and a great backup tool. With the 410 it is great medicine for snakes both the slithering kind and 2 legged ones.
I wouldn't mind a .22 LR Cobra/Bearman/Davis, because I want a .22 derringer and Bond Arms doesn't even make the .22 LR anymore. They are going used on Ebay for literally like $500 just for the barrel. My main issue with the cheap derringers is not the material or accuracy, etc, but the safety issue including with drop safe or hammer on round.WARNING- make sure the hammer is not down when closing the barrels. On the older Davis / Cobra models the hammer rests against the firing pin causing it to stick out so when you close the barrels the firing pin strikes the primer of the loaded rounds.
With respect, I have a Roughneck. It has accepted replacement, standard non-roughneck barrels without problem. No misfires, completely reliable. It just doesn't have the polished steel on the frame, as advertised.short answer, no.
i have 3 b.a. original gen2 derringers, one came cheap on-sale new in 45lc only, the other two were gently used (built strong and generally shot little). i have 410, 45lc, 45acp, 357/38, 9mm, 380acp, 327/32 and 22lr barrels. these are fine and fun, my expensive post retirement indulgence.
at first my 357/38 roughneck accepted no other barrels and locked up after shooting (i had to pry open barrel release lever). b.a. was reluctant to accept it as a warranty repair, which was a shocker. after a 40 minute phonecon i finally got a return authorization at my expense. after b.a. finished it no longer locked up but would only accept 1-2 other barrels. i sold it on consignment at a lgs with full disclosure including b.a.’s repair document.
to accept other non-mated parts doesn’t an implement need a higher level of standard finishing? if so, then the whole premise of a lesser finished rowdy/roughneck is wrong. imho, b.a. tanked its hard won reputation as a niche, high quality, firearms maker with these purposely less finished models to chase more sales revenue.
i got my b.a. derringers and barrels from online stores and gb.com all for close to $350. spend $100 more than for a rowdy/roughneck, you won’t regret doing so! just find an inexpensive original gen2 with any barrel and add your favorite calibers. “4” calibers need large rubber grips.
With respect, I have a Roughneck. It has accepted replacement, standard non-roughneck barrels without problem. No misfires, completely reliable. It just doesn't have the polished steel on the frame, as advertised.
Right, they just don't finish the steel as much as the nicer Bond Arms. The action is the same. The barrels are largely the same. For example, I now have a non-Roughneck .357/.38 barrel for it that is identical to the ones put on the finished frames. I've never had a misfire or issue, out of probably 250 rounds out of mine which is more than probably 90% of people ever fire out of one lol. It's built like a tank, which is good and bad.I have a BA Patriot in 410.45LC that I've had for awhile and a buddy has a Snake Slayer in same. I just recently got a Roughneck in 45ACP and I must say, with the exception of the frame finish, the built quality is the same. At least to my eyes. The difference, according to Bond Arms, is just the finishing process, the overall manufacturing for all guns is the same. Mileage my vary I suppose, but the newer "budget" models seem good to go to me.
Now the USE of a derringer for defense is a different conversation....