Double Barrel Pistols?

[Phriend]

Is there any reason to carry a double-barreled pistol? If so, are there any companies that make a good one?

 

[Waywatcher]

Yes.

A Derringer.

 

[PointOneSeven]

Better than a 1 shot derringer .


If there is one in a side by side configuration like a sxs shotgun, I want it.

 

[dfariswheel]

The Bond Arms are the best quality and offer the most options.

 

[Timthinker]

Dixie Gun Works sells a double-barreled muzzleloading pistol termed the Howdah. As I understand it, the standard Howdah is a double-barreled 20 gauge. More information on it can be found on our black powder subforum. This short barreled shotgun is legal because it is a muzzleloader and not a cartridge firearm. I hope someone finds this info interesting.


Timthinker

 

[Chuck Dye]

Check here for a great take on a double barreled pistol.

 

[Phriend]

Ok, so.... are there any modern-day, double-barreled pistols that are practical for self-defense? (Every time I see one of these guns, it looks like it's a hundred years old!)

 

[budder]

The Bond Arms pistols mentioned earlier don't look 100 years old: http://www.bondarms.com/ifirearms.htm

 

[dfariswheel]

The Bond Arms guns operate much like a 125 year old Remington derringer, but the actual design is very modern and the construction is of stainless steel.

The Bond Arms derringers are high-end guns, intended largely as totally reliable back-up guns for people who MUST have a reliable "last chance" gun.
A surprising number of fishermen have a .45/410 Snake Slayer in their hip pocket or tackle box.

 

[Novus Collectus]

There were actually double barreled revolvers. I doubt the claimed advantages were ever proven.

 

[Timthinker]

Phriend, while double-barreled pistols certainly exist, they are not considered as practical for self-defense needs as a snubbie revolver or compact semi-auto pistol. Why? Well, both of the handgun designs I mentioned are multi-shot, something worth considering in a life-threatening situation. Also, some derringer designs are considered crap. Now, Bond Arms does produce a quality derringer with a barrel length over 4 inches. Unfortunately, the size of this gun approaches that of small revolvers and compact semi-autos, thereby negating its virtue of compactness.

Why do people still focus upon derringers? Mystique. History and Hollywood have popularized this small gun in the public imagination. So, the derringer remains an option for this reason. I hope my explanation helps.

If you are determined to purchase a derringer, then I advise buying one of good quality chambered for an adequate caliber. There is one more piece of advice I will also offer: practice. You will need skill to use it effectively in a stressful situation. This is the best information I can offer.


Timthinker

 

[CZ223]

I have and love a Bond 45

I have had 2 American Derringers which honestly I wish I had never sold. Both Bond and American Derringers are built like tanks. Very High quality. I had a Davis, now called Cobra, a long time ago. They are crap.

For many of the same reasons that Tim Thinker has given, I WOULD NEVER CARRY A DERRINGER FOR SELF DEFENSE, EVEN AS A BACKUP. I could just as easily conceal my 5 shot S&W model 36 or any of the NAA small autos.

 

[doc2rn]

I have seen a couple of SXS shotgun firing pistols in other countries, but a good derringer like the ones from Bond should work better for you.

 

[Okiecruffler]

There's also that nasty little 45colt/410 from someone who's name escapes me. Pretty much useless from what I've seen.

 

[farscott]

We have a Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV which is carried ONLY for its named task. It indeed is as large and as heavy as a J-frame revolver (23 ounces), and it is much harder to accurately shoot than a J-frame as the ergonomics just do not work. However, it does allow my wife and I to shoot some troublesome snakes with .410 shot shells with manageable recoil, and .410 is still a heck of a lot cheaper than .38 or .45 shot shells. It is a lot easier to lug the Bond than it was to lug my .410 BPS.

Would I carry it as a concealed handgun? Heck, no. I have other guns much more suitable for that task. But as a snake stopper it is a very good choice.

 

[Mot45acp]

There's also that nasty little 45colt/410 from someone who's name escapes me. Pretty much useless from what I've seen.

Cobray, about $150 locally.

You have to engage the safety to flip the barrels. The safety is extremely hard to engage.(2 hands and about 40 cuss words) Probably needs a lil fluff n buff on the guts. I am currently kicking around the idea of the tackle box gun as someone mentioned.

 

[dfariswheel]

Where the derringer still "fits" is as a very small, very flat, minimalist "last ditch" back up gun.
In larger calibers, it can fill that need very well, but like most people, I'd never consider one as a primary.

 

[Patrick_Henry]

Okay so from looking at the bond guns I'm trying to figure out what niche these fill... wouldn't a snubby be almost as easily carried and give you way more shots and accuracy? I'm kind of curious what these would be used for?

 

[Mastiff4570]

I want a Bond Arms for one very simple reason that is JOHNW WAYNE. I think the only real reason to have one or want one is that people who have watched westerns and such for years think they are cool.

 

[Timthinker]

Patrick Henry, the derringer fills the need for mystique. Seriously, the shortcomings of the derringer have been discussed here and elsewhere. Based on this evidence, I find derringers lacking in comparison to other small handguns. Now, I certainly believe a quality derringer would be a hoot to shoot, but that is not an endorsement for it as a self-defense firearm. Yet, even an analytical person such as myself finds them fascinating, no doubt due to the influence of Hollywood. I hope this helps.


Timthinker

 

[Patrick_Henry]

Answered my question, I suspected that might me it... Thanks.

 

[No Quarter]

The Bond Derringer is safe to carry, flatter than a snub .38, shorter by over and inch than a snub and carries some serious power.

I have a .44 mag Bond derringer that launches a 240gr jsp at 1100 fps. It carries easily in the back pocket of my wranglers without any trouble at all.

You can argue the capacity issue but if you think about IF you only get one shot at arm's length distance, would you rather have a big boomer or a .38 or smaller caliber?

With practice, it is accurate out to 10-15 yards and can be carried every day, all day no matter what I am wearing.

Not a choice for everybody, but I live out here in West Texas and am not in an urban environment.

I do agree that it is not the best choice in a high-risk environment, but it is not the hopelessly outdated piece of junk that so many people tag derringers with.

 

[spiroxlii]

I have one of the Cobray/Leinad .45/.410 SxS derringers.

I'm a gun nut, so I'll never get rid of it. I hate it, though. I hear that the Bond Arms and American Derringer models are better.

 

[Deer Hunter]

There have been some double barreled revolvers made. A .38 caliber with a .22 caliber rimfire on the inside of the large cylinder. Pretty nifty idea. I've got a picture somewhere on my phone of one at A&M's Gun Room.

 

[Gord]

Leinad (aka Cobray, I think) makes SxS... things (can't really call them derringers as they come in barrel lengths up to 11") in .45LC/.410. Last time I looked they were selling for $120-180 depending on length - my local pawn shop actually has a couple of them, but in .38 IIRC. The concept of a break-action shotshell handgun has always intrigued me for some reason. Heck, I've even got a line in my sig about 'em.

See here, here and here.