Has anyone carried an American Derringer?

[JackTheRipper23]

I'm referring to American Derringer Corp from Waco, TX. I've read rumblings that the only safe Derringer to carry on you is a Bond Arms because of the rebounding hammer and additional safety and that apparently any other derringer, like the American Derringer, would be unsafe to carry on you as an everyday pocket/boot gun back up. I like the aesthetic look of the AD better than Bonds so wanted to see if anyone had experience carrying one without issue?

 

[sabbfan]

I’d never heard of American Derringer so looked at their website, looks like they use a hammer block safety so should be fine safety wise for carry. I used to have a Bond derringer, didn’t keep it for long since it was fairly large and heavy for carry for having only two shots. Not that much fun for me anyway for playing with either.

 

[bearcreek]

Probably not going to encounter many who have carried one. Most people carry for defensive, rather than nostalgic, purposes and do not wish to intentionally handicap themselves.

 

[Handshaker]

Yes the one i bought a couple months ago. The only issue is you NEED to make sure the safety is on when you close the barrel or the firing pin could close on the primer igniting it. I am not sure if current models are the same way, mine is more than 30 years old and is a little over kill in 45-70 unless a Rhino is humping your leg, then your GTG, lol.

 

[VA27]

I had a 45/410 once. Carried it a few times. Sabbfan is correct on the safety.

I shot a big rattler in my front yard with it and it took both barrels to do it in from about 6 feet. Patterns were awful. We parted company soon after.

 

[Handshaker]

I have a mason jar full of rattles I shot on my previous property. Most were had with a cheap truck(atv)gun a heritage 6.5 barrel 22mag revolver. 22mag snake shot does a number on them if you shoot for the head. But you have to be close,a few feet away from them. A lot were shot with a mossberg 410. I personally dont like carrying Derringers, 2 shots aint enough. I like carrying a 22mag NAA with a holster grip and Hornady self defense ammo for a backup gun.

 

[Autodidactic]

I'm referring to American Derringer Corp from Waco, TX. I've read rumblings that the only safe Derringer to carry on you is a Bond Arms because of the rebounding hammer and additional safety and that apparently any other derringer, like the American Derringer, would be unsafe to carry on you as an everyday pocket/boot gun back up. I like the aesthetic look of the AD better than Bonds so wanted to see if anyone had experience carrying one without issue?

Not sure, but it’s unclear if American Derringer co even makes derringers anymore. The website looks like 2001. One can obviously find them used such as on Gunbroker

 

[Autodidactic]

Probably not going to encounter many who have carried one. Most people carry for defensive, rather than nostalgic, purposes and do not wish to intentionally handicap themselves.

A number of people carry Bond Arms

 

[JackTheRipper23]

Not sure, but it’s unclear if American Derringer co even makes derringers anymore. The website looks like 2001. One can obviously find them used such as on Gunbroker

They have a TERRIBLE website and their marketing is atrocious but somehow they are still in business.

 

[Autodidactic]

They have a TERRIBLE website and their marketing is atrocious but somehow they are still in business.

I hear they make some, but do they make regular production?

 

[CDW4ME]

Probably not going to encounter many who have carried one. Most people carry for defensive, rather than nostalgic, purposes and do not wish to intentionally handicap themselves.

You read my mind.

I looked up the specs on a American Derringer: L 4.82'' - H 3.35'' - Grip width 1.2''

Most would consider a pocket 380 or 9mm a minimum.
https://www.handgunhero.com/compare/kahr-pm9-vs-ruger-lcp
LCP 380: L 5.16'' - H 3.9'' - W .82''
A LCP 380 is not my idea of a preferred handgun for SD, but I'd rather have 7 rounds 380 than 2 rounds of whatever. (I'm not shooting snakes)

 

[bearcreek]

A number of people carry Bond Arms

Didn't say no one carried them, just that not many do. There are certainly a contingent of folks who carry for their version of the "cool" factor, more than anything else. No one chooses a two shot pistol because it's the best tool for the job.

 

[Handshaker]

I would venture to say most would not every day carry a 2 shot derringer, but it does make a lot of sense to carry a 410 derringer(not for defending your life) if you are out and about in the wilderness with venomous snakes around. But personally i would choose carry a Taurus Judge. I do love Derringers, but I dont consider them a viable self defense option.

 

[bearcreek]

but it does make a lot of sense to carry a 410 derringer(not for defending your life) if you are out and about in the wilderness with venomous snakes around.

Does it though? I'll bet you'd have a really tough time finding an experienced, knowledgeable person who recommends carrying one of those in the wilderness.

 

[Handshaker]

I guess you missed this part. nothing like taking things out of context. "But personally I would choose carry a Taurus Judge"
I personally wouldn't be asking anyone if they would carry what I would carry, its moot. Experience and knowledge are a matter of perception.

 

[GEM]

Supposedly, American Derringer was sued by a cop who had an ND. They could not afford the defense and folded new production. Some existing parts were cobbled together for awhile. They have no new gun presence as far as I can see. They used to have a presence at TX guns shows. I talked to the owner and that went away.

As far as to carry them for the vaunted 410 load for a monster snake, you can easily carry a decent revolver with a couple of rounds of snake shot and the normal loads for a more practical weapon. We've done the 410 Judge as a wonder weapon into the ground, boring.

 

[bearcreek]

I guess you missed this part. nothing like taking things out of context. "But personally I would choose carry a Taurus Judge"
I personally wouldn't be asking anyone if they would carry what I would carry, its moot. Experience and knowledge are a matter of perception.

Didn't miss that part. I was responding specifically to the statement that I quoted. That's why I quoted it.

 

[Kleanbore]

Experience and knowledge are a matter of perception.

They are both objectively measurable.

 

[Handshaker]

"They are both objectively measurable". And so is the BS factor.... Everyone is an "Expert" on the internet, just ask them.
I could kick myself for not buying a COP 357 Derringer a couple years ago when I saw it in a gun store. It was for sale for 700, they are quite rare and are a 4 shot revolving firing pin Derringer.

 

[GEM]

Every review of the COP said they were terrible guns. Now they were used as concealed carry on Battlestar Galactica as they looked Sci-Fi cool.

 

[bdickens]

There are probably about 862,987 different, better options to carry as a backup.

 

[bearcreek]

Everyone is an "Expert" on the internet, just ask them.

I wasn't talking about people who simply claim, on the internet, to be experienced and knowledgeable, I was talking about those who actually are. There's a big difference. Knowledgeable people who spend lots of time in venomous snake country don't carry .410 handguns, at least that I've ever heard of. You're more than welcome to provide examples proving me wrong, if you'd like.

 

[Kleanbore]

Knowledgeable people who spend lots of time in venomous snake country don't carry .410 handguns, at least that I've ever heard of.

If one can take the time to use two hands to disengage a safety, cock the hammer for each shot, and keep one's fingers safely off the unguarded trigger, one needs to ask why he intends to shoot the snake in the first place.

 

[Jim Watson]

I once owned and briefly carried a High Standard .22 Magnum double action "derringer". A very handy little item and not bad at gambling table range. Then I realized I was preparing to defend myself with TWO SHOTS and traded it off in spite of the news item about the tycoon's heir who fought off kidnappers with one.

 

[sgt127]

I’ve owned several. Still own Two. A stainless .45 LC/.410 and a .38 Special.

As long as you set the hammer Block BEFORE loading, they are reasonably safe.

I wanted the smallest, lightest most rust resistant gun I could drop in a Pocket for hanging around the beach when I go. Took some searching, but found one. Long out of production. Frame and barrels aluminum. Guts, stainless. I carry wadcutters in it.

Optimal? Not hardly. Better than nothing, yes.



It’s always been a strange company. You can still, apparently call them, and they will make you one. But, only in stainless. And in, as I recall, “normal” handgun calibers.