Someone help me understand derringers :)

[yhtomit]

Hi there!

I am as always a perpetual newbie, and now have a question that might strike you as silly: How is it that people with derringers manage to carry them safely?

I enjoy having a trigger guard on my guns -- when I look at very, very early guns and see that feature missing, I think, Jeesh, what a disaster in the wings!

But derringers, even ones made in the year 2008 A.D./C.E. have naked triggers. Is there a safe way to carry them? Are there special (and mandatory) derringer holsters? How come J. W. Booth didn't blow off his own foot?

Anyone who collects / shoots derringers, I'd like to understand how they work, safetywise. Because I find them *nifty* and have occasionally lusted for one, as the smallest gun a non-jillionaire can afford, but don't want to have a gun I'm not comfortable with wrt safety.

And: there are some derringers in 9mm: I enjoy shooting 9mm in full-sized handguns, but can anyone comment on the apparent recoil of it in a derringer? I'm sure I don't want to zip through a case of ammo with one, but would I be sorry to empty the gun the first time ever?

timothy


Thanks for any insight!

 

[W.E.G.]

not at all inexpensive if you buy quality

usually much bigger/heavier than you would expect

very heavy hammer spring

very heavy trigger

accuracy doesn't exist beyond 10 feet for rapid shooting

ummm... two shots and your done

a clever novelty at best

no place for the derringer in the modern world of defensive firearms

 

[rcmodel]

Derringers don't have trigger guards because about 99.9% of them are single-action.

That means you have to cock the hammer with your thumb before they will fire when you pull the trigger.

Just pulling the trigger doesn't do anything unless you cock them first.

rcmodel

 

[kcshooter]

I have one just because it was there, it was cheap, and they are interesting. It's a .38special. I've shot it exactly twice. It sucked just as much the second time as it did the first time. I never considered carrying it.

They aren't really safe, but because they are single action with a very heavy hammer spring, it isn't likely they cock themselves in your pocket. Plus the 30lb trigger pull would be tough to get it to go off should it cock itself in your pocket. There is also a safety to keep the hammer from falling all the way should the ridiculously stiff hammer cock and the ridiculously heavy trigger get pulled.

I still wouldn't carry it. That would change it from being "neat" to being "stupid". IMHO.

 

[mavracer]

they are single action the american derringer and cobra (I have both) have a hammer blocking safety.the bond arms has a rebounding hammer system in wich the hammer does not and can not touch firing pin without trigger pulled.
as to recoil it's stout but not real painful.my AD actually outweighs my M&P340 both 357s.
I suppose the AD design could come off safety (the safety is spring loaded,when you pull back hammer it automaticly disengages) and if dropped could go off. but I think you would almost have to through it to get enough force to set off primer.

 

[Im283]

I think the only purpose that they serve is as a get the F off me gun.

I think you pretty much have to shoot them point blank.

I want one though if for no other reason than kicks.

 

[Princi]

I have a couple of the Bond Arms models that have interchangable barrels. I have the standard 45LC/410 barrels plus the 357 Mag and a 9mm. The Cowboy model is kept in the door of my car. It doesn't have a trigger guard. The other one does, but it really isn't needed. Like has been previously said: you have to cock it in order to shoot it.

When you shoot 357 Magnums the little sucker makes a lot of noise. So much that the other shooters moved away until I'd finished. It is definitely not a toy. However, it isn't punishing like shooting the same rounds out of my S&W 360PD. Also, when you think about it, it is safer too. With the J-frame all you have to do is pull the trigger. With the Derringer pulling the trigger does nothing unless you cock it first.

Another thing I've noticed, and this may be unique to the Bond Arms made ones, is that you pull sort of down and back on the trigger vs. straight back.

One day when my son came over, we went to his uncle's ranch to do some plinking. His uncle is a really big guy and is a mechanic. It was fun watching him shoot with the 410 bird shot. There really isn't much recoil, but he was flinching badly. He would pull straight back on the trigger, and when he expected it to go bang, the gun would dip down and nothing would happen - nothing except me doubling over in laughter.

They definitely are close-quarters guns. I tried shooting 45LC one day with the target out at 7 yards. I shot a couple of rounds and couldn't see where they were hitting the target at all. Then with the next round there was a splintering of wood and the target and frame came crashing to the ground. It was shooting a tad high.

Oh, about recoil: they weigh twice as much as my S&W so the recoil is half as much. You notice it, but it isn't objectionable like it is on the S&W.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

I'm going to get a Standard Bore Cobra Derringer in .32 Auto. I shot the Big Bore Cobra in .38 Special and it was VERY uncomfortable so I didn't order it in .38 Special. Besides, the Big Bore model is a little too large IMO. I think the .32 is a better choice than the .25 or .22 LR/Mag but not too heavy.

I have no idea why I ordered this thing other than I wanted it. I have no intention to carry it but you never know. I also got in .32 Auto because I already have a gun chambered in .32 Auto so I won't need to stock another caliber ammo.

 

[Scotticus]

I had a .38 special something like the Cobra. I needed to buy padded palm shooting gloves to shoot the thing. I also had an American Derringer .45LC/.410 which was very fun to play with, but recently traded it off for a more practical SD gun, a Ruger LCP.

 

[lee n. field]

How is it that people with derringers manage to carry them safely?

One chamber loaded, hammer down, with the flip/flop firing pin protruding on the empty chamber. That's how I did it, long ago and far away.

Some have trigger guards. Some, I think, have safeties.

9mm in full-sized handguns, but can anyone comment on the apparent recoil of it in a derringer?

Mine was a .38, and honestly it wasn't too bad. I'm guessing 9mm would be about as painful as .357 in a j-frame.

Wouldn't buy another one. Would take one for free (which is how I came by the first one, back in my trailer park days).

 

[45Broomhandle]

Derringer Or Deringer?

Not sure which spelling is actually correct, 'cause I didn't live back in the 1800s. But, it's my understanding the name of these little guns came from a U.S. gunmaker named Derringer (maybe only ONE R?) who became internationally known for the high quality of his VERY small, single-shot, percussion handguns. And, I don't remember ever seeing one of the many guns attributed to him NOT having a trigger guard.

It was one of his guns that John Wilkes Booth is alleged to have used to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln. Good or bad, this also added to his gunmaking fame.

Since those early days, almost ANY small handgun has been called a "derringer." Even the little 4-shot .22rf, Mossberg Brownie was called such. So it's not how many shots the gun holds, or what kind of ignition is employed, or whether it has a triggerguard or not, it's simply a matter of beliefs.

Here's a little "derringer" I just obtained. I had never considered these as such until I noted that an author who is considered an expert on this brand even called it a derringer. This little guy was made sometime between 1871 and 1890, and still works fine. It's stamped STAR VEST POCKET on top of its diminutive 2" barrel.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[Ifishsum]

My F-I-L gave me one a few years ago, in .38 Special. A Hy Hunter I believe. Not much fun to shoot but it'll get the job done up close, I usually leave in my truck, and have carried it occasionally when circumstances demand something very small and discreet. It disappears in a pocket.

 

[Regolith]

Friend of mine gave a .22 derringer to his father as a birthday gift (along with a carved-out bible to hide it in). I believe it was double action, but it had a massively heavy trigger pull. I'm not sure you could set it off on accident if you tried.

 

[tank mechanic]

9mm in full-sized handguns, but can anyone comment on the apparent recoil of it in a derringer

I have a cobra in 9mm that was given to me as a christmas present. I have put about five rounds through it and that will be about all I will ever put through the gun. It wasn't pleasant to shoot. If I ever had to buy one it would definitely be in 22lr.

 

[ArchAngelCD]

Derringer Or Deringer?
Not sure which spelling is actually correct

45Broomhandle,
Actually, both spellings are correct. Originally there was only 1 "R" in the name when the original Deringer was made by Mr. Deringer. When the American Derringer Corporation was formed for some reason they added an "R" so technically both spellings are correct depending upon which gun you are talking about!! LOL

Great little gun BTW. Thank you for sharing the picture... That looks like a fun gun to have.

 

[45Broomhandle]

Thanks for that info, ArchAngelCD. I vaguely recall something about that dual spelling, but over the decades simply dismissed it. Been MANY moons since I ran into it.

If you'd like more info on that little I.J. VEST POCKET, I posted what Bill Goforth had to say about it. And, you should see the "Ring Trigger" scattergun info he furnished.

Thanks again.

Best regards ~ ~ ~ 45Broomhandle

 

[gpr]

cobra 9mm

the cobra 9mm is not a pleasent shoot, a noveilty toy that gets little use...technology has added much better options...gpr

 

[Timthinker]

After the assassination of President Lincoln, derringer was spelled with two "r"s. I am not certain why that change occurred. Now, Booth's deringer, spelled with one "r", did feature a trigger guard. Also, some modern derringers feature a trigger guard as well.

Part of the mystique surrounding the derringer stems from movies and TV programs. In actuality, there are better handguns for a CCW permit. Still, I enjoy reading stories about modern derringers. No doubt, this is a residue from watching too many movies and TV shows.


Timthinker

 

[farscott]

I have one of the Bond Arms derringers with three sets of barrels: 1) 3" .410/.45 Colt, 2) .357 Magnum/.38 Special, and 3) .22 LR. The gun is extremely safe as it has a rebounding hammer, retracting firing pins (need a hammer strike to drive them out of the frame) and a cross-bolt hammer blocking safety. It also has a trigger guard, and the trigger guard is removable. The Bond is perfectly safe with both barrels loaded as long as the hammer is in the rebound position.

Mine gets used a bit with .410 shot shells as a easy-to-carry anti-snake weapon (ASW). Recoil with the three-inch .410 is surprisingly mellow. With the 2.5" .410, it is downright pleasant. The extended grips help with recoil as there is a lot more gun to grab onto. The .22 LR barrel is fun for plinking and was quite helpful in learning the trigger on the gun. The trigger pull is hard and unique as it is as much down as it is back. It took me a while to master the feel.

 

[rcmodel]

After the assassination of President Lincoln, derringer was spelled with two "r"s. I am not certain why that change occurred.

Henry Deringer was a Philadelphia gunsmith, and invented & made the one used to kill Lincoln.

His pocket pistols gained such notoriety and infamy, that unlicensed copies begin to spring up all over the place.

So Henry got his name trade-marked.
And the copycats marked their guns Derringer to avoid trademark infringement issues.

Nowadays, the use of the noun Deringer refers to a pistol actually manufactured by Henry Deringer, whereas the use of the noun Derringer refers to a pocket pistol of any make.

rcmodel

 

[herohog]

It is a last-ditch belly gun (ya stick it in their belly, or face, and fire.). It is for up close and personal use. Trigger pull ranges from heavy to "I can't pull this darned thing!" I carried a .22lr in the watch pocket of my Lee jeans for years. you could thumb it into your hand, cock and fire it pretty darned fast if needed.

They are better than nothing but a distant second to even the lowly C9 HiPoint in terms of a self defense weapon.

 

[Shadan7]

Let me be a bit contrary here . . .

. . . and say that I found one very good use for my Bond Arms derringer in 45LC/.410 - as a bedside gun for my wife, loaded with 000 buck (5 pellets). It is effectively a 3" barrel shotgun, and quite devastating at short range (say 5 yards).

My wife isn't a gunnie, and won't spend the time to get really good with a pistol. But she's spent the time to learn to use the derringer as a last-ditch weapon. 5 pellets of 000 buck will typically spread about 18" at 5 yards - chances are, at least one of them is going to strike the intended target. And then she has the second barrel if needed.

I wouldn't want to face it.

7

 

[FieroCDSP]

C'mon...Everyone knows 45-70 is the ONLY caliber for a Derringer.

 

[herohog]

C'mon...Everyone knows 45-70 is the ONLY caliber for a Derringer.

"Please don't make me shoot you! In fact, I'll tell ya what what, you take this and shoot at ME with it!"

I have had derringers in .38spl and .45lc... no thanks!

 

[ClarkEMyers]

I liked the High Standard .22 rimfire magnum - preferably with the AOW holster - for a last ditch surprise concealed weapon but also for a handy and affordable trap line and casual slaughter tool. For these last two purposes of course only loaded for immediate use.