Someone help me understand derringers :)

[theotherwaldo]

I think that Remington-style derringers were fine in .41 rimfire. I suppose that .22 rimfire is OK, too. The idea of shooting anything more powerful than that in a frame that size- well, just thinking about it makes my hand hurt!

 

[grendelbane]

Many of the derringer designs are indeed dangerous, but not because the trigger guard is uncovered.

They are dangerous because if dropped, they can land on the hammer spur, and fire. The safest way to carry one has already been described. Just load the bottom chamber, leaving the top chamber empty, and the firing pin ready to fire the top chamber.

While safe, you have just lost 50 % of your ammo capacity!

One advantage that they do have is that they are a tad bit more powerful than similar barrrel length revolvers and autos. This is because they lack a cylinder gap, and lose no power reciprocating a slide. You need all the power you can get when all you have is one shot!

 

[Timthinker]

RC, thanks for the historical information regarding derringers. I realized the spelling changed after Lincoln's assassination, but I did not think in term of copyright infringement. Thanks again.


Timthinker

 

[rcmodel]

Another historical tidbit is that back when the very under-powered .41 Remington derringer was so popular, penicillin and other antibiotics had not been invented yet.

A dirt & grease covered .41 lead bullet in the belly was a slow & painful death sentence.

It is said that gunfighters of the time would much rather be shot with a much more powerful .45 Colt that went on through, then a .41 Remington derringer that didn't.

rcmodel

 

[jwr_747]

I'm partial to the Derringers with the 12 inch barrels,boy,there's an oxy-moron. jwr

 

[cane]

Here are 2 of mine:

 

[gbran]

Derringers are belly guns. Not because you carry them there, but because you hold it to your opponent's belly and fire. Really close combat.

 

[lee n. field]

Here are 2 of mine:

That bottom one looks exactly like the one I had, right down to the very worn finish. An FIE?

 

[herohog]

I had a Davis that was its double as well.