The DoubleTap gives me an idea...

[Ash_J_Williams]

The smaller handguns I've seen have been tiny calibers like .22 and .25. They'd be good for CC... if they weren't such tiny rounds, which put some people off. People are showing interest in the DoubleTap because it would offer an extremely small, almost unnoticable .45ACP or 9mm. This got me thinking.

What about a derringer-style flip up barrel where the top round was a large one, .45 ACP, .357, or even just a little smaller to make it more manageable like a 9mm or .38sp, and the bottom barrel were a .22, like a Beretta Bobcat's barrel that flips up (load the first road into the barrel, the rest load in a magazine in the grip). So your first shot would be a large caliber, and it'd simultaneously fire a .22, and your following shots, if you needed them, would be .22, so in the unlikely event you'd need to continue firing such a small weapon, you could.

What do you think? I'd buy one.

 

[Sam1911]

If one trigger function fires two rounds it would be a machine gun under the NFA '34.

As far as the size goes? With .32, .380, and even 9mm guns being so tiny, light, inexpensive, and reliable these days, I can't picture a need this would fill.

If I'm still firing after the 1st shot, I don't want the rest to be .22s, either.

 

[Ash_J_Williams]

If one trigger function fires two rounds it would be a machine gun under the NFA '34.

As far as the size goes? With .32, .380, and even 9mm guns being so tiny, light, inexpensive, and reliable these days, I can't picture a need this would fill.

If I'm still firing after the 1st shot, I don't want the rest to be .22s, either.

It could always fire the top chamber and then the bottom to avoid the NFA issue.

If there's no need you can see for this, I assume you see no need for something like the DoubleTap, but since it's getting such a buzz, I assume someone does.

 

[Sam1911]

Eh, if the DT is extremely slim -- significantly slimmer than a Kel-Tec for example -- then it might have some limited use. Otherwise, there are quality repeaters which are substantively identical in size.

Generally, though, 2-barrel derringers have had a deservedly tiny niche for a couple of centuries now.

 

[BCRider]

Last I heard a double tap was a technique rather than an ammo or actual firearm. I found DoubleTap ammo but that's just regular ammo with a funky company name near as I can tell. Did I miss something?

If it fired the top and then the bottom then it would be an aimed double tap. But then all the two barrel derringer style guns I've seen had to have the hammer cocked between shots. And then there goes the associated short time needed to qualify as a double tap shot pair. And in that case it's easy to do such follow up shots with a regular handgun just as easily. Finally I just can't see any advantage to having two totally different recoils which is going to make a consistent hold and aim point all but impossible.

As for shooting a double barrel stacked handgun all I can say is that it's fun at the range for giggles but other than as a belly gun they are near useless. The difficult to hold small grips and highly differing points of impact due to the different recoil axis heights means that the two rounds are all over the place. And you really don't want to shoot one that is any bigger than .38Spl. And even that is a handful when there's so little to hold onto. All of this certainly explains why they got the nickname of "bellyguns" since they are all but useless for anything other than arm's reach distances for MOST folks.

The Bond Arms Snake Slayer is one notable exception for a flip barrel derringer style. But it's a BIG gun. By the time you get to that size you're as well off with a pocket .380acp or small J frame revolver since they are about the same size and weight.

And finally I'll offer up a story of my own IPSC and IDPA shooting and pratice testing. I've found that with a touch of practice and working on the timing it is possible to set off two or more closely spaced semi auto rounds without aiming after the first by just getting the timing down pat. With surprisingly little practice I was able to rip off 4 shots and keep them all in the center or first outer zone from 10 yards away. I didn't trust myself to do this in matches until recently and then only with targets that are 7 yards or closer. But when I've used this fast follow up shooting I've gotten either A's/-0's or C's/-1's in almost all cases. And no one was more surprised then me....

So fast non aimed followup shots can be done. Like anything else it just takes some basics and practice.

 

[2wheels]

@BCRider

He's referring to this new derringer called the DoubleTap.

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=622232

 

[WVleo]

Double tap

Hi, Really with the size of the 9mm being manufactured today combined with better 9mm defensive rounds being devised this weapon would be sorta for Mall Ninjas . Back in Ny I purchased one of those Davis .38 derringers for pocket carry ! You only shoot them once LOL ! Sold that P.O.S. the next day ! Plus that Double Tap has a ported barrel, that might cause some issues after dark ! Can't imagine shooting this in .45 and enjoying it and if it's 9mm as previously stated why bother...... WVleo

 

[BCRider]

To 2wheels. I found that thread a little after posting the reply here.

All in all the idea of a modern day derringer still doesn't have much to recomend it. These days they can make a 9mm or 380 semi that is the same or similar size and give 6 or 7 shots instead of just two.