My wife has a .357 Rossi snub that we need to replace with something lighter, but powerful. Nothing less than 9mm or .380. It will reside in her purse, which is always overloaded anyway. What are the opinions on a 2 shot derringer style .45 for this purpose? Any other suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
Two Shot .45 For A Purse gun
- Thread starter wishin
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Mastifflover
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Dont do it!!
I've had a few derringers and while they are a fun novelty gun I would never depend on one for self defense. First off they are no fun to shoot. The one that I had in .38 special would bruise the web of my hand after about 5 shots. The trigger pulls on them are awful, and at best they are an across the table gun with the bad triggers and poor sights.
If you want something lighter look at the new Ruger LCR .38 or the LCP.
I've had a few derringers and while they are a fun novelty gun I would never depend on one for self defense. First off they are no fun to shoot. The one that I had in .38 special would bruise the web of my hand after about 5 shots. The trigger pulls on them are awful, and at best they are an across the table gun with the bad triggers and poor sights.
If you want something lighter look at the new Ruger LCR .38 or the LCP.
MICHAEL T
Member
PF 9 is a nice pistol Does have a recoil But if she shoots 357 mag in the snub She will be fine .
jad0110
Member
If she likes her snub (just dislikes the weight), she could start out by looking at other snubs. Aluminum frame S&Ws and Tauri, as well as the polymer framed Ruger LCR are all good options.
Keep in mind though that all other things being equal, the lighter gun will kick more. I don't find the recoil of something like my .38 +P airweight S&W J Frame to be all that bad, but others do. And I personally don't do .357 Magnum in guns lighter/smaller than guns like the Ruger SP101 or S&W Model 60. Too darn painful, I'd much rather shoot heavy .44 Magnums out of my Ruger Redhawk.
Keep in mind though that all other things being equal, the lighter gun will kick more. I don't find the recoil of something like my .38 +P airweight S&W J Frame to be all that bad, but others do. And I personally don't do .357 Magnum in guns lighter/smaller than guns like the Ruger SP101 or S&W Model 60. Too darn painful, I'd much rather shoot heavy .44 Magnums out of my Ruger Redhawk.
Derringers can be fun . . . but I wouldn't carry one as a SD gun. And I own a .45 Colt Bond Arms that I actually like. Damned thing weighs a ton, though, and there are better options in 5 or 6 shot revolvers.
See if she likes a .38 special J-frame, or something akin to that. Best pocket gun, IMHO.
Jim D.
See if she likes a .38 special J-frame, or something akin to that. Best pocket gun, IMHO.
Jim D.
mljdeckard
Member
A compact 1911 with one round in the magazine?
Onward Allusion
Member
I would strongly recommend against a 2 shot derringer in .45. It's hard to control and it's only 2 shots.
If weight is truly a concern, try the Kel-Tec P3AT or PF9 out at the rental range if possible. There are also quite a few very light frame .38 revolvers out there - Ruger LCR, Taurus UL Titanium, S&W Airweight...etc. The other option is to get a bigger purse or change her style of carry to something other than a purse. Another thing to consider is to get a purse made specifically for CC.
If weight is truly a concern, try the Kel-Tec P3AT or PF9 out at the rental range if possible. There are also quite a few very light frame .38 revolvers out there - Ruger LCR, Taurus UL Titanium, S&W Airweight...etc. The other option is to get a bigger purse or change her style of carry to something other than a purse. Another thing to consider is to get a purse made specifically for CC.
MCgunner
Member
I would not rely on a weak caliber in a derringer and, yes, the .45 is no 12 gauge coach gun. The gun will be hard to shoot, man or woman,. I'd go subcompact 9mm. I shoot the KT P11, have carried it for 13 years going on 14. It's 100 percent reliable and quite accurate and easy to hit with. However, the PF9 has a better trigger, especially for a woman. She probably couldn't handle the DA of the P11, long and about 8 lbs. I am used to it and can shoot it well, but she'd have to practice a lot to get into it. I'm sure she'd do better with the PF9 or a Kahr PM9 or some such.
MCgunner
Member
Oh, before you go LCP, look at the new Taurus PT738. Both are good guns. I've been seeing a LOT of positive on the new Taurus from actual owners, not net prognosticators and Taurus haters, and it has a slide lock on the last round I like, but really, my main reason for liking it is the stainless slide option.
I've been wanting one of these small .380s for special occasions, but have procrastinated. I'm tempted by the Kel Tec P3AT's better aftermarket. I do want a clip on it so I can clip the gun to the top of my T shirt when I'm wade fishing, but that's also why I want stainless, because I'm going to carry this thing while wade fishing.
I've been wanting one of these small .380s for special occasions, but have procrastinated. I'm tempted by the Kel Tec P3AT's better aftermarket. I do want a clip on it so I can clip the gun to the top of my T shirt when I'm wade fishing, but that's also why I want stainless, because I'm going to carry this thing while wade fishing.
mljdeckard
Member
Would this not be made much simpler by getting a bigger purse? They do actually make purse holsters.
BUG Only
I own a Davis two-shot derringer in 22LR and I like it because it has good functionality. However, as a primary self-defense weapon its pretty poor. Reloads are awkward and the thing really can't be used with one hand because of its single-action function and awkwardness. I feel that derringers are best as a last ditch back-up gun only.
I own a Davis two-shot derringer in 22LR and I like it because it has good functionality. However, as a primary self-defense weapon its pretty poor. Reloads are awkward and the thing really can't be used with one hand because of its single-action function and awkwardness. I feel that derringers are best as a last ditch back-up gun only.
Wildfire
Member
Maybe a Wheel.
Hey There:
I carry every day. I always carry a Kimber .45 Ultra Carry. But one noght a while back I was sleeping in my truck {Over the road trucker O/O}
Anyway , I did not have round chambered. My truck shook hard . I woke and found my Kimber. I had a very hard time 1/2 awake pulling that slide back. That really made me think hard. I now also carry a Taurus Ultra-Lite
Titanium in .38 sp.
Always loaded. They make these small wheel guns so light now . That .38 plus P is more than enough gun. The .357 in such a small gun is more that I care for. They are harsh.
The small autos can be unreliable at times.
Hey There:
I carry every day. I always carry a Kimber .45 Ultra Carry. But one noght a while back I was sleeping in my truck {Over the road trucker O/O}
Anyway , I did not have round chambered. My truck shook hard . I woke and found my Kimber. I had a very hard time 1/2 awake pulling that slide back. That really made me think hard. I now also carry a Taurus Ultra-Lite
Titanium in .38 sp.
Always loaded. They make these small wheel guns so light now . That .38 plus P is more than enough gun. The .357 in such a small gun is more that I care for. They are harsh.
The small autos can be unreliable at times.
smince
Member.
To which I say I'd rather have a good fixed blade or folder than any derringer
Wildfire
Member
Yep.
Hey :
I will get a lite for my wife. They buck pretty good as is. But they are very easy to carry and very light weight. Mine is only 13 oz MT.
I was worried about how it would shoot. 8 yards it will do about 1" .
Mine is ported and very loud. I hope I never have to use it in my truck.
I will look for one that is not ported.
I found mine used and gave $300.00 for it . They list for something like $600.00 or more.
The guy that had it first said it was too loud for him.
Hey :
I will get a lite for my wife. They buck pretty good as is. But they are very easy to carry and very light weight. Mine is only 13 oz MT.
I was worried about how it would shoot. 8 yards it will do about 1" .
Mine is ported and very loud. I hope I never have to use it in my truck.
I will look for one that is not ported.
I found mine used and gave $300.00 for it . They list for something like $600.00 or more.
The guy that had it first said it was too loud for him.
Guillermo
member
I am not fond of derringers for self defense. They tend to be heavy and are not accurate
Wildfire, do you really think the slide on an LCP or the Taurus 738 would be a handicap for my wife? Naturally, I'd have her go through the motions before buying one, but don't want to needlessly waste my time. Are the small semi-autos safe to carry with one in the chamber?
Guillermo, It looks like you're in the majority. I'm scratching the Derringer style gun.
Guillermo, It looks like you're in the majority. I'm scratching the Derringer style gun.
LogGuy
Member
Don't screw around
I say don't screw around. Get a full sized 9mm with a slide that she won't have any problem pulling back that gives her 18 rounds and IS NOT DOUBLE ACTION. Medium sized semiautos always make you do the double action pull first. Wheel guns need the hammer cocked and only give her 6 shots. The Taurus 24/7 Pro even has a thumb safety. It is considered a medium sized semi (I think it's pretty much on the large size, though) but doesn't make her pull double action on the first shot due to the special trigger mechanics. Real self defense pistol folks will tell you to carry (and be proficient with) a real gun that you can grip and handle effectively. This gun just happens to be the ONLY semiauto that my wife had no problem racking. Very accurate and comes with Heinie sights. The only thing I don't like about this gun for her is that, like other non-1911s, this gun's thumb safety isn't reliable like a 1911's thumb safety, which means that she should not carry it floating around in her purse cocked and locked. My wife has a big purse full of all of her stuff too but this purse has a zipper on the outside on the end to a compartment that the pistol sits in. The only better, dependable option is a micro 1911 that she could keep chambered with the thumb safety on. Any other Glock or Springfield SD-type gun without a real safety like the 1911 thumb safety is vulnerable to going off if it can be bumped by any sort of shaped items floating around the purse's other compartments. Period. First choice: 1911. Second choice: 24/7 Pro. Both reliable, accurate, safe, and easy to load guns.
Secondly, it costs only about $350.
I say don't screw around. Get a full sized 9mm with a slide that she won't have any problem pulling back that gives her 18 rounds and IS NOT DOUBLE ACTION. Medium sized semiautos always make you do the double action pull first. Wheel guns need the hammer cocked and only give her 6 shots. The Taurus 24/7 Pro even has a thumb safety. It is considered a medium sized semi (I think it's pretty much on the large size, though) but doesn't make her pull double action on the first shot due to the special trigger mechanics. Real self defense pistol folks will tell you to carry (and be proficient with) a real gun that you can grip and handle effectively. This gun just happens to be the ONLY semiauto that my wife had no problem racking. Very accurate and comes with Heinie sights. The only thing I don't like about this gun for her is that, like other non-1911s, this gun's thumb safety isn't reliable like a 1911's thumb safety, which means that she should not carry it floating around in her purse cocked and locked. My wife has a big purse full of all of her stuff too but this purse has a zipper on the outside on the end to a compartment that the pistol sits in. The only better, dependable option is a micro 1911 that she could keep chambered with the thumb safety on. Any other Glock or Springfield SD-type gun without a real safety like the 1911 thumb safety is vulnerable to going off if it can be bumped by any sort of shaped items floating around the purse's other compartments. Period. First choice: 1911. Second choice: 24/7 Pro. Both reliable, accurate, safe, and easy to load guns.
Secondly, it costs only about $350.
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Guillermo
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