which caliber in a Bond Arms derringer for backup

[MarkVII]

Happy New Year all -

I recently bought a Bond Arms derringer in 38/357, partly thinking of it as a backup pistol. I have a coupon for a second barrel half off, and am having trouble deciding which way to go among several options.

45 auto appeals because I'm a 1911/45 auto bigot from way back, and like a big projectile.

I was also considering 44 spl, but 45 auto has more punch in my favorite SD ammo.

A 410 barrel also seems interesting because I could use buckshot. My concern here is whether there'd be enough velocity (and thus penetration ) from buckshot coming out of such a short barrel. Similarly, 410 slugs don't seem to have a lot of mass. From the tests I've read online, the muzzle energy here is in the low 300's of ft/lbs, which is down in 38spl territory.

Would appreciate whatever thoughts folks might have to offer.

Thanks, Mark

 

[KenW.]

Use the same caliber as the one you are backing up.

Mine's a .45 Colt/.410. Great fun! Its my ATV riding companion out in the desert.

 

[Field Tester]

Use the same caliber as the one you are backing up.

Mine's a .45 Colt/.410. Great fun! Its my ATV riding companion out in the desert.

^^
That's an excellent suggestion.

 

[Rodentman]

I recently bought a Bond Arms Backup in 45acp. I used the 50% off coupon on a 3" bbl in .327 fed mag. Granted perhaps a bit odd but since I reload I don't have to search for the ammo and I rather like that caliber in such a small gun over the 38/357. That said, I may get the longer bbl in 357 just for S&G.

 

[Don357]

I second the suggestion to get the same caliber as your primary carry piece. Ammo availability could mean the difference between life and death, even with a bug.

 

[sgt127]

If you're buying as a bug, ammo to match your primary is a good idea. I have an old American derringer in .45LC/.410 that's "kinda" fun to play with.

I figure nothing is going to get much energy out of that short a barrel. May as well throw a big heavy ball at low velocity than a small ball at low velocity.

The option for carrying shot in snake country is cool though.

 

[larryflew]

Plus another on same caliber. Not that a backup would likely need to be reloaded but if it does same caliber certainly makes sense.

 

[MarkVII]

Thanks to everyone for the suggestions. I particularly like the idea of same caliber as what I'm backing up -- hadn't thought of that.

Mark