Why all the Bond love?

[PapaG]

Not trying to stir anything up here but I'm puzzled by all the threads on the Bond Arms derringers. Yes, dozens of chamberings, finishes and styles. But, what can they do that a good compact revolver couldn't do (and maybe better). I've had derringers. All the way from an original Remington through a Bond. Heavy for a two shot gun. Cumbersome. Most have a less than stellar trigger. The old styles were unsafe and seemed designed, if dropped, to land on the hammer.
I dont hate them. I just don't understand the fascination. And I like almost all firearms, especially pre-plastic and I have a few of them.
Nicely enlighten me.

 

[trackskippy]

No enlightenment here.

Ive never understood the draw either. They look well made and built and all, but whats the point other than to just have one?

One thing I do find funny with them though, is when I see my local shop gets a bunch of them in, .45/410, 45acp, ect, and then they sell, and a week or so later, he has a bunch in the used gun section. Wonder whats up there?

 

[Styx]

Different chamberings, nice quality and looks, unique, small size makes for a nice last ditch secondary gun, some people just think they're cool and like to collect them. The fact that you can shoot different calibers and easily change the barrel length using the same gun is a plus and a draw too.

Not everyone purchases firearms for self-defense, home defense, as a carry weapon, competition shooting, and/or hunting. Some people have a hard time wrapping their brains around this fact. I've purchased guns just before they're different and and cool to me on many occasions.

 

[gwpercle]

Not trying to stir anything up here but I'm puzzled by all the threads on the Bond Arms derringers. Yes, dozens of chamberings, finishes and styles. But, what can they do that a good compact revolver couldn't do (and maybe better). I've had derringers. All the way from an original Remington through a Bond. Heavy for a two shot gun. Cumbersome. Most have a less than stellar trigger. The old styles were unsafe and seemed designed, if dropped, to land on the hammer.
I dont hate them. I just don't understand the fascination. And I like almost all firearms, especially pre-plastic and I have a few of them.
Nicely enlighten me.

Except for the original Remington's and the High Standard Double Derringer's the modern Bonds all seem to suffer from too much bulk and weight . I would love to have a slim flat compact double derringer in 22 Magnum ... buy one in a New York Second .
But the new Bond derringers ... as heavy as they are , I just as soon have a J-frame Air-weight in 5 shot 38 special or a Air-Lite J-frame 8 shot in 22 LR ... as a last resort , back up or wear on my belt when hunting/fishing .
If you have ever examined the High Standard Dbl Derringers they are quite compact , several law enforcement buddies carried them as back-up ... some one needs to re-do that design .
Gary

 

[Styx]

Except for the original Remington's and the High Standard Double Derringer's the modern Bonds all seem to suffer from too much bulk and weight . I would love to have a slim flat compact double derringer in 22 Magnum ... buy one in a New York Second .
But the new Bond derringers ... as heavy as they are , I just as soon have a J-frame Air-weight in 5 shot 38 special or a Air-Lite J-frame 8 shot in 22 LR ... as a last resort , back up or wear on my belt when hunting/fishing .
If you have ever examined the High Standard Dbl Derringers they are quite compact , several law enforcement buddies carried them as back-up ... some one needs to re-do that design .
Gary

That's what I like about them. They are built like tanks, offer calibers and features not available with J-Frame, and they still have a smaller profile than J-frames. Although they can and some prefer to use these as a last resort weapon, I do not believe that's the main reason why people buy them over an aluminum frame 38, 357, or 22lr. There again lies the disconnect for why someone who only thinks in self-defense gun fight turns for all firearms can't understand why anyone else would be interested.

As for those who use them as a last ditch weapon, I reckon I see many who carry a lightweight polymer striker-fired pistol with double or almost triple the capacity make the same argument and wonder why people choose to carry heavy, lower capacity, steel frame revolvers instead.

 

[.308 Norma]

Not everyone purchases firearms for self-defense, home defense, as a carry weapon, competition shooting, and/or hunting. Some people have a hard time wrapping their brains around this fact. I've purchased guns just before they're different and and cool to me on many occasions.

Yep, I've got "firearms for self-defense, home defense, as carry weapons, competition shooting, and/or hunting," yet I still looked into getting myself a Bond Arms derringer chambered in .45/.410 a couple of years ago. The only reason I didn't buy one was because .410 ammo was, and still is hard to find in this neck of the woods.
So, about a year ago I ordered myself a stainless Ruger .44 Special Bisley instead. I'm still waiting on it. And if and when I ever get it, I'm not about to try to convince anyone that it will be the best weapon for ANY of the above activities.
After all, no one other than me is paying for it. Except my wife, of course - because we don't have a "his/her money" and "my money" type relationship. Besides, my wife has a few guns (like a Henry "American Rose" lever action .22 rifle and a Ruger "Bearcat" .22 revolver) that she bought just because she liked them.

 

[CDW4ME]

Excepting maybe snake shot a very specific use; which doesn't apply where I live - Nope.

Not specific to Bond generalize to any derringer, not for me.
As a back-up? No. A "better than nothing" LCP 380 is preferred over a two shot derringer for "back-up" or a 2nd gun.
As a primary for SD against human attackers. Heck no.

 

[Targa]

I like them for what they are to me, a bit of a unique novelty gun that is fun to shoot.

 

[Riomouse911]

Never fired one. In some of the larger calibers, I don’t think I ever would want to shoot one.

I think they look sort of cool, and come in a variety of calibers so the selection is broad, but derringers just aren’t a style of handgun I have tried out.

YMMV.

Stay safe.

 

[MikeInOr]

I thought the Bond Arms derringers looked really cool... until I saw one in person. The fit and finish were great but the thing was MASSIVE! Nothing that I would ever carry.

The Double Tap two barrel pistol always intrigued me mainly for how thin it is. I shot the 9mm version and didn't find the recoil excessive. I would want the .45 acp version though.

 

[earlthegoat2]

They are definitely different.

A simple design that is executed with quality far above what you would expect from something like that.

It is how you can’t really find a Honda Fit with all the bells and whistles you can get with a Cadillac. The Bond derringer is the gun version of a Honda Fit with luxury car features.

 

[Gork10]

Simply a fun different range toy. Doesn't need to have a defined use. How many people build a sniper type rifle with a hi power scope in 6.5 creedmoor and then never shoot past 100 yards? Or a unlimited race gun and never compete? They do it because they want to, not because they need it. That's all the reason they need. I do plan on buying a Bond arms derringer soon. And iv built a few race guns and not used them in competition, but they are fun to shoot.

 

[hoardingthemanual]

idk. i think it's for the gun owners that have everything and are now looking for something quirky. great post, good discussion.

 

[cfullgraf]

I bought a 45 Colt/.410 Bond to carry on the tractor while bush hogging the fields. I have not come up with a good way to carry it on the tractor and be able to access it quickly enough for the critters I see,

Otherwise, it is well made and the various barrel choices are nice, I have four alternate barrels for mine.

 

[Ohen Cepel]

The new Stinger is much smaller, thinner, and lighter.

 

[GEM]

Toy with possible SD usage in some circumstance but certainly not optimal. Fascinated by Paladin and Yancy Derringer shows as a kid. When one critiques them, then move to debates of folks arguing for belt based revolvers when semis are so much better as fighting guns nowadays. To each his own. Lots of silly guns out there - look at that new Taurus Judge-ish monstrosity.

 

[someguy2800]

I feel the same way. I appreciate the workmanship of them, but they just have no real appeal to me. A 2 shot darringer that weighs as much as my 9 shot 9mm pocket semi auto?

 

[Mosin77]

I thought the Bond Arms derringers looked really cool... until I saw one in person. The fit and finish were great but the thing was MASSIVE! Nothing that I would ever carry.

This is my experience exactly.

When I first read about the Bond Arms models I thought they looked sweet. One in .410 even made its way onto my exclusive list of coveted firearms…. This thing would be perfect for snake duty when out in the woods.

And then I saw one at a gun show, and all my enthusiasm went out the window. Ok, it was pretty; it had plenty of nicely machined stainless steel. Did I mention plenty, though? This thing was a beast. A behemoth. A gun so large it needed its own zip code. Or at least a specially designed leather belt holster. And for all this weight and bulk, you get two shots. Plus all the usual accuracy shortcomings that the poor sights and less-than-ideal trigger of a derringer give you. I kept my money and haven’t given them a second look since.

 

[LocoGringo]

I was given a Century 2K by a great gentleman who was divesting himself of many things after his wife died. It wasn't my preference and I would never pony up my own money, but I have been very curious how they shoot. I enjoyed giving it a "shot" with .45 Colt and learned it really is a belly gun. The trigger is very quirky and releases at an odd angle, but it is now loaded in my smaller safe in case someone wants me to take them to my safe to rob me. They'll have no idea how to shoot it, but I will. I appreciate the gift.

 

[drobs]

I'm all for owning guns that serve no purpose (defensive or otherwise) at all.

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I worked part time at a gun shop range back in the late 90's early 00's. I wasn't working that day but heard about it from my fellow employees after the fact. A guy brought in the above 2 shot 45-70 American Derringer to the range and proceeded to knock himself out cold by embedding the front sight into his forehead. I guess the recoil was a little to much for him.

This meme applies to this topic:



I own 1 derringer in 22lr. The trigger is horrible but it's kind of fun. I should probably shoot it sometime.

 

[Jeff62]

I have a SnakeSlayer 45/410. It is beautifully machined, nicely finished-not too bright not too dull, just right. The wood grips are beautiful. I like looking at it.
Shooting it with my 300 grain 45lc Ruger loads is like catching a fastball without a glove. The trigger is heavy and requires a bit of down pressure with the straight back to break. If your not concentrating hard your target looks like you have a problem with recoil anticipation. Which, after a few rounds, you probably do.

I can’t justify or explain my affection for this chunky two popper except; MERICA !!!!

 

[FL-NC]

Other than as a conversation piece, I don't see the point in such a handgun. But different strokes for different folks I guess.

 

[Pat Riot]

This meme applies to this topic:

Hahaha…that’s great! I am stealing this meme.


I only own one derringer. It is a Davis Ind. .38 Special. The d*** thing is dangerous. If you aren’t careful you can close it with the firing pin poking out against a live primer. I don’t shoot it.

I have considered a Bond Arms derringer just to have for fun. A .38 Spl or even a 9mm might be handy to have and fun to shoot.

 

[SDGlock23]

I've only ever shot one, it was a .45 ACP and the trigger was, by far, the worst trigger I've experienced in my life. It felt like I had to squeeze to the point of getting white knuckles before it shot and recoil was very stiff for .45 ACP. I'd never buy one, I'd take one but would immediately trade it in for something else, anything else.

 

[doubleh]

I see them as unique and if chatter is any indication Bond builds the best ever. Considering the price of them they should be. I have never wanted to own any of them except the High Standard 22 but other things came first when they were made.

I built one one from a CVA kit years ago strictly fr show and fancied it up a bit. It has never been fired. Comparing it with the modern ones available in today's offerings that I have fondled at the LGS it is more user friendly IMO because of ergonomics, and a better trigger. From the cheaper brands to the Bond's none stay under the glass at my LGS for very long so some do desire them