Why all the Bond love?

PapaG said:
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.
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What can an over/under shotgun do that a pump or semi-auto can't? What can a Corvette do (legally) that a Chevy Spark can't? Why do some people like percussion guns? A 3rd Model Dragoon is worthless compared to a S&W Model 629. Why would anyone want a .22 Magnum rifle? Useless vs a .223 and ridiculously expensive ammo compared to .22 LR.
Guns appeal to people for different reasons. As I frequently tell anti-gunners; guns aren't only about shooting people.
Your basic question is "But, what can they do that a good compact revolver couldn't do (and maybe better)?" How about allowing you to compete in a cowboy action event? Just as you can't shoot trap with an AR-15. Everything has its place. Well, maybe not everything. I'm still trying to rationalize Nancy Pelosi's existence.
Now for really big question ------------
What's with so many people wanting chocolate ice cream? Why in the world would anyone want chocolate when he could have vanilla?
 
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Old_Grouch said:
What can an over/under shotgun do that a pump or semi-auto can't? What can a Corvette do (legally) that a Chevy Spark can't? Why do some people like percussion guns? A 3rd Model Dragoon is worthless compared to a S&W Model 629. Why would anyone want a .22 Magnum rifle? Useless vs a .223 and ridiculously expensive ammo compared to .22 LR.
Guns appeal to people for different reasons. As I frequently tell anti-gunners; guns aren't only about shooting people.
Your basic question is "But, what can they do that a good compact revolver couldn't do (and maybe better)?" How about allowing you to compete in a cowboy action event? Just as you can't shoot trap with an AR-15. Everything has its place. Well, maybe not everything. I'm still trying to rationalize Nancy Pelosi's existence.
Now for really big question ------------
What's with so many people wanting chocolate ice cream? Why in the world would anyone want chocolate when he could have vanilla?
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I understand your point, different strokes and all that.

But can you elaborate on what, specifically, a Bond arms is really good for?

My philosophy is that most all guns are ideal, truly optimal, for at least one specific use-case. Some are more versatile and may be good for several, or even many, different things, and some are ideal for only one very specific scenario. I still haven’t figured out the Bond Arms but I’m very open to being educated on the subject.
 
Here is my Bond collection. I bought the 4" 45 Colt/.410 barrel originally for a tractor gun to try and dispatch rats and other varmints while bush hogging.

I have not figured a good way of carrying the gun while on the tractor that gives me quick access to the gun dispatching critters.

.410-2-1/2 are not objectionable to shoot with the derringer. The trigger needs to be improved a bit.

I've mostly dabbled with shot loads in other cartridges.

I'm considering a new Bond Arms in 22LR or 22 WMR for grins and giggles.

Top gun is a 6" 45 Colt/.410 barrel.
Second row is a 4": 45 Colt/.410 barrel.
Third row is a 327 Fed mag and a 44 Special barrel.
Bottom row is a 38 Special/357 Mag barrel.
 

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I to wonder what the draw is but to each his own. I personally wont own one...
 
Would it be possible for Bond/anyone to make a modern iteration of the old Remington? We had this conversation about Smith pencil barrels, from the days guns were made lighter by machining away everything that wasn't absolutely necessary.
As a PP noted, the Bonds are beautiful, but absolute tanks...why not a serious weightwatchers program, and keep the caliber reasonable, say, .38 Special? It could be a viable defense gun, whittled down to a reasonable size/weight. Maybe do some rethink on the safety; there has to be something better than the crossbolt.
Thinking out loud,
Moon
 
cfullgraf said:
Here is my Bond collection. I bought the 4" 45 Colt/.410 barrel originally for a tractor gun to try and dispatch rats and other varmints while bush hogging.

I have not figured a good way of carrying the gun while on the tractor that gives me quick access to the gun dispatching critters.

.410-2-1/2 are not objectionable to shoot with the derringer. The trigger needs to be improved a bit.

I've mostly dabbled with shot loads in other cartridges.

I'm considering a new Bond Arms in 22LR or 22 WMR for grins and giggles.

Top gun is a 6" 45 Colt/.410 barrel.
Second row is a 4": 45 Colt/.410 barrel.
Third row is a 327 Fed mag and a 44 Special barrel.
Bottom row is a 38 Special/357 Mag barrel.
Click to expand...

Have you tried a belt holster? Just saying... That's how I carry handguns.

I would imagine that the Bond Arms Derringer has a better trigger than the other modern-ish Derringers have.

A few years ago - call it 15... you could buy a German Flare Gun from Sportsman's Guide for $60 (or less). You could also buy a barrel that you inserted into the flare gun in 22LR or 410 / 45 Colt. I watched a bunch of videos on it and bought one.

I finally tried some 410 and 45 colt out of it. Along with being completely inaccurate it was not pleasant to shoot. It was basically a big single shot Derringer. I quickly sold it for more than I bought it for.

Derringers are a part of American history. Just like Single Action Army Revolvers, Cap & Ball Revolvers, and Lever Actions. They hearken back to all those Cowboy Movies we like to watch. Modern representations of these firearms are far more affordable than the originals and can be fun to shoot.
 
halfmoonclip said:
from the days guns were made lighter by machining away everything that wasn't absolutely necessary........................................why not a serious weightwatchers program, and keep the caliber reasonable, say, .38 Special?
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That would be wonderful. I've even got an idea for a name for it. They could call it a "Stinger". What would be really great is if they made two versions; one with a steel frame and one with an aluminum frame. :D
 
The cool factor sells a lot of things.

I bought one used at a pawn shop just to have one. A century 2000 with the old style trigger and 45 Colt / 3 inch 410 barrel. Firing it causes the cross bolt safety to go on-safe as the muzzle flip drives the safety into my thumb (being left-handed). I locked it in the on-fire position after that.

It weighs almost as much as my SP-101 snub. I thought this could be a good snake gun with birdshot but I would MUCH rather use my poly judge, and have done numerous times.

The Bond is almost as cool as the PPK.
 
Old_Grouch said:
That would be wonderful. I've even got an idea for a name for it. They could call it a "Stinger". What would be really great is if they made two versions; one with a steel frame and one with an aluminum frame.
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Sorry, aware of those, not what I had in mind; still pretty klonky, still has the crossbolt safety, and, I'm guessing, built on the same bore centers as their larger pistols. The 9mm version is a bad idea. Have a look at an old Remington, and get back to me. ;)
Moon
 
drobs said:
Have you tried a belt holster? Just saying... That's how I carry handguns.
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Actually, trying to hit a small critter such as a rat or a vole from a tractor is a forlorn hope even with a .410 shot shell. By the time the gun is brought into action the critter has disappeared in the grass.

Thanks for the suggestion and I do have a belt holster for the shorter 45 Colt/.410 barrel.
 
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In my opinion, a Bond with a 45 Colt/.410 barrel would be a good snake kit gun while camping or fishing. For short range shots at critters that do not move quickly, the .410 Bond would work well.

I’ve peppered many soda cans with mine and at 6-8 ft distances, the patterns are good.

I’ve dabbled some with home brewed 327 Fed Mag shot shells and the lack of pellets in the load affected its effectiveness.

With my 38 Spl/357 Mag barrel I have not tried any of the Speer shot capsules. They would have more shot than the 32’s.
 
cfullgraf said:
I’ve peppered many soda cans with mine and at 6-8 ft distances, the patterns are good.
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Which one do you have, cfullgraf? How long are the barrels?
Now that a few .410 shotgun shells are starting to show up on dealers' shelves around here again, my interest in a Bond Arms derringer has been renewed. :)
 
Something else I just considered. On our hobby horse farm, we get visits from raccoons and opossums eating our outdoor cat’s food ( she earns her keep at mouse control).

Raccoons are just plain nasty, opossums carry diseases harmful to our horses. I’ve been using a shotgun but the Bond Arms would be handier.

(The only good opossum is NO-ppusum:).)

The shots are close range, 6-10 feet. I just need to get some .410 shells with shot larger than #9. (I used to shoot lots of skeet, hence the .410-2-1/2-#9 loads).
 
.308 Norma said:
Which one do you have, cfullgraf? How long are the barrels?
Now that a few .410 shotgun shells are starting to show up on dealers' shelves around here again, my interest in a Bond Arms derringer has been renewed. :)
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I have a 4” and a 6” barrel for my Bond. I’ve done more shooting through the 4” barrel as I bought a 4” Snake Slayer to begin with.

The 4” is handier but the 6” may pattern better.
 
I spent several years picking up and handling the different Bond Arms Derringers. I just couldn't justify the cost.

Then came the Rowdy! At around $300 I was ready to give the Rowdy a try!
It is kind of a novelty, but does fit two roles Snake medicine and carjacking defense.
I like Jeff Quinn's (rest his soul) take on the Rough series of Bond Arms.
youtu.be

Shooting Bond Arms' NEW "Roughneck" and "Rowdy" 2-Shot Derringer Pistols - Gunblast.com

Video Exclusive!Jeff Quinn ( http://www.gunblast.com ) checks out the new "Roughneck" and "Rowdy" 2-Shot Derringer pistols from Bond Arms.Bond Arms: https://...
youtu.be youtu.be

I will probably add a different barrel or two for my Rowdy someday.
20230926_132704.jpg
 
WisBorn said:
I spent several years picking up and handling the different Bond Arms Derringers. I just couldn't justify the cost.

Then came the Rowdy! At around $300 I was ready to give the Rowdy a try!
It is kind of a novelty, but does fit two roles Snake medicine and carjacking defense.
I like Jeff Quinn's (rest his soul) take on the Rough series of Bond Arms.
youtu.be

Shooting Bond Arms' NEW "Roughneck" and "Rowdy" 2-Shot Derringer Pistols - Gunblast.com

Video Exclusive!Jeff Quinn ( http://www.gunblast.com ) checks out the new "Roughneck" and "Rowdy" 2-Shot Derringer pistols from Bond Arms.Bond Arms: https://...
youtu.be youtu.be

I will probably add a different barrel or two for my Rowdy someday.
Click to expand...
Damnit!
I was 100% convinced even I did not want one of these Bond Deringers . . .
Then I watched Jeff Quinn's video.
Now I need one cuz I don't have one (yet).
 
The only derringer I've ever owned was in a belt buckle and had Mattel stamped on the side. And even then I didn't care much for it. You were supposed to be able to thrust out your gut and the thing would pop out and fire. Mine always fell on the floor. :what: It was COOL though. I just kept my gut sucked in. I never had any desire for a derringer after that.

On the other hand, I've got both a Smith and Wesson Model 29 (44 mag) and a Model 57 (41 Mag). Neither has ever seen a round of magnum ammo, or a range longer than 15 yards. I shoot nothing but reduced power handloads. So why have a couple of big, heavy, boomers that I don't "use" for what they're made for? Because I want to. I just like the guns. They're fun, and they're COOL.

Being "COOL" is very important. Even if no one else knows you're cool. :):rofl:
 
WisBorn said:
I spent several years picking up and handling the different Bond Arms Derringers. I just couldn't justify the cost.

Then came the Rowdy! At around $300 I was ready to give the Rowdy a try!
It is kind of a novelty, but does fit two roles Snake medicine and carjacking defense.
I like Jeff Quinn's (rest his soul) take on the Rough series of Bond Arms.
youtu.be

Shooting Bond Arms' NEW "Roughneck" and "Rowdy" 2-Shot Derringer Pistols - Gunblast.com

Video Exclusive!Jeff Quinn ( http://www.gunblast.com ) checks out the new "Roughneck" and "Rowdy" 2-Shot Derringer pistols from Bond Arms.Bond Arms: https://...
youtu.be youtu.be

I will probably add a different barrel or two for my Rowdy someday.
View attachment 1173263
Click to expand...

Carjacking! That reminds me, I'm pretty sure Bond Arms advertised in the monthly Dillon Precision Blue Press catalog.

Bond Arms.JPG
 
I don’t own one, but always have wanted one. I have a strong preference for pocket carry over any other form of holster carry - even if it is heavy in the pocket. I haven’t bought one only because it has such a specialized use, but having a small .45, .44, or .357 caliber available is appealing to me. The size, chamberings, cost, quality, and the history of the design all sing out to me.
 
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