Why do derringers suck so bad?

[Panhead4me]

Appraisal

I was looking for info on how much my Hurters .357 derringer is worth and I found this thread. I read about how the chrome blew off the front of the barrel on one. Interesting too is the post about how it could go off when closed if not on safe. I never fired mine yet. I don't expect it to be very accurate. But I think it would be very effective if it went off in someones eye socket. Anybody have an idea of how much it's worth?

 

[BlueOx86]

I realize this thread is dead, but it really bothered me. Let me explain what the purpose of a derringer is; the derringer was designed to be a pistol that is as small as possible while still being lethal, This means the barrel is short to minimize length, the sights are small so they will not snag on your pocket, the capacity is low to minimize width, and the caliber is large so that the limited number of rounds are actually useful (if you bought a small caliber derringer, you bought a toy). It was meant to be a lethal self-defense weapon that you can carry ALWAYS because is it so small. Also, if others don't know you're carrying it, that is a HUGE advantage. Another good point, it may only fire two rounds, but if two rounds doesn't do the job at the range a derringer is meant to be used, guess what, you're dead anyway. Now lets look at what a derringer isn't; it is not a revolver, if you want something that fires six rounds accurately at thirty yards, BUY A REVOLVER. It is also not an automatic pocket pistol, If you want to fire four or five weak rounds that may not even stop a man, BUY AN AUTOMATIC POCKET PISTOL. Know what your tools are meant for people, you wouldn't say your pocket knife sucks because it wont clear a path like a machete does, would you?

 

[Dnaltrop]

Well, Welcome to THR Anyhow Blueox86. Resurrection seems to be a tradition among new members.

 

[-eaux-]

I occasionally carry a Bond Arms .38
It is what it is, a contact distance weapon that beats the heck out of a sharp stick.

 

[Pyro]

I carry my FIE 38 Special derringer every day.
Two shots of 38 Special I can carry all day long comfortably in my pocket.
I carry a Magsafe in the first chamber followed by a Federal Hydra-shok.
(the bottom firing pin hits light, still'll set off the round but I like being reassured by having a Federal primer in front of it.)

 

[momano]

Heizer Double Tap? Has anyone any experience with them?

 

[Vern Humphrey]

the derringer was designed to be a pistol that is as small as possible while still being lethal,

The problem is, it doesn't accomplish that very well.

You can get pistols not much bigger that fire more shots and can be reloaded more rapidly.

 

[Pyro]

The problem is, it doesn't accomplish that very well.

You can get pistols not much bigger that fire more shots and can be reloaded more rapidly.

Mind supporting your claim that derringers are not very lethal.
A Buffalo Bore wadcutter went through 11 inches of my wetpack, I'd hate to have something like that shoved into my gut and fired.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Mind supporting your claim that derringers are not very lethal.
A Buffalo Bore wadcutter went through 11 inches of my wetpack, I'd hate to have something like that shoved into my gut and fired.

You wouldn't want having a Benjamim Pump air rifle shoved into your gut and fired -- but that doesn't make a Benjamim Pump an idea defense weapon.

As I said, you can get pistols not much bigger than a derringer that fire more shots and can be reloaded more rapidly.

 

[Loosedhorse]

I own a Am. Derringer Co. Model 1 in .45/.410. What I have learned:

1. No one makes rubber grips for it, which is a real pity given the recol. It is the ONLY pistol I have ever shot that has actually injured my hand in recoil.
2. With gloves on, I cannot dependably activate the trigger. In fact, between the odd, small grip, odd no-guard trigger, and must-cock-hammer-between-shots-SA, it is the most difficult pistol to use that I own.
3. Unless you remember to put the hammer at half-cock (via the "safety" plunger) while you reload, you have a chance of the gun slam-firing when you close the breech--not great for an emergency reload.

I'm sure I can come up with more, but you get the idea. Doesn't matter if you hand me a Beretta 950 or a S&W 340 or a Colt Mustang or whatever: I'd rather use that than that derringer. Maybe I'd feel differently about a DA .38 or a Bond Arms.

 

[jrdolall]

The only derringer I own is in .22 mag and I inherited that one. I have no doubt that it would kill someone very dead if stuck in their belly and fired but I don't know that I would ever carry it as my main weapon. It would probably ride well with a decent holster since it is so small for an ankle gun but I guess I dont see the point since there are so many other guns that are only slightly larger. When they were in use 150 years ago they were probably the most concealable weapon available.

 

[aaronu]

I know someone who used to carry a NAA Black Widow and sometimes a Makarov. This person recently picked up and now carries a Bond Arms .45LC/.410. It is between the BW and Mak in size; larger than I would have thought. The owner prefers versatility and higher powered rounds over ammo count and is happy with the Bond Arms.

Maybe not my choice for carry but I sure as heck wouldn't want to stand in front of it... some people are naturally good shots.

 

[KenW.]

People think they suck because they try to make it do something it wasn't designed for. They are not for shooting bullseyes at 25 yards; they are for shooting things close enough to punch with your fist.

I've had a Cobra .38 spec Derringer, and now a Davis .22 Magnum, and am in the market for a Bond Snakeslayer.

 

[jhco50]

I have one of those 2 barrel SA .38 derringers. I tried to shoot a stump-tail moccasin at almost point blank range and missed him with both shots. Luckily, he didn't like the noise and left.

 

[Dr_B]

Not all derringers are bad. Cobra derringers perform rather poorly. But I have an old High Standard 2 shot that is quite nice and makes a neat pocket gun sometimes.

Moderator Edits Italicized

 

[Teachu2]

As long as you can get the muzzle in contact with either an eye or an ear, they work pretty good. Had one in .22WMR as a deep BUG when I was a LEO. Absolutely a contact weapon.

 

[ugaarguy]

This thread should have died many times. Please start a new thread - with a THR language appropriate title - if you wish to discuss the merits of derringers.