Bond Arms derringer

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The only reason I could see carrying one is as a BUG for something in the same caliber. I always figured it would help to have something already loaded while reloading a revover without clips. I don't have a Bond Arms, but I do have a derringer in the same caliber as my kinda Colt SAA clone. I always figured if they were close enough that I could shoot the derringer and if they weren't I could just continue reloading :D
 
They're definitely well made, but they certainly don't fit the current definition of tactical.

I'm not sure that the most common loading (.45/.410) is the most useful. If I were going to carry one for SD, I'd be more likely to select one of the other loadings available for it. Probably .357Mag.
 
I love my .45colt Bona Arms derringer...but I would never call it anything but a "fun gun." I would definitely never try to portray it as useful. Although I guess it could be a good snake gun since I doubt you could find another .45colt caliber gun that small...and .45colt snake loads are pretty potent. :)

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A lot of people into into cowboy action shooting use the Derringers in their dress up. And some buy them for their collections becuse they can. they are extreamly well made.
 
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My dad has a Bond derringer that he carries around the farm,at age 86 he doesn't feel the need to carry anything more.He had a Rossi 461 for a while but gave it to me because he didn't like putting it in his pocket nor would he carry it in a holster.

About a year ago he was down near the barn and came across a opossum which he made a mess of.:barf:with that derringer.I came running to see what had happened only to find him holding it by the tail.He was to say the least very proud of his kill.
 
Bond

I was looking at them myself they are like a nice swiss watch if I get any extra$$$$ I might grab me one. Since when does "need" have anything to do with it. Having a nice derringer to the collection wont hurt. You never know these folks could go out of bussiness and the value would just go up. They are a small family owned bussiness. Plus they are made right here in the USA.
 
I have one.

It's the SnakeSlayer model that shoots .45/.410(3 inch). If you shoot it enough, the .45s can almost be accurate. It will drop a feral/rabid cat with a 2.5 shell loaded with #4. That's why it's my dog-walking gun. I live rural, more problems with critters than muggers. It's easier to hit'em with a cloud of #4 than a single .22 (sometimes I carry my Firestorm FS22 ). Sometimes those critters move faster than I can aim. I also keep it in the compartment of my car door loaded up with 3 inch buck. My normal carry is IWB at 4 o'clock. So the Bond is there for car-jackers when I have to go to rough areas. Buys me time if I still need to reach for the normal. It also sits ON the nightstand for a first response if someone shows up at the bedroom door. There's something else IN the nightstand and the closet. 3 inch buck are in it then. But my 95 lb furry friend is downstairs, so I don't think that the Bond is what I'll be reaching for. Plenty of warning with him around.

When you get one brand new, the trigger is horrible. But snap caps will smooth it out. I bought those teeny normal derringer grips for it. Took those off and promptly put the original extended grips back on. Had little control of it with the smaller grips. The extended grips make it comfortable to shoot.

There's my take on my Bond Arms SnakeSlayer. It's a "niche" gun. And just to make mine more versatile, I had my gunsmith drill and tap the frame for a Clipdraw. Fits very nice in the top of my boot as a last ditch backup.
 
I have the Cowboy Defender with the following barrels:
.. 4 1/4" .45 Colt/.410
.. 3" .45 ACP
.. 3" .357 mag.

I'm 91% blind and can put all my shots (from any barrel) in a 6" circle at 7 yards consistently. The Bond Derringers are very accurate. (Pic #1)

I always carry mine in my front pocket. (very quick access) I usually carry the 45 ACP barrel loaded with Fed 230 gr LE HST JHP. A great round that expands like it's supposed to every time; even from a 3" barrel. Here's one of my test rounds: (Pic #2)

I carry it in a pocket holster I made. (Pic #3) I cut down a pair of Charter Arms rubber grips to fit it. (Much easier to hold & shoot with.) (Pic #4)

I also carry my Ruger SR9 in a leather pouch on my side in case I need more than two rounds; but the BA will be my first move. As mentioned earlier by Mark M; that should be all I'll need.

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When I carry the 45 Colt/.410 barrel; I carry one of my hand loads. Would be good for 2 or 4 legged varmints:

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When I carry the .357 mag; it's loaded with Buffalo Bore 158 grain J.H.C.
 

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I know this isn't exactly a new thread but...
KevininPa,
Would you please post a picture of how the gunsmith drilled and tapped the frame of your BA to put on a clipdraw? That sounds like an excellent idea.
Thanks
 
I'm also interested in seeing how the clip was mounted. Interesting idea.

As for this post:
My brother in law bought one for a snake gun while fishing.
His son shot it with shot at a target pinned to a section of plywood.
He was 10 feet away and had shot bounce back and hit him, without injury.
Most of the shot failed to penetrate the 3/4" plywood.
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I've yet to see anyone (even with heavy clothing) have a midsection as hard as 3/4" plywood. Even at that, try the .410 00 Buck loads; they'll penetrate the plywood and the human body...

The .410 shot loads should be reserved for snakes, dogs, or other 4 legged varmints That might attack you.

However; deadly is the Fed LE HST .45 ACP 230 grain HP and the Buffalo Bore .357 mag. 158 grain JHC. They shoot great in the Bond derringers.

See the pic of my self defense load in an earlier post. It'll work on most any attacker at 3 yards or closer.
 
I bought one a few years ago for CAS side matches. I've got barrels in .45 Colt, .44 spl, .38/.357, and .22LR. It's very well built, but definitely a niche market gun.
 
I originally bought my Bond Arms derringer for Cowboy Action Shooting and got it in .357 Magnum so I could use .38 Special loads for the derringer side matches, and for that purpose it performed splendidly. I began thinking of how well it would do as a cc back up piece and started trying it with .38 Special +P loads and then .357 Magnum loads. With the .38 +P it is easy to control, but with full house .357 Mag loads it's a hand full. Since I would only have the two shots in a SD situation I opt for the CCI 125 gn .357 Magnum Lawman rounds. It is pretty accurate at the ranges I would use it for SD; say 10 feet and under. If I'm more than 10 feet away I'll back peddle and try to get out of it, rather than get into it, if at all possible. If I do that and my opponent still closes, I'll let him come into my comfort zone before engaging. At 10 feet it prints about 4 inches left and 2 inches low, but will put them into a playing card as long as you want to shoot; which is when your hand goes numb. At 10 feet I would aim at a big guys left nipple. At 7 feet and under I would not correct at all. The Bond fits nicely in the pocket of my jeans. I made a small pocket holster that keeps it oriented vertically, with the smooth side in, the rough side out, and a couple of strips of the "hook" side of 1" Velcro on the outside. I can slide my hand into my pocket and have it out quickly. I have attached an image of my Bond Arms next to my 1911 Colt '59 Commercial that John Freeman worked up for me in '71 for scale. That They make a good pair. That 1911 is one of my best friends and those "shot 10K then stopped counting" pistols. She ain't the youngest nor prettiest girl at the dance, but she always makes sure I get to go home with her. :):)
 

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the most valuable gun for me

every tuesday night, me and my buddies have a poker night. I alternate between dressing up like james garner and kenny rogers from their gamblin movies, and i put the derringer on the poker table. its unloaded of course, but noone ever tries and bluff me!
 
had one in 9mm, thought they looked cool and just had to have it ... but it turns out they are pretty much useless for anything but a range toy ... two rounds of anything is better than nothing, but not much ... expensive ... recoil is tough, accuracy at anything beyond contact distance is hit and miss (pun intended), they weigh a ton and of course have to be recocked between shots ... As a self-defense tool, sorry, they are a joke ... traded mine in two years ago and the gun is still in the store's used case ...
 
BW-KP

"I know this isn't exactly a new thread but...
KevininPa,
Would you please post a picture of how the gunsmith drilled and tapped the frame of your BA to put on a clipdraw? That sounds like an excellent idea."

Sorry BW for not responding sooner, got caught up in getting ready for a two week travel-trailer vacation. I have no idea how to post pictures, never got into it since most of my "shooting" tools are pretty run of the mill. If you PM me your e-mail I'll take some digitals in the next day or two and send them to you. If you know how to post'em, GREAT! It is a handy innovation on them. I have an IWB holster I don't even use anymore. Guess I'll put it on E-Bay or Gunbroker or something. It does make it a great back-up that you can put almost anywhere. My smith only charged me $25 for the work. I supplied the Clipdraw. When I go into some of the rougher areas in the Valley, it fits well into the top of a pair of boots as a last ditch hideout.
 
Oops...

greyson97

You need these grips I customized on your derringer to take to the poker games...
Click to expand...

I forgot to put the pic in the last post...:(

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I have the "cowboy"

Well made little guy, but yes heavy and only a two shooter. Not what I'd call practcal, but hey its fun so who cares. I indulged myself for my birthday 2 years ago with one. I chose this because it was the first gun I purchased as an Idahoan after leaving the craziness of California. When I tried to pattern it, I used a cardboard box about the size of a sofa cushion. I was rite on top of that thing before it got a "pattern". Lol.
 
I carry mine as a backup. Here's a couple of targets at 7yds with 45 acp & 45 Long Colt. Discovered how to shoot 45 acp in the LC barrel. The outer red ring is 6 in. I can't complain for a 91% blind man.

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