Bond Arms Derringers - Snake Slayer VS Ranger

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usmcxd

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HELP PLEASE!!!

I've looked around and I've not seen much listed recently on the Bond Arms "Derringers" as it relates to the opinions of their construction, experience with durability, recoil, practicality, different barrels, etc.

I've seen the Snake Slayer 3.5", the Snake Slayer 4.25", as well as the Ranger 4.25". I've noted these because of their "Extended Grips" which really make a difference when considering the size of my hands.

Here are a few questions that I have for those of you who can reflect and respond: (When responding, please provide which BA revolver you own)

1.) What is the recoil like between the 3.5" and the 4.25" barrels? Is it really measurable?

2.) What is the overall rating and thoughts on the 45 Colt / 410 barrel? What is the maximum effective distance that you've been able to note thus far with the 410 round (and which 410 shot were you using)? How did the 45 Colt round handle?

3.) Trigger guard make a big difference? I know it is mainly a personal preference, but just curious what most are preferring out there.

4.) What type of holster carry options are you using with your Bond Arms Derringer of choice? IWB, OWB, Driving Concealed Holster style,etc.?

5.) Carry extra shells / rounds with you? If so, how do you carry them (speed strips, loose, belt strip, holster with extra round loops, etc.)?

6.) Overall rating of Bond Arms service and response times on any issues that you may have had with your BA revolver?

7.) Feel free to share any other thoughts, observations, issues, or complaints that you have on these interesting little pocket canons.

Thank you for your time and consideration in sharing here.
 
i recently got to shoot the snake slayer 4.25" with federal handgun 410, and black hills .45lc.

the trigger SUCKS, its very hard(577,653,457 lbs) and pulls upwards as well.

the sights were way off(elevation), you had to put the bottom of the sight on the target in order to keep the shots out of the dirt.

the 410 was much more stout than the hot black hills ammo, out of 20 shots 43 of them punched thru the target sideways(ranges from 5'-50'). so "defensive" ammo is pointless when using .45lc in this gun.

the 410 was the federal handgun stuff(3", 5pellet, 000buck). the stuff has quite a kick.

the spread was decent to 30', but past that you would be lucky to get more than half of the pellets in the silhouette.
also past 10' there was always 1 flyer, the further the range the further the flyer flew.

over all the gun seemed solid and well built, but had a horrible trigger, and accuracy/pattern past touching distance is nil.
 
TROY - Thanks for stopping by. I do realize it is not a long range shooting revolver, and from what I've read and watched on the Youtube videos, these critters seem to be just what the doctor ordered. However, I have yet to shoot one, which that would be the ideal scenario "prior" purchasing one. :cool:
 
I have found the best way to shoot this snake slayer is to point squeeze the trigger holding it and then fan the hammer. Work best for me using 3" 410 000 Buck Winchester.
 
Just curious, for what purpose do you intend to use the gun?

Troy's description is spot on, but I have a few other observations. I found the recoil of the .410 with slugs to be rather stiff - not pleasant. I had better luck with accuracy than Troy out to 25 yards, but aimed by indexing along he length of the gun rather than actually using the front sight. I found the gun to be bulky and heavy, especially considering it only carries two shots. Reloads are slow. Since you asked about carrying extra shells, then I assume that you might have a need for them. As such, it is important to note that reloading is so slow.
 
As you invited 'other comments' in your item #7, I'll offer the following.

If I were interested in firing .410 shotshells or .45 LC out of a handgun for any purpose, I would examine a Taurus Judge before a Bond Arms derringer.

The 'weight to firepower' (and reloadability) ratio simply makes the former more 'combat efficient' than the latter.

Just MHO. YMMV.

Best,

Doc
 
I'll mostly agree with what others have said - the Bond Derringers are kinda cool looking, weigh a ton, and by the time we were done shooting them as part of the "real world" guns for the BBTI tests my hands were pulp - both from the way the recoil goes back into the hand and from squeezing the danged trigger. (I'm a bookbinder - I work with my hands constantly, and they're strong. Yet I actually had difficulty squeezing the trigger enough to get the things to fire towards the end.)

All that said - I still own mine in .45/410. But I don't think I'd ever consider actually carrying it.

Jim D.
 
usmcxd;

What are you using it for? Snakes on the farm, or trail? Carry gun? Fun gun?

I've handled them in the past and had to pass on them. It had nothing to do with quality, but I just had such a hard time cocking the gun I'd be dead meat before I got a shot off.

The price wasn't attractive either, for a bulky, 2 shot gun.
 
I carry the BA Texas Defender in .357. It kicks but it is not painfull, and I can hit 2 body shots at 25 yards every time. It is a little heavy for its size but is much more comfortable in my front pocket than my J frame. The trigger pull is something that does not bother me. I would recommend a Bond but I don't own the longer barrel (Snake Slayer or Ranger) to comment. I will say that I have 20 handguns and that .357 spends a lot of time in my front pocket. Also look at the driving holster, their leather for all of their holsters are top shelf.
 
RANGE REPORT ON Snake Slayer 4

Well folks, I have spent some time at the range with my recently acquired Bond Arms Snake Slayer 4 and it was an enjoyable experience. I have the .45 Long Colt / 410 shotgun combination barrel version and it is totally manageable.

It was nothing like I had heard "some" people state and I am glad to have it among my firearm family. When you have the opportunity, you ought to check these little pocket canons out, but be on notice now, you just may get addicted to it.

A great, well made firearm. Love it~
 
Bond Arms Texas Defender........

I had it for several years , in .45 Colt/.410. I'd drop it in a back pocket & I was good to go.
My younger Son got a Taurus Judge and he loved it. I let him talk me out of my Texas Defender. I'll get another one, one of these days.
AISI, There is no other derringer that compares to Bond Arms.
 
I had a Bond Texas Defender in 9mm ... hated it, unloaded it in a trade at my local dealer almost two years ago and it's still in his "used" case.

The gun itself is very well-made, quality is obvious. But sooo many issues ...

Very heavy hammer when cocking, very heavy trigger when firing. Recoil, even with the 9mm, is very sharp and painful. They're expensive. The thing weighs a ton, given that it only offers two shots, with a heavy recock in between. Useless for SD, IMHO, unless you can stand next to the target and stuff the gun in his gut. At 7 yards, hitting the target was never a sure thing.

If you're looking for a toy that gets a lot of attention at the range, I'd get one. If you're looking for a tool for SD, look elsewhere. For the price, you can get a nice .380 and actually have a useful weapon.

wow .. I feel so much better now ...
 
RANGE REPORT on Snake Slayer 4

I finally made it to the range to get some "Bonding" time with the Snake Slayer 4 and, well... WOW. :D

It is an awesome rig; and I love it. It was not bad on recoil at all, compared to what I thought it would be, and the .45LC and the .410 shotgun shells seem to be rather consistent on accuracy and recoil. I was doing pretty well with it up to 10 yards.

NOTE: All I know is, if I were the BG, I would not want to be looking in the direction of this double barrel shotgun.

Listen, if you've not shot one of these, I would suggest you don't unless you have some money to go and acquire one.

I must say, VERY INTERESTING and I am glad to have it my firearm family.

Happy Shooting everyone~
:cool:
 
usmcxd You must have missed the part of most post where folks have shot them and don't like them. I, like most will stay with a lighter gun that offers more rounds for defence or you could have bought the newest judge ultra lite and had more of what you wanted for the same kind of wieght but width more rounds. To each there own choice,have fun i guess.
 
HARDLUK1 - Actually, I've read many reviews on these little guys and I've noted scores of people who have them that absolutely love them. Just to bring some obvious needed clarity here. The Snake Slayer is not my primary CC choice; I pocket pack a Ruger LCP, which I absolutely love and it is so CC friendly. I will buy the LCR soon as well, as I have read and heard a lot of good feedback on that one as well.

As far as the JUDGE is concerned!?! I had one, but...just too big and bulky to be able to take with me PC, IWB or AC. Not too sure about the Taurus Judge Ultra Light that is about to hit the streets - I just haven't been a huge fan. I am sure it is a fun gun to shoot for sure.

In closing, just a couple more thoughts.

1.) If i were the BG, I would hate to be staring down the double barrel of one of these Bond Arms Derringers (Snake Slayer 4). :eek:

2.) If I can't take care of my business with two (2) trigger pulls, I am probably in the wrong place anyways. :confused:

3.) My admitted problem is, I like'm all and want'em all, but can't afford them all. :(

Thanks for stopping by.

Enjoy your weekend~
:cool:
 
I had a 45/410 bond given to me some time back, not sure of the model as i did not keep it long. Compaired to almost any other gun they are slower to get to and get cocked and ready to shoot. that my biggest problem with them. If american would produce a DA version at a cost thats afordable i would have one of theres but not a SA from anyone. I can pull either of my carry guns and empty before a bond can be cleard and cocked . Hard to do with one hand also ,,atleast not safe. I also don't like the judge line but the newest ultra lite is close to empty wieght of a 410 bond but does cost more. To each there own, right.
 
Bond Arms Snake Slayer 4.25", hard trigger pull

I recently fired my new (out of the box) Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV (4.25" barrel). This firearm was puchased for external carry "snake protection", while working in a rural area. It is easier to carry than my Tarus Judge.

Accuracy at 15 meters was acceptable, all shots scored hits on the millpark target.

Recoil was acceptable.

Trigger pull is extremely difficult.
Is this normal for Snake Slayer IV ??
How can the hard trigger pull be corrected ??
 
Trigger pull is by their design, to which they would not agree is a problem. :D

I love mine; it is a great addition to our firearm family.

ENJOY!!!
;)
 
I sold a Taurus Judge Magnum (3" chambers) to buy a Bond Arms Snake Slayer. The sight groove on the Judge angled to the right toward the muzzle end of the weapon and the fiber optic sight was quite dim in good light. I wrote three letters to the Taurus USA and never got a response. If you buy one, look it over real carefully before you take delivery.

I couldn't figure out how to use the Judge. It's such a long weapon that it's essentially impossible to conceal, accuracy with .45 Colt ammunition is iffy compared to my Ruger Super Redhawk Alaskan, and effectiveness with .410 buckshot rounds is questionable in anything but ideal conditions. I like the versitility, but Judge is just too big a weapon to conceal.

So I traded it for the Bond Army Snake Slayer (3.5" barrel). The Bond can be concealed and is an ideal backup weapon. Not a primary weapon, make no mistake, but a very good option for a backup.
 
usmcxd

WTS: LNIB Bond Arms Snake Slayer 4 Derringer (FL)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I am selling my Bond Arms "Snake Slayer 4" Derringer, which is truly Like Brand New, which will come in its original box, paperwork, booklet, trigger guard removal tool, etc. There has only been approximately 20 shots down the pipe, which is not even noticeable. If you are looking for a Derringer to add to your firearm family, then you will not want to look any further. Bond Arms, in my honest opinion, has the masterpiece of all derringers and this one is simply awesome.
Click to expand...

What?!:D
 
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