Derringer Caliber

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Lokpyrite

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Howdy folks, A local gun shop has derringers in both 9mm and 38spcl. The question is, wich would be more effective given the very short barrel legnth?
 
Id say thay are about equal at ath point. Id probaly opt for the one that I already have ammo for. If you currently have weapons that chamber both Id give the nod to the 9mm as it was my go to round before switching to .357 Sig. I dont think caliber will matter much at the range you will be using the Derringer, shot placement would be a more important factor.
 
I'd go with 9, if ballistics are the primary consideration. The shorter round will result in a slightly longer effective barrel length, resulting in higher velocities, all else being equal.
 
I'd lean toward the .38SPL.....

1. Derringers usually extract via the rim...since 9mm doesn't have a rim, you'd have to poke them out with a pencil or something....

2. More ammo variety in .38SPL....from shot loads to mild wadcutters to hot .38+P+.....

3. Ammo price won't make a lot of difference....you won't shoot a derringer enough to notice the price difference....

I hope you're looking at a Bond Derringer....not many others are worth it quality-wise.....and, if you are, the .45LC/.410 shotshell models are even more fun.... :D
 
Hope you're not planning to carry it for SD; there are so many reasons not to, I'm not sure there's room here. I had a Bond Cowboy Defender in 9mm; got it because I thought it looked like fun. It was anything but ... First, you have two rounds to work with. That's great if the bad guys promise to stand still about three feet away and let you take the first shot. Uh-oh, there are three! Or you missed! Reloading is a slow process, not one I'd want to try on the run. The thing weighed a ton compared to the firepower. Cocking is heavy and slow and must be done for each shot. Recoil is heavy and with the small grip getting back on target is a slow process. It might make a good BUG or something to show off at the range, but think about the guns available with a decent capacity and low enough weight to pocket carry. I carry a PM9 every day. Seven rounds of 9mm, easy reload, recoil far more easy to control ... and if money is an issue, look at the tons of cheap .380s. Even a j-frame is a better bet ...
 
9mm would definitely be the more powerful of the two out of a derringer (assuming a barrel length substantially shorter than 2"), but without terminal ballistics data (or at least external ballistics data), I couldn't tell you which would be more effective for defensive purposes. If I had to make such an uninformed choice, erring on the conservative side it would be 9mm with solid rounds (preferably 147 grains in weight and with a flat nose if possible) to help ensure adequate penetration--maybe something like the following:

http://www.doubletapammo.com/php/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21_37&products_id=268
 
38spl is the more powerfull of the 2 which also makes it harder to shoot pain wise and harder to get back on target. Having had both I'd 9 if forced to have another derringer as bug. As mentioned they are not a good gun to carry as your only SD gun. FUN to shoot in any caliber but not really usefull.
 
1. Derringers usually extract via the rim...since 9mm doesn't have a rim, you'd have to poke them out with a pencil or something...
Click to expand...

Not quite. They do have a way around the 9mm being rimless in which extraction is similar, but one has to load the gun a certain way to begin with. In any case, it is definitely easier to go with a rimmed cartridge. I'd go for the 38 special for that reason alone.
 
As a novelty adult toy, either. I have one of the Double Eagle in .22LR. Would never carry one:
-2 shot limit
-inaccurate
-slow to reload
-difficult to shoot in hotter CF (try an old .45LC wrist smasher)
-5 shot J frame airweight better choice and not much bigger
-5 shot NAA mini smaller and cheaper to shoot.
 
I already made the choice. I went with the .38. I just keep mine loaded with 148gr. wadcutters as they are much easier on recoil and old fashioned 158 round nose in a speed strip for reloads as these reload the fastest for me. I know these are far from the most effective rounds available but if I do my part they should do theirs. Back in the Dark Ages when my department mandated non-expanding ammo I didn't stay awake nights worrying about it, I just practiced putting the rounds where they would do the most good.
 
9mm derringer

i went with a 9mm derringer,not as a real*carry*gun,but more along the idea of the ww2 *liberator*pistols.use it to re-arm yourself[in worst case scenario]with the enemys guns.9mm is a nato round an will always be available somewhere...
 
Years ago I picked up an American Derringer and opted for the 9mm over the 38 spl. The 9 mm is shorter which gives you about an extra 1/2 inch of barrel and is more powerful but not by much given the short barrel and heavier bullet weight of the 38.

Its more of a novelty item than a serious self defense gun but I certainly wouldn't feel unprotected if that was all I had to carry.
 
I had a Bond Arms, .45Colt/.410, Cowboy Defender. It had a trigger guard, and it weighed about 24 ounces.
I can carry a 5-shot, .38 special revolver, that weighs about the same, for the same$'s or maybe less money. I now carry a Ruger .357 mag SP101.

I carried the Bond once in awhile when I thought I really wouldn't need it.
I sold it to my dear Son, as a back-up to his Taurus Judge, .45 Colt/.410.
He loves them both.

Buy a little revolver...........It's a way better choice.
 
If you want one that is really effective, get one in .45-70 -- ha. Actually I did see one of these a year or so ago. Also saw the bandages on the hand of a man who fired it.

willr
 
"38spl is the more powerfull of the 2 which also makes it harder to shoot pain wise and harder to get back on target. Having had both I'd 9 if forced to have another derringer as bug. As mentioned they are not a good gun to carry as your only SD gun. FUN to shoot in any caliber but not really usefull. "

I think the 9mm is more powerful, by about 15%. But in a Derringer I would rather have the 39 Spl. Mainly for extraction reason. Most derringers I have see and had extract with rim.
 
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