Help me. I want a derringer.

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One for sale .....

Just looked through the Garner auction website and saw they have an Am Der. coming up for auction on 11/9. Caliber i believe is 45LC/ .410. Short barrel as well. Prob a model 4. I have several and somewhat like them, but.......as previously noted, inaccurate and stiff trigger. FWIW. Get one used if you can. Prices have almost tripled since my first one !! :D
 
I was just like the OP ... loved the look and thought it would be cool to have one ... so I bought a Bond Cowboy Defender in 9mm, thinking it would just slip into a pocket and ... boy, was I wrong ...

If you just want it because you like the looks, get one. But for SD .. forget it. Why?

1. They weigh a ton, at least for something that only carries two shots.
2. The hammer is hard to cock, especially, I would guess, under the stress of trying to shoot a BG. And you have to cock it twice. And there's that little push on-off safety ... not easy to operate under stress.
3. Reloading is not fast, even after practicing (I did, a lot, with snapcaps).
4. Accuracy, at least in my hands, is pathetic. Because of the grip shape, it's hard to retain the same position. Fire and try to get back on target; it's hard because you have to get your hand back to the perfect grip. At SD distances, I'm sure it would be effective. But at 7 yards, I rarely knew where the bullet was going. Maybe that's just me ... but I'm a pretty good shot with every other gun I own.
5. Two rounds isn't nearly enough. For the weight, get something with 6+ rounds -- a revolver, LCP, PM9 ... do NOT bet your life on it.
6. Recoil, even with 9mm, is a bear.

IMHO, expensive toys. In an emergency, of course, any port in a storm. But to deliberately carry it for SD; you need a brain scan pronto ... something's wrong upstairs.
 
I've always wanted to buy something from Elizabeth Saunders for roughly the same reasons I've wanted to buy something from Ronnie Barrett. They both distinguished themselves during the dark times.

Still haven't bought either a derringer or a .50BMG but the choice is already made should I ever do so.
 
Several years ago I too got bit by the derringer "bug" and purchased a NIB American Derringer in 38/357. Recoil in 38 was tolerable but the recoil from 357 was simply fierce. Accuracy at any distance was non existent and so I opted to sell it. As it was a really well built and beautiful weapon I wish that I had it back as a collector's item. But, I would never, never, never choose to carry one as a serious concealed carry, self defense gun. FWIW!
 
Maybe there was a reason to carry a derringer before they invented the light weight J frames but that has changed now. The Airlites or 11 oz, five shot SW J frames ( +P or .357) have it all over the much heavier 2 shot derringers.
Then again we all make mistakes sometimes ( like buying a derringer).
 
Derringers are awesome.

I have one of those cheap Cobra's in .32 H&R magnum.

People here rip on them all the time, calling them pot metal junk and a lousy piece to carry.

Nothing fits in the pocket better, and for all the crap they talk about derringers, I really doubt any of them would want to be shot by one.

Just get one. They are a blast. If you are gonna carry it, get some snap caps and practice your deployment.

Best advice I can give. I love derringers.
 
Maybe you want an old Remington Derringer. Sometimes you can find that reproduction 41 rimfire ammo to shoot in them. But it is expensive, no matter as you probably would get tired of shooting it like they said, so have some left over. But the Remington is a collectable and unlike the others will keep or appreciate in value. Just be sure to get one without cracked pivot loops on it. So you could still take it out and admire it after you have test fired it once. It has a historical interest beyond the others. I had one once and the ammo too but sold it off. Never thought of getting another derringer. Certainly not for serious purposes. So just for the fun of shooting might as well get one in 22 cal or something small like that as you are not gonna CCW it if you have much sense.
 
I carry a High Standard 2 shot derringer in 22 mag as a backup. Small and you don't even know you have, Have to pull the trigger with my middle finger. Good luck in you choices.
 
I have a Bond Arms in 45/410 and love it. While a large gun by some standards, it conceals well and even if it prints, when in the holster I made for it, it looks like a cell phone or box of Altoids, not a gun. When a revolver prints, everyone can see that it is a gun. Even the Bersa 380 I used to own didn't conceal as well as the Bond does.

As for performance, it shoots as well as you can ask. Mine is a Texas Defender. The Trigger guard helps with the controlability. It is quite manageable with the right load. Some people have used "Ruger Only" type loads in it and then complain about the recoil. Of course the Bond is not Ruger rated and will be damaged over the long term.

As an added Bonus, you can buy interchangeable barrels for it. So if you don't like the 45 colt, you can get a 38 Special.
 
Re: Derringer

It may be taboo to resurrect old threads but after reading the comments about Derringers I had to chime in. I have a Davis .38 with brushed satin finish and wood grips holstered in a MJ Keenan holster with metal clip that goes everywhere I do. I did a trigger job and now the trigger is a crisp 4-5 lbs. IMO it is perfectly acceptable for keeping someone from stealing your car while your in it or from trying to take your wallet. They are the ultimate in easy comfortable concealment and can pack as much power as you dare to unleash. It is no slower for me to shoot than any single action revolver. So what gives?? Why the bashing? When it's 95 degrees outside and I have on only a pair of shorts, t-shirt and flip flops my derringer is what I reach for. Recoil was also mentioned.. I shoot the .38 with +P ammo comfortably and have shot the .45lc which is not a displeasure to me for a dozen rounds or so. So what gives? why so many haters? Of course it's not a first choice self defense gun...but that wasn't the question...was it???
Derringer003.jpg
 
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