Is there a good derringer on the market?
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12GaugeShuggoth
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I don't know about "best", but my father has a Bond Arms derringer, I believe it's this particular model:
http://bondarms.com/bond-arms-guns/century-2000
It does everything it's supposed to correctly, but practical it is not. Fun though..............absolutely.
I honestly can't imagine carrying it for self defense though, if I had almost anything else available. The hammer pull is very stiff, and then the trigger pull is pretty stiff as well. It's not something that can be quickly and effectively deployed IMO, unless a large amount of time was devoted to training exclusively with it.
I did see him shoot both barrels with 3" bird shot at a copperhead that was hiding in our wood pile..........I don't think a single pellet found it's target. I pulled out my Taurus 85UL and put a 158gr. semi-wadcutter through its' head. Like I said, it's definitely fun, but it isn't practical for much.
http://bondarms.com/bond-arms-guns/century-2000
It does everything it's supposed to correctly, but practical it is not. Fun though..............absolutely.
I honestly can't imagine carrying it for self defense though, if I had almost anything else available. The hammer pull is very stiff, and then the trigger pull is pretty stiff as well. It's not something that can be quickly and effectively deployed IMO, unless a large amount of time was devoted to training exclusively with it. I did see him shoot both barrels with 3" bird shot at a copperhead that was hiding in our wood pile..........I don't think a single pellet found it's target. I pulled out my Taurus 85UL and put a 158gr. semi-wadcutter through its' head. Like I said, it's definitely fun, but it isn't practical for much.
Dfariswheel
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That pretty well covers it.
The Cadillac is the Bond Arms, with very high quality.
However, the derringer has been overtaken by todays micro automatics and revolvers.
You can buy a micro automatic in 9mm or .40 caliber or a .38 or .357 revolver that's smaller and lighter then a derringer, holds more rounds, and is FAR faster and easier to use.
The Cadillac is the Bond Arms, with very high quality.
However, the derringer has been overtaken by todays micro automatics and revolvers.
You can buy a micro automatic in 9mm or .40 caliber or a .38 or .357 revolver that's smaller and lighter then a derringer, holds more rounds, and is FAR faster and easier to use.
Bond and American Derringer are the ones I would recommend for quality. As far as being useful they are heavy, only two shots and hard to shoot accurately. The ones I had did not shoot to the same point of aim with both barrels and the small grip made them uncomfortable to shoot. A snub or small auto is much more piratical. But if you want one for fun then the two brands above are the ones I would look at. 
Master Blaster 2
Moderator
High Standard only made plated and blued derringers in 22LR and 22 Mag
American Derringer made a stainless DA38 in 9MM, 40, and 38/357.
American Derringer made a stainless DA38 in 9MM, 40, and 38/357.
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my Favorite one is the NAA mini revolvers. They are so small that you could CC them in a speedo.
IF you want more power I would recommend a pocket automatic or revolver some thing like 9mm or 40 or 38 special/357 magnum. They are about the same size as a derringer and they hold more rounds and are easier to shoot.
In my opinion any thing bigger than one of those NAA minis revolvers and you may as well go with a pocket gun as mentioned above.
IF you want more power I would recommend a pocket automatic or revolver some thing like 9mm or 40 or 38 special/357 magnum. They are about the same size as a derringer and they hold more rounds and are easier to shoot.
In my opinion any thing bigger than one of those NAA minis revolvers and you may as well go with a pocket gun as mentioned above.
Bond Century 2000
Caliber:9mm (also 40S&W,10mm and .45 ACP)
Barrel: 3.5in
Length: 5.5in
Weight: 21 oz.
Capacity:2
Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:2.9in
Length:5.2in
Height:3.7in
Weight:13.5oz
Capacity:6+1 Rounds
In this case you actually have a semi-auto that is about 1/4" shorter and 7.5 oz lighter than a "derringer" and it holds 5 more rounds of ammo.
Caliber:9mm (also 40S&W,10mm and .45 ACP)
Barrel: 3.5in
Length: 5.5in
Weight: 21 oz.
Capacity:2
Rohrbaugh R9
Caliber:9mm
Barrel:2.9in
Length:5.2in
Height:3.7in
Weight:13.5oz
Capacity:6+1 Rounds
In this case you actually have a semi-auto that is about 1/4" shorter and 7.5 oz lighter than a "derringer" and it holds 5 more rounds of ammo.
Thanks for everyone's help. The Bond Century 2000 is certainly a nice looking gun and I like the trigger guard. I think that's what I'm looking for and I can get it in the same calibre as my SA Colt. I usually just fire .38 specials instead of .357 and I'm thinking that would be the way to go with that small a gun, too.
I should probably add that I have a couple of other small guns, including a PPK and a J Frame, but I just kind of like the look of a derringer.
I should probably add that I have a couple of other small guns, including a PPK and a J Frame, but I just kind of like the look of a derringer.
I'm probably wrong. I didn't find anything but the .22s in a search when I first posted.
Last High Standard catalog I saw was from the 70s. They were promoting duty revolvers in .357, and had backup derringers in the catalog. Back then, it wouldn't be that hard to have sold .22 magnum backup guns, they even thought that the .32 was high tech at that time. .22 magnum was probably acceptable.
That design doesn't look like I'd trust anything with more power than a .22 magnum or maybe 32 s&w in it.
Glenn E. Meyer
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http://evylrobot.com/?p=1453
About serious derringer use for SD. Not positive.
That's different from having one for fun. Yes, they might work. I know a story of a shotgun wielding crook who was scared away when two old coots shot him in the belly with a 22 mag derringer and a 22 mag NAA.
I want a 4 barrel sharps in 32 HR mag - please make one somebody. Just because.
About serious derringer use for SD. Not positive.
That's different from having one for fun. Yes, they might work. I know a story of a shotgun wielding crook who was scared away when two old coots shot him in the belly with a 22 mag derringer and a 22 mag NAA.
I want a 4 barrel sharps in 32 HR mag - please make one somebody. Just because.
12GaugeShuggoth
New member
Well apparently I was wrong, he actually has the Texas Defender model, not the Century 2000; 1/2" shorter barrel and no 3" shells. It doesn't have the Texas star grips like they show on the website though. He's had it for at least 5 or 6 years. Here's a comparison with my LCP:
As you can see, pretty close, though the Bond is definitely on the chunky side width-wise. Unlike the Rohrbaugh R9 referenced earlier, the LCP can actually be had for cheaper than the Bond. That said, the Bond is easily the higher quality firearm and is definitely more fun. The LCP is what it is, and nothing more. I've always liked derringers just for the
factor.
As you can see, pretty close, though the Bond is definitely on the chunky side width-wise. Unlike the Rohrbaugh R9 referenced earlier, the LCP can actually be had for cheaper than the Bond. That said, the Bond is easily the higher quality firearm and is definitely more fun. The LCP is what it is, and nothing more. I've always liked derringers just for the
factor.Derringer vs. micro-auto. The auto may make more sense for some, but there's just something about having a double barrel shotgun in your pocket with the Bond in 410.
I wouldn't pick it first for self defense. But I have and will continue to take one on my ATV trips in the desert.
I wouldn't pick it first for self defense. But I have and will continue to take one on my ATV trips in the desert.
Master Blaster 2
Moderator
The Cop, Semmerling and Downsizer are other Derringers out there. However not cheap. Up there above ther price of the Rohrbaugh pistol. The illusive Heizer 45 has been coming out for the last 2 years.
The Best new Derringer is a Bond Arms. They sell barrels in different calipers too. But it is heavy.
The Best new Derringer is a Bond Arms. They sell barrels in different calipers too. But it is heavy.
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It makes you wonder if there were ever any good derringers. Yet they were manufactured for a long, long time, both one and two shot varieties. All were on the weak side but I suppose they had their devotees. At the same time you could also get small revolvers and small automatics showed up on the market arount 1900 as well. But you can still buy a derringer.
I think there's a place for them, although not in .45/.410 chamberings, much less .357. A derringer is clearly a last resort hideout gun. Sure, it takes a little practice and forethought and it is something for across-the-table shooting distances, same as a .25 auto. And unlike all those .45 Government Models you only think you're concealing, you really can hide a derringer--or a .25 auto.
Not that I have one.
I think there's a place for them, although not in .45/.410 chamberings, much less .357. A derringer is clearly a last resort hideout gun. Sure, it takes a little practice and forethought and it is something for across-the-table shooting distances, same as a .25 auto. And unlike all those .45 Government Models you only think you're concealing, you really can hide a derringer--or a .25 auto.
Not that I have one.
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