Need opinions on the American Derringer M1 (.45/.410)

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Im a 'Pistol'

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Always wanted a Derringer (for pocket carry while in walking shorts and a T shirt).

Do you have a AMERICAN Derringer and....

1. What do you like and dont like about it ?
2. How is the recoil on the M1 ?
3. How accurate is it from 10' ?
4. Best place to buy one ?

Thanks for your time.
 
Meh.

Get the M-4 Alaskan in .45-70 gov instead.

Firing that will put some hair on your chest, and getting hit by it.... Well lets just say you won't have a chest to worry about having hair on or not.
 
I had one for years in 4".
Carried it in boot.
Recoil in .45 Colt is stiff but manageable.
On a par with a snub with +P .38 spl.

It would regulate well only with a 255 grain RNL in the top and a silvertip in the bottom. I could keep both barrels in a coffee can at 25 yards. I killed water moccassins often in my backyard and in a public park where my small children played. One guy threatened to call the police when I shot the biggest one I'd ever seen as it and my daughter were both converging on some baby ducks. I said I'll call them for you. They said good job.

There is one thing to be careful about. Make sure the hammer is back a notch and the safety is on before you load. Otherwise the firing pin protrudes and when you swing it closed loaded you can blow your hand off or worse.

You should call Red's North in Austin and see if they still have mine. I traded it off on a Schofield repro.
 
Still have one. A M-2. in .38. The recoil is stiff but a second shot is there if you need it. It is good up close but I can't hit anything at 25 yards. Even the side of the barn is safe. I live in Florida and sometimes it is the only thing you can carry. It will even hide in swim trunks.

As far as rat shot it works great. It just is not a gun for those long shots. Load some wax reloads and have some fun indoors.
 
They are heavy for the 2 shots you get. Yes, they are kinda cool. They can be a handful in the larger chamberings. I think it's easier with other choices to get more shots with a lighter gun. JMHO
 
They are neat, well-made guns.
I certainly wouldn't carry one though! They are difficult to cock, very heavy, big and bulky, trigger is not particularly good.
They weigh as much as an airweight S&W 5 shot .38, and are almost as bulky.
A pocket .32 or .380 will be much lighter, flatter, more ergonomic, have 6-8 shots, and will probably cost less.
 
It is still perfectly viable if you want or need a double barrel .410 for snakes that you can carry in a pocket.
 
Always thought an engraved American #1 was one of the best looking pistols around, but would only have it as a BBQ gun. I like and have several derringers. I wouldn't waste money on an ADC just for concealed carry; I'd buy a Bond Arms.

I carry my Bond Arms and shoot it quite a lot. Safety wise the firing pins don't stick out unless you actually fire the gun, so you don't have to half cock it to load it. It has a rebounding hammer and a shorter throw lever to open the barrels, too. You can very easily change the barrels to change the caliber. I have one frame with barrels in .45LC/3" .410, .45 ACP, .22 LR, and .357 Mag. It may not be quite as pretty and classic looking as the ADC, but it is more versatile and safer, too.
 
A BBQ gun, as I have heard it used, is a gun for showing off, or a conversation piece. Chrome, engraving, that sort of thing. Something to pull out and talk about while the meat is cooking.
 
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