Snubbie vs short barrel derringer: Does the gap really make a difference?

[Biff Tannen]

As if the world needed another "vs" thread...
But I gotta benefit from the worldly experience of our members...
Whats the skinny on a short barrel derringer vs a snubbie of the same caliber? Does the gap really effect fps and other ballistic factors?
Thank you!

[Dfariswheel]

There'd be at least some difference because the Derringer has no barrel/cylinder gap and the Derringer often has a longer barrel.
Truth is, the difference is small enough to not be really significant.

This is the day of the micro-mini automatic pistol. Why bother with a two shot, hard to hold, clumsy to cock Derringer with lousy sights when you could have a 6 shot 9mm or .40 caliber Kahr Arms that's actually smaller then many Derringers.
The only real place the Derringer had in the last 100 years was as a last-ditch back up gun, and now the micro guns have taken even that away.

[Webleymkv]

There might be a very slight difference in velocity, but nothing significant. Take a look at the "real world weapons" section at the bottom of this link, specifically the Bond Arms derringer, Colt Detective Special, and S&W 642.

http://www.ballisticsbytheinch.com/38special.html

There'd be at least some difference because the Derringer has no barrel/cylinder gap and the Derringer often has a longer barrel.

Remember though, derringer barrels are measured like semi-auto barrels in that the chamber is included while revolvers do not include the chamber in the barrel length. Because of this a 3" derringer barrel is pretty equivalent to a 2" revolver barrel.