what do you all think of the bond texas defender .410?

cajun47 · December 31, 2012, 05:26 PM

http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/st...357-00898-1888

the only "ballistics test" i could find was this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fGNiQwDE5Y

CWKahrFan · December 31, 2012, 05:42 PM

If I'm going to lug a 20 oz. gun around, why limit myself to 2 shots when I can have a similar-size/weight gun (or lighter) with 7 shots or even more... and at a similar price or even cheaper?... Like, a Kahr CM9 (6+1, 16 oz.) for example... or a KelTec P-11 (10+1, 15 oz.). Consider that a Ruger LCP (6+1 in standard configuration) is SMALLER and weighs HALF AS MUCH(!).

These days, with so many "mouse-gun" choices, the 2-shot derringer is just a novelty gun IMHO. If you want one for fun, fine... But for actual SD, there are much better choices.

lamarw · December 31, 2012, 06:11 PM

I can not comment on the gun itself since I have never handled one. I will simply add: Have you checked the price of .410 ammo?

Mrgunsngear · December 31, 2012, 06:28 PM

I don't have a derringer but I want one

Bond makes good guns and the trigger and hammer redesign they just did make them a little easier to shoot.

BGutzman · December 31, 2012, 07:05 PM

I have never owned or fired a derringer but they do feel like quality and they have a bit of class. Id consider buying one...

arch308 · December 31, 2012, 07:12 PM

I had one. After shooting it with both 45 colt and .410 I felt there were way better options out there. It was very sturdy and the fit & finish were good, just too heavy for pocket carry and the trigger was horrible. I couldn't hit anything out past 10 ft.
I traded it for a S&W .357. That was about 2 yrs ago and I don't regret the trade and never even missed it.

Redneckrepairs · December 31, 2012, 07:47 PM

Cute belt jewelry that will turn a rattlesnake right off at 15 ft or so . Other than that not much good for anything beyond paperweight or conversation piece .

KenW. · December 31, 2012, 07:55 PM

My most recent new purchase was a Bond Century 2000. Lotsa fun. A novelty/niche piece for sure. I carry it on desert ATV rides and watch for the dreaded Great Basin Rattler. Haven't killed one yet; but I'm ready.

the pattern with the .410 000 buck is impressive provided you're within 15 feet. Four .36 cal lead balls per trigger pull ain't to be sneezed at. I carry #7.5 or 8 shot when in the desert. It's not a replacement for a J-Frame or small semi-auto 9mm, but if one's pointed at you, you should not disregard it.

CurlyQ.Howard · January 1, 2013, 08:29 AM

Too much money for too little firepower.

JayCee · January 1, 2013, 12:36 PM

I bought a used one cheap a few years ago, and it was the most unpleasant gun I've ever fired. The fit and finish were good, the gun seemed to be well made and strong, but the trigger required an unusual downward movement that I was never able to get used to. Also, the trigger guard rapped my middle finger unmercifully.

I did chrono a heavy 45 Colt load from the gun, and the velocity figures were very low; less than 600 fps IIRC. I finally sold the gun for more than I'd paid for it, so at least I wasn't out any money...

dajowi · January 1, 2013, 03:43 PM

Not much. My dad had one. Shooting it once was enough for me. I guess if I was limited to just two shots this might be the gun...maybe not.

kutz · January 1, 2013, 04:18 PM

I have the snake charmer model bond, it does charm rattlers with the 410. Actually like it. Got a rattler 6' out my back door this summer he was 32".

Comancheseven · January 1, 2013, 06:17 PM

I have the Snake Charmer and it was a just wanted one kind of a buy. Shot all types of 410 and my 45 Colt handloads, fun gun to plink with. When it comes to a carry gun NOPE I have other guns that fill that need. But the Bond Derringer is well made and looks good on my Western Gun Belt.
Dave

Redhawk5.5+P+ · January 2, 2013, 02:29 PM

Nothing but the concept of having a .410/45colt in two shot's that hurt's to shoot.

I bought one (1991) in short notice of a move (MN to FL) out of state move for a last resort Hail Mary gun.

bikerbill · January 4, 2013, 12:03 PM

I had a Bond derringer in 9mm ... if you're buying it for SD, don't ... way too heavy to justify carrying with only two rounds, hard to cock, slow to reload, hard to be accurate at SD distances with it ... fun range toy, I finally traded it for something I wanted more ... I carry a Kahr PM9 or a Smith 637 -- both are lighter and carry way more rounds ...

Alaskan44Mag · July 7, 2014, 11:14 AM

Greetings, everybody. First post here.

Reason I signed up on The Firing Line has to do with my recent acquisition of a new Bond USA Defender in 45LC/410, and found this to be a place with quite a lot of info on these guns that was of interest to me.

In a prior post in this thread, someone mentioned how terrible the triggers on the Bond derringers are, very heavy, and so on.

Now that I have over 150 rounds through mine, I've learned the trigger, and truth be told, it can be basically impossible if trying to shoot with the finger at the top of the trigger, but if you let your finger slide down near the bottom and do the pull back and down thing the trigger pull isn't all that bad.

I have a trigger pull guage, and pulling back on the trigger in the middle of the trigger comes in around 6.5 lbs, but pulling near the bottom of the trigger comes in at a nice 3.25-3.5 lbs. Getting used to it is where most of the difficulty lies.

Love the gun!

Alaskan44Mag · July 7, 2014, 11:18 AM

Another thing, I know this is a very old thread, but I wanted to answer that "difficult trigger" thing.

It was difficult for a while, but no longer.

So, for those who may be considering getting one of these guns, it may help you to know that the trigger, at least in my opinion, is fine, once you learn how to use it.

gyvel · July 23, 2014, 04:47 AM

It's still a novelty item with a very narrow "niche" market. I could never consider this as a serious weapon for SD or anything else.

KenW. · July 24, 2014, 07:13 PM

I often drop mine in a front pocket when I go to answer the door. 4-pellet 000 buck at that short of a range is devastating; at least to paper since I've not shot a human.

December 31, 2012, 05:26 PM	#1
cajun47 Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: swamp people Posts: 539	what do you all think of the bond texas defender .410? http://www.academy.com/webapp/wcs/st...357-00898-1888 the only "ballistics test" i could find was this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9fGNiQwDE5Y

December 31, 2012, 05:42 PM	#2
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 2,016	If I'm going to lug a 20 oz. gun around, why limit myself to 2 shots when I can have a similar-size/weight gun (or lighter) with 7 shots or even more... and at a similar price or even cheaper?... Like, a Kahr CM9 (6+1, 16 oz.) for example... or a KelTec P-11 (10+1, 15 oz.). Consider that a Ruger LCP (6+1 in standard configuration) is SMALLER and weighs HALF AS MUCH(!). These days, with so many "mouse-gun" choices, the 2-shot derringer is just a novelty gun IMHO. If you want one for fun, fine... But for actual SD, there are much better choices. __________________ What did Mrs. Bullet say to Mr. Bullet? ... "We're having a BeeBee!"... IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! "Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it." Last edited by CWKahrFan; December 31, 2012 at 06:16 PM.

December 31, 2012, 06:28 PM	#4
Mrgunsngear Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 3,415	I don't have a derringer but I want one Bond makes good guns and the trigger and hammer redesign they just did make them a little easier to shoot. __________________ Mrgunsngear Youtube Channel

December 31, 2012, 07:05 PM	#5
BGutzman Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: Frozen Tundra Posts: 2,414	I have never owned or fired a derringer but they do feel like quality and they have a bit of class. Id consider buying one... __________________ Molon Labe

January 1, 2013, 12:36 PM	#10
JayCee Senior Member Join Date: March 20, 2001 Posts: 494	I bought a used one cheap a few years ago, and it was the most unpleasant gun I've ever fired. The fit and finish were good, the gun seemed to be well made and strong, but the trigger required an unusual downward movement that I was never able to get used to. Also, the trigger guard rapped my middle finger unmercifully. I did chrono a heavy 45 Colt load from the gun, and the velocity figures were very low; less than 600 fps IIRC. I finally sold the gun for more than I'd paid for it, so at least I wasn't out any money... __________________ “You may all go to hell and I will go to Texas.” – David Crockett “If I owned Texas and hell, I'd rent out Texas and live in hell.” - General Phillip H. Sheridan

December 31, 2012, 06:11 PM	#3
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 3,311	I can not comment on the gun itself since I have never handled one. I will simply add: Have you checked the price of .410 ammo?

December 31, 2012, 07:12 PM	#6
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 876	I had one. After shooting it with both 45 colt and .410 I felt there were way better options out there. It was very sturdy and the fit & finish were good, just too heavy for pocket carry and the trigger was horrible. I couldn't hit anything out past 10 ft. I traded it for a S&W .357. That was about 2 yrs ago and I don't regret the trade and never even missed it.

December 31, 2012, 07:47 PM	#7
Redneckrepairs Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2006 Posts: 666	Cute belt jewelry that will turn a rattlesnake right off at 15 ft or so . Other than that not much good for anything beyond paperweight or conversation piece .

December 31, 2012, 07:55 PM	#8
KenW. Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2004 Posts: 163	My most recent new purchase was a Bond Century 2000. Lotsa fun. A novelty/niche piece for sure. I carry it on desert ATV rides and watch for the dreaded Great Basin Rattler. Haven't killed one yet; but I'm ready. the pattern with the .410 000 buck is impressive provided you're within 15 feet. Four .36 cal lead balls per trigger pull ain't to be sneezed at. I carry #7.5 or 8 shot when in the desert. It's not a replacement for a J-Frame or small semi-auto 9mm, but if one's pointed at you, you should not disregard it.

January 1, 2013, 08:29 AM	#9
CurlyQ.Howard Senior Member Join Date: May 1, 2012 Posts: 280	Too much money for too little firepower.

January 1, 2013, 03:43 PM	#11
dajowi Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Posts: 1,196	Not much. My dad had one. Shooting it once was enough for me. I guess if I was limited to just two shots this might be the gun...maybe not.

January 1, 2013, 04:18 PM	#12
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: Arizona Posts: 393	I have the snake charmer model bond, it does charm rattlers with the 410. Actually like it. Got a rattler 6' out my back door this summer he was 32".

January 1, 2013, 06:17 PM	#13
Comancheseven Member Join Date: October 5, 2012 Location: Colorado Springs CO. Posts: 38	I have the Snake Charmer and it was a just wanted one kind of a buy. Shot all types of 410 and my 45 Colt handloads, fun gun to plink with. When it comes to a carry gun NOPE I have other guns that fill that need. But the Bond Derringer is well made and looks good on my Western Gun Belt. Dave

January 2, 2013, 02:29 PM	#14
Redhawk5.5+P+ Senior Member Join Date: June 4, 2012 Location: NV Posts: 743	Nothing but the concept of having a .410/45colt in two shot's that hurt's to shoot. I bought one (1991) in short notice of a move (MN to FL) out of state move for a last resort Hail Mary gun.

January 4, 2013, 12:03 PM	#15
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,425	I had a Bond derringer in 9mm ... if you're buying it for SD, don't ... way too heavy to justify carrying with only two rounds, hard to cock, slow to reload, hard to be accurate at SD distances with it ... fun range toy, I finally traded it for something I wanted more ... I carry a Kahr PM9 or a Smith 637 -- both are lighter and carry way more rounds ... __________________ "The welfare of humanity is always the alibi of tyrants." Albert Camus

July 7, 2014, 11:14 AM	#16
Alaskan44Mag Junior Member Join Date: July 7, 2014 Posts: 2	Greetings, everybody. First post here. Reason I signed up on The Firing Line has to do with my recent acquisition of a new Bond USA Defender in 45LC/410, and found this to be a place with quite a lot of info on these guns that was of interest to me. In a prior post in this thread, someone mentioned how terrible the triggers on the Bond derringers are, very heavy, and so on. Now that I have over 150 rounds through mine, I've learned the trigger, and truth be told, it can be basically impossible if trying to shoot with the finger at the top of the trigger, but if you let your finger slide down near the bottom and do the pull back and down thing the trigger pull isn't all that bad. I have a trigger pull guage, and pulling back on the trigger in the middle of the trigger comes in around 6.5 lbs, but pulling near the bottom of the trigger comes in at a nice 3.25-3.5 lbs. Getting used to it is where most of the difficulty lies. Love the gun!

July 7, 2014, 11:18 AM	#17
Alaskan44Mag Junior Member Join Date: July 7, 2014 Posts: 2	Another thing, I know this is a very old thread, but I wanted to answer that "difficult trigger" thing. It was difficult for a while, but no longer. So, for those who may be considering getting one of these guns, it may help you to know that the trigger, at least in my opinion, is fine, once you learn how to use it.

July 23, 2014, 04:47 AM	#18
gyvel Senior Member Join Date: August 30, 2009 Location: Northern AZ Posts: 7,172	It's still a novelty item with a very narrow "niche" market. I could never consider this as a serious weapon for SD or anything else.

July 24, 2014, 07:13 PM	#19
KenW. Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2004 Posts: 163	I often drop mine in a front pocket when I go to answer the door. 4-pellet 000 buck at that short of a range is devastating; at least to paper since I've not shot a human.