|
Forum Rules | Firearms Safety | Firearms Photos | Links | Library | Lost Password | Email Changes |
Register | FAQ | Calendar | Search | Today's Posts | Mark Forums Read |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
March 14, 2012, 04:22 PM | #1 |
Junior Member
Join Date: March 10, 2012
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 12
|
Is there a good derringer on the market?
Is there such a thing as a good derringer? I wouldn't mind having one for a pocket gun, but I have no idea as to the best one, if any. All suggestions much appreciated.
__________________
SA Colt .357; Winchester 94/30-30; 1981 CJ5; Maggie the Wonder Beagle and Theri the young Norwegian wife. For what more could any man wish? |
March 14, 2012, 04:41 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 534
|
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.
__________________
---Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.--- ---Enlightenment is the ability to take infinite pains--- MOLON LABE
|
March 14, 2012, 06:13 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 4, 2001
Posts: 7,476
|
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. |
March 14, 2012, 06:32 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: February 18, 2006
Location: The Dodge House, NC
Posts: 183
|
Derringers
Bonds Arms-#1 for Derringers , but North American Arms is a Excellent Mfg. of Small 22 & 22Mag Pocket Guns.
My Old 2 Cents Hagen
__________________
"A Man's got to have a Code, a Creed to Live By, No Matter his Job" |
March 14, 2012, 06:46 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 26, 2007
Location: Moses Lake WA
Posts: 395
|
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.
__________________
The best gun is the one you have when you really need one |
March 14, 2012, 07:17 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 4, 2010
Posts: 5,468
|
someone correct me if I'm mistaken. High standard used to make a top quality line of derringer backups in calibers up to .357.
Don't know if these could be found. If you could find one, it should be good. Any problems with one of these would be pretty obvious. |
March 14, 2012, 08:18 PM | #7 |
Junior member
Join Date: May 29, 2011
Posts: 895
|
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. Last edited by Master Blaster 2; March 14, 2012 at 08:23 PM. |
March 14, 2012, 08:50 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 14, 2010
Location: Border of Idaho & Montana
Posts: 2,584
|
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.
__________________
Shot placement is everything! I would rather take a round of 50BMG to the foot than a 22short to the base of the skull. all 26 of my guns are 45/70 govt, 357 mag, 22 or 12 ga... I believe in keeping it simple. Wish my wife did as well... |
March 14, 2012, 09:54 PM | #9 |
Junior member
Join Date: April 21, 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,555
|
|
March 14, 2012, 10:53 PM | #10 |
Junior member
Join Date: April 21, 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,555
|
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. |
March 14, 2012, 11:30 PM | #11 |
Junior Member
Join Date: March 10, 2012
Location: San Marcos, TX
Posts: 12
|
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.
__________________
SA Colt .357; Winchester 94/30-30; 1981 CJ5; Maggie the Wonder Beagle and Theri the young Norwegian wife. For what more could any man wish? |
March 15, 2012, 12:29 AM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 4, 2010
Posts: 5,468
|
Quote:
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. |
|
March 15, 2012, 08:11 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 2, 2005
Posts: 1,196
|
Sort of interesting response to reaching into a vest pocket and putting a little Derringer on the card table and exclaiming: "No ones a cheatin' here."
|
March 15, 2012, 09:09 AM | #14 |
Junior member
Join Date: April 21, 2011
Location: Illinois
Posts: 4,555
|
As derringers go, the Heizer looks like it has a nice feature in that the shooter doesn't have to manually cock a hammer for the second shot.
It has a double-action trigger. |
March 15, 2012, 10:10 AM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 17, 2000
Posts: 20,064
|
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.
__________________
NRA, TSRA, IDPA, NTI, Polite Soc. - Aux Armes, Citoyens |
March 15, 2012, 10:49 AM | #16 |
Member Emeritus
Join Date: August 19, 2004
Posts: 7,133
|
The Bond is the best made, but you need to understand that it is not small. It's the biggest of the bunch & certainly no vest pocket gun.
Denis |
March 15, 2012, 12:26 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 6, 2008
Location: Virginia
Posts: 534
|
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.
__________________
---Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.--- ---Enlightenment is the ability to take infinite pains--- MOLON LABE
|
March 16, 2012, 12:16 AM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: October 13, 2004
Posts: 163
|
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. |
March 17, 2012, 05:24 AM | #19 |
Junior member
Join Date: May 29, 2011
Posts: 895
|
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. Last edited by Master Blaster 2; March 17, 2012 at 07:43 AM. |
March 21, 2012, 10:07 AM | #20 |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 26, 2005
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 6,141
|
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.
__________________
Shoot low, sheriff. They're riding Shetlands! Underneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag, and return us to our own beloved homes! Buy War Bonds. |
March 22, 2012, 11:15 AM | #21 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: September 12, 2002
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 5,283
|
Quote:
|
|
July 28, 2014, 05:33 PM | #22 |
Member
Join Date: March 7, 2012
Posts: 47
|
Is there a good derringer on the market?
Derringers are thing of the past. Their time was in the old west. Why have a 2 shot derringer when you can have a 7 shot .32 like the kel tec P-32?
Or a small .380 like the Ruger LCP? Stick with the newer technology and get a small .32 or .380 they are much better than any derringer. |
July 28, 2014, 06:28 PM | #23 |
Senior Member
Join Date: April 24, 2006
Posts: 1,900
|
IMO the words "good" and "derringer" don't go together. There are much better designs that are nearly as compact.
|
July 28, 2014, 07:45 PM | #24 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 3, 2010
Posts: 2,016
|
The NAA 5-shot revolver in .22 Magnum kinda floats my boat... It's quite well-made and truly a pocket gun. I pack the large(er)-grip version often.
__________________
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." |
August 8, 2014, 12:00 AM | #25 |
Senior Member
Join Date: August 30, 2009
Location: Northern AZ
Posts: 7,172
|
Isn't "good derringer" a bit of an oxymoron, akin to "military intelligence" or "jumbo shrimp?"
__________________
As always, YMMV. __________________________________________ MIIAA SIFE |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|