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

cajun47 · December 31, 2012, 06:26 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, 06:42 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, 07:11 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?

plouffedaddy · December 31, 2012, 07:28 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, 08:05 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, 08:12 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, 08:47 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, 08:55 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, 09:29 AM

Too much money for too little firepower.

JayCee · January 1, 2013, 01:36 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, 04:43 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, 05:18 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, 07:17 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, 03:29 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, 01:03 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 ...

December 31, 2012, 06:26 PM	#1
cajun47 Senior Member Join Date: May 28, 2007 Location: swamp people Posts: 516	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, 06:42 PM	#2
CWKahrFan Senior Member Join Date: November 3, 2010 Posts: 1,505	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. __________________ IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT!... IF THE GUN FITS, SHOOT IT! Last edited by CWKahrFan; December 31, 2012 at 07:16 PM.

December 31, 2012, 07:28 PM	#4
plouffedaddy Senior Member Join Date: May 13, 2011 Location: Carolina Posts: 2,957	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's Youtube Channel Certified Glock Armorer

December 31, 2012, 08:05 PM	#5
BGutzman Senior Member Join Date: December 4, 2009 Location: Frozen Tundra Posts: 2,411	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, 01:36 PM	#10
JayCee Senior Member Join Date: March 21, 2001 Posts: 416	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, 07:11 PM	#3
lamarw Senior Member Join Date: April 12, 2010 Location: Lake Martin, AL Posts: 1,225	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, 08:12 PM	#6
arch308 Senior Member Join Date: November 6, 2011 Location: DFW, Texas Posts: 692	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, 08:47 PM	#7
Redneckrepairs Senior Member Join Date: March 9, 2006 Posts: 656	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, 08:55 PM	#8
KenW. Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2004 Posts: 124	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, 09:29 AM	#9
CurlyQ.Howard Senior Member Join Date: May 2, 2012 Posts: 224	Too much money for too little firepower.

January 1, 2013, 04:43 PM	#11
dajowi Senior Member Join Date: November 2, 2005 Posts: 788	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, 05:18 PM	#12
kutz Senior Member Join Date: September 24, 2012 Location: New Mexico USA Posts: 145	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, 07:17 PM	#13
Comancheseven Member Join Date: October 5, 2012 Location: Colorado Springs CO. Posts: 34	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, 03:29 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, 01:03 PM	#15
bikerbill Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2007 Location: Lago Vista TX Posts: 2,134	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 gun has been called the great equalizer ... It insures that the people are the equal of their government whenever that government forgets that it is servant and not master of the governed." --Ronald Reagan