Bond Arms derringer...Do you own one?

FunGramps · July 23, 2022, 11:25 AM

I'm interested in a mouse gun for big, close-up mice that will be easier to conceal and carry more comfortably than my Glock 19. The Bond Arms in .45 ACP has my attention and seems to be a well-made gun. I'm not concerned with the aftereffects of recoil if the situation demands that I use it.

Does anyone here have one? I'd like to hear your review.

mk70ss · July 23, 2022, 11:32 AM

I would rather carry a gun like the SA Hellcat with 12 rounds of 9mm on tap. They are almost the same size and weight.

Pahoo · July 23, 2022, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Does anyone here have one? I'd like to hear your review.

I have, in more than one caliber. Per previous reply, there are better choices and cost less. I see now that there is a new, less expensive Bonds, available. I "try" never to tell a man, what to do with his spouse and money. ...

Be Safe !!!

Bill DeShivs · July 23, 2022, 02:28 PM

The Keltec PF9 is thinner, maybe smaller, is double action, inexpensive, and weighs about a third of what the Bond derringer weighs.

I understand the attraction of the derringer, but there are MANY guns more practical for carry.

The Keltec P32 or P3AT will drop in a pocket, and you won't even know it's there. 8 shots of .32 or 7 shots of .380.

Electrod47 · July 23, 2022, 04:04 PM

I bought the "Roughneck" in .357 here in MS for 250.00 and quickly bought the 45/410 barrel for it for another 125.00.
I reload for all those shotgun and bullet, so I can tailor my loads to be effective without a lot "Blood and Thunder".
Its a novelty item, that can be, in a pinch, counted on to deliver bad news to whatever,
It's fun, Its neat and handy. BUT, its not a primary defense weapon by any stretch of the imagination. And yeah, I'v seen the old boy on Youtube strapped and quick draw demonstrating his prowess with the Bond. Frankly. he just looks foolish.

jstert · July 30, 2022, 11:52 PM

i have a bunch of b.a. derringers with assorted barrels. the handguns are all original gen2, my one cheaper, less-finished rowdy/roughneck was a clunker. they are fun plinkers. if i want a pocket ccw for the suburbs a keltec p32 is my choice. if i’m walking in the woods and my likely threat is a feral dog or such i bring a b.a. derringer with trigger guard removed in gloved hand weather. 38sp and 9mm are the stoutest rounds that i enjoy out of a b.a.

Gdawgs · August 2, 2022, 11:08 PM

I don't have a Bond Arms, but I do have an American Derringer M-1 in 45 ACP. I took it to the range once, and that was probably the last time I'll take it. It's downright painful to shoot(and I was using some very light handloads), and I can't hit anything with it.
Like others mentioned, it's a novelty. With all the new micro 9s on the market now, I feel there are much better choices.

The Happy kaboomer · August 3, 2022, 08:40 PM

Only 2 shots and too heavy......OK for a novelty play gun but that's about it...For defense small automatics or revolvers makes much more sense.

Ricklin · August 4, 2022, 04:12 PM

I will join the chorus, there are far better choices for concealed carry. We must be proficient with what we carry.
Range time with a "powerful" derringer? No thanks.

Carmady · August 4, 2022, 08:43 PM

Well

kenny53 · August 4, 2022, 10:45 PM

I think derringers where a useful tools in the 1870's. I had one 30 years ago in 38 special.
It wasn't that much fun to shoot so I talked some guy at a gun show to buy it. I believe there are so many other guns that could fill a pocket carry better then derringer.

TailGator · August 5, 2022, 09:47 AM

I thought I wanted a derringer for a fun gun, not for carry because of the low capacity. Had a fellow let me shoot one in .410 at a range. Changed my mind. Not fun even for a couple of shots.

Cosmodragoon · August 5, 2022, 02:17 PM

As others have said, modern derringers feel like pure novelty. Could they work in a defensive encounter? Yes, but nowhere near as well as any number of other small carry guns that offer many more rounds in seamless succession.

Siggy-06 · August 6, 2022, 06:14 PM

Was thinking about buying one in .410 just for kicks. They actually used to produce them with .44 mag barrels for a short time.

Prof Young · August 19, 2022, 01:36 PM

I had one in 45/410. It was fun to shoot, but a touch hard on the hand. Mine did not consistently shoot both barrels. I had a lot of fail to fire on the bottom barrel. Bond Arms suggested it was the ammo when I called them. Hmmmmmm . . . .

Life is good.
Prof Young

July 23, 2022, 11:25 AM	#1
FunGramps Senior Member Join Date: September 27, 2018 Location: Leftern Washington Posts: 240	Bond Arms derringer...Do you own one? I'm interested in a mouse gun for big, close-up mice that will be easier to conceal and carry more comfortably than my Glock 19. The Bond Arms in .45 ACP has my attention and seems to be a well-made gun. I'm not concerned with the aftereffects of recoil if the situation demands that I use it. Does anyone here have one? I'd like to hear your review. __________________ Finding a wise liberal is as easy as inventing perpetual motion.

July 23, 2022, 11:32 AM	#2
mk70ss Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2008 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,598	I would rather carry a gun like the SA Hellcat with 12 rounds of 9mm on tap. They are almost the same size and weight. __________________ Say when.....

July 23, 2022, 02:28 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Senior Member Join Date: April 7, 2006 Posts: 10,985	The Keltec PF9 is thinner, maybe smaller, is double action, inexpensive, and weighs about a third of what the Bond derringer weighs. I understand the attraction of the derringer, but there are MANY guns more practical for carry. The Keltec P32 or P3AT will drop in a pocket, and you won't even know it's there. 8 shots of .32 or 7 shots of .380. __________________ Bill DeShivs, Master Cutler www.billdeshivs.com

August 4, 2022, 04:12 PM	#9
Ricklin Senior Member Join Date: February 22, 2008 Location: SW Washington state Posts: 2,013	I will join the chorus, there are far better choices for concealed carry. We must be proficient with what we carry. Range time with a "powerful" derringer? No thanks. __________________ ricklin Freedom is not free

August 6, 2022, 06:14 PM	#14
Siggy-06 Senior Member Join Date: September 2, 2014 Location: Florida Posts: 1,148	Was thinking about buying one in .410 just for kicks. They actually used to produce them with .44 mag barrels for a short time. __________________ Flicks just like a lighter, just a different kind of fire.

July 23, 2022, 04:04 PM	#5
Electrod47 Member Join Date: April 27, 2021 Location: SE Mississippi Posts: 92	I bought the "Roughneck" in .357 here in MS for 250.00 and quickly bought the 45/410 barrel for it for another 125.00. I reload for all those shotgun and bullet, so I can tailor my loads to be effective without a lot "Blood and Thunder". Its a novelty item, that can be, in a pinch, counted on to deliver bad news to whatever, It's fun, Its neat and handy. BUT, its not a primary defense weapon by any stretch of the imagination. And yeah, I'v seen the old boy on Youtube strapped and quick draw demonstrating his prowess with the Bond. Frankly. he just looks foolish.

July 30, 2022, 11:52 PM	#6
jstert Senior Member Join Date: March 7, 2013 Posts: 205	i have a bunch of b.a. derringers with assorted barrels. the handguns are all original gen2, my one cheaper, less-finished rowdy/roughneck was a clunker. they are fun plinkers. if i want a pocket ccw for the suburbs a keltec p32 is my choice. if i’m walking in the woods and my likely threat is a feral dog or such i bring a b.a. derringer with trigger guard removed in gloved hand weather. 38sp and 9mm are the stoutest rounds that i enjoy out of a b.a.

August 2, 2022, 11:08 PM	#7
Gdawgs Senior Member Join Date: June 1, 2009 Location: MN Posts: 656	I don't have a Bond Arms, but I do have an American Derringer M-1 in 45 ACP. I took it to the range once, and that was probably the last time I'll take it. It's downright painful to shoot(and I was using some very light handloads), and I can't hit anything with it. Like others mentioned, it's a novelty. With all the new micro 9s on the market now, I feel there are much better choices.

August 3, 2022, 08:40 PM	#8
The Happy kaboomer Senior Member Join Date: October 14, 2009 Posts: 226	Only 2 shots and too heavy......OK for a novelty play gun but that's about it...For defense small automatics or revolvers makes much more sense.

August 4, 2022, 10:45 PM	#11
kenny53 Senior Member Join Date: December 30, 2015 Location: My back yard Posts: 971	I think derringers where a useful tools in the 1870's. I had one 30 years ago in 38 special. It wasn't that much fun to shoot so I talked some guy at a gun show to buy it. I believe there are so many other guns that could fill a pocket carry better then derringer.

August 5, 2022, 09:47 AM	#12
TailGator Senior Member Join Date: May 8, 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 3,787	I thought I wanted a derringer for a fun gun, not for carry because of the low capacity. Had a fellow let me shoot one in .410 at a range. Changed my mind. Not fun even for a couple of shots.

August 5, 2022, 02:17 PM	#13
Cosmodragoon Senior Member Join Date: March 18, 2013 Location: Northeastern US Posts: 1,869	As others have said, modern derringers feel like pure novelty. Could they work in a defensive encounter? Yes, but nowhere near as well as any number of other small carry guns that offer many more rounds in seamless succession.

August 19, 2022, 01:36 PM	#15
Prof Young Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2007 Location: Illinois - down state Posts: 2,404	Had one in 45/410 . . . I had one in 45/410. It was fun to shoot, but a touch hard on the hand. Mine did not consistently shoot both barrels. I had a lot of fail to fire on the bottom barrel. Bond Arms suggested it was the ammo when I called them. Hmmmmmm . . . . Life is good. Prof Young