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Old November 5, 2000, 05:51 PM   #1
Mike H
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Guys,

This post is borne out of pure curiosity. I believe that the American Derringer company markets a 15.5 oz 3 inch bbl derringer that is chambered for (amongst other things) the .44 Mag, .45 Win Mag and, get this, the .45-70.

Speaking as someone who finds .357 Sig unpleasant to shoot, does anyone have experience of putting a few .44 Mag rounds through one of these things, and if so, just how many times does your arm windmill in your shoulder socket under recoil.

Regards,

Mike H
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Old November 5, 2000, 06:45 PM   #2
pawcatch
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I haven't shot a american derringer,but I've shot my fmj sbs derringer with 3 inch 410 71/2.It was pretty violent and I had to poke the shells out of th barrell.I would imagine that a 44 mag would be just as bad.The 21/2 disn't kick bad at all.
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Old November 5, 2000, 06:47 PM   #3
Oleg Volk
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I suspect that people who buy them fire these guns once. They either assume that the bullets would do as much damage on the other end (not likely, given short barrels) and carry these or they sell them. Local used stores have a few derringers in large calibers from folks who just didn't enjoy their range time.
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Old November 5, 2000, 10:34 PM   #4
Mike in VA
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Fired one once (twice actualy), no desire to do it again, it was thoroughly nasty and unruly. It wasn't that small, BTW. No doubt a brutal contact weapon, but frankly, I'd rather have my Tomcat, M60, or P239. OK for braggin rights, but otherwise fairly useless, IMHO. M2
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Old November 5, 2000, 11:31 PM   #5
Gunslinger
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I've got one of the American Derringers chambered in .44 magnum that I custom fitted a spare .44-40 barrel set to. (As a side note, I agrued with Elizabeth Sanders, owner of AD, for over two years to sell me a barrel set for the gun. After I fitted it to the gun she called and asked if I would ship it to her for some R&D. Being the swell sort of feller I am I agreed. )
I shoot the .44 fairly regular and it never fails to hurt at least a little. Everyone that ever shots it comes away with a sore wrist at best and often times a small abrasion or laceration on their hand. On a lark I actually but some Hydroshoks through it to see how extreme it could be. I came away with an impressive laceration to the web of my shooting hand.
I can't say it is something that I recommend. It is more of a novelty item than a gun with a true purpose but is comforting dropped into a trouser pocket as a back up.

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I was promised a Shortycicle and I want a Shortycicle!
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Old November 6, 2000, 12:14 AM   #6
C.R.Sam
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The 45/70 version is great for back pain. Two rounds from each hand and you forget all about how bad your back hurt.

Sam..recoil is for us old folks so we know it went off. Eh?
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Old November 6, 2000, 10:46 AM   #7
Tom Matiska
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Sounds like a great gun... if you don't care who wins. I think I'd load 44 Specials in it just in case I needed my hand for the second shot.

Tom
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Old November 6, 2000, 10:49 AM   #8
Walt Sherrill
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You might want to have the cast put on your wrist and forearm BEFORE you shoot it. Save some time...
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Old November 7, 2000, 02:15 AM   #9
Jeff Thomas
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Sam, you're funny as he!!.

Regards from AZ
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Old November 7, 2000, 02:17 AM   #10
Ledbetter
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Ditto what Jeff Thomas said. I said "DITTO WHAT JEFF THOMAS SAID."

Regards.
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Old November 7, 2000, 03:43 AM   #11
GIT_SOME.45
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I`ve never shot a Derringer before, but could you imagine if it came with a .454 Casull chambering?!

Or .50 A.E.?!

Or .475 Linbaugh ?!

Sorry, I`m just fantasizing about that which cannot be...

Howard



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Old November 7, 2000, 04:15 AM   #12
pawcatch
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There one already chambered in 45/70,it's the alaskan survial model by american derringer.
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Old November 10, 2005, 06:34 AM   #13
Tengri
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I'd WANT one in .50AE. The .50AE 180 grain magsafe loads 15 pieces of #4 buckshot in epoxy resin in a copper casing loaded to about mach 3. If memory serves thats a full 20 guage 3" buckshot shell. Still a bit on the fast and heavy side. Thats like the heavyest magsafe load out there. Its still faster than a .44 magnum 180 grain load out of a 6". Comes out at around 2100fps. I wonder if you could even come close to touching one off without it coming out of your hand. I wouldnt try firing factory ammo but maybe medium loads. 325grn RNL at 800fps... Big hole. Imagine that thing at contact range. On the downloaded side you could still match the .20 guage buckshot load with reasonable recoil.
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Old November 10, 2005, 06:09 PM   #14
OkieCruffler
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Has anyone ever chronied the 44 mag out of that 2mm barrel? I'm betting you lose a few fps. Still, fun to play with and I'll shoot anything...once.
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Old November 10, 2005, 10:31 PM   #15
GooseMn
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Many snows ago, I purchased a .357 Derringer from Herters, which at that time was in Minnesota. I paid $20.50 for it.....which included shipping. The 1st time I shot it, the chrome was blown off the front of the barrels. The grips were wood, but slender. I had a buddy make up a more stout (thicker) pair of grips, and I still shoot the 'thing' every year. As for recoil, I don't notice it. Boy, I wish I bought a dozen of them at that time.
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Old November 11, 2005, 01:01 AM   #16
Hunter Rose
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Actually, I seem to recall AD saying they were gonna offer one chambered in .50AE (right around the time the Desert Eagle came out). I figured it was a one shot gun for when you're surrounded: shoot the guy in front of you, the gun will recoil out of your hand and hit the bloke behind ya...

Does AD still offer the scrimshaw grips? WOuldn't mind having one in .38 with mom's portrait...
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Old November 11, 2005, 01:32 AM   #17
stratus
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Derringer with a 12-gauge slug, baby! Or what about a .458 Magnum?
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Old November 11, 2005, 02:22 AM   #18
No Name XII
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Quote:
Derringer with a 12-gauge slug, baby! Or what about a .458 Magnum?
Pssht, the .458 is chicken****.

This isn't exactly a derringer, but it follows the same theme...
.600 Nitro Express
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Old November 11, 2005, 10:54 AM   #19
Old John
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Bond Arms .45 Colt/.410 ga.

Hey Y'all.

I do have a Bond Arms Texas Defender Derringer in .45Colt
I Love it. It is solid Stainless Steel.
It has a trigger guard so it's more managable.
It'll also handle 2 1/2in. .410ga. shells.
I found some loaded with #4 shot.

There is some recoil. But I shoot it okay.
It's a 7 yrds or less gun.
I carry it sometimes. It's a good hideout gun.
Yeah, it kicks some, so........

DSW has a Bond Arms, Texas Defender in .45acp.
She drops it in her jacket pocket once in awhile
She's 5' tall. She shoots both Derringers.
She is not a wuss, I guess.
Love that li'l woman.

Nope neither one of us are Recoil Gluttons.
Some folks are. Some Folks can't handle it.
Buy what you want to. It's Your Dollars.
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