I bought a belly gun

[alpha_romeo_XV]

Decided to add a derringer to my assortment of handguns. More to see how it shoots and mechanically different than a revolver or semi-auto. Went with a 38 special Cobra at a fraction the price of a Bond Arms since its just a range toy. I could buy extra barrels in different calibers for $49 on-line no FFL.

Loaded up a few different bullet weights and powder charges to shoot. Could easily feel the difference between a 95g (no kick) and a 148g (noticable kick). Accuracy at 10 yards was good as long as I took my time.

With a short sight radius obviously accuracy is a challenge but the big issue was the trigger pull was quite heavy ( > 12 lbs my gauge can measure) and without a lot to hold onto to pull against that contributes to accuracy as well.

There was a murder trial in California recently where the wife shot her husband with a derringer and she tried to say "it went off accidentally", but I read the prosecutors argument that there is no way in hell you accidentally pull the trigger on that gun. I understand the prosecutor's point now.

[plumbum]

I got to shoot a .32 ACP model years ago, and that thing hurt to shoot - cool experience though!
They may be third string but they have their place.

[Tok36]

Neat, what is the little clip/switch looking jobber located just above the trigger?

[Catch]

Nice review and pics, thanks OP.

[M1NM]

A holster for a derringer is overkill. Just drop it in your pocket.

[brassburnz]

Neat, what is the little clip/switch looking jobber located just above the trigger?

i think that's the barrel release.

[yoteassasin]

Cross hammer safety

[FalconLair]

Neat, what is the little clip/switch looking jobber located just above the trigger?

i think that's the barrel release.

after looking at the photo i think it ejects the spent casings

** i got curious and found one on YouTube - that long lever adjacent to the trigger unlocks the barrel and that little clip/switch does extract the casings - now i want one

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-5Uy8B24oT4

[FalconLair]

looks like a fun pickup

great conversation piece for sure

every time my niece and her husband fly into Vegas from their home in Texas they always swing by my house for a visit

first thing her husband likes to do is check out "what's new" in my safe

[alpha_romeo_XV]

The LGS sales person did not know how you fire the upper vs the lower barrel. So I figured it out after I got it home. Every time you cock the hammer it switches between the barrels by blocking one of the firing pins. Therefore you can't fire both barrels at once.

For the women who tried to say it went off accidentally, she had to do things - cock the hammer and then pull hard on the trigger.

[FalconLair]

The LGS sales person did not know how you fire the upper vs the lower barrel. So I figured it out after I got it home. Every time you cock the hammer it switches between the barrels by blocking one of the firing pins. Therefore you can't fire both barrels at once.

For the women who tried to say it went off accidentally, she had to do things - cock the hammer and then pull hard on the trigger.

i was wondering that too

thx for posting that - im actually looking into getting myself a little derringer

[TrailerparkTrash]

I have a couple of Derringers. One in .38, one in .22magnum. I hate them both. I still prefer my NAA mini revolver in .22mag as a “belly” gun.

[MIW173]

[NeilMo]

I got to shoot a .32 ACP model years ago, and that thing hurt to shoot - cool experience though!
They may be third string but they have their place.

I had one in 357Mag that was the same, hurt like h&!! unless I shot 38 Specials. Fun and accurate enough with 38s but I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn in 357, even if I were standing inside. Sold it in hopes to get one in 45 or 9mmm but never did.

[5.56]

My belly gun is my Glock 43. Because I can carry it inside my waistband without bothering my fat belly. THAT'S the most important feature for a belly gun.