Derringer

[shaunbowler@yahoo.com]

I have been considering the purchase of a Derringer.
They maybe "installed" in a few of my vehicles.
However, what has stopped me from getting one is that they look like you may "Shoot your Nuts off" before you "hit your target."
Please let me know how you feel about The Derringer. I would want a 9 mm. Anything less than a 9 would be unacceptable to me.
Your thoughts and experience would be Greatly Appreciated.

SB

[DaveInOroValley]

I think that they have a very limited range of use. Potentially hidden as a back up to another weapon. Maybe. Limiting yourself to having two chances to defend yourself as well is another especially with what I've read on their accuracy.

I guess they can fit a niche for some, I've never owned one so there is that.

[SDDAVE56]

I have been considering the purchase of a Derringer.
They maybe "installed" in a few of my vehicles.
However, what has stopped me from getting one is that they look like you may "Shoot your Nuts off" before you "hit your target."
Please let me know how you feel about The Derringer. I would want a 9 mm. Anything less than a 9 would be unacceptable to me.
Your thoughts and experience would be Greatly Appreciated.

SB

Taking that at face value, probably not legal in CA. So back to all the regular firearms laws for, carry, transport, loaded, etc etc .

I don't have a derringer. My S&W 340PD fits the small gun bill for me.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

I have a Cobra with 38spl and a 9mm barrels. I would not use it personal defense for these main reasons. Very difficult to hit a target at 7 yards. Very high trigger pull weight which contributes to poor accuracy. The 9mm with factory loads hurts the hand and there is no ejector for spent brass (just your finger nail). Occasionally the primer strike is too light to fire.
Maybe Bonds Arms has higher quality model but I got the Cobra derringer just for novelty of the design and its history.
For a few more ounces in weight you can have a double action M&P Shield with 6+1 9mm rounds and a fast mag change.

[elSquid]

Your thoughts and experience would be Greatly Appreciated.

[beerman]

Personally, I’ve never seen any advantage to them. Plus, they hurt you. As elsquid said, a j frame 38 is much more pleasant. But it’s a gun, so to each their own.

[flatbedtruckin]

aww geez... this shouldnt be ever used in self defence unless absolutely there is no other option available.... yes they are kinda cool, by would you ever limit your self to just 2 shots?!?! your going to need to be almost point blank to accurately hit something under preessure.... with that said, you might be better off with a baseball bat if someone is that close...

[Kurgan]

Derringer.

The unfortunate proof that sometimes guns are a bad idea.

Now twin .25 autos in cross draw holsters.

Badass.

[ojisan]

I have a Cobra with 38spl and a 9mm barrels. I would not use it personal defense for these main reasons. Very difficult to hit a target at 7 yards. Very high trigger pull weight which contributes to poor accuracy. The 9mm with factory loads hurts the hand and there is no ejector for spent brass (just your finger nail). Occasionally the primer strike is too light to fire.
Maybe Bonds Arms has higher quality model but I got the Cobra derringer just for novelty of the design and its history.
For a few more ounces in weight you can have a double action M&P Shield with 6+1 9mm rounds and a fast mag change.

Yours appears to be missing the ejector.
It looks machined for it to be installed and the hole drilled for it.
?




As regards these, I had one in 38 Special.
The trigger pull is as much down as back, so you have to use the bottom tip of the trigger when pulling for best results.
It's quite the kicker, it's a point-blank type gun.
Accuracy from the bottom barrel is often better because it is lower in your hand, the top barrel makes it pivot more in your hand under recoil.
I sold it, for the derringer category I go with a NAA Mini Revolver in .22 Mag.

[mk2dave]

Never had one. I've read about one that I was curious about in a .410/.45 I think? Quickly disregarded based on the above. It may be useful as a snake gun? Most SD events happen at 3-7 yards; I don't want to have to wait for the short side of those numbers.

They are novel, but I'd be concerned about the ballistics, even in a 9mm.

[alpha_romeo_XV]

Yours appears to be missing the ejector.
It looks machined for it to be installed and the hole drilled for it.
?

I removed it since it was a worthless PIA for a rimless cartridge, ala why moon clips are needed for rimless ammo in a revolver. The one on the rimmed 38 barrel works fine though.

[ojisan]

On these Davis / Jennings / Cobra guns the safety also pushes in from the right to disengage, which is slow and awkward.
It would be much better if it pushed in from the left so you could use your thumb to easily push the safety off when drawing the gun.

The Bond Arms pushes the other, right way.

[plumbum]

I shot one before, a Davis in .32 ACP and it was horrible. Perhaps for an up close encounter, but under stress I can’t imagine it would be effective unless you stuffed it under the rib cage of your assailant.

If you want a tiny gun, Beretta Tomcat, SIG 638 or a .38 snub if far more useful.

[oddball]

I have shot one before, decades ago. IMO, a waste of ammo.
It is a Belly gun, only good at less than 10', and even at that distance, tough to hit your target. I have a Ruger LCP in .380 at that is very tough to shoot accurately beyond 10'.

For a car gun, it makes far more sense to have a beater shotgun, and if you live in a more crime ridden area, maybe a hidden cheap single action revolver by Heritage or a Ruger Wrangler, but I guess the roster might have a say about that.

[AFTII]

I picked up a Limited Edition 3" Gunsite Bond Arms 45 / .410 (which is illegal in CA) for snake duty. I quickly found that a 2.75" .410 is virtually useless from a 3" barrel. The pellets won't even pierce a plastic Coke bottle at 6'. It's completely ineffective for my intended purpose.

I've shot it a few times with .45 LC rounds. As others have stated, its really a close range (belly) gun. The trigger is horrible. (The trigger pull is down and back, and it takes a lot of effort.) It has quite a bit of recoil and is surprisingly inconvenient to carry as it is quite bulky.

My best advice to you is try before you buy.