?? pocket pistol , derringer ??

[palmtree]

I'm curious of what caliber to be the best for a short barreled mini pistol. I have an understanding about what caliber does what, but now were talking an extremely short barrel. I figured you guys would have a better understanding than I would on how fast different loads or calibers burn. What I mean is, a .357 may have more gusto than a .38, but out of a 1.5" barrel, it may not make much difference. I'd like to avoid any excess recoil that's not helping the drive of the slug. A 22 mag sounded good, so did a 9mm. Also wondering if any of you owned any of these, or had any experience, or advice on which ones to avoid or buy. There are cobras that are around 125.00, which sounds scarringly cheap to me, but, I don't know. Also mini revolvers by north american arms look tempting, but are in 22 mag only. The purpose for the gun would be for having in a pocket for self defense. So size and weight is a factor. The 22 mag in cobra is 9.5 oz, and the 9mm is 14 oz. They offer the .25 cal, and the .32 cal, which I always thought of as worthless calibers, but now, again, what fires best considering the barrel length and recoil?? thanks

[slayer61]

Years ago I had a Buffalo Arms model 1 in .357 mag.

Kicked like a mule and wasn't accurate across a card table never mind, across a room

[1CavScout]

I have a derringer in .38 special, and it is also not accurate at all. Cool conversation piece, but I would not carry it.

[CSACANNONEER]

I have "a few" mouse guns. Even .22lr can be a handful. I do enjoy shooting .22short in my "Lord" copy and in my Sharps pepperbox copy.

[Sunday]

J frame of your choice. $$2 or 642 would be a good choice. No magnums.

[TMB 1]

Colt Agent 38 special & 38 special derringer make a good pair.

[Malaprop14]

I think you already answered your own question - "Best" caliber is sort of irrelevant because you are looking for something that is truly last resort as opposed to an empty hand. You aren't going to get ideal velocity or accuracy out of a very short barrel and that isn't the point of something like that, because you aren't going to go target shooting with it. Something that is unpleasant to shoot is still not a great idea, but then you don't have to wonder if it is "enough" or not.

[palmtree]

thanks for the replies. I know it's a tough question. But I'm thinking someone whos really into the science of how fast these powders or calibers burn might be able to help some

[DannyInSoCal]

I have a 6 shot Sterling Arms semi-auto in 22LR -

1 foot groups at 7 yards.

Thats why they call them belly guns....

[SkyHawk]

Speer makes a specific Gold Dot ammo line for short barrels. http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/short_brl.aspx

They also have a new 22WMR short barrel defense round, 1050FPS from a 1.9" barrel http://www.speer-ammo.com/products/954.htm

I carry the 135 grain GDHP-SB .357 Mag in my 2.25" SP101

[sealocan]

I agree with what sunday set the best solution for pockets is a 38 Smith and Wesson revolver Model 642 or 442.
but it sounds like you've got your head set on a Derringer so my recommendation for that ( and I've had a Davis 32 ACP... the exact same designs that Cobra does now.)
the smaller Cobra derringer are in the 32 acp,25 acp,and 22lr and 22 Magnum.

if you want to buy it 38 or 9 mm that the frame is actually much bigger... not that I would choose either one of them for defense or daily carry. they are cheap and even the safety was designed going the wrong direction.

I think the only derringer I would carry is the older high standard design made when things were better quality in the USA.
I believe they come in 22 long rifle and 22 Magnum and I like those because the trigger is long double action instead of a really stiff single action as in most derringers.

the high standard design has no cocking of the hammer! you just pull a long trigger it fires,
and you have an instant second shot as well..no hammer just the trigger.

most folks go for something between these two solutions which is the North American Arms micro revolvers all are single action, so you have the cock the hammer but at least if you leave it on the safety notches ,it is somewhat safe in your pocket.but if you get one with a extra conversion cylender,
that'll give you the 22 rimfire for cheap ammunition and the 22 Magnum for defense.

[palmtree]

well , thanks for all the responses. Sky Hawk, good find on that ammo. I din't realize these things were quite that inaccurate. But for the size and convenience, that must be what we get. Well as far as narrowing down what brand or model, I'm still undecided. Those Davis's sealocan mentioned, got my attention. I'm wondering about what years those were made here in CA. I wonder if a used one would be better than a cobra? I think I'd be afraid of any double action, or the high standard your talking about, to have in my pocket. Funny you brought up the north american revolvers. I saw those. I'm wondering how much thicker those are than the standard cobra derringer. Correct me if I'm wrong, but those are single action. That's pretty nice those north americans fit 5 bullets in there. I'm lost on how or what the safety notches are though. heres a link to something that weighs 7.5 oz. Weight is an issue also. I know this isn't something desireable to holde while shooting, but 99.999 percent of the time, it would be in my pocket. You guys have any thoughts on this thing http://www.amderringer.com/m7.html

[Donkeypunch0420]

I have a couple derringers, but would never carry them for protection. They're cute and interesting, but there are so many more viable choices that are not that much larger. Still I will always own at least one derringer, just for novelty purposes.

[mrblah]

i have a 38 special derringer made by cobra that I bought for 100 bucks, and even then I think I over paid.

Its a POS, but man does it get alot of attention when I bring it out. I dunno if its because its a shiny pimp gun, or its because I can't even hit paper with it at 10 yards...who knows.