What are your thoughts on a cheap'cobra" type O/U derringer in 38special?Recoil?safe?2 shots better than none?
Iam thinking about getting one not to really shoot much,but to carry for protection ... they are soooo small..I have never owned a derringer ..they remind me of a old 'tyme cowboy poker gun......point black only accuracy iam sure...gimme your thoughts on these little peacekeepers...Lots'a folks carry the little NA 22LR.&22magnum.revolver around here but i want something bigger than 22cal....This bond arms looks nice...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hQtywZFxDg

cobra
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_XbSn55LU4
357 recoil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3rmZMyLw64
45colt sweeettt
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NDRzejxxsJE

For the weight and size you can get a multiple shot semi auto. Even the small 5 shot .38 revolvers are close in size.

For nostalgia they're cool. And I will agree two shots are better than none.

quote:

Originally posted by Sam:
For the weight and size you can get a multiple shot semi auto. Even the small 5 shot .38 revolvers are close in size.

For nostalgia they're cool. And I will agree two shots are better than none.

The 5 shots in a J-Frame S&W are better than 2

Derringers are a TERRIBLE idea...... unless you only expect extremely close range encounters.

Under these circumstances they change from being a TERRIBLE idea....... to just being a VERY BAD idea!

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:
Derringers are a TERRIBLE idea...... unless you only expect extremely close range encounters.

Under these circumstances they change from being a TERRIBLE idea....... to just being a VERY BAD idea!

Unless they are chambered in the 88 magnum..."it shoots through schools".

perry

No.

quote:

Originally posted by jwp475:
The 5 shots in a J-Frame S&W are better than 2

That's kinda my point.

TWL, very concise.

quote:

Originally posted by perry:

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:
Derringers are a TERRIBLE idea...... unless you only expect extremely close range encounters.

Under these circumstances they change from being a TERRIBLE idea....... to just being a VERY BAD idea!

Unless they are chambered in the 88 magnum..."it shoots through schools".

perry

My mother hung me on a hook once. ONCE.

I have used one Derringer as a No2, or a No3, on and off for over 30 years...

The High Standard 22 Mag. Double Action Derringer...

Do not think I cannot shoot a beer can off the top of your head at 15 yards with mine...

quote:

Originally posted by N E 450 No2:
The High Standard 22 Mag. Double Action Derringer...

Do not think I cannot shoot a beer can off the top of your head at 15 yards with mine...

The old High Standards in 22 Mag. were the best of a bad idea.

But I doubt they are capable of 100% hits on a beer can sized target at a measured 15 yards.

quote:

Originally posted by Sam:

quote:

Originally posted by perry:

quote:

Originally posted by DaMan:
Derringers are a TERRIBLE idea...... unless you only expect extremely close range encounters.

Under these circumstances they change from being a TERRIBLE idea....... to just being a VERY BAD idea!

Unless they are chambered in the 88 magnum..."it shoots through schools".

perry

My mother hung me on a hook once. ONCE.

NICE

Perry

Well, my thoughts are,

Two shots are better than none.

If you're going to use it, you'd better be close.

There are much better choices for a defense handgun that are just as easily concealed as a derringer. I looked at a Ruger .380 LCP that easily fit in my pants pocket. And the price was pretty reasonable.

But all things considered, if that's all you've got or can afford, then it's better than nothing....

Bond and American Derringer both or one of them offer interchangeable barrel options. You can get a long barrel in 45 Colt / 410 gauge shotgun. This is called a "Snake Charmer." They also offer barrels in 44 mag. With the long barrels, they're about the same size as a sub-compact 1911.

I was getting serious about the Bond. It's well made, solid, strong, and I like the "nostalgia." A Derringer in .410 or 44 mag. seemed intriguing.

So, even in smaller calibers and short barrels they're larger and heavier than a Kahr MK9, 6+1 9mm. At $550 they're about the same price as a full-size Springfield XD in 45 ACP w/ two mags, a holster and a mag loader.

Too many options in semi-auto w/ more capacity, lighter, smaller.

The NAA Guardian in .32 ACP or .380 ACP are serious guns, but the NAA mini-revolvers in 22 cal. are just going to piss-off your attacker.

I agree with most of what's been said. Obviously, two shots are better than none, and other options with more available rounds are about the same size. For me, the price is the deal breaker. In my mind as simple as it is and compared to what you could carry in the same size/weight range, this should be a $200 gun and mostly a novelty. It shouldn't be your primary, nor a $4-500 gun IMO. I'm sure that you could have alot of fun on Sunday afternoons with it though.