Derringers?

[Mr. 16 gauge]

ANybody here carry one? Likes? Dislikes? I'm thinking about getting one to use as a BUG, as well as something to keep in the tackle box for snakes, ect.

[GoodOlBoy]

Been thinking about one myself, but dont know alot about them.

GoodOlBoy

[wrenchman]

I was thinking of getting one my self but one of my dealers bought one had it in his pocket when he threw it up against a chair to hang up it went off hitting him in the elbow.
Being a retired local cop he has been getting teased.
I chainged my mind when i herd about this.

[Adam Helmer]

Mr. 16 gauge,

My older brother had a .38/.357 derringer he carried fishing. It was brutal with .357 loads in view of that skinny handle/grip. It was fine with .38 Special homemade shot loads; the snakes never complained.

Adam

[Catfish]

I have a .38 cal. stack barrel that I really need to trade off. The trigger takes 2 fingers to pull and I really doubt that I could hit a man with it at 20 ft. the sights are so bad, and it does not point well. I believe it is a Davis and it seems well made, but I just like guns I can hit what I`m shooting at.

[PJgunner]

My late great-uncle Duke once said to me those double-doers (Remington Derringers) were good for only one thing. You had to be up close and personal, shove in your opponent's belly and shoot. I guess he knew what he was talking about as he was a railroad cop for 40 years. I did shoot one once in .38 Spl. and I couldn't have hit the broad side of a barn with it, even if I was inside.
Paul B.

[gd357]

I have shot one extensively - .45LC/.410. While it was consistent in point of impact, it is a handful. As far as .410 shot loads for snakes/vermin, it would suffice for short range work. Don't know that I'd want to use one as a carry gun though. Maybe as a backup, no way for a primary. JMHO

gd

[Adam Helmer]

gd357,

One point I would like to make: When shooting shot loads out of Derringers, or any handgun, be sure to wear eye protection! Shot often bounces back to the shooter from rocks, hard target backstops and logs.

Adam

[Larryjk]

I have only had about 7 derringers come in for repair in about 5 years. I don't know if this is because not many people use them or if they are worthy. The ones I worked on seem to have inherent problems in their design, be too light for the cartridges they fire, have tough triggers, useless sights, break easily and have recurrent problems with the barrel changing apparatus. I sure as heck wouldn't buy one for my personal use because I consider them a very unreliable gun. Better off having nothing so you don't get the idea it will help you out of trouble. Get a small, but reliable revolver. A local cop said "anyone that thinks a 38 Special is too small has never been shot with one.";)

[Rapier]

Yesterday the derringer had a place because standard handguns were very large. Today with the introduction of the small autos built of composit materials, the derringer has all but lost its place in self defense.

Before you buy a derringer find someone that has a KetTec 380 and shoot it, then find a derringer and shoot it. You will be very suprised, I was.
Best,
Ed

[muskrat30]

I have a 357/38 Derringer I bought in about 1994. It's an American Derringer & seems to be of good quality. I have not shot it in over 10 yrs & would take a little J frame over one any day. I'll still keep mine though.