OT - Bond Derringer

Tommy Reb · Post by **Tommy Reb** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 2:06 pm

I am considering a Bond Texas Defender Derringer as a backup CCW. I am leaning toward a 44 SPL. Anyone have experience with the Bond derringers? Recommendations on calibre choice? Thanks for your input.

DPris · Post by **DPris** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:19 pm

Best derringers ever made, and that's no hype.

Very large, heavy & bulky as a concealed carry proposition, but if you insist the quality & reliability are there.
Denis

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:37 pm

DPris wrote:Best derringers ever made, and that's no hype.
Very large, heavy & bulky as a concealed carry proposition, but if you insist the quality & reliability are there.
Denis

I 2nd that. Well made but not my idea of a practical CCW. It's going to be about the same weight and almost the same size as one of the small glocks.

rjohns94 · Post by **rjohns94** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:39 pm

5 inches, 20 0z. I think for versatility, I would go with the .45lc/.410 version. You have a 3 inch barrel on that model and I like the idea of having the shot shells for field use, especially if you found yourself in front of an irate venomous snake. The .410 shot shell would be more effective than the .44 shot shell I am thinking. It is one of the nicest derringers and would be a cool CCW firearm if you so desired.

2ndovc · Post by **2ndovc** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 6:48 pm

I thought they were pretty neat and really well made but as Nate said the one I looked at was as big as my Glock 26.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:13 pm

How about American Derringer? My Dad got the 357 Mag. version back in the 70's and still has it. Seems like it was built like a bank vault. Did they go under or did quality go TU? Maybe more the size you are looking for.

Edit: found their site. Warning the first time I brought the screen up there is a very suggestive looking picture of a scantily clad lady laying in bed. Took me a minute to pry my tongue from the roof of my mouth.

http://www.amderringer.com/first.html

Nate Kiowa Jones · Post by **Nate Kiowa Jones** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:54 pm

C. Cash wrote:How about American Derringer? My Dad got the 357 Mag. version back in the 70's and still has it. Seems like it was built like a bank vault. Did they go under or did quality go TU? Maybe more the size you are looking for.

Edit: found their site. Warning the first time I brought the screen up there is a very suggestive looking picture of a scantily clad lady laying in bed. Took me a minute to pry my tongue from the roof of my mouth.

http://www.amderringer.com/first.html

Actually, that's the owner of the company.

C. Cash · Post by **C. Cash** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 11:04 pm

Oh!!!!!!!!!!

Guess I should have thought of the odds of two derringer companies existing in Waco, TX!

Jaguarundi · Post by **Jaguarundi** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:32 am

I own a Bond Texas Defender Derringer "cowboy" model in 45 colt/410.It is normally loaded with cci 45 colt shotshells for snakes.The nice thing about the Bond's is one can easily change calibers.

Texican · Post by **Texican** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 1:19 pm

As Nate said the derringer isn't the most efficient with regard to weight and capacity. They would not be my first choice of concealed protection. Also the bores of both barrels rarely ever shoot to the same point of aim.

However, I like them for their history and charm. I own both American Derringer and Bond Arms guns and have used both in CAS effectively. I am partial to the Bond Arms and know Greg Bond and was even a volunteer consultant on the development of the Cowboy model and helped it get established in the CAS community. I've met Elizabeth Saunders a few times and she is friendly to the CAS crowd and an astute business lady and I harbor no ill will for her or her company. Either Bond or American Derringer is at home in a SASS side match. The American Derringer actually is closer in appearance to the old Remingtons.

Having said that, If you choose a derringer for daily carry, get the Bond. The primary reason I suggest it is because it is inherently SAFER than the American Derringer.

For comparison: (PLEASE READ CAREFULLY)
The AD does not have a rebounding hammer. When the hammer is down it protrudes through the frame and rests on the primer of the cartridge. If dropped or bumped it will go off. If the pin is protruding through the frame when loading it, the gun can go off when the action is closed. Additionally, when loading derringers (since the barrels swing 180 deg), I've seen people hold the guns fully open with the frame towards their body and the barrels open to the top. They'll drop in 2 cartridges like it's an over and under shotgun and then swing the loaded barrels up onto the frame POINTED AT THEIR HEAD! If that pin was sticking through...[shudder]

The Bond has a rebounding hammer in which the trigger must be pulled before the hammer will reach the cartridge, and instantly resets when the trigger is released.

The AD has a safety that 'automatically disengages' when the hammer is cocked. It's a spring loaded plunger that is held in place by the hammer. The hammer does not have to be fully cocked before it releases. If the hammer is drawn back just a 1/4" (or possibly bumped in a pocket) it jumps out of the way. Again causing the hammer to rest on a live round.

The Bond has a positive crossbolt safety that must be manually disengaged just like those on Marlin, Winchester, Remington 870, etc.

The other features like custom serial numbers, spring loaded latch, and caliber changes are all just icing on the cake. They even made a lefty-sided barrel latch for me.

Just my 2 cents,

OT - Bond Derringer

OT - Bond Derringer

SAFETY WARNING