Derringers

With concealed carry permits widely available, consumers are looking to smaller and lighter firearms choices to meet their self defense needs. More and more often, derringers have come into question as possible choices. The basic over/under barrel derringer has advanced mightily since the Remington .41 rimfire, noted for it's large bore and underpowered cartridge. Still, one has to question whether the derringer is the first choice for a self defense firearm. Let's take an educated and unemotional look.

In the Gambler TV movies, Kenny Rogers settled many a dispute (gambling and otherwise) by smugly whipping out his derringer. Bad guys would surrender immediately or be quickly dispatched from an amazingly accurate shot for a short barreled, sparkly nickle plated gun with a minuscule front sight. Unfortunately, many gun buyers today still base their choices on the flashy firearms seen on TV and in movies. Reality usually sets in when sighting in the movie gun for the first time, when targets are missed more than hit and none explode, catch fire or fly backwards ten feet from impact.

Some of the most popular offerings from companies like Cobra Enterprises and Davis Derringers are those in .22 long rifle and .22 magnum. Neither are particularly powerful nor accurate beyond a few yards, but are better than facing an opponent empty handed. They all suffer from nostalgia for an outdated design, and the addition of a modern crossbolt hammer block safety slows the gun in a self defense situation. Accuracy is lost by poor trigger pulls, nearly nonexistent sights and tiny grips. The small grips are particularly bad when firing the larger bore models. The only reason to buy one of these guns would be price. Unless I had an immediate need, I'd try to save a few dollars more for something better.

There are more robust derringer designs out there from companies like Bond Arms and American Derringer.
With variations like the dual caliber.45 LC/.410 gauge, .357 magnum and even .44-40 these guns are certainly powerful enough for self defense. The ability to chamber shot cartridges make these guns useful to hikers in snake country where weapon weight is considered first and firepower comes in second. Hunters might consider them for backup to a rifle for point blank shots at a charging boar. Although made in powerful calibers, these guns still suffer from bad sights and heavy or rough trigger pulls.

Don't get me wrong. Derringers can be fun to shoot. I'd even carry the old High Standard .22 derringer in some situations, if I had nothing better. Still, I'd never, ever want to risk my life on a derringer. There are too many better guns out there.

The following sources were used in developing this article:

http://www.cobrapistols.net/products.asp

http://www.amderringer.com/m1.html

http://www.bondarms.com/ifirearms.php