Henry Rifle Forums

Last December I posted a picture show titled "Triple Derringer Barrels -- a mini photo show." Here is one photo from that post, plus the description of the barrels I've been shooting with my single-action, O/U, Bond Arms (BA) derringer.

Barrel Calibers and Length
.357 Magnum/.38 Special, 4.25 inches
.45LC/.410, 3.5 inches
.22LR, 3 inches
This week I added two more derringer barrels to my gun cabinet. Before I post another "mini photo show" below, there is a story as to why I purchased these. The week immediately following Harvey's landfall, Bond Arms (BA) offered a barrel sale, and the company would also give a percentage of each barrel sold to raise $$$ to help to Harvey victims. BA has changed the way they mark the calibers/names on their barrels.  Previously, they used a "stamped" system, and the engraving looked a little like an old-fashioned typewriter --- a little "wobbley."  To me that "wobbley view" is not a biggie.  BA changed to "lasered" markings on their barrels, and are getting rid of their inventory of "stamped" barrels by selling them at 40% off.  I bought my two barrels both to take advantage of the sale price, and to also help BA raise money toward Harvey recovery.

Here are my new caliber choices, and some photos.

Barrel Calibers and Length
.22 Magnum barrel, 3 inches {barrel on far right}
9MM barrel, 3.5 inches {barrel in the middle}
Notice in the photos there is a Bore Stores storage bag. I needed a good way store these barrels, so I searched the Bore Stores inventory, and found this 6-pocket knife case.  It measures 17.5" X 5", and each compartment is approximately 3" X 5". My longest barrel is 4.25 inches, and this works quite well as a derringer barrel storage case!

It's been fun posting another mini picture show. I'm really looking forward to trying out my .22 Magnum and 9MM derringer!

Outstanding, PT7. You are going to have so much more fun! And the adaption of a knife sleeve to a BA Barrel sleeve is too cool. Thanks for showing them to us. BTW, you photos are fantastic. Great job.

Nice. Looks like a great variety of calibers to choose from.

PT whats it like shooting the 45 colt barrel in one of those. Or even the 357. Ive always thought one of those would be a cool pocket carry. Al

Hey, BigAL. In some of the other derringer threads I've shared on the Forum, there have been chats about recoil with this derringer. The .45LC does have a fairly stout recoil, as does the .357 Magnum. But for me, both are quite manageable, and I enjoy shooting both calibers. What I shoot more than anything are .357 Magnums. If you know anyone that owns one, I'd ask for a chance to shoot it. It is quite different to shoot, but you might find you like it as I do.

From my perspective, what helps to manage the recoil are longer barrel lengths (my .357 is 4.25", and the .45LC is 3.5"). The weight of these steel barrels is helpful when shooting. The OAL of my BA Snake Slayer IV is 6.25" with a weight of 23.5 oz. Really solidly built, and for the handgun size, a heavy-weight. Not sure about pocket carry for this specific model; seems to me too big. But BA makes smaller derringer models, which I believe have also holsters available for pocket carry. The basic design of this handgun is for close range shooting, so carrying it would be a good use for it.

Second, my SS IV came with a beautiful Rosewood grip on it. I really didn't want to change it out because it is really well-made and a definite "looker" --- and I love wood. I chose to get a BA accessory grip, which is an extended rubber grip very comparable to a Hogue Tamer. Keeps that recoil down quite a bit, plus makes for a stronger hold of the derringer. The wood tends to slip a little in my hand, especially on a warm day shooting.

As I've said in other handgun posts, I really enjoy shooting my derringer in all calibers. And although I also thoroughly like shooting my .38 Special revolver, my "go-to" S/A handgun is definitely this derringer. Much fun to shoot!

BigAl52 wrote:PT whats it like shooting the 45 colt barrel in one of those. Or even the 357. Ive always thought one of those would be a cool pocket carry. Al

Really good looking collection. I have been interested in the Bond Arms guns for a long time. Being able to change barrels is a big attraction for me.
For now they are still on my list of I really want one of these guns. It is a long list.

I've got the Bond Arms Rustic Ranger. It came with a 4.25" 45LC/.410 barrel. I have since added the 3.5" .357/.38 barrel and the 3" 9mm barrel.

I really enjoy shooting the .410 shells. The .38 specials are good too. Not so fun for me are the 45LC and the .357 rounds.

Love the gun!

Joe



On edit, I have added the extended rubber grips to replace the extended rosewood grips that came with the gun, however, I have not had the opportunity to take it out shooting yet.

Hey, Joe,

Glad you like your derringer, too. I hadn't looked at the Rustic Ranger before, and found out it is a special edition sold through Cabelas.....very cool! Do you like the driving holster that came with your gun? I don't have a holster for mine....yet!

I don't know if you thought the same as I did when I changed to the rubber grips. It was hard to remove the beautiful Rosewood grips. BA does a great job with the wood finishes and designs they put on their wood. But the rubber grips do help manage the derringer better in my experience. BTW, if the reason you don't enjoy shooting the the .45LC and the .357 rounds is because of recoil, the rubber grips do lessen that impact quite well...again, in my experience. I particularly like shooting the .357 magnums; that is the caliber I shoot the most often.

Yes, agreed, the .410 shells are fun to send down range. Curious as to what you shoot in the .410 shotshells? So far, I've tried these in .410, but still haven't decided which I like the best. Leaning toward the 000-Buck.

~~~Herters Select Field Rifled Slug
~~~Remington Express Rifled Slug
~~~Winchester Super X 000-Buck
~~~Federal 000-Buck

Keep on enjoying your derringer. Easy to like this handgun!
PT7

Joezilla wrote:I've got the Bond Arms Rustic Ranger. It came with a 4.25" 45LC/.410 barrel. I have since added the 3.5" .357/.38 barrel and the 3" 9mm barrel.

I really enjoy shooting the .410 shells. The .38 specials are good too. Not so fun for me are the 45LC and the .357 rounds.

Love the gun!

Joe



On edit, I have added the extended rubber grips to replace the extended rosewood grips that came with the gun, however, I have not had the opportunity to take it out shooting yet.

Enjoyed your post, PT. Very interesting info and great pics. The idea of interchangeable barrels is a natural for me, given my obsession with TC Contenders, but I have a full plate, right now, just messing with those. Might look at these guns at some point, though.

Great idea on the knife sock. Mine are just stored in their boxes.

If you do consider getting a BA derringer someday, NCG, I'll look forward to your target results. I have no doubt you could show me how to improve and shoot much better with this fixed-sight O/U! In the meantime, I'll keep on with my range practice. Glad you enjoyed the post...thanks!

North Country Gal wrote:Enjoyed your post, PT. Very interesting info and great pics. The idea of interchangeable barrels is a natural for me, given my obsession with TC Contenders, but I have a full plate, right now, just messing with those. Might look at these guns at some point, though.

Thanks, Sir Henry. I just "stumbled" across the knife sock on the Bore Stores web site. I really like their firearms storage bags, and that's how I keep all of my long guns and hand guns stored all the time. So went looking there, and was glad to find this bag.

Anyway, with the six compartments in this knife sock, it works perfectly. I store them this way: two barrels, skip one compartment, three barrels. Then I fold the sock in half on the empty compartment, and tie it closed with an old shoe string. Turns into a nice "box shape" when folded, and sits perfectly on top shelf of my gun cabinet. What I like best of all, it really mitigates the chances of scratching the stainless steel.

Sir Henry wrote:Great idea on the knife sock. Mine are just stored in their boxes.

You have it down to a science.

PT7 wrote:Hey, Joe,

Glad you like your derringer, too. I hadn't looked at the Rustic Ranger before, and found out it is a special edition sold through Cabelas.....very cool! Do you like the driving holster that came with your gun? I don't have a holster for mine....yet!

I don't know if you thought the same as I did when I changed to the rubber grips. It was hard to remove the beautiful Rosewood grips. BA does a great job with the wood finishes and designs they put on their wood. But the rubber grips do help manage the derringer better in my experience. BTW, if the reason you don't enjoy shooting the the .45LC and the .357 rounds is because of recoil, the rubber grips do lessen that impact quite well...again, in my experience. I particularly like shooting the .357 magnums; that is the caliber I shoot the most often.

Yes, agreed, the .410 shells are fun to send down range. Curious as to what you shoot in the .410 shotshells? So far, I've tried these in .410, but still haven't decided which I like the best. Leaning toward the 000-Buck.

~~~Herters Select Field Rifled Slug
~~~Remington Express Rifled Slug
~~~Winchester Super X 000-Buck
~~~Federal 000-Buck

Keep on enjoying your derringer. Easy to like this handgun!
PT7

Joezilla wrote:I've got the Bond Arms Rustic Ranger. It came with a 4.25" 45LC/.410 barrel. I have since added the 3.5" .357/.38 barrel and the 3" 9mm barrel.

I really enjoy shooting the .410 shells. The .38 specials are good too. Not so fun for me are the 45LC and the .357 rounds.

Love the gun!

Joe



On edit, I have added the extended rubber grips to replace the extended rosewood grips that came with the gun, however, I have not had the opportunity to take it out shooting yet.

I like the 00 Buck and sometimes the 000 Buck out of the .410 barrel. Not sure what brand as I do not have it in front of me at the moment.

I love the BAD driving holster. It is a cross draw rig on me. If we are traveling in the truck pulling the 5th wheel, I have it on. It is much easier to access than my normal pistol in the IWB holster on my right side at the 4:00 position.

Joe

Hey that's pretty darn cool.