Bond Arms Rough & Rowdy .45 Colt/.410

DeaconKC · October 07, 2023, 05:47:40 PM

Okay, picked this up earlier this week and have an early report for you guys. This is the budget version of the very well built Bond Arms derringers, with a rougher, non-polished finish. I have not shot any .410 through it yet and can report that my loads that I use for my CAS shooting are ... fun? Interesting anyway, 7.5 grains of Unique under a 200 grain slug produce a very noticeable BOOM from a 3" barrel and my 250 grain JHPs are really quite a handful. Anyway I may try a lighter load for the CAS stuff, or just terrify my posse members. I have some XL grips on the way for it and will see how it handles with them.

Froogal · October 08, 2023, 07:07:27 AM

I recently picked up a similar firearm in .38 special. Mine is made by "Old West Firearms". So far, I am not impressed.

DeaconKC · October 08, 2023, 08:38:12 AM

Yeah, we have a lot of folks trying to pawn derringers at my shop. My boss will no take them in. The only ones he will take are the Bond Arms or or one other [ the name escapes me, I'm only on my first cup of coffee]. No cheapies. There is a huge difference in the wat they handle and run. I may eventually pick up some .38 or even .32 barrels for this, it would definitely be fun to shoot then. Oh, btw, they sight are pretty well on at 5 yards.

Froogal · October 08, 2023, 01:54:02 PM

Quote from: DeaconKC on October 08, 2023, 08:38:12 AM
Yeah, we have a lot of folks trying to pawn derringers at my shop. My boss will no take them in. The only ones he will take are the Bond Arms or or one other [ the name escapes me, I'm only on my first cup of coffee]. No cheapies. There is a huge difference in the wat they handle and run. I may eventually pick up some .38 or even .32 barrels for this, it would definitely be fun to shoot then. Oh, btw, they sight are pretty well on at 5 yards.

Right out of the box I couldn't even cock the hammer. A little tweaking and oiling somewhat fixed that, but then it would fire only the top barrel. A little more tweaking and now I essentially have a paper weight.

For what it's worth, the few times it DID fire, the recoil was not bad at all.

River City John · October 08, 2023, 06:17:45 PM

I had a Rohm in .38spcl that was as close to the Remington derringer as one could get.
It was OK but uncomfortable to manage.
I've replaced it with a Remington derringer copy in .22. Just for side matches.

DeaconKC · October 10, 2023, 06:23:45 PM

The new grips arrived today and look really good. Very well made, but THICK. They will be good for shooting at a match, but I think they will be too bulky for regular pocket carry.

DeaconKC · November 13, 2023, 08:06:55 PM

Okay, a summary of this gun after owning and shooting it for a while. My Cowboy load that is comfortable in my rifles and revolvers is quite lively in this little beast. a 200 grain RNFP under 7.5 grains of Unique is LOUD from this thing. Can't wait til our next side match with Pocket guns. My defensive load, a 250 grain JHP is ........umm......attention getting. WOW, but it's gonna be a lot worse on the receiving end. It's not terrible for pocket carry but is probably pushing the upper limit for this style carry, an IWB makes more sense. Great little gun, made with true precision, I am gonna have to get some 38 Special barrels for it.

Dave T · November 14, 2023, 07:44:23 AM

All that bulk and uglyness for just two shots? Not for me but YMMV.

By the way, in the 10 years I ran my own firearms training business, and qualified people for their CCW permits, I never had anyone who showed up with a derringer qualify. Didn't matter the quality or chambering, they could not get enough center of mass hits to pass the course.

Dave