Looking at a super small and concealable gun that can fire big bullets?
The concept of a Derringer has remained immensely popular since its inception.
And that idea has kept these tiny defensive powerhouses in production for over 150 years.
Today, many people choose to carry a Derringer as a backup weapon or as an easy pocket carry option that still has the power to stop a threat with authority.
That said, most people default to similarly sized pocket guns like the Ruger LCP and the like now, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
A small gun with a heavy trigger, a difficult-to-operate hammer, and a perilously short sight radius isn’t exactly an ideal self-defense gun, especially when there are so many easier-to-use options available.
But if you’re interested in a modern derringer, we put together a list of a few solid options to choose from.
THE QUICK LIST
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Easiest to Conceal
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Editor’s Pick
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Easiest to Shoot
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Highest Capacity
Table of Contents
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How We Chose the Best Derringers
The team at Pew Pew Tactical had a hand in contributing to this post. Most of us have had time with derringers in our careers, so we know a thing or two about what goes into a good tiny pistol.
We constantly test guns and regularly update articles as new models become available, so if you’re favorite isn’t here, check back soon!
Best Derringers
1. Bond Arms Backup
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
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Pros
- Easy to conceal
- Available in .45 ACP or 9mm
Cons
- Very short sight radius
- Hammer can be difficult to pull back
Bond Arms is a name you’ll hear a lot when looking at derringers, and with good reason.
They’re basically the industry standard, and to my knowledge one of very few manufacturers that puts serious effort into derringers these days.
The Backup is one of their most popular models and is chambered in .45 ACP.
This one ships with a 2.5” barrel, which is plenty of barrel for the type of “get off me” shooting these guns are designed for.
It’s definitely not perfect, and any kind of multi-target engagement is going to be a problem, as a backup weapon for pocket carry or to keep in an ankle holster, I think it’s pretty reasonable for most common self-defense scenarios.
Like most of their products, however, you can quickly and easily do a caliber swap and drop in one of the many different lengths and caliber barrels Bond Arms offers.
Like most (all) derringers, the trigger is stiff, and the hammer is hard to pull back, so make sure you have the hand strength to handle that and don’t expect to be hitting reliably past “bad breath distance.”
2. Bond Arms Snake Slayer
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
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Pros
- Versatile chambering options
- Great for pests
- Automatic case extractors
Cons
- Sight radius is still fairly short
- Hammer can be difficult to pull back
The Snake Slayer is Bond Arms’ most popular model. It comes with a 3.5” barrel and is available in either .357 Mag/.38 Special, or .45 LC/.410.
You get a little more barrel, a little less recoil, and a lot more accuracy over the Backup model, especially with the .357/.38 Mag version. The sight radius, such as it is, is almost usable, and the caliber options give you a little more flexibility as well.
As with most of Bond Arms’ products, you can swap barrels out to your heart’s content, but I like the .357/.38 one an awful lot. You will never struggle to find ammo, and you’ll be well-equipped to deal with almost anything short of a bear.
The .45 LC/.410 option provides good defense against snakes and other small pests and can even offer some good survival weapon potential. It can be a great little gun for a lightweight bugout kit or just as something to keep in your pack when wandering the backcountry.
I think the survival gun last ditch truck gun tackle box gun is where derringers really shine anyway, and something like the Snake Slayer really makes sense in that respect.
3. Bond Arms Ranger II
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
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Pros
- Better sight radius
- Automatic case extractors
- Better ballistics
Cons
- Slightly harder to conceal
- Hammer can be difficult to pull back
The Bond Arms Ranger II is probably the easiest derringer to shoot on this list.
It comes with a 4.25” barrel, which is honestly bigger than what most people would expect from a derringer. However, it is a very useful and usable barrel length no matter how you slice it, and it does well with the .45 LC/.410 barrels.
You get all the solid upsides of a derringer in that it is simple, easy to use, and virtually bombproof, and comes in a fairly usable package that you can take into the woods or keep on you for self-defense.
And, of course, for something that’s just plain fun to shoot at the range or to be a little silly with, there are few things better.
This derringer won’t beat your hand up like the others either, so you won’t shoot it once and leave it in the back of the safe until you decide to trade it in towards a J-frame or something similar.
What’s your take on the Bond Arms? Rate them below!
4. American Derringer Model M-4 Alaskan
Are you looking for a survival derringer? I mean a derringer that will help you survive almost anything? Well, the American Derringer Model M-4 Alaskan may be exactly what you need.
This thing has a 4.1” barrel chambered in .45 LC/.410, which is pretty standard for derringers like this.
But this derringer has another barrel chambered in something else we’ve talked about so far — it’s chambered in .45-70 Govt.
If you’ve ever shot a rifle chambered in .45-70, you probably felt it in your shoulder the next day. I personally have no desire to ever shoot one again. In a pistol? A derringer, no less? I hope you have good insurance cause your wrist is in peril.
So why put it on this list? Why is it even a thing that exists? Surely it’s just a joke gun, right? A meme cannon to let your buddies shoot at the range with no practical value? Well…not quite.
While the better backup bear gun is something like a .454 Casull revolver, a light backup chambered in .45-70 is a whole lot better than nothing.
The M-4 Alaskan is a survival gun that can pack down extremely light and be used as a practical(ish) backup hunting weapon. Finally, it’s just a freakin’ hilarious thing to own, and it makes a good conversation starter and head-turner.
There is one problem…you can’t get these new anymore, so you have to fend for yourself on ArmsList or Gunbroker.
Honorable Mention – NAA Mini Revolver
Prices accurate at time of writing
Prices accurate at time of writing
-
25% off all OAKLEY products - OAKLEY25
Copied! Visit Merchant
Pros
- Higher capacity
- Extremely concealable
- Easy to shoot
Cons
- Not really a derringer
- Unprotected trigger guard
There are a few guns out there that a lot of people call a “derringer” even though they don’t technically meet the accepted definition or aren’t quite a normal derringer.
The NAA line of mini-revolvers is something you might be interested in if you are also interested in the derringer concept.
NAA specializes in some really well-designed, good-looking, and surprisingly functional mini revolvers chambered in .22 LR, .22 Short, and .22 Mag.
You can get a gun that is 4” long, weighs less than 5oz, and carries 5 rounds of .22 in a shockingly usable package. Your biggest problem might be leaving one in your jeans and forgetting it’s in there.
While .22 LR isn’t the world’s best self-defense round by any means, I don’t think anyone wants to get shot by one either. As a “get-off-me” weapon, it’s certainly better than nothing.
Beyond self-defense, good lord, are these things fun. They have almost no recoil and are surprisingly accurate, if a bit challenging to use.
History of the Derringer
Way back in 1852, John Deringer (one “r”) came up with the idea for a small, easily concealed pistol with a large bore that could be conveniently carried in the outer pocket of a gentleman’s coat.
He called it the Philadelphia Deringer, and it immediately caught on and spawned a huge number of copies, which, to avoid trademark issues, were sold as Derringers (with two “r”s).
Capitalism happened, and the name of the copy stuck.
Today, derringers are sold all over the world and are still incredibly popular with those looking to defend themselves, but they are mostly novelties, range toys, and just interesting things to have around.
That said, they’ll still put a big hole in a threat, so don’t discount them for self-defense, even if there are better options out there these days.
So, without further ado, here are some of the best and most practical derringers on the market
Final Thoughts
The derringer may be a little old-fashioned, but it hasn’t gone the way of the dodo just yet. There are still some people out there who carry them every day, whether because they like the idea of a small pocket gun or because they’re just plain cool.
Then again, they can be surprisingly fun at the range as well and will certainly stand out from all the black rifles and polymer pistols that will be taking up the lanes all around you.
Whatever your reason, if you’re looking to own a derringer, there are some great options out there, including some ones that make great carry guns, great survival weapons, or great range toys.
What do you think of derringers? Which one of these is your favorite? Let me hear from you in the comments! For some more…normal CCW weapons, check out our Best Concealed Carry Guns guide!
19 Leave a Reply
When it comes to Derringers, everyone interested should take a good look at American Derringers. A company founded in 1980 by Robert Saunders, their derringers are truly works of art. Their primary product line is the model one, which in the beginning, was made totally by hand in Bob’s workshop. It is based on the iconic Remington model 95 Deringer. I am fortunate to say that I have serial number .45-18, the eighteenth one ever made for .45/410 in Bob’s shop. He truly was the innovator when it came to those calibers. They are modern stainless Steel versions and are made in over 60 calibers ranging from .22lr, to .45 Long Colt and .410 gauge, to even .45-70 Govt. Incidentally, Greg Bond, I understand, (founder of Bond Arms), worked for American Derringers before he started his own company.
Bob Saunders sadly lost his life to pancreatic cancer in 1993. Today, his Wife Elizabeth runs the company and oversees the production of the products. Truly a great American success story. She tells me she loves this country and is proud to have American, in her company’s name.
Why get a 2-shot $500+ Bond that is roughly the same size as any number of snubbies that hold five shots? Concealability is about the same.
Well that's a good question. My Bond has a 4.25" .410/.45 Colt "Snake Charmer" barrel Set. But with a little Allen wrench I can swap it to a 4.25" .357 Magnum barrel set, or a 3" .44 Special. With different holsters and barrels and calibers you can really customize it like a new gun each time. Unless you're not into it, then buy a Diamondback .380 ACP. = )
I gotta wonder about these recs and comments. I have a Cobra CB38; 38 special, 2-3/4 barrel. Lovely pocket gun, well made, solid hammer, tho erratic striking. Will take care of anybody's bad breath. But, beyond that distance, the broad side of a barn would be safe. The range master moseyed on down and asked us to quit shooting the roof (some kick to it). The .22 should do quite adequately for it's intended purpose. 1 note that may be applicable, the trigger is very stiff if pulled straight back. it is much closer to typical trigger-pull if pulled at a 45 degree angle.
I bought derringer to carry in car.. I picked a 38 caliber.. I read a story of a man getting a haircut, 2 robbers came in to rob Barber.. He pulled out derringer and shot both of them.. Nice gun.. Do you think 38 caliber good enough ?????
Sorry to say BUT Bond Arms is a lot of sizzle and zero steak. They claim a bunch of stuff like how solid and great they are when I. Reality they break and are seriously overpriced. Their customer service was down right condescending and rude and acted like they did me a huge favor to fix the broken hammer on my six mon old gun that had been fired less than 50 times.
I was looking for a solid companion to take care of snakes but they really turned me off due to the way I was treated. Also, the gun is two years old and now the grips broke as well. Yeah, real quality stuff they sell- NOT. The worst was the customer service and the crappy attitude towards a person who spent $500 + bucks on a gun they claimed was built like a tank.
Just love my American .45LC/.410. As useful as a pocket carry could ever be. In the Ozarks I load both barrels with .410 for snakes. In St. Louis I'll run two .45 LCs in the pipes. I carry a Colt Defender in the city, sure enough, yet don't particularly like always lugging the weight. The American, however, just drops into my pocket with no fuss and, a mere two rounds notwithstanding, it is likely all the gun I'll ever need for most daily errand running.
My truth about Bond Arms.
Roughneck
I really loved these guns and Bond had a good reputation so after much research and waiting I bought a Roughneck 45acp.
About 200-300 shots into it, the bottom barrel was light striking and therefor would not fire.
Very upset I took it back and got my money.
Cowboy Defender
Thinking it was the place I bought it from that was the problem, I spent $579 on a cowboy defender .410 lc.
It worked fine for a couple of weeks until I bought 9mm and 45acp barrels for it. You are supposed to be able to swap any of their barrels with no problem.
100 rounds into the 9mm and it was light striking the primer on the bottom barrel as well! I used 3 kinds of different Ammo- same issue.
I switched to 45acp- 250 rounds (2 kinds of different Ammo) into it it was light striking the primer of the bottom barrel too.
I sent it in to Bond. Eight weeks later I get it back and although they scratched and roughed up my 410 barrel, they filed the other barrels, put a new trigger spring into it and I have had no problems (WITH THAT).
Today at the range my f-ing trigger stuck and will not get unstuck. I did trouble shooting all to no avail. Aware that this was more like a back up gun it was my carry gun with the 410 barrel. What a joke.
I am so fed up with these people and this novelty gun. I know some of you will swear by your bond arms, so I think they must have changed the quality of their manufacturing.
My advice- save you money, save your time, invest in a company that actually is high quality and doesn’t just pretend to be. I hate this gun now and regret ever considering bond arms.
Has any of you shot the derringer m1 30/30? 3 inch barrel on the booger.
what is the story behind the 45 "long" colt? Colt listed it in their early catalogs as a 45 Colt....when was the 45 "long" Colt invented and by who? Is there a 45 "Short" Colt?
Let's set the record straight once and for all, the 45 Colt & 45 Long Colt are the same exact round of ammunition. The.45 Colt cartridge, also referred to as.45 Long Colt, .45 LC, or 11.43×33mmR, is a rimmed straight-walled handgun cartridge dating to 1872. Currently 45 Colt/45 Long Colt is a center fired cartridge. However if you want the detailed explanation https://www.ammoland.com/2016/09/45-colt-vs-45-long-colt/ has a lot of history explaining origination and changes
There was a shorter round for the 45 Schofield, which would fire in a SAA. The 45 Colt is the proper term, it became commonly and incorrectly called the Long Colt for that reason.
Not one mention of a Cobra Firearms derringer. They don't cost like a Bond Arms, but they are ALL metal construction (alloy) other then their handles. They are not that bad of a weapon. Yes, the trigger pull is different, but they ARE GOOD derringers.
bummer, no pics allowed?
Here's my tiny boi! :)
IMG_1737.jpg
High caliber derringers as the bond defender in 44mag was. But is no longer made. Are perfect for travel in major cities. Refusing to be a victim. But even the 44 mag. American or bond had stiff recoil. But at close range will prove a point.
Had a American derringer Alaskan survival model 4 if memory serves me. 45/70 bottom and 45lc/410 top if not mistaken. And had it at age 15. Yes I fired it once in 45/70 300 grn soft point. Probably the other reason I ended up in er that night. And had to learn to write with opposite hand. I basically torn or dislocated parts of my hand I couldn't pronounce. But I did get the experience. And my father said it proves I was insane.
I had that gun. Fired it three times. First time because I wasn't going to own a gun I was afraid to shoot. Second time to prove that I had the nerve to do it again. Last time to prove that the second times wasn't just to prove a point (which it was). It DID feel like a bomb but I shot it three times. A record in these parts.
A must have item when you go riverboat gambling or take a long stagecoach journey.