In this post I discussed the various "mouse guns" that are available.
Just to refresh your memory, these guns are tiny, ultra-concealable arms that are usually used as holdout or emergency self defense tools. The most widely known example has to be the derringer, which is a fixed barrel gun holding one or two shots.
(Please click on all pics to see if there is a larger image available.)
My take on derringers and other mouse guns is that they certainly fill a specialized self defense role, but they are a poor second to just about every other choice out there. I cannot recommend them to my students, and I actively try to discourage them from relying on a mouse gun as their primary self defense arm.
A reader signing himself as Dave Larson was kind enough to leave a comment at that post earlier today. I thought you might be interested in a different point of view.
"On the Derringer subject, I agree it is not the best choice for a shooter with limited experience. I am a firearms instructor and you will be surprised to learn that my concealed carry firearm of choice is a Bond Arms Derringer in .45 Long Colt. It is very well built, has great safety features, and is accurate within it's intended range. Since most defensive scenarios take place at close range, I do not feel under armed with this potent little 2 shot Derringer. The American Derringer is a good second choice. My Bond .45 has a stout recoil and interchangeable barrels, but I would never shoot magnum rounds or 10MM. The .38, .44 Special or the .45 Long Colt are all excellent choices. A well built Derringe like the Bond is easy to carry and conceal. Just get some training, practice, and follow all CCW laws."
I'm certainly glad that Mr. Larson is comfortable with his choice, but I'm afraid that my opinion is unchanged. Tiny holdout pistols have a use, but they are inferior to just about every other choice. I simply cannot recommend them as a primary defensive arm, even to someone with experience and a high degree of skill.
In the spirit of full disclosure, I would like to say that Mr. Larson's comment was edited. He left the URL to Bond Arms, a private firm marketing derringers. I thought that was a little too close to spam marketing for me to be entirely comfortable, and anyone interested can find the website by running a Google search.
Comments (9)
As I can carry a KelTec P3AT in about the same physical space as a derringer, I will continue to use the KelTec as the standard for "as small as I will willingly go" in terms of a carry handgun.
Obviously, there is some difference in a .380 and a .44 special or .45 long colt, but I am not sure how that works out, ballistically, in such a short derringer barrel. And two shots only, even if most gun fights are over in 3 or less, leaves one with an empty feeling...
I honestly do not know of anyone who carries a derringer, even as some sort of "last ditch double super secret backup weapon". I would be inclined, if it was that close and desperate, to have a good and sharp blade in my hand.
[jim zumbo]
But, I fully support your right to own one!
[/jim zumbo]
Posted by Porta's Cat | March 17, 2007 9:44 AM
Posted on March 17, 2007 09:44
I seem to remember a quote from Elmer Keith saying "derringers do nothing well, shun them" this might have been from a very old G&A handgun review or one of their annuals.
Posted by jon spencer | March 17, 2007 11:57 AM
Posted on March 17, 2007 11:57
I honestly do not know of anyone who carries a derringer, even as some sort of "last ditch double super secret backup weapon".
Many of my students are in the lower income brackets. I have had a number of them take the course with derringers, and they make it clear that they are intending to use them as their primary defense.
But they usually change their mind when I say that they have to shoot 300 rounds to graduate, and 50 rounds per month (at the very minimum) to maintain the lowest level of skill necessary to safely and effectively fend off an attack.
Load, shoot two, unload. Repeat. Gets old even when going through a single box of ammo.
And so even boredom is a teaching tool in my course.
James
Posted by James R. Rummel | March 17, 2007 12:12 PM
Posted on March 17, 2007 12:12
Every time I see one of those in 45colt I stop and look for a moment. There's something about them that's appealing on some inner level. I don't have any need or use for one, but the desire to own one just keeps growing.
Posted by trajectory | March 17, 2007 10:37 PM
Posted on March 17, 2007 22:37
I purchased my .38 derringer because it was shiny and I wanted one. I find it nicely compact as it disappears completely in anything from jeans to three piece suits. It is a suitable back-up; up close and personal weapon but I still prefer a .357 magnum snub nosed revolver in my belt as my primary.
The .38 admittedly is rough on my hands. Shooting the derringer after a short duration gets uncomfortable. I have yet to make it through an entire box of rounds before I have to put it down. As far as the derringer as a tactical weapon, It surely beats fingernails in a conflict.
If you want one, get one and add it to your collection. There is always the "cool factor" even if it is not the most practical weapon in your arsenal.
Posted by Adam Jeppson | June 8, 2007 11:59 AM
Posted on June 8, 2007 11:59
The bond derringer is hard to use and is to big the 10mm model one AMD derringer is the best. You can cock it fast fire with one hand I carry it in a shirt pocket. About once every other month I fire to rounds. Yes the hands get red but if you carry a derringer get two rounds that work. I will eassily to through 7 half gallon milk cartons with blaser ammo.
Posted by jack smith | August 9, 2007 9:07 PM
Posted on August 9, 2007 21:07
Any fire arm is better than none when you are in a confrontation. Yep there maybe be better choices but if that choice is at home it's a lousy choice. So I guess my take on it is carry what you like! That said I carry the 45/410 Derringer, great defense gun, because I have it with me.
Posted by Mike Pavuk | January 9, 2008 8:55 PM
Posted on January 9, 2008 20:55
I am a woman.. and the only one to respond. While I agree that this may not be a good choice for a man, I think you are neglecting us women of whom nothing is generally expected. I have a little one-shot 22LR derringer. It is no good at distance, of course, but I'm not buying a scope for it nor do I intend to shoot rabbits. It is strictly a self defense weapon. One little shot in the head, groin, or armpit among other places is going to pretty much take care of my problem. A larger gun is impractical for my old hands and a knife is only good to slice chicken for... a bullet beats them every time. I think women should consider one... and practice with it until there is a level of comfort, and then keep it to themselves unless needed.
Posted by Sue Ingalls | April 27, 2008 7:23 PM
Posted on April 27, 2008 19:23
Any pistol is a poor choice as a "primary defensive arm". All pistols are a poor second choice to everything else out there,except in
special cases like hunting communists in an
underground tunnel or gunfights that might occur inside a vehicle or closet.
We use pistols, however, because we find it
awkward to carry our 30-06 or 12guage everywhere we go. A derringer is simply a continuation of the same logic that caused you to choose a pistol instead of a deer rifle, the desire to be armed without being encumbered, or frightening the city folk.
You are far better off to have that derringer
in the shirt pocket vs. having the 1911 on the
dresser at home, because it was hard for you to
conceal and flopped around in the umpteenth holster you've tried.
Carry a larger pistol if your dress/environment
permits, carry a smaller pistol if not. Avoid
derringers that are so large that conventional
pistols can replace them............
Posted by Tuco Juan Benito Ramirez | May 20, 2008 5:26 AM
Posted on May 20, 2008 05:26