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Derringer

ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
edited June 2002 in Ask the Experts
picked up a 38 sp derringer marked bTj on left side Hamden CT usa on left side also has D/A very similar to american derringer model DA any body know anything about this one its not in any reference book I own THANX RICK it is ss wood grips



Edited by - MY65VETTE on 08/14/2002 22:45:33

Edited by - MY65VETTE on 08/14/2002 22:48:12
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Comments

  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello All,

    I have a 38 derringer. I have read that you shouldn't use hollow point ammo. Why is this? Is there a valid reason or do they just want to put a kinder gentler hole in the bad guy?

    Thanks!
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  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello all,
    I have an old rimfire derringer that looks exactly like a Colt third model 41 cal. The only marking on it is the name on the barrel. It is either ZAOUE or ZAQUE.
    Any help?
    Thanks
    Oldair2057
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  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just got the hankerin to have a 2 shot derringer.
    Anyone have an experince with the Davis Derringer, accuracy,recoil?
    Was thinking 38 spec. Maybe 22 mag. I realize this type of gun would not be much for self defence,but it would be very easy to carry, and even a little something is better then nothing.
    Any words of wisdom would be greatly appreciated.
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  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I received a derringer when my uncle died. It is a 357 magnum. It has Maverick across the top of the barrel, wooden handles and the serial number is 522. It is shown on top of the barrel and right in front of the left handle. It says Intercontinental Arms on the left side of the barrel, and A. Uberti & C. Gardone V.T. Italy on the right side of the barrel. Below the serial number on the side of the gun it also has XIX and what appears to be PSF under a symbol I cannot make out. I have shot it several times and it shoots great. Any idea what it is worth? Everything seems to be in very good shape and the wooden handles are intact. Thanks.
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  • binderbinder Member Posts: 242 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I had a friend that was a captain of our local police dept. that carried a 22 magnum high standard derringer off duty. He said and I believe it to be true that the 38 special and 22 magnum for some shells have close to the same ballistics,and or energy, and the kick from the 22 mag is alot less. The cost of ammo these days is about the same. If your thinking of 38 special, try a 148 grain ,hollow based wadcutter/inverted with 3 grains of bullseye in the shell(top cannalure crimp or flush crimp the bullet. For close in shooting only, after 21-30 feet the bullet tumbles.. Up to 30 feet the bullet will mushroom to about 60 caliber when it hits ballistic gelatin. I have seen and loaded this round, and know it works. Kick is not bad either. The one thing to remember with a derringer and 38 special is to keep the load, light, and controllable. You don't want the gun to jump out of your hand.
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  • He DogHe Dog Member Posts: 51,593 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Davis would certainly not be my first choice.
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  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hedog: What other brands would you suggest? I'm always open to a better idea. What would they cost?
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  • allen griggsallen griggs Member Posts: 35,619 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I am a big fan of High Standard. I have one in .22 mag and it is high quality. I think they are no longer manufactured but there are a lot of used ones out there. I wouldn't have a problem with one in .22lr either. I don't know about "knockdown power" but take it from me the .22lr will kill a man graveyard dead.

    "Not as deep as a well, or as wide as a church door, but it is enough."
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  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I found a used Hi Standard in 22 lr at a local dealer. Asking price was $185. It was a little bigger then I thought would fit easily in a pants pocket. What do you think?
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  • Rob GreeneRob Greene Member Posts: 102 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I own a Davis .22 Mag. derringer. It seems to be fairly well made. It definitely has enough power to stop a person, if you were to carry it for that purpose. The recoil is managable. You will not be using this for target shooting at 25 yards, believe me, but in a close-up situation that one would need a derringer for, I wouldn't want to be staring down the barrels of one.

    **It is your right to posess a firearm. In case of questions, please refer to ammendment 2, United States Constitution.**
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  • gruntledgruntled Member Posts: 8,218 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I bought a Davis .38 sight unseen when they first came out. When I saw it I sold it soon after. It is butt ugly & far larger than the .22
    , .22 mag or .32 versions.
    I have one of the .32s & am quite satisfied with it. The only problem is that it will not eject fired cartridges (the ejecter will ride over the rims). As long as you have something to push them out this is not a problem. The gun has never misfired & both barrels shoot surprisingly close to point of aim. (At least mine does for me).
    The net result is a gun that is about the same weight or maybe less than a Kel-Tec, much smaller, same caliber & goes bang, bang every time.
    Note: The ejection problem is only likely to occur in .25 & .32 cal
    because of the rimless case.

    Edited by - gruntled on 06/05/2002 00:49:32
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  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rob: Have you tried shot shells for snakes.
    What kind of accuracy could I expect at 10 yards?
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  • Rob GreeneRob Greene Member Posts: 102 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've never tried shot shells in it. We don't have much of a snake problem here in Maine. I would imagine, however, that the shot would work fine as long as you severely limit your range. the short barrel would not allow the shot to compress, and I would imagine it would scatter rather quickly.

    **It is your right to posess a firearm. In case of questions, please refer to ammendment 2, United States Constitution.**
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  • Rob GreeneRob Greene Member Posts: 102 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    By the way, I've never had any problems ejecting shells from my Davis .22 Mag.

    **It is your right to posess a firearm. In case of questions, please refer to ammendment 2, United States Constitution.**
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  • ClairClair Member Posts: 679 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Had a dealer quote a price of $75 for a new Davis, chrome or black, but he didn't have one on hand. Sure would like to feel one in my hand before I buy. I am leaning toward 22 mag.
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  • Rob GreeneRob Greene Member Posts: 102 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Mine is chrome, and I got it used from my brother. That cost me just $50.00. I probably wouldn't have bought it had it been from anyone else, not at that price, only because I wasn't looking for one. Now, I kind of like it. I guess it grew on me!

    **It is your right to posess a firearm. In case of questions, please refer to ammendment 2, United States Constitution.**
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  • interstatepawnllcinterstatepawnllc Member Posts: 9,390
    edited November -1
    Clair, spend the extra bucks and get a weapon you can count on, this is your life were talking about right? American Derringer or the High Standard would be fine choices. I personally would not want to carry the Davis for self defense, for * and grins or plinkin however it would be fine.
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  • 101AIRBORNE101AIRBORNE Member Posts: 1,252 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Clair,

    Most others have it nailed. Davis is junk. I would not purchase a junker Davis. When your life really is threatned, turn to your best friend. If not your loved one, your arm. Purchase quality and learn/know your weapon. I am not a fan of these guns but I believe that "Bond" manufacturer's a quality arm. May wish to consider the
    North American line. They really are quality, but not my cup of tea.
    My $00.02 Best, Steve
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