Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Handguns a derringer caliber for a backup handgun?

The first time I saw one of those P938s was about 8-9 years ago now. I was teaching a civilian class, which I had swore off doing but my buddy John Shaw was double book with a military outfit coming in and needed help so I agreed to (John has always been such a good dude, it is hard to say no when he needs a favor).

Anyways, one of the students had one of these micro 9s, and I did not expect much, as most of the time, folks with mini guns don't shoot them well, and they don't run well. That was not the case with the 938 or the guy. The thing ran like a sewing machine and was quite obviously accurate, based on the guy's target. He was punching little fist sized clusters with it.

Impressive little thing.

I used derringers for carry for a while--38 sp--but now I'm either carrying my Glock43X or my Kimber micro and I feel I'm more secure plus those pistols don't feel any bulkier than the derringer

Ya only got two shots.......make the most of them! Go 45 Long Colt! memtb

I'd not pack a one- or two-shot gun and feel prepared for much. Like others have said, with the available micro semi-autos available now in 9mm, there's no reason to handicap your backup.

thanks for the insights. i'll have to re-think. that's what i've always liked about this site. different folks with different views and lot's of experience.
maybe carry two ruger lcp's. not a reason not to do so that i can identify.

the idea of a derringer stuck into the top of a thick sock just seemed appealing somehow. i've never been in a gunfight. and have only been shot once.

Getting shot.....
Takes a lot of the fight out of ya! 😁 memtb

Nope. I bought a Pug a long time ago but never viewed it as more than a novelty or a third or fourth gun. I joke about it being a bathing suit or hot tub gun after leaving ammo in a glass of water for 3 days and finding out that they all still fired.



Yep.



Agree.

I have never had so much as a bobble with mine and it doesn't recoil badly. To me it's a serious fighting handgun in a backup package. It only lacks firepower.

My wife loves her 938! memtb

sometimes its hard to hide a consealed carry pistol in the summer ,thats when i carry a Bonds Arm derringer 410 3 inch with buckshot.

The old COP .357 4 barreled derringer was semi-popular back in the 1970s. Good thing about that one is after you've finished the 4 shots, it made a terrific projectile when thrown!

Now that you mention it, I remember my father bringing one of those home and showing it to my brothers and I. I agree that it would likely be effective if thrown.

There are plenty of better guns out there that are just as easy to conceal.

This. A TX Defender weighs about 3 pounds to boot.
Had one come through when I worked at the gun shop. Pretty neat and like you say heavy. I even shot it a little and couldn’t hit much past bad breath distance with the mile long trigger pull. It brought a bunch of money when we put it on auction though.

I'm breaking some of the cardinal rules of the BUG. I carry a SIG P-220. My BUG is a Bond Arms 45Colt. I really should shoot a 45 ACP. If I need a BUG after 19 rounds of 45 ACP it might be too late. Be Well, RZ.

A four barreled .357 COP derringer to shoot .38 Special through. When you run out of ammo it can be used as a skull crusher.

I picked 45 ACP.

Yeah, but Pete's got style and that Bond 410 will "leave a mark".

Good, 44 or 45 at spitting distance in my opinion is the way to go. Think of it as a Liberator 😂

But it's a lousy epitaph.