Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: Halo on August 06, 2006, 10:44:27 AM
-
I thought it would be a neat idea to have a little derringer with me on canoe fishing trips. Just some token firepower to take out any hostile water moccasin or deter any belligerent person I might encounter.
So I went to a gun store where a clerk demonstrated he could hit a six-inch target on a wall (indoor firing range) 20 feet away. I was sold. I bought a North American Arms Corp. .22 long rifle derringer. Palm-size. So tiny could forget you even had it in a fishing vest pocket.
Fortunately nothing ever happened to make me need it on any fishing trip.
Because when I practiced with it, on several occasions over a long periods of time, I could never hit ANYTHING with it. Nada. Neither could my kids, who are pretty good shots.
The five shells in its cylinder were also prone to getting loose and jamming the back so the cylinder wouldn't turn. The size was too small for a secure grip; the derringer actually leaped out of my hand and the hands of other shooters a couple times.
Derringers of course are close-in weapons designed for not much more than an arm-length away from a target. The sales clerk must have been the world's greatest derringer marksman.
So although I concede, yeah, it should work about 3 feet away against large still targets, I could never hit a snake with it (including with minuscule .22 shot that doesn't seem very effective), and I'm not sure it would impress any hostile humans either.
For my fishing trip protection, that minimal degree deterrence is best provided by a big knife or a big stick.
Anyone else here have similar or different experiences with this sort of mini revolver?
-
If you can't hit anything with it, you probably answered your own question. Few things more dangerous than a gun that you can't shoot properly. Usually that applies to people trying to shoot guns that are too powerful for them, but the same rule applies to crappy little guns too.
Personally, I'd try different ammo with it and see how that works. Maybe try some short or subsonic loads.
As for the rounds slipping out, you could try applying a little blob of hot wax to the side each round before chambering it. That could make reloading the thing tough, but it's not exactly the kind of gun you'd carry extra ammo for anyhow. If you're in a firefight and need to reload your 22 derringer, you're probably on borrowed time in any case :)
The only tiny revolver I've had personal experience with was a little .25 5-shot pocket revolver, dunno what make/model. It kicked like a mofo, but at least it shot straight. If it was mine, I'd buy some weak loads so it wouldn't numb my hand if I had to use it.
-
Originally posted by Halo
snip
Anyone else here have similar or different experiences with this sort of mini revolver?
It makes a nice belt buckle ornament.
My wife bought me one of these in .22LR as a gift many years ago:
(http://images.gunsamerica.com/upload/976326437-1.jpg)
I'm pretty happy with its integrity of construction and utility for what it is.
culero
-
The only small pistol like that that I have is a Walther TPH. It's a .22 in stainless that is a smaller version of the PPK. Think PPK but small enough to be hidden by the palm of your hand, and 7 shots. Hard as hell to shoot accurately as the trigger is so rough.
-
Try a Kel-Tec P32 or P3AT (.32 and .380). They're not much bigger, are very light, they carry more and larger rounds, and (especially with the newer versions) have sights that can actually be used to hit what you're aiming at.
I also have a NAA .22 magnum mini-revolver that used to stay in my pocket everywhere I went - it was replaced a few years back by the P32. (This is for the times when I'm not carrying a gun- the rest of the time I have my Glock with me. . . )
-
100% deadly in the right hands.
-
My wife and I really like the Walther P22. Accurate, small, accurate, lightweight, and it's also accurate.
-
One of these:
http://www.bondarms.com/ifirearms.htm
-
If I were to carry one, I'd get a 45 Colt double barrel. You can put a .410 shell in it if you want a snake killer.
-
Originally posted by eagl
...d carry extra ammo for anyhow. If you're in a firefight and need to reload your 22 derringer, you're probably on borrowed time in any case :)
:lol the thought of "firefight" and .22 derringer just busts me up:rofl
I'm picturing I think Chevy Chase in "spies like us" I think with the finger shot.. I could be wrong
-
well, it WILL kill somebody, so in that respect it is usefull as a last ditch weapon before you start using your teeth and nails.
-
Originally posted by Captain Virgil Hilts
If I were to carry one, I'd get a 45 Colt double barrel. You can put a .410 shell in it if you want a snake killer.
I proved to myself that a .38 special gun can fire a decent bird shot. I clipped a snake mid body (because I couldn't get closer and his head was hidden) and he couldn't get away. I then put a round right in his head. I would have taken him out and gotten a trophy, but he was squirming a little bit too much for comfort.
-
"I thought it would be a neat idea to have a little derringer with me on canoe fishing trips. Just some token firepower to take out any hostile water moccasin or deter any belligerent person I might encounter."
In such hostile environment I'd take an M16..hell why not M60 to fend off anything less the size of a MiG29. :D
Jayzuz guys, you live in a dangerous country if you need to get a gun along on a fishing trip...
-C+
-
One advantage to a small gun like the P22 (vs. a rifle or big iron) is that you're MUCH more likely to have it on you when you get in trouble.
There are a few things in life that are worthless:
1. The altitude above you.
2. The runway behind you.
3. The big gun that's not with you.
I'm skeptical of how useful a one or two shot derringer might be, but I suppose it'd still be infinitely more useful than nothing when you really needed it.
-
Originally posted by x0847Marine
100% deadly in the right hands.
vs snakes?
-
Originally posted by Slash27
vs snakes?
xMarine is correct.
-
my 5 shot .357 mag weighs 12 oz and fits in a front pocket with no problem.
lazs
-
A .22 is lethal against small to medium sized animals (including humans) when used properly. A bigger caliber is usually more popular because it's more forgiving of mistakes. You don't have to be as good a shot with a .45, just nick 'em and they're down.
A properly trained person with a .22 can use it verrry effectively. Whenever you hear folks describing it as "not even being able to puncture skin", that's code for "the bullets don't go where I want them to".
-
Originally posted by Chairboy
A .22 is lethal against small to medium sized animals (including humans) when used properly. A bigger caliber is usually more popular because it's more forgiving of mistakes. You don't have to be as good a shot with a .45, just nick 'em and they're down.
A properly trained person with a .22 can use it verrry effectively. Whenever you hear folks describing it as "not even being able to puncture skin", that's code for "the bullets don't go where I want them to".
Amen
-
Originally posted by Masherbrum
xMarine is correct.
A .22 Derringer would rank far behind rocks and sticks and just a head of hand to hand for a snake.:D
-
Originally posted by Slash27
A .22 Derringer would rank far behind rocks and sticks and just a head of hand to hand for a snake.:D
Nah, some are underestimating it.
-
I have a Berreta model 21A in 22LR - 6 rounds + 1
One day, I shot it at a full size silloette target 5 feet away in a couple of quick-draw, 3-round pulls from the hip... I couldn't find the bullet holes.
Concerned I was a totally useless shot in a situation like that, I tried the same with my Colt 1911-A1 .45... out of 6 rounds, 4 were good enough placement for a .45.
So I went to thinking.. where the heck did those .22 rounds go??
The 1911 is too big for carrying in the summer, so I have a S&W CS-45 now.
I guess I just can't hit with those small guns.
-
Originally posted by Midnight
I have a Berreta model 21A in 22LR - 6 rounds + 1
One day, I shot it at a full size silloette target 5 feet away in a couple of quick-draw, 3-round pulls from the hip... I couldn't find the bullet holes.
Concerned I was a totally useless shot in a situation like that, I tried the same with my Colt 1911-A1 .45... out of 6 rounds, 4 were good enough placement for a .45.
So I went to thinking.. where the heck did those .22 rounds go??
The 1911 is too big for carrying in the summer, so I have a S&W CS-45 now.
I guess I just can't hit with those small guns.
i think the trick with guns is like, you know , you have to aim them.
-
My idea of a proper derringer is this:
(http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a115/Jay_G/Taurus44Special.jpg)
-
My .22 NAA derringer that started this thread spent most its time in a drawer. Interesting novelty but to me nothing I ever wanted to shoot anymore once I realized its limitations and mine.
Eventually passed it on to son; his wife likes to shoot it but I think she'll eventually tire of it as I did.
In another thread I describe one of my best trades as being a Colt
Agent lightweight .38 5-shot revolver for a Ruger Security-Six .357/.38 revolver.
Again it was a tradeoff of light and comfortable to carry, especially concealed, versus something heavier, more powerful, more accurate, and something I really enjoy shooting. Live and learn.
-
Originally posted by john9001
i think the trick with guns is like, you know , you have to aim them.
Normally, I do aim and I hit what I aim at (2" group at 25 yards with .45ACP stock 1911-A1 - 3-dot factory sights). My example was to give me an idea of how well I would do if I were in a situation that would inhibit taking proper aim.
-
Originally posted by Midnight
Normally, I do aim and I hit what I aim at (2" group at 25 yards with .45ACP stock 1911-A1 - 3-dot factory sights). My example was to give me an idea of how well I would do if I were in a situation that would inhibit taking proper aim.
Don't they have "combat" matches (or whatever name they are using now) in youre area? A couple running stages or stages where you run about 100 yards then engage targets would give you the barest inkling of a real situation.
-
If it is far enough away that I can't hit it with my J frame 12 oz .357 mag Smith and Wesson then it is far enough away that I don't need to shoot at it.
It is loaded with 5 125 grain federal jacketed hollow points and the noise and muzzle flash are deafening and blinding. I can't imagine someone standing their ground after hearing and seeing it.
It will also shoot man sized targets out to 100 yards with no problem if that it what you want to do. Keeping five shots on the paper at 25 yards is not difficult but it will hurt.
no gun I have ever fired has as much recoil as this one. They have a 20 oz version of this gun in 44 mag that I was considering and it might have more.
lazs