.22 Derringers, Useful or Not?

[Halo]

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?

[eagl]

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.

[culero]

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:



I'm pretty happy with its integrity of construction and utility for what it is.

culero

[Maverick]

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.

[SKJohn]

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. . . )

[x0847Marine]

100% deadly in the right hands.

[Chairboy]

My wife and I really like the Walther P22.  Accurate, small, accurate, lightweight, and it's also accurate.

[Horn]

One of these:

http://www.bondarms.com/ifirearms.htm

[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.

[FBplmmr]

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

 

  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

[SMIDSY]

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.

[lasersailor184]

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.

[Charge]

"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.

Jayzuz guys, you live in a dangerous country if you need to get a gun along on a fishing trip...

-C+

[Chairboy]

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.

[Slash27]

Originally posted by x0847Marine
100% deadly in the right hands.

vs snakes?