Thread: How many people CCW here?

What do members think of the Derringer(s)?

I've always been fascinated by these handguns. Read that some carry two for easy access and a bigger handgun (like a .38) for back-up?

Be gentle with me, I'm like Sgt. Shultz on this topic, "I know NOTHING!" (Geez, did I just date myself with that quote?)

Originally Posted by Phrank

What do members think of the Derringer(s)?

I've always been fascinated by these handguns. Read that some carry two for easy access and a bigger handgun (like a .38) for back-up?

Be gentle with me, I'm like Sgt. Shultz on this topic, "I know NOTHING!" (Geez, did I just date myself with that quote?)

Derringers are great novelties. Definitely lethal, but not something I'd trust to save my life.

Also, the .38 cal backup is usually the smaller pistol, if you carry two.

There's some great pocket rockets on the market without resorting to a Derringer.

Originally Posted by Vegita182

Not for CCW. Just to have. I tend to open carry when I do carry. As far as platform I'd love to find a Springfield 10mm but I would settle with a Glock 20. As a paramedic I get 100 off every new Glock I buy.

I don't think Springfield makes a 10mm, mainly due to popularity vs. cost issues. That and the fact that 10mm is so similar to .40 s&w in terms of ballistics , assuming you're not hand loading your 10mm to capacity... if you are hand loading, you can add 50-300 fps. Even though the projectile is the same as the .40, and the cartridge is longer, the only real advantage the 10mm has over the .40 is the extra powder, which most ammunition manufacturers tend to load on the weak side, bringing it more in line with the .40.

At least, that's what I've always read and been told.

All that aside, the XD and XDm from Springfield are great in .40, so if they made a 10mm, I'm sure it would be up to par.

Now if they'll hurry up and release the XDs in .40 to complete the trifecta.

Originally Posted by Phrank

What do members think of the Derringer(s)?

I've always been fascinated by these handguns. Read that some carry two for easy access and a bigger handgun (like a .38) for back-up?

Be gentle with me, I'm like Sgt. Shultz on this topic, "I know NOTHING!" (Geez, did I just date myself with that quote?)

Derringers are fun to shoot for some, and good for ultra deep concealment. I had a Davis .22 magnum derringer that I bought used at a gun show for less than $75. It was better than nothing at all, but not ideal for everyday carry... well, I suppose any gun that you will actually carry is good, but there are other guns that would be MUCH better. Two I can think of off the top of my head would be the Springfield XDs or Smith & Wesson shield in the caliber of your choice. I know in .45 acp, they are somewhere in the neighborhood of either 5+1 or 6+1 in terms of capacity with the standard magazine and I think 8+1 in 9mm.

I'll say on that Davis, seeing so much muzzle flash from such a small firearm was pretty awesome.

Originally Posted by Phrank

What do members think of the Derringer(s)?

They work best as a back-up, or if you can't carry anything else, due to clothing.
If you put a little effort into it you will find a better carry gun for most situations.

Originally Posted by crouton976

I don't think Springfield makes a 10mm, mainly due to popularity vs. cost issues. That and the fact that 10mm is so similar to .40 s&w in terms of ballistics , assuming you're not hand loading your 10mm to capacity... if you are hand loading, you can add 50-300 fps. Even though the projectile is the same as the .40, and the cartridge is longer, the only real advantage the 10mm has over the .40 is the extra powder, which most ammunition manufacturers tend to load on the weak side, bringing it more in line with the .40.

At least, that's what I've always read and been told.

All that aside, the XD and XDm from Springfield are great in .40, so if they made a 10mm, I'm sure it would be up to par.

Now if they'll hurry up and release the XDs in .40 to complete the trifecta.

Springfield doesn't make a 10 anymore, but they used to and its still a very reliable gun when you can find one floating around, and the companies buffalo bore and Double Tap load the 10mm the way it used to be, the ammo that caused the FBI to quit using the 10mm and Smith and Wesson to develop the .40. I agree it's not a practical gun due to ammo rarity, it's just one I want in my collection.

Would it be correct to say that the difference in width itself is relatively unimportant, and that the major difference is instead the length of the cartridge and the amount of powder? After all, .44 vs .45 is a rather silly difference in terms of width. or .40 vs 10 mm.

In that case, why make all those different sizes at all? if the only difference between a .44 magnum and a .45 is the casing / powder, why not use a single size bullet with different cartridge lengths?

When I carry, I only carry the S&W airlite with .38+p with the internal hammer. it's only a 5 shot revolver, but in a true self defense situation needing anymore than 3 shots is unrealistic. And being a revolver, kinda makes you think before pulling the trigger.

I like it because its very small. I have a pocket holster for it that fits in a pants front pocket, and when in there, it doesn't print. Being a hammer less revolver, it doesn't get caught coming out of the holster.

I try to practice unholstering with it regularly (at least a few times a year) and try to fire it a few times a year.

Gotta tell ya, those .38+p rounds coming out of that little barrel kinda hurt haha.

Originally Posted by Vegita182

Springfield doesn't make a 10 anymore, but they used to and its still a very reliable gun when you can find one floating around, and the companies buffalo bore and Double Tap load the 10mm the way it used to be, the ammo that caused the FBI to quit using the 10mm and Smith and Wesson to develop the .40. I agree it's not a practical gun due to ammo rarity, it's just one I want in my collection.

Oh, I didn't know that they used to make one. In that case, good luck with your quest, my friend.

Also, I wouldn't say it's impractical to own a 10mm, just kinda foolish unless you're taking advantage of what a 10mm load can do. You are dead on the money about Buffalo and Double Tap. That's how a 10mm round should be.

Originally Posted by Bruno

In that case, why make all those different sizes at all? if the only difference between a .44 magnum and a .45 is the casing / powder, why not use a single size bullet with different cartridge lengths?

Well, that's exactly the case with 10mm and .40 S&W... the projectile is exactly the same, it's just the powder charge and casing that are different.