Henry Rifle Forums

Took my Bond Arms Snake Slayer IV Derringer (O/U barrel configuration) out for a second range visit today. Just got it a month ago, and tried it out for the first time in mid-November. http://henryrifleforums.com/viewtopic.php?f=42&t=1692 Still learning how to use the fixed sights, but this derringer is really a lot of fun to shoot!

Range Report [indoors]
I shot sixty rounds (that means 30 reloads ) of .357 Magnums, .38 Specials, and .38 Specials + P ammo.
Off hand shooting at 7 and 10 yards.

I'm going to show off my best target first. I had a special treat shooting at this 42"x21" police training & qualification silhouette. It shows 20 rounds of CT_Shooter's 130gr FMJ .357 Magnum reloads. He and I have traded some reloads the last few months. These are nicely stout magnums,and my derringer told me that through the brisk recoil. Yet at the same time, easy to handle in this heavy, stainless steel derringer. BTW, I still have some of CT's ammo left in my stock, and it will be a very sad day for me when I shoot the last of it!! CT does a great reloading job!

Results = 2 rounds in 8-ring, and the other 18 rounds in the 9 and 10 rings, and the bull. I'm keeping this target for my target display wall in my garage!!

Silhouette The next target photos show the distances and ammo I used. The black splash targets are 3", and the orange targets are 1" size.
I've recycled targets I used to pattern PUMP, my 20-ga shotgun, so all the freckles you see are 7-1/2 shot holes. My POIs are lonesome for being in the actual targets, but most every round is still w/in each 11"x7" target rectangle. As I'm learning -- and practicing -- how to aim this new derringer, I'm content with as many POIs on paper, and not in the range trap!!

Five Yards Seven Yards It was really a fun day at the range. This O/U derringer is really cool!

Glad you are having fun with it.

It took me a hour to find this pic of my bond in my computer . This is the 1st and only paper target I ever shoot with 4.25" / 38/357 barrel on it . I only shot it in CAS / SASS match on steel with 130 gr cast bullets . This is 20 rds at 15 yds using 158 Remy jacket HP . Both top and bottom barrels shoot at the same POI .....

Great report, as usual PT7. And great shooting, too. That's a sweet little gun.

They may not all be "kill" shots PT7, but they surely would slow 'em down !!

Great range report - cool little gun - that thing must pack a punch when you fire 357 mag out of it. Looks like a lot of fun.

tx gunrunner wrote:It took me a hour to find this pic of my bond in my computer . This is the 1st and only paper target I ever shoot with 4.25" / 38/357 barrel on it . I only shot it in CAS / SASS match on steel with 130 gr cast bullets . This is 20 rds at 15 yds using 158 Remy jacket HP . Both top and bottom barrels shoot at the same POI .....

TGR -- Once I get more of a handle on my derringer's sights, I'd like to increase the yardage just to improve my shooting skill. Your target at 20 yards looks really quite good. Thanks for the photo.

DWD445 wrote:They may not all be "kill" shots PT7, but they surely would slow 'em down !!

Agreed, these are those "slow down" shots. A "kill" shot is the extreme, and is so permanent.
I pray I would never be in the situation where needed.

tractortad wrote:Great range report - cool little gun - that thing must pack a punch when you fire 357 mag out of it. Looks like a lot of fun.

The recoil with .357 magnums is quite "bright," tractortad. The derringer let me feel those 30-.357 magnum rounds yesterday, plus 20 rounds of .38 special + P, resulting in some mild arm ache. But totally manageable, and definitely fun-fun!

I've owned 4 bond guns in my life and in my opinion the Bond is a super gun but .......It is too heavy for it size , the sights suck and the trigger to be the worse of any gun I have ever owned and the new design trigger sucks also . All that being said it is a great gun and the barrel changing and once you learn how to master the reloading it fast and how to control and pull the trigger so you can hit the target it is a SUPER GUN . Watch the whole video near the end on the fast reloading and pull the trigger straight back at the bottom . Like all over and under guns shoot the bottom barrel 1st so you get less muzzle rise for faster recover and sight recover .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6sqowLPtuM

I'm enjoying following this thread .... years ago I fired a Derringer (a 357) and found it to be beyond my ability to control .... haven't had any desire to fire one since .... I don't remember the one I shot being very heavy, that may well have been the problem

DWD445 wrote:They may not all be "kill" shots PT7, but they surely would slow 'em down !!

If that was a grizzly his feelings would be hurt for sure.

Looks like you had a ton of fun, that's a cool gun!

I agree, very interesting. Of all the guns I have shot in my life - and that's a lot of guns - have never shot derringer. May have to fix that.

JEBar wrote:I'm enjoying following this thread .... years ago I fired a Derringer (a 357) and found it to be beyond my ability to control .... haven't had any desire to fire one since .... I don't remember the one I shot being very heavy, that may well have been the problem

I think the weight is definitely a factor, and specifically to my model, the longer steel barrel keeps it well under control. This derringer weighs 23.5 oz. unloaded -- for its size, definitely not an "airweight." I wouldn't enjoy a 100-round day of .357 Magnums, but 20-30 is okay.

North Country Gal wrote:I agree, very interesting. Of all the guns I have shot in my life - and that's a lot of guns - have never shot derringer. May have to fix that.

At two different indoor ranges I've been at, I've seen Bond Arm derringers available for rental shooting. That might be a way to try one out someday. The gun configuration is different, and it's definitely fun to fire an over/under handgun!