5 Best Derringers for
Self Defense
The Derringer is powerful gun that can fit in your pocket. The gun itself is very small, but that doesn’t mean it only shoots small bullets – this little firearm packs a serious punch and can stop a threat when needed. This combination of small, easily concealable design with powerful ammunition has kept the Derringer a favorite since it was invented over 150 years ago.
The Derringer was initially invented by John Deringer in 1852. His intention was to create a gun that could fit in the small pockets that were fashionable in men’s clothing at the time. It was widely popular, and many copycats issued similar guns, called Derringers to avoid copyright issues. This spin-off version of the name (with two ‘r’s instead of one) is still in use today.
You might carry a Derringer as a small backup gun, as there are now multiple options on the market for small, concealable weapons with greater accuracy than the Derringer. But that doesn’t mean a Derringer can’t help you defend yourself! Don’t underestimate these little guns, even though many are now sold as novelties and collector’s items. They’re simple, durable, and user-friendly.
Before you buy, know that most Derringers have a stiff trigger, and the hammer can be difficult to pull back. Make sure your hand is strong enough to deal with these issues. The Derringer is also only accurate at shorter distances (generally less than 10 yards). If you are planning to use it as part of your self-defense plan, think of the Derringer as your final failsafe.
What to Look for in a Self-Defense Derringer
When you’re looking for a self-defense gun, it’s important to analyze how each brand will hold up in an emergency. You’ll want to understand the gun’s size, capacity, and caliber through the lens of this emergency situation.
Size
Small size is the main advantage of the Derringer – and some of the guns on this list are truly tiny! Women in particular are often concerned about concealing a gun in tighter-fitting clothing, and the small size of a Derringer can be a great fit.
If you’re planning to use the Derringer as a home defense gun rather than carry it on your person, then a larger size might work just fine.
Capacity
Derringers famously have a capacity of just two bullets. While that’s twice as many as the original single-shot Derringers, that still doesn’t leave us with a whole lot of chances to stop an angry target.
For this reason, many people see Derringers as an emergency backup: an extra couple of shots from a tiny double-barreled pocket cannon if all else fails. You don’t want to be dealing with multiple reloads during a high-stakes situation, and this is simply the reality of Derringers.
But, make sure you read until the end – we may have snuck a pocket revolver in with a capacity of five bullets, for those of you who want those few extra chances.
Caliber
When you’re preparing for the worst-case scenario, you want to make sure you have enough power to really stop a threat. Self-defense guns should shoot bullets strongly enough that they can make a real impact on a target, usually at close to medium distances. With a Derringer, you are most effective in extremely close quarters.
Many Derringer users will choose calibers such as 10mm, .45 ACP, .357 Magnum, or 9mm Luger. These larger caliber options make them more promising tools to protect yourself.
Still, some options on this list have smaller chamberings, even down to .22 Magnums. While some consider a .22 Magnum too small for self-defense, others argue that wounding (and even surprising) your target can be very effective in high-stakes scenarios. While hunters are always shooting to kill, this is not always the case for self-defense.
Most Derringers will also have each barrel chambered in a different caliber. This gives you multiple options when you shoot, and you can be prepared for a snake in the grass or a dangerous fellow traveler on your next backwoods trip.
5 Best Modern Derringers
1. Bond Arms Backup
Bond Arms are the industry standard when it comes to Derringers. They are committed to the design, and produce more varieties of Derringers than other manufacturers. The Bond Arms series is one of their most popular, and you can find one chambered in a wide variety of calibers.
The Backup is a particular model from the Bond Arms series that can be chambered in .45ACP and 9mm, two very popular self-defense rounds. This little gun has a 2.5” barrel that works for short-distance shooting (less than 7 yards) in a self-defense emergency. It has a cross-bolt safety with a stainless steel barrel and frame.
The quality of sights can vary on Derringers, and the Backup gives a fixed-blade front sight and a rear notch in the hinge wing. This model does not eject empty shells after firing: you’ll need to remove them with your fingernails through the notched chamber opening. This might add an extra step if you envision needing to reload quickly.
The Backup can be holstered and easily drawn in an emergency. If you need two extra bullets on your person ready to shoot reliably at extremely close ranges, the Backup is here for you.
2. Bond Arms Snake Slayer
With a 3.5” barrel, the Snake Slayer is larger than the Backup, providing more accuracy and less recoil. It has caliber options: .357 Mag/.38 special or .45 LC/.410, making it more flexible to what you hope to get out of the gun. The .45LC/.410 option is popular for hunters and campers going into snake country, giving this gun its name. It’s a great survival gun for backwoods experiences.
This gun has a rosewood grip, a trigger guard, and a rebounding hammer. The grip is a bit larger than you’ll find on other Derringers, which can be helpful for folks with larger hands who need more gun to grip.
The Snake Slayer boasts a stainless steel barrel and frame with an automatic extractor for spent casings. This double barreled gun has a capacity of two rounds with a crossbolt safety.
3. Bond Arms Ranger II
The Bond Arms Ranger II is easier to shoot than most Derringers, and has less of a recoil, leaving less impact on your hand each time you shoot. But with a barrel at 4.25”, it is much larger and more difficult to conceal than the other Derringers on this list. If you’re looking for a home defense gun that you don’t plan to conceal, this might be a great trade-off.
The Ranger II has a stainless steel double barrel and frame with an extended black ash grip. It has a great star design on its side to make you feel like a real cowboy. There are front blade and fixed rear sights, and a spring-loaded, cammed locking lever.
This mid-sized gun is chambered in .357 Magnum/.38 Special and .45LC/.410. The .410 shot shells can be 2.5” or 3”.
Before we move on: you may have noticed that our first three picks were from Bond Arms. This Texas-based company is arguably the foremost Derringer producer in modern day. With Bond Arms Derringers, you are able to change out your barrel: all of their Derringers will conform to any of their 16 barrel types, giving you a total of 22 cartridge options.
4. American Derringer Model M-4 Alaskan
This is another larger option – at least as far as Derringers go. With a 4.1” barrel, this is the second largest option on our list. It comes with satin or high polish stainless steel finish and standard rosewood grips. It has a capacity of two shots with a single-action trigger and blade front sights.
One of this Derringer’s barrels is chambered in the standard .410/.45LC, the standard Derringer style for major ammunition. This barrel will work with any .410 load. Its second barrel is chambered in .45-70 Govt, an enormous ammo that you will feel when you shoot. It’ll leave your gun at over 1,000 ft/s, but you’ll be feeling it in your wrist. This should be reserved only for big game like bears in emergency situations.
The M-4 Alaskan is a lightweight backup option when hunting or enjoying backcountry in case things go very south. Its larger grip is helpful for those with larger hands who need a bit more gun to hold onto.
5. North American Arms Mini Revolvers
With barrels from 1-2”, NAA makes a series of revolvers that you can conceal almost anywhere. This lightweight piece holds five shots – more than double the traditional two of the Derringer.
These mini revolvers are compatible with all popular .22 ammunition: .22 Short, .22 Long Rifle, .22 Magnums, and more. While it’s doubtful this could permanently stop (that is, kill) a human target, it might be enough if your goal is to wound, surprise, and retaliate against a threat.
This is another backup option for self-defense at extremely close quarters – but it’s also a fun firearm for your collection.