S&W making a .410 revolver

[Robb71]

Interesting thread. I'm wanting a 410 pistol for snakes. I have other pistols and really don't want to carry them because of their weight. I want something lightweight, simple and effective.

Bond Arms Derringers

This seems to be what I'm wanting, but I've never seen one in person. Does anybody have any experience with this type of pistol? They seem very expensive for what you get, and I don't know why I want something so fancy, but then again, I don't have a clue what else is out there to compare to.

Thanks,
Eddie

I've handled and shot a Bond Arms derringer. It looks and feels like a well built firearm, and the company has a good reputation.
But the grip is so small that they are really difficult to shoot well and the recoil while not an issue for me is spread out over a very small area of the hand so it's not what I consider a fun shooter.

The weight (and price) of the Bond arms really isn't that much less than the Judge, so for what you want the Taurus might actually be the better choice.

Not to mention cylinders 3,4,&5, could hold two legged snake repellent which would make it a better choice of the two. Still not what I would pack as a hiking gun, but a better choice IMHO.

 

[Markcuda]

It has the capacity to kill humans at any distance found in the average home. That makes it a good home defense weapon.

Ok, you win:laughing::laughing:

A lot of people choose to buy it for that role, but it is due to an effective marketing strategy and lack of knowledge of weapons and tactics from the consumer.

Don't tell poster number 58 that LOLOLOLOL

 

[JB4310]

Interesting thread. I'm wanting a 410 pistol for snakes. I have other pistols and really don't want to carry them because of their weight. I want something lightweight, simple and effective.

Bond Arms Derringers

This seems to be what I'm wanting, but I've never seen one in person. Does anybody have any experience with this type of pistol? They seem very expensive for what you get, and I don't know why I want something so fancy, but then again, I don't have a clue what else is out there to compare to.

Thanks,
Eddie

Eddie,

I think that Derringer is just the absolute epitome of a novelty gun. Of course some will disagree, but it's neither small or light weight at 6 inches and a pound and a half.

For a 2 shot? If you really need a snake gun, I'd rather see you get that Smith 410 revolver (or Taurus) just a little heavier but more utilitarian IMO.

If it were me, I'd get an alloy .357 with 3- 4 inch barrel, and de-tune it with .38 snake loads. Then you would have more options for other uses. JMO.

I'm sure the 410 would be more effective against snakes though, I just don't see to many snakes that I'm afraid of being from CT, I usually pick them up and let the kids play with them. (Garters)

JB.

 

[Markcuda]

A good snake gun.

 

[RTII]

Interesting thread. I'm wanting a 410 pistol for snakes. I have other pistols and really don't want to carry them because of their weight. I want something lightweight, simple and effective.

Bond Arms Derringers

This seems to be what I'm wanting, but I've never seen one in person. Does anybody have any experience with this type of pistol? They seem very expensive for what you get, and I don't know why I want something so fancy, but then again, I don't have a clue what else is out there to compare to.

Thanks,
Eddie

Eddie,

I have the bond arms deringer and have killed 6-8 snakes with it. I bought it for a snake gun and because of it's size and simplicity. My opinion of it is this: It's not uncomfortable to shoot although very loud as a short barrelled weapon might be. As a snake gun you need to be pretty close to be effective. Say 5 feet or less. (this might make you uncomfortable. I've heard you're not fond of snakes) Otherwise the shot spread out of the short barrells is wide to the point of being almost ineffective. I use #9 shot for snakes and don't mind getting off the tractor to approach them. It is IMHO very expensive for just a snake gun but bought it any way. I do things like that occasionaly and then shake my head at myself. My thoughts were to also use it to dispatch pigs (no offence to oscar!) once in a trap with the 45 long colt that will also shoot from this gun. I have yet to try this out and would love to hear what anyones opinion or real world experience of this would be.

Hope this helps................

Reily

 

[rtimgray]

Isn't one of the selling points of the Judge that it can handle both .410 AND .45lc ammo?

If the Judge is loaded with .45 lc ammunition, would it not be as effective as the 9mm/40sw/.357/.44 semi-auto or revolver for home defense? I don't have the ballistics information in front of me but I've got a .45lc and I KNOW I don't want to be shot with that.

With that in mind, why isn't the Judge, loaded with .45 lc, not as effective as something like a .38 special revolver, in the theatre of home defense. I would think it would be on pretty even terms, and then you also have the versatility of using a .410 shotshell for varmints (or skeet, or whatever, I guess). It may be bigger and bulkier than a .38 revolver, but in a HD scenario, where many folks have mentioned that a shotgun would be a preferred weapon (and I can't argue with that, either), I don't think that the larger size would matter.

 

[EddieWalker]

Eddie,

I have the bond arms deringer and have killed 6-8 snakes with it. I bought it for a snake gun and because of it's size and simplicity. My opinion of it is this: It's not uncomfortable to shoot although very loud as a short barrelled weapon might be. As a snake gun you need to be pretty close to be effective. Say 5 feet or less. (this might make you uncomfortable. I've heard you're not fond of snakes) Otherwise the shot spread out of the short barrells is wide to the point of being almost ineffective. I use #9 shot for snakes and don't mind getting off the tractor to approach them. It is IMHO very expensive for just a snake gun but bought it any way. I do things like that occasionaly and then shake my head at myself. My thoughts were to also use it to dispatch pigs (no offence to oscar!) once in a trap with the 45 long colt that will also shoot from this gun. I have yet to try this out and would love to hear what anyones opinion or real world experience of this would be.

Hope this helps................

Reily

Thank you Reily. That was what I was wanting to hear. I wasn't sure if it would be effective or not. Have you tried a bigger shot size? Doe the 9's penetrate and kill outright? I was thinking of using 4 shot, but its just theory for right now.

I already have a small collection of pistols and really want something as small and light as possible. I don't envision this as being a fun gun to shoot, but instead something that I will carry around because it's easy and light. The actual shot can have all the kick in the world because I wont notice it if I'm shooting a snake.

I have copper head and cotton mouth snakes here, plus half a dozen non poisonous snakes. There are also supposed to be timber rattlers, but I havent seen one of them yet.

Eddie

 

[RTII]

Thank you Reily. That was what I was wanting to hear. I wasn't sure if it would be effective or not. Have you tried a bigger shot size? Doe the 9's penetrate and kill outright? I was thinking of using 4 shot, but its just theory for right now.

I already have a small collection of pistols and really want something as small and light as possible. I don't envision this as being a fun gun to shoot, but instead something that I will carry around because it's easy and light. The actual shot can have all the kick in the world because I wont notice it if I'm shooting a snake.

I have copper head and cotton mouth snakes here, plus half a dozen non poisonous snakes. There are also supposed to be timber rattlers, but I havent seen one of them yet.

Eddie

Yep,

Got all of those critters on my place as well. Also bought it for the same reasons you mentioned above. I use #9's just because there's more shot and with the spread more chance of hitting the snake. I have had to make follow up shots on a couple of snakes but if hit in the head at close range the 9's incapacitate well. 4's would probably do a better job as long as a hit was made.

Also forgot to mention in the previous post. The holster sometimes pushes the safety off. Little chance of a misfire in the holster but keep an eye on this if you decide to buy one.

Reily

 

[adjusterr]

Anyone interested in choosing .410 shells for the Taurus "Judge" or any similar firearm should check out You Tube, "Winchester PDX1, .410 demo", it shows what a great multipurpose round this is. Three copper plated discs plus 12 copper plated BB's appear to be rather effective.

 

[kthompson]

It is as has been said already how people either love or hate the Judge and most who hate it have never shot one is my experience.

For in the home to me they have some really great points but only if you look honestly and do some test firing of them.

First (ours is 3 inch and 3 inch barrel) using 7 or so 2 1/2 shells are worthless for stopping any one at say 15 feet. Now 3 inch number 4 shoot and think they will but buck shoot even better and from just shooting results the slug sure did more damage than the 45 Cowboy load did. Now inside our house that gun would be about impossible to miss anyone in a door way or such. It will pattern out to maybe 2 feet in 15 or so feet. Okay load is scattered but part of any load to hit to me is better than a 100% of bear gun miss. Then there is the safety factor of shooting through the walls and hitting family in another room, the 410 shot shells are not near as likely to do so as my preferred 357. Another advantage of the Judge with 410 is here most home breakins with people at home are not when you are awake and steady. You are a sleep and don't have glasses on or such so the wider pattern for my wife is a great benefit. Didn't someone mention the racing heart already?

Now if the bad guy is 25 yards away (I would say even 10) you may hit them and yes you may kill them but sure does not to me fit where their design. Before you decide they have no value take one and wide selection of shells and really test them in the range of true home defense. Do know this, if you must come around a corner with a shot gun or a judge the shorter barrel has an advantage.

The best option might be to be sure no one breaks in unless there are two inside ready to defend...one with say 44 mag ready and the other with 12 gauge pump. Or just hire the swat team. Do bad guys break in the swat teams houses?

Maybe I can say it this way. What good is a TLB? It tries to everything and is only good at anything compared to a true excavator and front end loader. But there are many that perform every day greatly.

I think too many people try to make them or sell them for something they are not. To me they are not a carry gun due to size and weight, they are a true up close self defense handgun. Please know it bothers me not if you don't like the judge. If you don't try one, you might find it hard to admit you found they do have a purpose.