By R.K. ‘Bob’ Campbell | Contributing Editor
Among the most iconic of all handguns is the Derringer.
These handguns are unmistakable in outline. They feature either a one- or two-barrel arrangement and a single-action trigger. (Some four shot and concealed hammer Derringers stretch the definition, some are double action only.)
The Bond Arms is a Derringer that is conventional in appearance but which offers excellent performance. Let’s get rid of the notion of the junk Derringer that isn’t safe or reliable. The type famous for going off if dropped on the floor. That isn’t the Bond Arms. Whether you like Derringers or not, the Bond Arms firearms are well made of good material and are useful for many chores. Surprisingly enough I found the Snake Slayer well suited to hiking and back packing and the chores that may come up.
Bond Arms offers handguns in many calibers including .22 LR to .45 70. The .38 Special and 9mm versions are nicely sized for pocket carry. Some are more affordable than others, and all are reliable. The Derringer illustrated is my personal favorite. This handgun is chambered for the .45 Colt but also accepts .410 bore shotgun loads. This makes for real versatility.
When examining this handgun the primary impression is of high quality manufacture. It isn’t cheap to machine stainless steel. The Bond Arms Snake Slayer is well made of the best material. You may purchase a different set of barrels in other calibers as well.
I like the .45 Colt/.410 option. Some may prefer a .38 Special. With heavy .410 loads this handgun earns the title Snake Layer. Those loads will shred a dangerous reptile before he bites and kills you.
Bond Arms consistency of manufacture is such that barrel fits isn’t a problem. They simply attach without fitting. All that is needed is an Allen wrench.
The Snake Slayer features a grooved hammer spur, and it may be cocked easily on the draw after you clear your body and get on target. As with any short barrel handgun keep the muzzle away from your body as you draw. A cross bolt safety is in the safe position when pressed to the left. If the hammer is cocked and the trigger pulled while the safety is on the hammer will fall but the handgun will not fire.
The Bond Arms Derringer features a rebounding hammer, which does not ride on the firing pin when the handgun is carried. In other words, the piece is drop safe.
To load and unload use the loading lever on the left hand side of the frame to unlock the barrels. Load the chambers and close the action, simple as that.
The trigger guard is removeable, and I would suppose that if you are using the piece during the winter as a trail gun with heavy gloves, removing the trigger guard would be an option. As noted above, with a rebounding hammer the Snake Slayer will not fire if dropped, and if the trigger is struck, the Derringer will also not fire. You don’t wish to drop any firearm when it is cocked!
Both chambers are nicely polished, and there is a manual extractor for removing spent cartridges. I did not need the extractor with .45 Colt loads, but with the .410 shells, I used the extractor.
The trigger is smooth but heavier than some at 6.8 pounds, and it was manageable. The trick is to press more down than back when pulling the trigger.
The simple sights consist of a large front post integral to the barrel and a notch rear sight. These sights are properly regulated for 225 to 250 grain loads in .45 Colt.
One thing more: The Bond Arms handgun has a lifetime warranty.
Firing Tests
I broke out a pair of GripSwell shooting gloves before firing the Snake Slayer. As it turned out, the large size rosewood grips and 24-ounce weight of the Snake Slayer helped with recoil; it wasn’t bad at all, no more than a .45 ACP 1911 firing 230-grain loads. The large grips are a huge help!
I began with the Black Hills Ammunition 250-grain Cowboy load. These loads are intended for light recoil practice. Just the same, a 250 grain slug at 700 fps is not to be sneezed at! These loads tend to tumble in ballistic gelatin or water.
Recoil is modest and they struck the point of aim. With a little more recoil, but still controllable, was the Federal 225-grain JSP at 800 fps and the Hornady Critical Defense, a 185-grain expanding bullet load at 890 fps. These loads developed more velocity in the Snake Slayer compared to the shorter barrel Derringers. A note on accuracy: each barrel is accurate in its own right, but not when
fired together. At 7 yards I was able to fire a three shot group with only the lower barrel of 1.5 inch and 1.8 inch with the top barrel and the Black Hills load.
When you are firing a Derringer, the hammer moves from one firing pin to the other. In other words, you are able to set which barrel will fire first. Simply open the barrels and watch the firing pin. The firing pin protrudes when struck with the hammer, simply carefully lower the hammer and observe the firing pin. If you want to fire a shot shell first, and then a .45 Colt load, simply pay attention to the hammer and firing pin.
When firing I took care to aim properly and found that one barrel was dead on—the top barrel—and the other barrel struck three inches low at 7 yards. Dispersion grew the greater the distance to the target. At a few yards, the bullet holes were closer but by ten yards they were five to six inches apart. I was able to hit a man sized target in the chest with consistency to 15 yards but then that isn’t the goal of this handgun. If used for personal defense it is more of a boarding pistol.
For short range animal defense, the Snake Slayer is ideal. A semiautomatic pistol would jam if forced into an animal’s body and fired. This piece will not jam!
The option of the .410 shot shell in a compact package is intriguing. I fired a few birdshot shells and discovered they are not impressive for a pattern past a few yards.
The Hornady Triple Defense, however, was a different story. This load uses a .41 caliber slug and two buckshot balls. At close range, the Hornady .410 load shredded the target. By ten yards, the pattern was just under six inches for three projectiles, which is not bad at all. For use against snakes, feral dogs and coyotes, this is a formidable loading.
I think the Bond Arms Snake Slayer lives up to its name. There are dangerous reptiles certainly but the Snake Slayer is also a formidable defender against coyotes and the usual feral dogs at close range.
There are criminals who would assault and kill you in the outdoors as well, and the Bond Arms Derringer would be effective in trained hands.
I have enjoyed this well-made handgun much more than I initially suspected I would. I think it deserves a hard look.
Test Results
Hornady Personal Defense Triple Defense load
Average pattern: 6.0 inches at 10 yards
.45 Colt velocity testing
Hornady 185-grain Critical Defense 890 fps
Federal 225 JSP 802 fps
Black Hills 250 grain 707 fps
Specifications:
Caliber as tested .45 Colt/.410
Barrel Length 4.25 inch
Length 6.25 in.
Height 4.4 in.
Weight 24 ounces loaded
Action Single Action
Material Stainless Steel High Polish
Average price $678
