I have one of the BBG38s. I found the trigger to be absolutely atrocious. I bought some .38 Spl Snap Caps and set about dry firing the derringer to see if the trigger might wear in over time and lighten up some. After around 200 dry-firings using the Snap Caps, I'd estimate that the trigger pull has lightened up by around 50%, and it releases with a more straight-back pull (rather than down and back) than it did when new. I intend to keep dry-firing it for another 100-200 cycles and see if it lightens up any further. It's been fun to shoot on the range - stout recoil, heavy trigger, and useless sights not withstanding. Cheers.
Great video. I just got the Bearman Derringer 9mm last week. Definitely worth it for the money and also a good tackle box gun or backpack gun for camping also a good backup gun. Not a good main carry for most people. I love mine though. They need a good breakin. God Bless From Oklahoma
Bond Arms for the win. No question. Not my only reason, but a big part of it for me is that I grew up on a farm a few miles out of Granbury and went to school in town. So the fact that they're MiT/MiG products (Made in Texas/Made in Granbury) is through-the-roof cool, as far as I'm concerned. And yeah, they're built like a tank. I've had a Bond Arms Grizzly Bear model from the "Rough" series for a couple of three years now. Features: extended rosewood grips, clip-on belt holster and a 3" barrel chambered for .45 Colt/.410 bore (2.5" shells, of course). I bought it as my snake gun for when I'm tramping through the woods on family property or on hikes. When I'm not hiking/tramping, I swap out the snake shot shells for either Hornady's Triple Defense loads or else .45 Colt hollow points. I bought an extra barrel for my Grizzly, 3" chambered in 9mm, so I can also use that for in-city use. My EDC is a micro9 which I carry in a pocket holster. When I'm seated and seat-belted into my truck, that 9mm pocket pistol is devilish hard to get to, so the Bond Arms Grizzly rides in the storage cubby on the door of my truck, giving me quick access to a gun in a car-jacking situation. The fact that I have the option of using the same ammo in my Grizzly/truck gun as my EDC is convenient.
That’s cool to be able to support a local manufacturer. I live in Michigan and there is very few firearm manufacturers in Michigan. There is trijicon for sights and whatnot but I wish I could get a Michigan made gun
Nice .I have a Bond arms Rowdy in 410 I do like it .I also have a cobra derringer in 22 mag it's ok .the trigger on the cobra is super heavy and it doesn't always shoot .it needs to be super clean and well oiled.
I found a roughneck in 38/357 at LGS for a price I couldn't walk away from. I don't carry it but it is fun at the range (after a dozen 357's you know it) the 38 special is actually a pleasure to plink with. I'm thinking a 410 barrel be perfect snake gun for tackle box
Ive had a Texas Defender Bond Arms in 410/45LC. It did go for $400+. Very good quality build. Heavy. Could bash someone pretty good with it. I Have yet to fire it. It's an older one. All stainless and shiny.
I thought Bond Arms had different size frames? For example, on my Roughneck 9mm Bond Arms, I can switch out to a .45 or .357 barrel, but not.22 (cause the frame is smaller)?!
The Bond Stingers have smaller frames, which use different barrels. As far as I know, Bond no longer sells .22 barrels, because they were having issues with misfires. I think you have to buy a Bond that comes with a .22 barrel from the factory now, because they need to hand fit them to the frame for reliability.
Wish you would have mentioned the auto rebounding hammer and transfer bar on the Bond. Was hoping to see how well those to features work. The Bearman is a fun little gun but has ZERO protection from the hammer getting hit, like if the gun was dropped and impacting a primer. I love to play with the Bearman but won't carry it as in my opinion it's kinda unsafe.
The bearman I have in 38 cal and is very hard to shoot. I know to pull down on the trigger not straight back but it's very hard and in fact after 4 rounds tore my muscle in my hand called a trigger finger tear. It fires every time but I would like the trigger and hammer more polished to pull easier.
I also had issues with my first couple shots. Not near what you did but it was incredibly difficult to shoot the first time I took it out I put 8 through it it definitely packs a punch. However I have since dry fired (on safety and I would catch the hammer with my thumb to avoid hitting the firing pins) about 75 times and now it fires easy as any other derringer.
It’s really too bad that bond arms, didn’t take that trigger guard of theirs and extend it down below the trigger a little bit more to make it more user-friendly . In my opinion, I believe that the Bearman has a better trigger guard because it allows for more room for your trigger finger.
I can agree to that. I also like smaller frame sizes of the Bearman. If Bearman was made out of the same steel as bond they would be awesome in my mind especially with bond trigger as well. Really a blend of the two would be great
But, you can easily remove the trigger guard on a Bond Arms and make it easier to shoot. With the single action design, a rebounding hammer the never rests on the firing pin with the hammer down, and a simple to use cross frame safety (if you choose), I have no worries about safety with a Bond Arms!!
Bond arms rough series would be a decent choice for you all the build quality of the higher priced bond arms derringers but cheaper and the finish is better for real world use anyways don’t need to worry to much because it’s hard to scratch up
Roughneck is built better for sure. Neighbor has one to examine. Stout gun, heavy for size, in 9mm to minimize recoil. My question is would the Cobra go off reliably and send a round 5 feet at a torso - that might save my life? Could it do this 25 times over it's lifespan practicing on targets? Just projecting out, about how many rds could be fired through a Cobra before a failure that renders the gun inoperable? Have you heard anything on their service records and numbers? Would you opine having fired this gun, it could take 100 rds over it's lifetime with the first owner, well maintained and cared for? This reduces the exam of the Cobra to the all important, "Will it fire when needed, and if not, why not"? Most general users would not be putting many rds through these. I'd think if I could practice aiming/firing over my ownership of it using 50 rounds, and serious real use drills (or God forbid a real threat) another 20 rounds, I'd bet a nickel the "average" very casual gun owner might not ever exceed that. Honestly doesn't take much live practice time to hit a torso at 5 feet, and the home drills for drawing, quick aim, etc, don't require any ammo and could use snap caps. If the Cobra could DO the above, at that price it seems a bargain and could meet the real needs of someone on a strict budget who wants to stick something in their pocket to step out of the truck to get gas. A fast run for milk for the little one, etc. And the lighter weight in a pair of string tie shorts in the summer would actually be a plus for those quick errands. But --- it has to go off when called upon. If it would do that, it seems to be a bargain. Perfect for a lady who hates guns but feels the need to carry SOMETHING in her purse too, for her own reasons. Most would carry a real carry gun properly when they are leaving home for some time that day, and/or have a bigger, stronger, badder gun in the couch console. Better than nothing but a derringer of any kind is not the best choice there. They call these belly guns cause often ya shove one in a belly button, mouth, ear, eye socket, throat.... and fire. Close and dirty is what these are made for. Thank you for your knowledge! :) 👍
And now Bearman is bankrupt and the new company putting these budget guns is called "Old West Firearms." Maybe if they'd just make slightly higher quality guns they wouldn't have to change names every year.
Ya thank you for the info, didn’t realize it folded and restarted again. A bit of work on the trigger and they would be a better buy. As with any of these Saturday night special companies , a lot of the designs are not that bad, but if they would use steel instead of zamak they would be more apt to not fail
Being left-handed myself, I noticed that pretty quickly with the Davis in .32ACP and the Cobra in .38 Special I have. Bearman is essentially just a third incarnation of the same company.
Bond Arms Roughneck is not a cheaper quality its just not polished, saveing on labor. same components not as much polishing.
I have one of the BBG38s. I found the trigger to be absolutely atrocious. I bought some .38 Spl Snap Caps and set about dry firing the derringer to see if the trigger might wear in over time and lighten up some. After around 200 dry-firings using the Snap Caps, I'd estimate that the trigger pull has lightened up by around 50%, and it releases with a more straight-back pull (rather than down and back) than it did when new. I intend to keep dry-firing it for another 100-200 cycles and see if it lightens up any further. It's been fun to shoot on the range - stout recoil, heavy trigger, and useless sights not withstanding. Cheers.
Great video. I just got the Bearman Derringer 9mm last week. Definitely worth it for the money and also a good tackle box gun or backpack gun for camping also a good backup gun. Not a good main carry for most people. I love mine though. They need a good breakin.
God Bless From Oklahoma
Love my Bond Arms "Grizzly" in 410/45 Colt!!!
Yes, and the replacement barrels cost more than the other gun too. No.
T to mention the weight of that bond arms makes it uncarable almost.
Ya but it will last much longer, and also has way better trigger and safety features which for the extra 100 bucks is pretty serious upgrade
Bond Arms for the win. No question. Not my only reason, but a big part of it for me is that I grew up on a farm a few miles out of Granbury and went to school in town. So the fact that they're MiT/MiG products (Made in Texas/Made in Granbury) is through-the-roof cool, as far as I'm concerned. And yeah, they're built like a tank.
I've had a Bond Arms Grizzly Bear model from the "Rough" series for a couple of three years now. Features: extended rosewood grips, clip-on belt holster and a 3" barrel chambered for .45 Colt/.410 bore (2.5" shells, of course). I bought it as my snake gun for when I'm tramping through the woods on family property or on hikes.
When I'm not hiking/tramping, I swap out the snake shot shells for either Hornady's Triple Defense loads or else .45 Colt hollow points. I bought an extra barrel for my Grizzly, 3" chambered in 9mm, so I can also use that for in-city use.
My EDC is a micro9 which I carry in a pocket holster. When I'm seated and seat-belted into my truck, that 9mm pocket pistol is devilish hard to get to, so the Bond Arms Grizzly rides in the storage cubby on the door of my truck, giving me quick access to a gun in a car-jacking situation. The fact that I have the option of using the same ammo in my Grizzly/truck gun as my EDC is convenient.
That’s cool to be able to support a local manufacturer. I live in Michigan and there is very few firearm manufacturers in Michigan. There is trijicon for sights and whatnot but I wish I could get a Michigan made gun
Nice little pocket carry
Nice .I have a Bond arms Rowdy in 410 I do like it .I also have a cobra derringer in 22 mag it's ok .the trigger on the cobra is super heavy and it doesn't always shoot .it needs to be super clean and well oiled.
I found a roughneck in 38/357 at LGS for a price I couldn't walk away from. I don't carry it but it is fun at the range (after a dozen 357's you know it) the 38 special is actually a pleasure to plink with. I'm thinking a 410 barrel be perfect snake gun for tackle box
Absolutely 410 would be great I’ve tossed around the idea of getting a barrel as well to just have the options
Ive had a Texas Defender Bond Arms in 410/45LC. It did go for $400+. Very good quality build. Heavy. Could bash someone pretty good with it. I Have yet to fire it. It's an older one. All stainless and shiny.
I thought Bond Arms had different size frames? For example, on my Roughneck 9mm Bond Arms, I can switch out to a .45 or .357 barrel, but not.22 (cause the frame is smaller)?!
The Bond Stingers have smaller frames, which use different barrels. As far as I know, Bond no longer sells .22 barrels, because they were having issues with misfires. I think you have to buy a Bond that comes with a .22 barrel from the factory now, because they need to hand fit them to the frame for reliability.
Wish you would have mentioned the auto rebounding hammer and transfer bar on the Bond. Was hoping to see how well those to features work. The Bearman is a fun little gun but has ZERO protection from the hammer getting hit, like if the gun was dropped and impacting a primer. I love to play with the Bearman but won't carry it as in my opinion it's kinda unsafe.
Ya I did leave that information out on accident. But I totally agree
Thanks for the video
No problem! That’s why I like to make em because I love comparisons
The bearman I have in 38 cal and is very hard to shoot. I know to pull down on the trigger not straight back but it's very hard and in fact after 4 rounds tore my muscle in my hand called a trigger finger tear. It fires every time but I would like the trigger and hammer more polished to pull easier.
I also had issues with my first couple shots. Not near what you did but it was incredibly difficult to shoot the first time I took it out I put 8 through it it definitely packs a punch. However I have since dry fired (on safety and I would catch the hammer with my thumb to avoid hitting the firing pins) about 75 times and now it fires easy as any other derringer.
My question is can the barrels be swapped interchangeably?
Between the Bearman and bond arms or different caliber for each brand?
Thank u
You are most welcome thank you for watching
It’s really too bad that bond arms, didn’t take that trigger guard of theirs and extend it down below the trigger a little bit more to make it more user-friendly . In my opinion, I believe that the Bearman has a better trigger guard because it allows for more room for your trigger finger.
I can agree to that. I also like smaller frame sizes of the Bearman. If Bearman was made out of the same steel as bond they would be awesome in my mind especially with bond trigger as well. Really a blend of the two would be great
But, you can easily remove the trigger guard on a Bond Arms and make it easier to shoot. With the single action design, a rebounding hammer the never rests on the firing pin with the hammer down, and a simple to use cross frame safety (if you choose), I have no worries about safety with a Bond Arms!!
I own one of each, with extra barrels for the bond 4” and 45L/410
I'm just trying to find one for snake defense. One that could be in a pocket while walking the dog with a couple shotshells in it.
Bond arms rough series would be a decent choice for you all the build quality of the higher priced bond arms derringers but cheaper and the finish is better for real world use anyways don’t need to worry to much because it’s hard to scratch up
Roughneck is built better for sure. Neighbor has one to examine. Stout gun, heavy for size, in 9mm to minimize recoil.
My question is would the Cobra go off reliably and send a round 5 feet at a torso - that might save my life? Could it do this 25 times over it's lifespan practicing on targets? Just projecting out, about how many rds could be fired through a Cobra before a failure that renders the gun inoperable? Have you heard anything on their service records and numbers? Would you opine having fired this gun, it could take 100 rds over it's lifetime with the first owner, well maintained and cared for? This reduces the exam of the Cobra to the all important, "Will it fire when needed, and if not, why not"?
Most general users would not be putting many rds through these. I'd think if I could practice aiming/firing over my ownership of it using 50 rounds, and serious real use drills (or God forbid a real threat) another 20 rounds, I'd bet a nickel the "average" very casual gun owner might not ever exceed that. Honestly doesn't take much live practice time to hit a torso at 5 feet, and the home drills for drawing, quick aim, etc, don't require any ammo and could use snap caps.
If the Cobra could DO the above, at that price it seems a bargain and could meet the real needs of someone on a strict budget who wants to stick something in their pocket to step out of the truck to get gas. A fast run for milk for the little one, etc. And the lighter weight in a pair of string tie shorts in the summer would actually be a plus for those quick errands. But --- it has to go off when called upon. If it would do that, it seems to be a bargain. Perfect for a lady who hates guns but feels the need to carry SOMETHING in her purse too, for her own reasons.
Most would carry a real carry gun properly when they are leaving home for some time that day, and/or have a bigger, stronger, badder gun in the couch console. Better than nothing but a derringer of any kind is not the best choice there. They call these belly guns cause often ya shove one in a belly button, mouth, ear, eye socket, throat.... and fire. Close and dirty is what these are made for.
Thank you for your knowledge! :) 👍
I removed the trigger guard on the Bearman, much easier to shoot.
It’s easy enough to remove for those who don’t like it. It’s probably only there to appease gun safety boards
And now Bearman is bankrupt and the new company putting these budget guns is called "Old West Firearms." Maybe if they'd just make slightly higher quality guns they wouldn't have to change names every year.
Ya thank you for the info, didn’t realize it folded and restarted again. A bit of work on the trigger and they would be a better buy. As with any of these Saturday night special companies , a lot of the designs are not that bad, but if they would use steel instead of zamak they would be more apt to not fail
Today on most one sided fights in history 😂
Ya literally the only benefit of the Bearman is price. Otherwise the bond is superior in every way.
@@Conklikov you got that right, I got the Cyclops 😈
Try paying $450 for a Double tap!?! 🤦🏻♂️😒
Ya that’s insane
The bearman is more left hand friendly.
Fair enough that’s a good point
Being left-handed myself, I noticed that pretty quickly with the Davis in .32ACP and the Cobra in .38 Special I have. Bearman is essentially just a third incarnation of the same company.
American made better looking guns 100 years ago
I won’t disagree.
Good review
Thanks