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B. Gil Horman

5 Star Firearms Speed Loaders for Bond Arms Derringers

5 Star Firearms assortment of speed loaders for Bond Arms Derringers.
5 Star Firearms assortment of speed loaders for Bond Arms Derringers.

Shooters who enjoy modern double-action revolvers are likely to be familiar with speed loaders, which allow an entire cylinder worth of ammunition to be dropped into a revolver’s chambers with the twist of a knob.

5 Star Firearms has modified the classic twist-knob speed loader to feed the double barrels of the Bond Arms Derringer.

Crafted from 6061-billet aircraft aluminum, these smooth operating two-round loaders are assembled using high quality stainless steel pins, wire springs and precision ground bearings. Loaders are currently available for .45 Colt or .410 in a variety of colors, but additional Bond-compatible calibers are on the way.

But wouldn't it be handy to have one speed loader that handles both .45 Colt and .410 shells? The company has developed a new square, push-button loader that will hold two .45 Colt rounds, two .410 shot shells, or one of each.

A speed-loading block, for practice at the shooting range, will be available to use with either style of loader. Starting at just $20, these loaders are a must-have item for fans of the Bond Arms Derringers.

Editor's note, this article originally appeared in the Nov. 4, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Bond Arms’ Dynamic Derringers

The Bond Arms Derringers: The  Ranger fires .45 Colt and .410 shot shells. The new Mini Backup fires .45 ACP ammunition and can be converted to 9mm and .40 S&W.
The Bond Arms Derringers: The Ranger (top) fires .45 Colt and .410 shot shells. The new Mini Backup (bottom) fires .45 ACP ammunition and can be converted to 9mm and .40 S&W.

Bond Arms was founded in 1995 with the idea that the Remington Model 95 over/under, single-action Derringer could be converted from an Old West anachronism into a modern defensive handgun. The company now gives shooters the power of the .410 shotshell or pocket the potent .45 ACP, in a double-barrel pistol.

Twin Barrel Options

There are two models that represent the size extremes of the Bond Arms’ lineup. With a long 4.25-inch barrel and an extended black ash laminated grip, the Ranger arrives ready to shoot .45 Colt revolver cartridges along with 2.5- and 3-inch .410 shotgun shells, all from the same double barrel. Representing the Bond Arms Minis is the recently released Bond Arms Backup with a 2.5-inch .45 ACP barrel and standard-size black ash grip panels.

The modular frames of these pistols are available with a removable trigger guard, like the Backup, or without one, like the Ranger. A removable hinge pin allows the factory-installed barrels to be removed and replaced with a variety of caliber-conversion barrels. Conversions are sold in four lengths (2.5, 3, 3.5 and 4.25 inches) with chamber options including .22 Long-Rifle, .44-40 Winchester and .357 Magnum, to name just a few.

Unlike some of the mystery-alloy Derringers floating around the gun market, the frames and barrels of the Bond pistols are constructed completely of stainless steel using modern manufacturing processes. This makes for pistols that are both strong and durable.

The original Remington Derringer’s only concession to safety was a not-so-reliable half-cock position for the hammer. Bond Arms has replaced the half cock with a rebounding hammer that automatically locks back away from the firing pins after each shot. Additional safeties include a release-lever retention device to prevent the barrel from swinging open while firing, and a button-style cross bolt safety.

The latest update to the Bond pistol design is a new trigger and hammer that measurably improve the trigger pull. Most shooters are used to triggers that have a straight-back feel to the trigger pull. The Remington 95’s trigger exhibits more of a roll-it-down feel, much like rolling the pad of the finger to take a fingerprint. The new trigger is shaped to create more of a pullback feel, has a shorter travel distance and a lighter trigger pull weight.

Using a Lyman’s digital trigger gauge to check the pull, the sample guns in this review had triggers that cycled with 4-pounds, 2-ounces of trigger pull compared to the 5-pound, 12-ounce pull of an older model that was on hand. The hammer has been modified with a flatter, wider spur to provide better purchase for the cocking thumb. It also requires less pressure to lock back for firing.


Easy, Effective Carry

Running the Bond Arms pistols at the shooting range is a unique experience. The handling of these little double-barrel guns is unlike any of the semi-autos or revolvers on the market.

The 2.50-inch-barrel .45 ACP Backup proved to be reliable with a variety of ammunition. Working its way through a mix of loads ranging from bulk ball rounds through defensive hollow points, it had no malfunctions of any kind. It should be noted here that Bond pistols chambered for other semi-auto cartridges, including the 9mm and .40 S&W, can be safely fired using +P-rated ammunition. However, the walls of the .45-caliber-bore barrels are thinner, so the company recommends sticking to standard pressure rounds in the .45 ACP barrels. Besides, with the felt recoil of standard loads ranging from stout to stouter, leaving the hottest rounds out of the range test didn't seem like such a bad idea.

Because this is an over/under pistol, the two barrels shoot to slightly different points of aim. As a result, the shooter is left with two sighting options using the fixed front blade and rear notch sighting system. One is to practice adjusting the sight picture leveling the front sight with the rear sight for the first shot, and then raising the front sight up a bit above the rear sight for the second (and usually lower) second shot.

The other sighting option is to hold the sight picture at a single point on the target and allow the second shot to drop. Both sighting methods produced acceptable combat accuracy at seven yards with the Backup. Adjusting the sight picture of the stubby 2.5-inch barrel produced 2- to 3.5-inch groups when 10 rounds were fired at the same spot on the target. Using a fixed sight picture produced 2-inch wide groups with a 5- to 6-inch vertical spread when ten shots were fired at 7 yards. Again, not target competition accuracy, but sufficient for combat-accurate center-of-mass shots.

Caliber conversion barrels are available in four lengths for Bond Derringers. Revolver cartridge barrels feature a spring-loaded extractor while semi-auto barrels have been notched so spent shells can be thumbed out of the chamber.
Caliber conversion barrels are available in four lengths for Bond Derringers. Revolver cartridge barrels feature a spring-loaded extractor while semi-auto barrels have been notched so spent shells can be thumbed out of the chamber.

Moving on to the .45 Colt/.410 Ranger with the 4.25-inch barrel, accuracy testing with modern defensive hollow point .45 Colt loads produced 3-inch groups at 7 yards. Felt recoil was much more moderate and controllable than one might expect it to be.

Handguns like this one cause the pattern of .410 shells to open up much more quickly than a shotgun will. Birdshot shells loaded with No. 6 lead shot peppered an 8½ x 11-inch target from top to bottom at just 10 feet, making them an ideal short-range solution for pests and snakes. Buckshot loads, including the Remington HD 3-inch five-pellet and Federal 2½-inch four-pellet loads, produced patterns ranging from 3.5 to 4.5 inches at 10 feet. Just like its Mini compatriot, the Ranger was utterly reliable with all of the ammunition tested.

So is a power-packed double barrel pocket pistol the right gun for you? Customers of Bond Arms report a variety of reasons for owning their pistols. Some are carried as backups to larger defensive handguns chambered in the same caliber, others are loaded with birdshot in case of encounters with venomous snakes. As for myself, I find that people who own one or more of the Bonds pistols say they are just plain fun to shoot. Along with caliber conversion barrels, the company offers a diverse set of grips and holsters for their pistols.

Bond Arms Back Up
Caliber: .45 ACP or 9mm
Capacity: 2 rounds
Barrel: 2.5 inches hinged over/under, six-groove rifling, RH twist, 1:12
Trigger: Single action
Sights: Fixed-blade front, notch rear
Frame: Stainless steel
Grips: Laminated black ash
Length: 4.5 inches
Height: 3.75 inches
Width: 1.12 inches
Weight: 18 oz. (.45 ACP), 19 oz. (9mm)
Options: Removable trigger guard, hard case, manual, lock, caliber conversion barrels available
Suggested Retail Price: $399

Bond Arms Ranger
Caliber: .45 Colt/.410 (3-inch chambers)
Capacity: 2 rounds
Barrel: 4.25 inches hinged over/under, six-groove rifling, RH twist, 1:12
Trigger: Single action
Sights: Fixed-blade front, notch rear
Frame: Stainless steel
Grips: Laminated black ash
Length: 6.25 inches
Height: 4.5 inches
Width: 1.12 inches
Weight: 23.5 oz.
Options: Holster, hard case, manual, lock, caliber conversion barrels available
Suggested Retail Price: $634
Website: bondarms.com

Check out these speed loaders for Bond Arms' Derringers.

Editor's note, this article originally appeared in the Nov. 4, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

NAA Guardian Bottle Rocket Review

NAA Guardian Review.

Chambered for NAA’s proprietary bottleneck cartridges, these souped-up pocket pistols can be upgraded with a variety of custom features.

North American Arms (NAA) has been providing some of the smallest concealed-carry firearms available since 1971. Their .22 Short, .22 Long Rifle and .22 Magnum Mini revolvers are some of the few handguns available that can be rightfully described as tiny. In 1997, the company expanded their line-up to include a series of stainless steel semi-autos.

Dubbed the Guardian, this pocket pistol is of a fixed barrel, direct-blowback operated design based on the Seecamp .32 ACP. The first version was the Seecamp-sized small-frame .32 ACP. As the popularity of the pistol grew, North American Arms developed a slightly larger version of the platform designed to fire .380 ACP.

Bottling the Pocket Rocket

The Guardians’ rudimentary standard sights (left) can be upgraded with Gutter Snipe, Novak or XS night sight systems. Author Photo
The Guardians’ rudimentary standard sights (left) can be upgraded with Gutter Snipe, Novak or XS night sight systems. Author Photo

Recognizing that one of the primary limitations of pocket pistols is the small cartridges they employ, NAA teamed up with Corbon Ammunition to develop and standardize two bottleneck pistol cartridges in order to enhance the Guardians’ stopping power.

For the smaller .32 ACP-sized frames, they produced the .25 NAA that was inspired by the 25/32 JBW wildcat cartridge originally conceived by gun writer J.B. Wood. The cartridge consists of a standard .32 ACP case necked down to hold a .251-caliber slug.

\In other words, the bullet of a .25 ACP is launched by the powder charge of a .32 ACP. The result is a significant boost in velocity. Corbon’s .25 NAA 50-grain full-metal jacket loads leave the Guardian barrel with an average speed of 1,050 fps generating 122 foot-pounds of energy, while the 35-grain jacketed hollow points travel at around 1,200 fps, also with 122 foot-pounds of energy.

Using the same bottleneck approach, the .32 NAA cartridge was developed for the larger Guardian frame.

A standard .380 ACP cartridge case was necked down to hold a .32-caliber bullet. Corbon’s 71-grain full-metal jacket load yields around 1,000 fps and 158 foot-pounds of energy and the 60-grain jacketed hollow point round runs at 1,200 fps with 192 foot-pounds of energy.

Recently, Hornady introduced a new .32 NAA load topped with an 80-grain FTX bullet, which flies at an average of 1,000 fps with 178 foot-pounds of energy. Although the NAA bottleneck cartridges will not outperform larger cartridges, such as the 9mm, they do exceed the power levels of many standard .32 ACP and .380 ACP loads.

NAA Guardian Features

The Guardian .25 NAA and .32 NAA pistols feature an all-stainless-steel construction assembled with excellent fit and finish. All of the components are constructed of 17-4 ph stainless steel using various methods.

The slide is machined from a 17-4 ph billet, the frame is investment cast and all of the small parts (hammer, trigger, magazine release) are produced using Metal-Injected Molding (MIM). The only polymer to be found on these pistols is in the black pebble-textured grip panels and the magazine base plates.

Hornady knew they could develop a top-notch round for the little pistol, so they have started shipping a .32 NAA round loaded with an 80-grain FTX bullet that travels at 1,000 fps and produces 178 foot-pounds of energy. Testing this new load in the Guardian showed it to be reliable and accurate.
Hornady knew they could develop a top-notch round for the little pistol, so they have started shipping a .32 NAA round loaded with an 80-grain FTX bullet that travels at 1,000 fps and produces 178 foot-pounds of energy. Testing this new load in the Guardian showed it to be reliable and accurate.

The all-steel construction does make the Guardian a little heavier than some of their competitors, but the guns are exceptionally reliable, sturdy and resistant to the corrosive conditions commonly found with pocket carry.

Standard Guardians arrive from the factory with fixed sights and two six-round stainless steel magazines, one with a flat base plate and the other with a finger extension.

The exposed hammer of the double-action-only firing mechanism provides second-strike capability in case of a hard primer. The external safety system is the same as that found on a double-action revolver. In other words, there are no levers, switches or buttons to fuss with, just the long and heavy 10-pound stroke of the double-action-only trigger.

But there’s no reason to stick with an out-of-the-box Guardian if you have something else in mind. The company provides their customers with a variety of pistol upgrades through their in-house custom shop. New guns can be built from scratch with the features you want or existing pistols can be sent back to the factory for most of the alterations they offer.

The .25 NAA provided for this review was topped with an excellent set of 3-Dot Novak night sights, and the polymer grip panels were traded out for a set of smooth Hogue Coco Bolo grip panels. The grip frame of this pistol is quite short, with only enough room for a one-finger grip, so the .55-inch-thick wood grips can make the diminutive pistol easier to hold.

The .32 NAA factory sights were replaced by an easy to see XS Big Dot sight set featuring a .16-diameter white epoxy dot front sight with a tritium night sight insert. The grips were replaced with a Crimson Trace LG-441 laser grip, which arrives pre-sighted out to 50 feet.

The grip frames of both test pistols were enhanced with random-pattern stippling applied to the front strap, back strap and the front of the rounded trigger guard.

And because these pistols were ordered from the factory, North American Arms surprised us by adding one of their most popular custom features, namely custom serial numbers. By following a few simple company guidelines, information like nicknames, badge numbers or important dates can all be serialized into the gun. This can make a pistol that is gift for a loved one (or for yourself) truly a one-of-a-kind item.

At The Range

Mastering the Guardian bottleneck cartridge pistols will require the same kind of practice and patience needed to learn the operations of any souped-up pocket pistol.

Small semi-autos with an abbreviated grip frame and a reduced sight radius always require practice. If you are used to shooting double-action revolvers, the long, smooth, 10-pound pull of the double-action-only trigger will feel familiar and will be relatively easy to learn. If you’re a fan of light or single-action triggers, or if you’re new to shooting handguns, then the trigger work will require more practice.

These Guardians were made especially for this review with custom Gun Digest serial  numbers. Custom serial numbers make these guns a true one-of-a-kind gift.
The Guardians tested in this story were made especially for this review with custom Gun Digest serial
numbers. Custom serial numbers make these guns a true one-of-a-kind gift.

The .25 NAA produced a relatively mild level of felt recoil, especially for having a short, one-finger grip. On the other hand, the .32 NAA’s recoil was on par with an Airweight J-Frame .38 Special loaded with defense-grade ammunition. In other words, it had plenty of pep but it was not painful to work with.

The Guardians are intended for close-range defensive applications and so formal accuracy testing consisted of firing five five-shot groups from a bench rest into targets set at 7 yards. Pistols of this size are not generally expected to produce tight groups.

However, the Guardians demonstrated top-notch accuracy for up-close and personal protection. The .25 NAA produced group averages between 1.51 to 1.77 inches, while the .32 NAA kept its groups hovering between 1.53 to 1.71 inches in size. Off the bench, it was easy to keep all shots center of mass at 7 yards during defensive drills. Both pistols functioned flawlessly with all of the loads tested.

Why Choose a Guardian?

With so many makes, models and caliber options in pocket pistols to choose from these days, why do the North American Arms Guardian pistols in .25 NAA and .32 NAA warrant consideration?

The Guardians have a proven design with a track record for durability. The all-stainless-steel construction of the pistols can hold up to the rigors of daily carry.

Some pocket rockets demonstrate a tendency to jam, so it’s important to know the pistol and caliber combination that’s in place as a last line of defense is going to work when called upon. Lastly, the bottleneck Guardians feed reliably and generate a significant boost in stopping power when compared to the other cartridges in their size class.

Learn more at northamericanarms.com

This article appeared in the March 6, 2014 issue of Gun Digest the Magazine.

Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper, Sweet and Petite .22 Revolver

.22 Revolver
Lipsey's exclusive New Model Bearcat Shopkeeper.

Ruger's classic .22 single-action revolver becomes even more compact with this bird’s head grip version available from Lipsey’s.

Enter the Shopkeeper

Some new-age guru said if you wish hard enough the things you desire will eventually come to you. Thanks to the psychically attuned folks at Ruger, the bird’s-head Bearcat I've been thinking of is now available. It's called the Shopkeeper, in honor of those businessmen who preferred the more easily concealed bird’s-head revolvers for protection in the old days.

The Shopkeeper is based on the current Ruger New Model Bearcat single-action .22 revolver, but with a few key changes. Unlike other versions of this revolver that contain some aluminum components, this one features an all-stainless-steel construction, including the ejector rod housing. The sights consist of a rounded blade up front, and a fixed square notch rear sight that's milled into the top strap. The barrel and ejector shroud have been shortened from 4 to 3 inches.

To accommodate a shorter distance for the ejector rod to travel, the rod's lever has been cut into a crescent shape. This allows it to move past the top of the reduced cylinder pinhead, all the way to the frame. The nonfluted cylinder is engraved with the same nature scene that graces other models. The bird’s-head grip is fitted with medallion rosewood grip panels. Like the other Ruger New Model single-actions, the Bearcat has a transfer bar safety that allows the gun to be carried with all six chambers loaded.

As expected, the fit and finish of the Shopkeeper are excellent. Some manufacturers provide factory-installed dings and scratches in the finish of their guns. But Ruger made sure this one arrived in pristine condition, as is only proper. The fit of the trigger guard to the receiver is so nicely done you have to look for the seam.

Smooth Operators

The shorter barrel and rounded grip of the Shopkeeper look terrific, and even better, proved to be fun to shoot as well. The hammer and trigger were both smooth operators, with the short, crisp trigger tipping the Lyman's digital trigger gauge at 4 pounds, 2 ounces. The bird’s-head grip seats itself comfortably and intuitively in the hand. The revolver's excellent balance and mild recoil make it a shoot-all-day kind of handgun.

.22 Revolver
The 3-inch barrel and bird’s head grip of the Shopkeeper make it a very compact and handy .22 revolver.

The Shopkeeper was test fired with several flavors of .22 Long Rifle ammunition, ranging from bulk-box varieties to high-performance hollow points. Every round inserted and fired properly, but early on some would not eject, even with repeated taps from the ejector rod. This was not due to the shortened ejector. Removing the cylinder and tapping at the stuck cartridge cases with a cleaning rod showed they were stuck because of some factory-fresh chamber roughness. Over the course of testing, the rough chambers smoothed out and ran as expected.

Since the .22 revolver is technically a sub-compact handgun, accuracy testing was conducted using five 5-shot groups fired from a bench rest at 15 yards. This also happens to be a good plinking distance for new shooters. Groups hovered right around the 1.5-inch mark, with the best groups at the 1.25-inch range. Working from a bench rest at 25 yards was also a satisfying experience, with groups hovering comfortably around the 2- to 2.5-inch range.

What makes the Shopkeeper just that, a keeper, is that it offers both good looks and provides top-notch functionality. This version of the Ruger New Model Bearcat is a Lipsey’s exclusive item. So if you would like one, but you don't know which shops in your area are authorized Lipsey's dealers, then visit www.lipseys.com and click on DEALER FINDER to locate one near you.

Lipsey’s Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper Specifications
Caliber: .22 LR
Capacity: 6 rounds
Barrel: 3”
Sights: Fixed
Frame: Satin Stainless Steel
Trigger: Single-Action
Length: 8”
Weight: 22 oz.
Options: Bird’s Head Hardwood grips, engraving
Suggested Retail Price: $649

Editor's Note: This article appeared in the October 21, 2013 edition of Gun Digest the Magazine.

El Paso Saddlery’s Stunning Ruger Bearcat Holster

Holster
El Paso Saddlery's Ruger Bearcat Shopkeeper holster.

El Paso Saddlery offers the Bearcat Shopkeeper owner an exquisite and authentic option to holster their .22 revolver.

It would be a shame to carry a beautiful Ruger Bearcat bird's head Shopkeeper in anything less than a quality western-style rig, like those provided by El Paso Saddlery.

A popular rig for those who want both period aesthetics and in-the-field functionality is the hybrid #44 Outfitter holster and belt. The holster has a rollover lining for an easy draw and the belt is sewn rough-side out so it will stay put on your waist.

But could a #44 rig be pulled together for a diminutive 3-inch barrel .22 revolver?

The answer was yes; it would not be a problem at all. The holster was trimmed down and the belt sewn with .22-friendly cartridge loops instead of the usual .45 caliber loops. The result was a handsome holster and belt that are a perfect match for this gun.

Investing in quality like this means they can be used and enjoyed together for years to come.

El Paso Saddlery offers a variety of holster and belt options for cowboy action shooting, concealed carry, and hunting handguns. They are willing to work with their customers to make the changes needed for a perfect fit.

Modifying the design or finish of an El Paso Saddlery carry system may change the delivery date or price point, but for what you get, it's well worth it! For more information, visit epsaddlery.com, or call 915-544-2233.

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