Looking for a small and easily carried pocket pistol? You most likely already know about Bond Arms Double Barrel Derringers. What you may not realize is that there are now three Bond Arms handguns that are chambered in 22LR, making any recoil concerns a moot point.
Visiting with company owner, Gordon Bond at this year’s Outdoor News America’s writers conference in Grapevine, Texas the enthusiasm over the new 22LR derringers was obvious. Bond Arms handguns, are manufactured in Granbury, Texas and have been around since 1995.
As always innovative ideas are standard at the Bond Arms company leading to the newly released Bond double-barrel handguns in the ever popular .22LR as a new caliber option.
The new 22LR Stinger, has all of the features of the original Stinger, but in the light .22LR caliber. You may recall the original Stinger released only last year was offered in 9mm and .380 with an anodized aluminum frame and stainless-steel barrels. This new chambering in 22LR offers even greater diversity for consumers.
The new Stinger RS .22LR is identical to the original Stinger model, except for its all-stainless-steel frame and barrels. While slightly heavier it is around $100 bucks less that its aluminum frame cousin.
The Rawhide Model 22LR is also now being offered in .22LR sporting the short 2.5-inch barrel and no trigger guard. Standard thin grips are mounted to this original Cowboy (no trigger guard) hand-cannon frame and offered in the Rough & Tumble finish with a 2.5″ barrel.
Specifications and features of these new caliber offerings from Bond Arms are as follows and are currently the only Bond Arms handguns offered in the .22LR caliber:
Stinger 22LR
- Caliber – 22LR
- Barrel Length – 3 inch
- Grip Material – Thin Nylon
- Grip Size – Standard
- Sights – Fixed
- .88″ Width
- Overall Length – 5 inch
- Weight – 14 Oz.
- Ammo Capacity – 2
- Action – Single Action
- Trigger Guard – Yes
- 7075 Anodized Aluminum Frame
- Stainless Steel Double Barrel
- MSRP – $379.00
Stinger RS 22 LR
- Caliber – 22LR
- Barrel Length – 3 inch
- Grip Material – Thin Nylon
- Grip Size – Standard
- Sights – Fixed
- .88″ Width
- Overall Length – 5 inch
- Weight – 18 Oz.
- Ammo Capacity – 2
- Action – Single Action
- Trigger Guard – Yes
- Stainless Steel Double Barrel and Frame
- MSRP – $269.00
Rawhide 22LR
- Caliber – 22LR
- Compatible with all standard Bond Arms barrels
- Barrel Length – 2.5″
- Grip Material – Thin Nylon
- Grip Size – Standard
- Sights – Fixed
- Width – about 1″
- Overall Length – 4.5″
- Weight – 21 Oz.
- Ammo Capacity – 2
- Action – Single Action
- Trigger Guard – No
- Stainless Steel Barrel and Frame
- Spring-loaded, cammed locking lever
- MSRP – $269.00
Additional feature of these new Bond Arms 22LR handguns include spent shell extractors, rebounding hammers, retracting firing pins, and cross bolt safeties.
At the recent Outdoor News America writers conference in Grapevine, Texas I was fortunate to try out the Stinger RS and the Rawhide both in .22LR at the Texas Gun Experience indoor range. In addition, I test fired these handguns on my home range in New Mexico.
As one can imagine the felt recoil on these handguns are almost nonexistent. Testing was done using CCI 40 grain copper plated round nose and Federal 38 grain copper plated hollow points. A handful of failure-to-fire malfunctions occurred as one would expect with any 22 rimfire ammunition during testing. In the accuracy department, these 22LR derringers can easily keep all rounds inside an eight-inch circle at 7 yards when using solid shooting fundamentals.
The Bond Derringers have a solid feel in the hand and with the Stinger model one can elect to purchase the optional rubberized grips for a firmer purchase on the gun when firing. Although this is certainly not necessary with the 22LR caliber.
Advantages of a derringer (one of the oldest gun designs in the world), are fairly logical. Ease of carry, convenience, and concealability being some of the most obvious. And now with these new offerings in 22LR, recoil is not an issue.
Bond Arms has done a wonderful job with these new .22LR double barrel handguns in the Stinger, Stinger RS, and the Rawhide. The derringer is perhaps one of the most overlooked options for concealed carry today.
To locate a Lipsey’s dealer near you, visit our dealer finder at www.lipseys.com/dealerfinder
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TERRY NELSON – is a 30-year veteran of law enforcement with police and sheriff agencies, including SWAT and sniper roles, and has served as a state game warden. Nelson also served seven years with New Mexico State Guard. A lifelong hunter, guide, tracker and firearms enthusiast, Terry is sought for training in multiple disciplines by both civilian and police-serving agencies and companies. Nelson also holds a Basic Tac Med instructor certification from Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.