Viewpoints

We evaluated the Bond Arms Texas Defender 38 Special/357 Magnum and the Bond Arms Cowboy Defender 45 Colt/.410in the July 2002 issue. In that issue, we said, "In today's world, derringers are indeed marginalized firearms for people seeking to protect themselves. Lightweight metals such as titanium and scandium have made revolvers not only pocket guns, but in some cases possibly even shirt-pocket guns (at least in terms of heft). Double-action wheelguns offer more capacity and easier handling than derringers, we found in a recent test. Ditto that with small-frame pistols."

Of the Bond Arms Texas Defender and the Bond Arms Cowboy Defender, we said "Don't Buy" either of them for self-defense. "There are simply better, more modern guns out there that make more sense than a derringer, in our view." We added, "If we wanted a Cowboy Action derringer, the Texas Defender, whose trigger guard can be removed, would be ‘Our Pick.'" Another gun in the test, the American Derringer DA 38, earned a Conditional Buy (probably a B ranking today). We said, "If you have to have a derringer for self-defense, this double-action model is easier to use than the single actions. But it wouldn't be our pick for this job." In that test, we also looked at an American Derringer Model 1 in 45 Colt/.410. Of it, we said, "Don't Buy." We said, "For Cowboy shooting, we like the Bond Arms Texas Defender much better and the Cowboy Defender somewhat better. For derringer self-defense, we like the American Derringer DA 38 better."

A look at the data from that test gives you some ideas about the efficacy of the .410 shotshell versus the other chamberings. A Winchester 38 Special 158-grain roundnose lead Cowboy load in the American Derringer DA 38 created muzzle energy of 178 ft.-lbs. and 169 ft.-lbs. in the Bond Arms Texas Defender. With a Federal Classic .357 Magnum 158-grain Hi-Shok JHP, we got muzzle energy of 464 foot-pounds and 439 foot-pounds, respectively, out of those derringers. A Cor-Bon 357 125-grain JHP produces 519 foot-pounds and 494 foot-pounds muzzle energies, respectively.

Shotshells weren't in the same realm in terms of energy. A Winchester Super X .410 Shotshell 000 Buckshot (three pellets) produced muzzle energies of 229 foot-pounds and 217 foot-pounds in the American Derringer Model 1 and Bond Arms Cowboy Defender, respectively. A Rexio .410 Shotshell 00 Buckshot load (four pellets) generated 130 foot-pounds of muzzle energy in the American Derringer Model 1 and 126 foot-pounds of muzzle energy in the Bond Arms Cowboy Defender.

It is sad and worrisome, but nonetheless true, that four other justices did not and do not agree with Scalia's decision in the Heller case. So his passing puts that decision, and individual gun rights, at risk again. Other than in McDonald, the Supreme Court has chosen not to harden the effects of Heller in many additional decisions.

United States Supreme Court Associate Justice Antonin Scalia, author of the Court's landmark Second Amendment decisionHeller v. District of Columbia, died on February 13, 2016, at age 79. Justice Scalia was found dead of apparent natural causes at the Cibolo Creek Ranch, a resort in the Big Bend region south of Marfa in West Texas. According to the San AntonioExpress-News, Scalia arrived at the ranch on February 12 and attended a private party with about 40 people. When he did not appear for breakfast, a person associated with the ranch went to his room and found his body. We extend our condolences to the family.

Like Grant said in last month's letters section, I, too, lament the passing of the pride of custom-gun ownership and the common look of the Ubiquitous Black Gun. But, as was said, black guns are cheap and proven reliable. Also, I cannot justify carrying a nice custom pistol on the off chance that I might have to use it. In that case, I would have to surrender it to the police, and then it would be months at a minimum to maybe get it back by jumping through their hoops.

Yes, I would rather carry a "Rolex"-quality sidearm, but I often think that if I had to give up my Valtro, I'd don't know what I'd do.

A black gun I can give up with no emotion, and go home and get another one. I always enjoy the magazine, from the editorial remarks to the last page. — Dave

We reported last month that effective Feb. 1, 2016, Virginia would sever concealed handgun permit (CHP) reciprocity ties with 25 of 30 states, likely affecting many Gun Testsreaders. Good news: The cancellation of reciprocity was moved back a month to March 1, about the time this issue arrives in your mailbox. Also, the Virginia Citizens Defense League, Inc., (VCDL), an all-volunteer, non-partisan grassroots organization defending the right to keep and bear arms in the state, said there was a package deal in the works between Governor Terry McAuliffe and the Republicans in the General Assembly dealing with 1) concealed handgun permit (CHP) reciprocity, 2) voluntary background checks at gun shows, and 3) those subject to a permanent domestic violence protection order.

A VCDL release said those three components would be represented by matching bills in the state's House and the Senate bodies. Under the reciprocity section, Virginia will now honor carry permits from all states. "This is considerably better than current law and something VCDL has been trying to get for at least seven years now," the group said in a release.

Because Virginia will honor all other states, Virginia CHPs will be recognized by all the states affected by the reciprocity cancellation, plus three new states will be given reciprocity status: New Hampshire, Georgia, and Colorado. Further, going forward, the State Police and the attorney general will have no say in how reciprocity is handled. If another state requires a formal agreement to honor Virginia CHPs, the new law requires the attorney general to enter into any such agreement.

In last month's Firing Line, reader Winslow asks for advice on a 357 magnum lightweight snubnose revolver for a 75-year-old female cousin. I would appreciate a little help. I'm wondering why these two diametrically opposed 308s were chosen to oppose one another. While I am not in one of the affected states, I am from Vermont, and we do not require a permit for CC, and no state recognizes our not needing a permit! Whatever happened to the personal pride everyone took in their ownership of not only a working tool, but also a masterpiece of design and artwork?

I have read recent Gun Tests articles on various AR rifles, so I recently built an AR with a folding stock. I was attracted to this option because I drive a sports car, and even with a collapsible stock and 16-inch barrel, an AR will not fit in the trunk. The folding stock adapter I chose was one made by Law Tactical (LawTactical.com). It was easy to install, works fine to fold the stock, and adds just a little bit of fiddling when I have to separate the upper and lower. But it is very expensive and adds no additional operating functionality to the firearm, since it should never be fired with the stock folded. Anyway, I have not seen many options for folding stocks on an AR platform, and thought that a review of adapters for them might be in order.

In a startling move, Virginia Attorney General Mark Herring announced on December 22 that Virginia will sever concealed handgun permit (CHP) reciprocity ties with 25 of 30 states. This will affect hundreds, maybe thousands, of Gun Tests readers who reside in Tennessee and other states bordering the Commonwealth, and perhaps millions of people nationwide.

Effective Feb. 1, 2016, — about the time this issue arrives in your mailbox —Virginia will no longer honor carry permits from the following states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The following permits will continue to be recognized: West Virginia, Michigan, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah. The move also means several states will no longer recognize Virginia's concealed-carry permits because they require mutual recognition of permits. Those include Florida, Louisiana, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, and Wyoming.

Speaking about this audit and update, Attorney General Herring said, "Virginia, and nearly every other state in the country, have recognized that carrying a concealed handgun is a significant responsibility that should be extended only to those who have gone through a process to prove a level of competency and responsibility."

"The standards for proving competency and responsibility are up to each state," Herring said, "and the General Assembly has established Virginia's standards for whom it considers capable of safely carrying a concealed handgun. Those standards should be applied evenly, consistently, and fairly to anyone who wants to lawfully conceal a handgun in Virginia."

I'm a long-time customer and would like to get three or more comparisons of 357 Magnum lightweight snub-nose revolvers. The index shows the captioned rifle being reviewed in November. When I go online for past reviews, I only find a 2007 review, and it was not from November, as stated in magazine. The Blackhawk GripBreak 421903BK holster seems like just the ticket for this coming year for those of us who are predisposed to reject Kydex and plastic holsters for reasons of them being ugly and inelegant. Problem is, no one has the GripBreaks. Check your Schmidt-Rubin for a possible Christmas present. Remove the buttplate and see if there is anything under it. Many original owners wrote a personal note or ID and hid it under the plate. - Winslow

When President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act, he didn't make the world perfect for gun owners, but he did take steps in the right direction. Pro-gun provisions in the act include allowing the sale of vintage military firearms, giving military base personnel authorization to carry firearms, and continuing the use of lead ammunition.

Toward the end of 2015, President Barack Obama signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which had some notable pro-gun provisions. Here are the high points that concern firearms.

The NDAA now allows the U.S. Army to transfer its surplus vintage firearms to the Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) for public sale. Transferring these vintage pistols to the CMP will allow them to inspect, grade, and ultimately sell these pistols to the public through federally licensed firearms dealers.

Also, the NDAA included a provision requiring the Secretary of Defense to establish a process for commanders at military bases, reserve centers, and recruiting centers to allow service members assigned to that base or facility to carry a firearm. This NDAA provision is a good step toward restoring the Second Amendment rights of military personnel.

We publish reader feedback every month to answer questions about last month's featured firearms. See what subscribers have to say about Derringer handguns, the Springfield M2 Bolt rifle, how bullets penetrate home materials and more.

Why did you not include a Bond Arms derringer in your shoot-out, or at least reference the earlier article? I think it's a better gun than either of the others (the DoubleTap and Cobra Enterprises guns were not in the 2002 article). It's very solidly made, stainless steel throughout, has easily interchanged barrel sets, and is comfortable to shoot with 38s and cowboy 44-40s. Optional grips are available that are longer and have rubber panels to further ease recoil. It's as safe as any very short gun, with a rebounding hammer and a simple crossbolt safety. In the 2002 article, you rated the Bond Texas Defender as "Our Pick" for Cowboy Action shooting, and the American Derringer 38 Special as a Conditional Buy for self-defense because it was a double-action design, unlike the model you tested here. Finally, I would guess that Bond Arms is the largest manufacturer of derringers in the country.

In the midst of our nation's unrest over gun rights, NRA approval is thriving and so is shooter's enthusiasm.

There's been a lot of positive-trending news on how the gun-rights debate, despite setbacks, may be shifting our way. First, we took note of a recent Gallup poll that showed 58% in the U.S. have a favorable opinion of the NRA.

This comes despite gun prohibitionists blaming NRA for illegal uses of firearms, constant media criticism, and attacks by politicians. I credit the NRA for helping stop many ill-advised and possibly unconstitutional laws across the country. Apparently, many citizens agree. In a Gallup poll from Oct. 7-11, a solid majority of Americans (58%) say they have an overall favorable impression of the NRA. According to the Gallup article on the poll, "This includes the highest recording of ‘very favorable' opinions (26%) since Gallup began asking this question in 1989."

That's because normal people don't blame the gun-civil-rights group for crimes committed with firearms — most people blame the criminals instead. What a novel idea.

See reader feedback on pistols, rifles, handguns and more! Reader John S. took our list of 380 ACPs to his local gun store in the Golden State, but his results were far from golden. Mare's Leg pistols are in fact legal for sale in California. Not all home building materials take bullets equally. And pistols that look like rifles. Lots of them.

There's a whole lot of new products coming out at the end of 2015, well in advance of the massive outpouring that's introduced every new calendar year at the S.H.O.T. Show. Here's a look at just a few of the new products I've seen that may be interesting to gunnies:

ARES Defense Now Shipping MCR Sub-Carbine. ARES Defense Systems is now shipping its MCR Sub-Carbine. The ARES MCR Sub-Carbine is a lightweight, semi-auto 5.56 NATO-caliber firearm featuring gas-piston operation, a 3-second quick-change barrel system, and a left-side folding stock assembly that telescopes for adjusting the length of pull. The charging handle is ambidextrous and interchangeable with standard AR15/M4 charging handles, to suit user preference. Suppressor capable and able to be fired with the stock in any position, the MCR has an edge on many of the folding-stock and telescoping PDWs. The internals are billet machined from aircraft-grade alloys and heat-treated. Aluminum components are Type III, Class 2 hard-coat anodized to MIL-A-8625F for maximum corrosion and wear protection. Also available to complement the MCR Sub-Carbine is an optional SKB briefcase with custom-cut foam insert that holds the firearm, six 30-round magazines, a cleaning kit, operator's manual and storage space for a suppressor or other accessories.