Anyone make a small concealable percussion pistol

[Old Hawkeye]

I refer only to your comment that the Philadelphia Deringer is anemic. Compared to a Colt’s Dragoon it is. For it’s size it is not. Anyone who shoots a good high quality .41 with enough 3Fg in it to get the ball up to 680-700 fps will tell you right quick that it is a thundering handful that is a serious little pistol.
I guarantee you that all 1600+ people in Ford’s theatre knew when it went off. It rendered Lincoln unconscious instantly and did its gruesome job exactly as intended. In no way, shape, manner or form would anyone in this day and age carry one by choice. I simply state that in it’s day (1850-1870) there was a place for it. Note that Wilkes Booth carried a large sheath knife as a backup weapon and used it to cut his way out of the theater.

The point is what? Would you prefer the Philly derringer in a life & death situation over an unmentionable that is multiple times more reliable & effective. Look at the OP's original question. This thread is not about arguing (which many people here seem to relish) about how fast a Philly derringer can shoot a lead ball but about what the OP should carry for self defense. OH! It makes a loud bang that others can hear. Isn't that wonderful! How on earth does that make for a better self defense weapon? I have already stated that these weapons were used because that's all they had back then. What exactly is your point? Arguing that the Philly derringer is "not anemic for it's size"????? So, your recommendation to the OP is that if you load the Philly derringer with enough 3Fg to get the ball up to 700 fps it would be a good choice for self-defense concealed carry & he should feel good about betting his life on it? Really? How does everything here end up getting "off topic". I'm done with this thread.

 

[Flintlock]

If the OP wants to carry a black powder firearm then it's his choice to carry what he wants. Any gun is better than none at all.

 

[Cpt Flint]

The point is what? Would you prefer the Philly derringer in a life & death situation over an unmentionable that is multiple times more reliable & effective. Look at the OP's original question. This thread is not about arguing (which many people here seem to relish) about how fast a Philly derringer can shoot a lead ball but about what the OP should carry for self defense. OH! It makes a loud bang that others can hear. Isn't that wonderful! How on earth does that make for a better self defense weapon? I have already stated that these weapons were used because that's all they had back then. What exactly is your point? Arguing that the Philly derringer is "not anemic for it's size"????? So, your recommendation to the OP is that if you load the Philly derringer with enough 3Fg to get the ball up to 700 fps it would be a good choice for self-defense concealed carry & he should feel good about betting his life on it? Really? How does everything here end up getting "off topic". I'm done with this thread.

You are done with this thread because it’s over you’re head.

 

[golden sky]

having a small pistol off the California books is all I'm entertaining, self defense, wild dogs, crazed people, snakes etc..

 

[William Lincoln]

We all make grammar and typing errors--let's stay on the issue of P-shooters.
Fact is some gun beats no gun.

 

[golden sky]

Maybe the more important thing to do for your safety, not to mention your sanity, is to move OUT of Cali.
Coyote is almost everywhere. I've found him on the waterfront in Philadelphia. He will avoid a man like the plague if he can at all. What snake are you worried about? Give most any snake the opportunity and he will disappear. I carry for the best reason there is to carry. Two legged creatures that walk upright but are not well socialized.

i'de love too leave California, but the money is still flowing here for me.. I do have a place in Canada, which is actually even more restricted than California. BP is great for the deep forest of British Columbia and not being registered on the books up there is another plus. finding modern ammo is a bit difficult up in Canada. not too mention i havent got my "Real-ID" for California so I cant even buy ammo here at this time

 

[Erzulis boat]

I know you asked about a single shot, but the .44 Sheriff won't be much larger, and if you "flatten" the grips (trim side to side) it is easily carried concealed.

 

[golden sky]

I know you asked about a single shot, but the .44 Sheriff won't be much larger, and if you "flatten" the grips (trim side to side) it is easily carried concealed.

anychance they make a small birds head grip for the Sherrif's model?

 

[William Lincoln]

Not for the Sheriffs but for the Pietta Snubbie in 44(Avenging Angel) they do.
Latest exciting small piece is "THE ACE" at Taylor & co. Many people
live in Jurisdictions that do not allow unmentionables without
a Governor's recommendation plus a campaign contribution.
Some are demanding a special justification approval. Some folks
moving to Florida sell their Black Powder stuff because here they can buy the
modern items without hassle. Our focus here is BP, and I believe that they can
be adequate for defense if carefully chosen, loaded and trained with.

 

[Smokey Plainsman]

If you’re dead set on a black powder pistol for self defense, get this:

A properly loaded and tuned 1858 can be dependable in my experience. I can’t remember ever having a jam with my Uberti and I’ve fired it hundreds of times now. Then again, I am always very particular in PROPERLY maintaining and loading one. I also use quality aftermarket nipples that make a big difference.

With the above Sherrif’s model, you’ve got about .38 special energy and with a bigger (read: wider) pill. Six shots, not just one. It’ll be smokey and reloads aren’t quick even with a spare loaded cylinder, but I would feel MUCH better than armed with that puny derringer. Ballistics on even the screw barrel are worse than a .22 short.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

That's a good one. Wonder if Ol' Griz will allow time for one to strike the fuze with flint n steel?
View attachment 107274

Gunny,

So he needs to chain smoke as he hikes. That's a pretty simple solution.... oh wait....He's in California and he can't use tobacco in the woods due to second hand smoke damaging the trees, and he has to wear his mask 24/7/365...sorry....my mistake....

 

[sussexmuzllodr]

Modern Day Defense should not be looked at through a Romantic or Nostalgic Lens. Want to get all gushy about yesteryear? Make a cardboard cutout of a Cowboy and have at it.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

So this is all sorta moot, now....

The question has morphed from "Anyone make a small concealable percussion pistol" plus "something I can keep in a pocket for one shot"...., which does not mention the purpose of the query, nor the location/occasion for use.

So we didn't know if the OP was looking for a small "snake gun" shooting shot on the OP's private property, or SD against a wild dog, or as information in a fictional story, or even perhaps a prop in a movie/TV show where the character needs such a device (I shall refrain from a Baldwin reference )

Now however, it's changed..., having a small pistol off the California books is all I'm entertaining, self defense, wild dogs, crazed people, snakes etc...., this is pushing the legality of the use of the item, because the OP knows he can't have anything "open carry" on public property, and is unsure about concealed carry of a BP handgun.

As such it is rapidly approaching, if not already past the point, where it is in violation of the Forum rule :"Participants may not post any material regarding illegal activities...,"

The OP I'm sure has no intention of a Forum violation, and has been given lots of suggestions and advice. Lets revisit this after the OP has determined that it's legal for him to do this as he now thinks he might, and opens another thread if it's needed.

LD