Bond Arms Patriot ~ Review

By Mike Searson
Bond Arms Patriot, review and test.

Bond Arms Patriot
Bond Arms Patriot
AmmoLand Gun News
AmmoLand Gun News

United States -(AmmoLand.com)- It is probably no secret that we are fans of Bond Arms Derringers.

These big bore pocket guns look good, are fun to shoot and can come in handy for dispatching vermin. In a recent overview of their handguns we took a look at the Patriot Model.

Bond Arms Patriot The Good

Of the three newer models we tested, this one was most like our personally owned Bond Arms Cowboy Derringer. The main differences being the removable trigger guard of the Patriot, the improved trigger and rebounding hammer and of course the laser engraved rosewood grips.

Bond Arms Patriot - Grip
Bond Arms Patriot – Grip

The American flag and bald eagle look great on the grip panels with the checkering allowing for a firm and solid grip.

Like the other Derringers from Bond Arms, a cross bolt safety makes this a safe pistol to carry.

Sights are simplistic, but big and effective, this is a Derringer, though, and primarily meant as a point and shoot defensive pistol. Big for a derringer, it actually conceals quite well due to its profile.

Accuracy was a little better with the 45 Colts than the 410 shotgun loads, but with such short barrels, you really are not getting the best performance from the rounds to begin with.

You do get a very satisfying “Boom” after each shot, though.

Like all Bond arms derringers, you have a barrel change/caliber conversion option. The Bond Arms Barrels are removable via hex head screw. They offer most pistol calibers from 22lr up to 45 Colt.

Bond Arms Patriot The Bad

Bond Arms Patriot - Open
Bond Arms Patriot – Open

Reloading is slow, flip the lever, tip the barrels, dump the empties, slide two live rounds into place, lock it back up, point the derringer, cock the hammer and squeeze the trigger. Repeat.

It is a heavy piece for its size, but you do not want a lightweight Derringer chambered in either 410 shotgun or 45 Colt. You can trust us on that one! The weight soaks up the recoil, but makes for a heavy back up gun.

Bond Arms Patriot The Reality

Bond Arms Patriot
Bond Arms Patriot

Despite the Bond Arms Patriot Derringer being an extremely well made and robust handgun, in good faith, we cannot recommend this for consideration as a primary CCW piece. The size, weight, manual of arms and ballistics all come into play here. It can be handy to have while hiking and prove useful against feral dogs, coyotes, snakes, rats, etc. and maybe even a single human attacker. Against more than one assailant, you are better served with a compact semiautomatic or revolver instead of an over/under derringer, no matter how well-made it is.

We do think if you are a fan of big bore handguns in general or Derringers in particular, that you might have a lot of fun with one of these at the range. Especially, if you show up on the Fourth of July.

Bond Arms Patriot
Bond Arms Patriot

MODEL : Bond Arms Patriot

  • CALIBER: 45Colt / .410 Shotgun
  • BARREL : 3″
  • GRIPS : Engraved and checkered Rosewood
  • SIGHTS: Front blade, fixed rear
  • LENGTH: 5″
  • WEIGHT: 21.5 oz
  • PRICE : $598 MSRP
Mike Searson
Mike Searson

About Mike Searson:

Mike Searson’s career as a shooter began as a Marine Rifleman at age 17. He has worked in the firearms industry his entire adult life as a Gunsmith, Ballistician, Consultant, Salesman, Author and was first certified to teach firearms safety in 1989.

Mike has written over 2000 articles for a number of magazines, websites and newsletters including Blade, RECOIL, OFF-GRID, Tactical Officer, SWAT, Tactical World, Gun Digest, Examiner.com and the US Concealed Carry Association as well as AmmoLand Shooting Sports News.

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Monroe Teems Sr

I have the bond arms patriot and at a distance of about 12 feet was very accurate. It may only be a two shot but if you hit the first offender the other is likely to Hall tale maybe not always but a lot of the time . I am very satisfied with my patriot in 45-410

Jim Midkiff

Guns, as with guitars, I have found, are instruments of passion. As in both, you just like what you like, practicality be damned. I use the Patriot as a boot gun, as a back-up for my Colt 45 Defender. Sure I could have chosen something smaller or cheaper, but sometimes you just see something that speaks to you and your style and you just can’t get it out of your head. I think a good chunk of the cost difference comes with the craftsmanship of these guns. They are extremely well made, milled by robots to insanely tight tolerances and… Read more »

Jim Covington

The Patriot is a nicely designed and well made mini intimidator. It feels solid and consistently shot straight at 7 yards using American Eagle 45 Colt 225 grain while nicely peppering the target with #6 410 loads. It’s not a cheap gun and not ideal for CC, but it sure is cool!

Mikial

A very expensive novelty gun.

robert

Hey Mike Searson, You maybe able to justify not carrying the Bond two shot because better firearms are available in the same size and weight category; but not because of the barrel length. It has three inch barrels. I’ve seen some incredible shooting out of two inch barrels; way, way far beyond self defense ranges. All guns at typical 7yds. and under range are point and shoot, sights don’t even come into use, and with all that adrenaline pumping neither does recoil. You missed the biggest story in your review, which is what justifies the outrageous price of near $600.

Jack

This is being promoted as a new thing as are safety razors by the celebrity TV pawn shop owner. The current derringer design regardless of brand or caliber has been around in this form since the 1860s and was considered a “belly gun” back then-nothing more. Get someone after you at ten feet and you may well miss. I would much rather carry a small “dwarf caliber” Beretta seven shot .25ACP semi than a heavy and sort of clunky to handle .44 two shot especially at that price-which they must charge since it is being advertised on the famous “gun… Read more »

Larry

Getting up near the Judge or Governor range with price $375.00 maybe

Max

I wouldn’t buy it because of the insane price. $598?!?! Are they nuts?

Mikial

Max, I hear that! Maybe some people can afford $600 for a novelty gun that you “might have a lot of fun with . . . at the range,” but for a gun with very little practical value I don’t see myself paying that kind of money for it. Bond touts these as excellent guns for ladies to carry, but with poor accuracy, only two shots and a very slow reload, my wife said she’ll stick with her Beretta. As for snake guns, I have an old Cobray 5 shot Pepper Pot that is excellent for anti-snake duty. holds 5… Read more »

John

I believe this particular model comes standard with a Bond Arms driving holster worth about $100. Other models are less because they don’t include a holster. Also this model has the extended grip.

Jorge Norberto Pedace

NOTABLE ARMA LA DERRINGER BOND,TAL VEZ NADIE PUEDA NEGAR QUE EXISTEN ARMAS CON DISPOSICIÓN DE FUEGO RÁPIDO Y CANTIDAD DE RONDAS,PERO QUIENES ANALICEN BIEN LAS CIRCUNSTANCIAS POR LAS QUE PASA CUALQUIER PERSONA EN LA VIDA,SE DARÁN CUENTA,QUE EN DETERMINADO MOMEN TO DE PELIGRO PARA LA VIDA PROPIA,ES NECESARIO CONTAR CON EL FACTOR SORPRESA,Y SI ADEMÁS DE PODER HACER FRENTE VIENE ACOMPAÑADO DE UN CALIBRE POTENTE,AUNQUE TENGA DOS CARGAS RESULTARÁ APROPIADO PARA HACER DESISTIR A CUALQUIER MALECHOR.AL FIN DE CUENTAS NADIE QUIERE RECIBIR EL PRIMER,ÚNICO Y DEFINITIVO DISPARO.LA OTRA VENTAJA ES SU OCULTAMIENTO QUE PERMITE UTILIZAR EL FACTOR SORPRESA AL LÍMITE.EXCELENTE… Read more »

Steve K

I hope this DULL stainless fad passes soon. I LOVE my POLISHED stainless Snake Slayer. Why waste the beauty of stainless by making it look like aluminum?

robert

That satin (dull) finish is nothing but a marketing ploy started by the manufactures to make money. Same thing they did back in the 80’s with the flat black finish. They started a campaign with pseudo evidence that the cheap spray paint finish was better than the traditional deep bluing on waterfowl shotguns; once that was accepted__put it on everything and keep charging you for a blued finish. Same thing with the brushed stainless.