Davis Industries 38 spl derringer - complete junk?

I suppose that they have their place. The ONLY place would be with the muzzle resting firmly on the BG's second button. Of course if he had a blade you'd be a gonner already.

I haven't heard much about them. I'm not sure that I know anybody that has one. Had a lady show up to my class (CCW)with a derringer (unsure what brand)and I sent her home.Some of them have the "Rugerish" transfer bar safety. I have heard good things about the workmanship on the American Derringer brand. But now your talking (guessin') $300+.

I'd have to advise, go with a very small revo or auto. In used condition they aren't much money anyway.

I wouldn't want to enter into a BG(s) thing with just two shots and NO chance of a reload on the horizon.

This,IMO only. I would say that the Davis is mo betta than a poke in the eye with a sharp stick.
Your dad gave it to you so you should keep it. Tell him you love it and that it shoots great. Don't take it to a gunsmith. Don't put any money into it.
Also,when invited to a gunfight......well,you know. --------

I've had a Davis Derringer .38 for about 15 years. It is not my first (or second) choice as a CC weapon, but it IS about as concealable a weapon in a "major" caliber that you'll find. It's not designed for anything other than "up close and personal" use, but if push comes to shove, I'd rather have 2 shots from a .38 derringer than 5-6 from a .22 pocket auto... or nothing at all. Besides, most self defense shootings - at least according to statistics - happen at 7 feet or less and require 3 or few shots. It may ot be the best main carry weapon, but it makes a very concealable, major caliber BUG.

As for the gun itself, it's been reliable (at least mine has with the 100 or so rounds I've shot with it over the years), and about the easiest gun to clean, conceal and maintain you can find. The closest thing you'll find to it in size currently, and I bought one as the derringer's replacement, is the KT P-3AT. In fact, I now keep the KT in the same holster I originally got for the derringer.

10-1/2 years may not quite break the record, but it's definitely a contender!!! :35:

Safe to shoot? Eh, probably. I hear they have durability issues with steady diets of the lighter and faster moving ammo, so slow and heavy is likely the way to go and under no circumstances should you shoot +P in it.

I had a cobra derringer in .38 special, satin with the rosewood stocks, and it hurt to shoot because there wasn't really much to hold onto putting all of the recoil directly in the palm of the shooting hand, extracting the spent cases was difficult, and the trigger was stupid. The easiest way to fire it was to put your finger on the bottom at the very end of the trigger and pull it up, not back. That method provided the lightest pull weight at 15 lbs. (no joke). Accuracy from the top barrel wasn't bad considering how short it was. Bottom barrel was off-axis and shot 6 inches left and 4 inches down at 15 feet consistently.

Also, don't try to load it with the hammer all the way down in the 'fired' position. Since the firing pins extend past the breech face with the hammer full down, there's a possibility of inadvertently dimpling fresh primers when you close the barrel if you try to load it with the hammer down instead of in the half-cock notch. Dry firing is also a no no because of this, as firing pins have been known to break off inside the firing pin channel of the breech face when un-cushioned.