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JUNE 9, 2022

The Armada Semi Auto — the latest semi-automatic, premium pre-charged pneumatic (PCP) air rifle from Benjamin -- is available for order now on the Benjamin website.
Springfield Armory co-founder and CEO Dennis Reese accepted NRA Publications’ Golden Bullseye Pioneer Award at the 2022 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits. The award is given for excellence and enduring innovation in the shooting sports industry.
Otis Technology is proud to announce the Otis Elite Cleaning Kit has won the 2022 ICA Industry Choice Awards for Premium Accessory of the Year.

Otis Technology is proud to announce its new EarShield Ranger Electronic Pro Ear Muffs recently won several accolades by both the National Tactical Officers Association and Industry Choice Awards.
Nearly 400 zombie hunters armed with handguns, shotguns and rifles converged in Grand Island, Nebraska, June 3-5, 2022, to battle the “undead” during the 10th annual, Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match hosted by Hornady and the Heartland Public Shooting Park.
Team Luth-AR member Jason Carillo topped the field at the 2022 Zombies in the Heartland 3-Gun Match held at the Heartland Public Shooting Park in Grand Island, NE June 3rd-5th, 2022. Luth-AR was a Silver Sponsor for 2022.

U.S. LawShield presents a nationwide series of “Summer Freedom Celebrations” to be held in cities across America from early June through the end of August 2022.
Companies from across the firearm industry will be exhibiting at the upcoming NSSF Range-Retailer Business Expo, set for July 11-13 at the New Orleans Convention Center, with the list of exhibitors growing more each day.
Colt’s Manufacturing worked with US Special Forces Trainers to design and build the Colt Combat Unit (CCU) Series of 1911 pistols -- available in CCU Government, Combat Unit Rail and the Combat Unit CCO Commander models.

The Elite Survival Systems Tactical Messenger Bag is versatile, can carry your laptop, sidearm and more. The protected zipper compartment is accessible from outside of the bag.
DeSantis Gunhide introduces the Tac-Lite #117 Holster for the SIG P320C with the Streamlight TLR-1 or Surefire X300 weapon lights mounted.
The CenterPoint Hellion 400 delivers performance and value, arming hunters with the serious power required to pack a knockout punch.

The Firearms Policy Coalition released a statement regarding ongoing bi-partisan negotiations on gun-control in the United States Congress - "rights are not negotiable."
Traditions® Performance Firearms announces Doug Reiff of H&G Outdoors as their 2021 Rep of the Year. This award was presented by Traditions® VP of Sales Ryan Nicholas.
Springfield Armory is proud to announce the release of a pair of exclusive .308 M1A rifles in Two-Tone Desert FDE, developed specifically for sale by Nation’s Best Sports.

RECOIL OFFGRID Magazine, a publication of CMG West, LLC, has released its latest issue, number 50, with an emphasis on how to hold your ground.
New to the BulletSafe lineup and designed specifically for BulletSafe vests, the Tactical Plate Carrier delivers the same lightweight comfort and quality demanding professionals have come to expect.

 

I once owned a single-shot .22 Deringer …

Ask someone about Deringers and you’ll get a mixed bag of responses. Whether in pocket, boot, vest, or purse, guns like these have been around since the 1700’s -- as flintlock ignited muzzleloaders of course. And yet, people still don’t really know what to think of them; most don’t even know how to spell the name. So, do Deringers have a place in the modern defensive arsenal? I’m thinking, “Yes.”

The original “Deringers” – one “r” - were produced by Henry Deringer of Philadelphia in 1825. (A typo when reporting Lincoln’s death – Booth used a Deringer - misspelled both designer and pistol’s name.) A pair of percussion cap muzzle-loaders cost around $30. Remington produced 150,000 Model 95’s, an over-under .41 caliber rim-fire derringer, from the mid-1800’s until 1935. High Standard introduced a break-action derringer in the early 60’s, which fired with a double-action trigger. Today, Bond Arms produces quality Deringers, and North American Arms offers a variety of “mini revolvers” – close enough to the single shot and double barrel microguns. Owning a quality Deringer, as opposed to a cheap, pot-metal junker, isn’t a problem.

Deringers are easily concealed. Some occasions call for clothing that offers few options for concealing a pistol. While they don’t carry as many rounds as small, slim semi-auto pistols, Deringers do come in a wide variety of effective calibers and they can be loaded with rat shot for varmints. Deringers are more reliable than a semiauto pistol as there are fewer moving parts, with no concerns of “limp-wristing” or feeble grip causing a stoppage – and there’s no slide to be pushed out of battery during a danger-close struggle. Deringers are simple to operate. If you’re using a pocket pistol it’s desperate times. Under stressful conditions simple is always best.

A common concern with these tiny guns is “accuracy.” Deringers are not “fighting” pistols that, if necessary, can be used to take control of your surroundings. They’re designed for one purpose – “Stop this person, NOW!” They buy you time. Time is distance. Escape, so you can get to another location that’s safe or that can be defended. Accuracy is not going to be your problem.

As with any defensive weapon the key is practice. You’ve got to spend enough time with gun in hand to learn how it works. Dry practice is always best. This is especially true for the presentation. It doesn’t matter what you’re carrying if it can’t be in your hand and ready in a timely fashion.

Live fire is mandatory to ensure proper function, proper manipulations on your part and -- trust me on this -- what it’s like to actually press off a few rounds. At the same time, you’re getting data on accuracy, comparing ammunition to determine what works best.

Today’s column was inspired by a personal project. At around thirteen years of age, I acquired a small single-shot Deringer in .22 … without my parents’ knowledge, of course. Many years ago, it became unsafe to carry, and needed a little T.L.C to get it back into shape. Since it had to be disassembled, I decided now was the time to do a complete rebuild. More on that later.

Meanwhile, ponder on the advantages of the Deringer. It might be just the motivation you need to try something a little different.

Tiger McKee is director of Shootrite Firearms Academy. He is the author of The Book of Two Guns, AR-15 Skills and Drills, has a regular column in American Handgunner and makes some cool knives and custom revolvers. Visit Shootrite’s Facebook page for other details.

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