Are you looking to expand your concealed carry options? Perhaps looking for a perfect handgun that’s both streamlined and lightweight that will carry easily in a pocket? A new choice is now on the horizon in the form of the Bond Arms Stinger, chambered in either 380 ACP or 9mm Luger.
Bond Arms
But before we get there let me first say I have been fortunate to try a number of Bond Arms double-barrel handguns, also known as a derringer over the last few years. Without any hesitation I can report they are tough and well made.
Bond Arms have been made in Granbury, Texas since 1995 and are known for their outstanding fit and finish on every gun they build.
Always looking for new and innovative ideas, Bond Arms will soon be releasing the Stinger as a new option and making carrying of these double-barrel handguns even easier. The Bond Arms Stinger will be introduced in the coming weeks as a slim line and low-profile choice for an everyday carry gun.
The Stinger is currently shipping in limited quantities of both the .380 and the 9mm to select distributors.
This past October I was able my hands on the Bond Arms Stinger at a gun writers conference in Texas. It was my good fortunate to handle and test fire both the 9mm and the .380 ACP. Company owner, Gordon Bond along with sales representative Joey Hedberg were on hand to provide details of this newest addition to the Bond Arms line up.
Both guns were easy to shoot with the 9mm coming in first in the felt recoil category. The slimmer profile of both of the Stingers was immediately noticeable compared to a standard width of other Bond derringers.
The specifications for the new Stinger as provided by Bond Arms are as follows:
- Weight: 12 Oz (with Slim Grips)
- Width: .88” (with Slim Grips)
- Length: 5″
- Height: 4″
- Passive Safety: Rebounding Hammer
- Manual Safety: Crossbolt Safety & Safety Locking Device (SLD)
- Action: Over/Under, Tip-Up Barrel, Single Action
- Frame: 7075-T6 Aluminum, Type III Hard Anodize
- Trigger Guard: Integral w/Frame
- Barrel: 3″ Heat Treated Stainless Steel
- Interchangeability: Compatible with other centerfire Stinger barrels, but not with existing Bond derringers
- Grips: High Impact Nylon Slim Grips
- Hinge Screw: 7/64″ Allen Wrench
- Holsters: Dedicated holsters in development, but “Compatible with many products on the market”
With a width of less than 1inch (.88 inches) and weighing only 12 ounces one begins to see the ease of concealability if this little gun. By comparison, the Bond Arms Roughneck comes in at around 1.5 inches at weighs 19 ounces (with a 2.5-inch barrel).
Recently I was able to get a copy of both calibers for testing on my home range in New Mexico. The 9mm gun was sent from the factory with two sets of grips, the slim line composite version and a more rounded rubberized set (standard on other Bond guns).
The requirement was to try both sets. Firing the 9mm Stinger with the composite low-profile grips does require a firm hand and yields noticeable and felt recoil.
Switching to the optional rounded grips (a worthwhile add-on from Bond Arms) did increase the comfort when firing, but one still needs to be prepared for a degree of felt recoil in the 9mm Stinger.
The .380 Stinger was truly a pleasure to shoot when it came to the recoil department but still requires a committed grip. For me the standard slim line composite Stinger grip is ideal for the .380 and offers perfect pocket concealment.
Stinger Shooting Accuracy
In the accuracy department, both the 9mm and the .380 ACP can easily keep all rounds inside an eight-inch circle at 7 yards if the shooter is doing their job. As the case has been with other Bond derringers I have tested, the top barrel fires first, delivering hits about three inches above the bullseye.
The bottom barrel fires second upon a second cock of the hammer and trigger pull, placing the second round about two inches below center.
Stinger Safety
The Stinger comes standard with a crossbolt safety comparable to a Remington 870. Pushing the bolt left to right allows for the gun to be fired. The” Push to Fire” and “Push to Safe” is clearly marked on the appropriate side of the bolt safety itself.
This safety could inadvertently be activated or deactivated while carrying in a pocket or while firing, therefore training and practice with carry methods and familiarity of how the gun works is, as always, critical for the shooter.
Conclusion:
As with all Bond Arms products, the company has done a great job with the Stinger, and offers a new option for those wishing to carry concealed on a daily basis. Base price is $379 for either the .380 or the 9mm with both calibers being currently available in limited quantities through distributors.
Read next: What is a derringer?
