Davis D32MAG derringer

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

Had an interesting find today, a Davis D32MAG derringer in, surprisingly, .32 H&R Magnum.   It's surprisingly, not a bad little gun.   I know these don't exactly have a reputation for being "high quality" guns, and it's not, but it's also not piece of junk.   I plan to run .32 S&W in it, maybe .32 S&W Long.   I doubt I'll ever run the Magnum in it, but it's nice to know that I could if I wanted too.  The trigger is actually not so bad for a derringer, and while it is a little awkward to cock compared to my RG38, I think I got a pretty nice deal.   The only thing wrong with it is that whatever holds the safety button in the frame is missing, so it can literally fall out of the gun, but with it out, the gun still works.  Getting whatever holds the thing in probably won't be all that difficult.  

Not bad for a hundred bucks.

[Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428]

I have a Davis 22. It has the same safety issue. The hammer fell on the safety once, and the safety popped out and the little ball and spring were lost.  Other than that it isn’t a bad little 22 considering I paid under $50 for it new back in the day.  It is by no means a precision shooter. I can pretty much guarantee I can hit the side of a barn with both barrels. If I am standing the barn when firing. 😀

 

great find in 32!  

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

1 hour ago, Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 said:

I have a Davis 22. It has the same safety issue. The hammer fell on the safety once, and the safety popped out and the little ball and spring were lost.  Other than that it isn’t a bad little 22 considering I paid under $50 for it new back in the day.  It is by no means a precision shooter. I can pretty much guarantee I can hit the side of a barn with both barrels. If I am standing the barn when firing. 😀

 

great find in 32!  

I  may just ask my gunsmith the either weld the thing in place in the fire position, or otherwise just plug the holes like people do to their Rossi 92s

From what I have read, most articles about the gun are similar to these...

https://tinkertalksguns.com/2020/08/29/the-davis-d32-its-not-the-worst-gun-ever-made/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Industries

These and other articles all say they same thing, they pistols were very inexpensive, cheap is used in both senses of the word, but not quite junk.  

But what is most curious is that none of the articles I've read mention a .32 H&R Magnum version,   Just .32 ACP.   I wonder how rare this one is.

Intriguing.

[Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428]

I love the title of that article “not the worst gun ever made”.  I gotta agree, I have fun with it. Probably got mine in 91 or 92. Been shooting it since and it still works just like when it was new…. Except for the hole where the safety used to be.  The cheap chrome plating looks cheap and I have been saying for decades I am gonna make some walnut grips to replace the cheap plastic white ones, but that project hasn’t made it to the top of the list yet. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

8 hours ago, Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428 said:

Except for the hole where the safety used to be

 

So your safety fell out and you never bothered to do anything about replacing it/plugging the hole, and it still works okay?

That's good to know.

 

[Eyesa Horg]

I've got an D22. Kinda fun, but brutal to cock!! Has anybody tried to lighten the hammer spring?! My safety is still intact!

[Crazy Gun Barney, SASS #2428]

Yes, it has worked for decades without the safety.  The hole does not bother me, it isnt exactly a "pretty" little gun, but it is fun in its own way.

 

 

 

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

I have several Davis Derringers in the box . .22lr .22mag .32

.38 special. 

I had them for years .

I only shoot them a couple times a year .

But never had a issue with any of them .

I think  its really how much you shoot them and what kind of rounds you are using .

Rooster 

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/ftwt_A3DTjM?si=yiynrax0BvAXLi3P

Edited November 21, 2025 by Rooster Ron Wayne
Add Viedo

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

This one is a American Derringer 45 Colt .

Shooting full load APP with 250gr cast bullets. 

Ouch !

https://youtube.com/shorts/xaxwDnYcVQk?si=HNM-fiMx2gqGUMLV

[Rooster Ron Wayne]

Remington Derringer

32 Short 32 S&W  & 32 Auto

By Davis. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/NV2JLY0fbkw?si=YhnVZGDfHXqEEKs2

Edited November 21, 2025 by Rooster Ron Wayne

[watab kid]

thats a nice looking derringer , the hole wouldnt bother me either and lack of safety either