Bond Arms Cyclops .45-70 Derringer.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

After finishing a great shoot put on by the Danvers Desperados, I decided to test fire my new Bond Arms Cyclops single shot derringer, chambered for .45-70.

 

As you can see, it's quite the wrist snapper.   Even the .45-45's are pretty stout.   And that last one was with black powder.

Absolutely a novelty gun with little to no practical use, but fun.  And isn't that the most important thing?

 

Edited August 30 by H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619

[Sheriff Dill]

Do all derringers load like that ? 
 

That first shot definitely had some kick to it. Lol 

 

Thanks for the video 

[Caprock Kid]

No thank you

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

10 hours ago, Caprock Kid said:

No thank you

 

Hee hee hee.

It is a bit much, isn't it.

What surprised me was how what amounts to very heavy .45 Colt loads still had a rather hefty snap.  For a derringer, this thing is pretty heavy.   Makes me think that a more conventionally sized derringer in .45 Colt must be rather intense.  Granted, I did load the .45-45's with 405 grainers.  Maybe it's be lesser with 300s  But somehow, I doubt it.

Still wanna find a .45-70 Trapdoor pistol though. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

14 hours ago, Sheriff Dill said:

Do all derringers load like that ? 
 

That first shot definitely had some kick to it. Lol 

 

Thanks for the video 

Pretty much, yeah.  Open them, put in the cartridge(s) and close 'em.

With older, more "original design" you have to put them on half cock to safely load them, but this Bond has a rebounding hammer and firing pin.

[Kid Rich]

My 45/410 was pretty good with full black in 45 colt, I would not shoot it again with factory 410s tho.

kR

[Rye Miles #13621]

Fun? Uh no thanks!😂😂

[grey ghost]

I was with my dad at a gun show in 1993, guy walking around with an American Derringer model 1 in 41 magnum.  $100 with a box of stout PMC ammo missing 2 rounds, gun was flawless in the velvet lined box

Dad was carrying a model 58 Smith and Wesson in those days.  He was interested but asked why so cheap and the guy told us that he broke his thumb the first time shooting it.

$100 later on the way home dad stopped at the gravel pit to see if it worked and I had to explain to mom how dad now had a fractured thumb.  

The gun does well with mild loads but the problem was those PMC self defense rounds were some of the hottest 41 magnum rounds I have encountered from that era.  I still have 32 rounds left.

[Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme]

WHY?

[Cypress Sun]

I wouldn't buy one because I'm not a masochist.

 

If I did own one, I wouldn't let anyone else shoot it because I'm not a sadist.

[Vail Vigilante]

I love that gun.

I want one.

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

If I had a .41 Magnum derringer, I'd load it with a minimum charge of Trailboss.  In fact, I'd break down the existing ammo and reload it that way!

I am not certain, but isn't .41 Magnum a longer version of something else?  Maybe the shorter cartridge when downloaded, would be very similar to the original .41 rimfire.

If you don't want it, I'd be happy to experiment and find out after taking it off your hands...

As far as the Cyclops goes, as I said, never again will I fire even the mildest of trapdoor safe loads in it.   I'll just be shooting .45-45's in it.   Still stout enough to need two hands, but really not all the much hotter than a powerful .45 Colt load.

[Rip Snorter]

Guaranteed flinch maker! These, other than the model discussed, are not new.  I saw a small group of guys come in to watch their friend fire one at a range I patronized, more than 18 years ago. All looked sober but a "hold my beer" kind of moment.  The guy fired it, on the recoil gashed his forehead and fell to the floor.  His friends were still ROFL when he got back up pretty quickly.  I managed to hold a poker face. I fired a bunch of big nastys, handguns and shoulder guns as a young man.  Pain & fun are incompatible at my current life stage. I will use the 416 Rigby if I ever encounter a rogue elephant on my ranch here in Montana.

Edited Thursday at 10:55 PM by Rip Snorter
Typo

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

On 9/1/2026 at 11:15 AM, Capt. R. Hugh Kidnme said:

WHY?

 

Well, I guess you won't accept "Cuz it's fun."

How about for the same reason you have one of these...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And especially this one...

 

If the fun factor isn't enough, there is the novelty factor.   

At least, I think it does. 

[H. K. Uriah, SASS #74619]

4 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

Guaranteed flinch maker! These, other than the model discussed, are not new.  I saw a small group of guys come in to watch their friend fire one at a range I patronized, more than 18 years ago. All looked sober but a "hold my beer" kind of moment.  The guy fired it, on the recoil gashed his forehead and fell to the floor.  His friends were still ROFL when he got back up pretty quickly.  I managed to hold a poker face. I fired a bunch of big nastys, handguns and shoulder guns as a young man.  Pain & fun are incompatible at my current life stage. I will use the 416 Rigby if I ever encounter a rogue elephant on my ranch here in Montana.

 

To me, the "trick" to these guns is a "downloaded" round to make them more pleasant to shoot.   Years ago, my Dad bought a snubnose S&W in .44 Magnum.  With factory loads, that thing is pain to shoot.   With a minimum load of Trailboss, it's got no more recoil than an SAA in .44 Special.

Now, apparently, even a downloaded .45-45 is still a kicker in the Cyclops, but not punishingly so.  

Speaking of .44 Magnum, I have an Uberti SAA clone in the caliber.   Remember how I said downloaded Magnums are no hotter than a .44 Special?  Well, with factory Magnums, even that gun is pointing straight up after firing it one handed.   Never again!   And Uberti did beef up the gun a little for that caliber, so it's heavier than a standard SAA.

Final fun story about the snubbie...

My nephews know someone who's a super toughguy when it comes to guns.  He says nothing phases him.   My nephews borrowed the pistol, shot off a few rounds of my downloaded cowboy loads and then reloaded it and handed it to him to shoot.   With factory ammo.   

He shut up. 

 

[Rip Snorter]

I was dam' near bulletproof 20's through early 60's.  Four score and a bit, not so much - it creeps up on you!

[Eyesa Horg]

19 minutes ago, Rip Snorter said:

I was dam' near bulletproof 20's through early 60's.  Four score and a bit, not so much - it creeps up on you!

Three and a half score and a couple. I fully agree!!! Been noticing things have gotten much heavier and my back doesn't like it one bit!😣🔙.  😜