How many Bond owners do we have out there? Similar to the TC systems, when you buy your first Bond, you can change barrels to different calibers. My first Bond was a .357/38 and next was a .410/45. I now just use the .410 barrel. If I lived in the south, I would pack this every day for critters, 2legs, 4 legs or no legs. Tripple buck shot, buck & BB, or #7 shot, all are available. You can get different barrel lengths in many calibers. I've had mine for many years and use their super convenient cross draw holster. Made totally in Texas, you need one.

Pap

Pap,

Love this little feller. This was once a stock Snakeslayer 45/410 fully engraved by a good friend of mine. Added custom Bond Arms stag grips and a pocket Holster.

Wow, that is too cool. I packed my Bond for 6 years until I got my Glock 43, but if I lived in the South or NE, I would definitely pack my Bond for EDC.

Pap

Appropriately called a Snakeslayer. In my pocket almost always out back on the property. We have many different types of critters not limited to snakes.

Which barrel and what cartridge do you use?

Pap

45/410. Pretty much only use .410

I live in NE. I’m not EDCing a two-shot derringer, that’s for sure.

That Bond is a very pretty gun, though. Looks really well designed and engineered. But I’m a 1911 guy.

With a #3 buck shot in each shell, it's like being shot with 4 .357 bullets. So 2 shells equals 8 bullets. Lots of firepower in a small package. Plus, you can change barrels in 1 minute to another caliber.

Pap

I have a Texas Defender and a total of nine different bbls for it. Ranging from 22lr up t 45LC/410.

In my humble opinion,they are built like tanks and have a wonderful customer service.

I find it difficult whether to pack my Charter Arms Bulldog or the Texas Defender as I like both the same.

Wayne

I have the TD 45/410. Really like it but have to admit I haven't shot it much.

Really like yours Warren. Very nice!

Sounds like quite a lineup Wayne. I'd bet the .45/.410 is the most popular but I'd like to shoot some of those other calibers. Just our of curiosity how do guys like the trigger in these BA guns? It took me some time to get used to the downward movement rather than straight back.


Jim,

Thanks for the reply. Glad to see you're a BA enthusiast.

Warren,
The trigger took a bit of getting used to,but once you got the hang of it,no problem.

At this past BLADE Show,the was an engraver there that does most of the engraving for BOND Arms. For a very small price,they engraved TOP DOG on the side of the 410 bbl and on the muzzle in small print was Think Twice.

The 410 is my favorite and the recoil being that it goes into the palm,is not at all bad.

Top Dog was my code name at a very far away place 53 years ago.

Wayne

Post a pic Wayne; would like to see it. Thought I read somewhere that BA was doing trigger conversions but not 100% certain on that. I think they get alot of complaints. Without the trigger guard it's not much of a problem. With the guard, it's difficult until you get used to the technique.

I don't have one but it's been on my "need to get" list for quite a while.

Rob,

How far are you from Granbury, TX?

Warren,
Pics are pretty much out being that I don't have one of those new fangled camera things and computers and I really do not play well together.

Bond Arms does do trigger upgrades and the turn around time is about 3 weeks. Not only is the trigger action improved but the hammer cocking effort is reduced. I recommend the upgrade.

The folks at Bond Arms are super nice and their customer service is top notch.

Wayne

Wayne,

I called and spoke with Ryan after reading about the hammer/trigger upgrade. Yes super nice folks; shipped mine out yesterday. Has to ship Express UPS or FedEx by law, which to my suprise was a small fortune. Hoping it is worth the investment. Thanks.

Warren,
You will not be disappointed. I noticed a great improvement in mine when I got it back.

Also,while it is there,they will also check all the other parts and replace them if needed.

If you had shipped just the frame w/o the bbl,you could have sent it ground and not 2nd day air.

Wayne

Wayne,

Their instructions were to ship complete and next day air. I'll let you know when it arrives back.

It's about a 90min drive *through* the DFW metroplex (NE to SW), if traffic is clear.

Close enough to BA.

Windsor,
If I am ever able to,I would like to go to Granbury,TX and stop at Bond Arms and say hello to the nice folks there.

Wayne

Wayne,

Update from BA. My gun got there Wednesday, got a UPS email today to expect it back Monday. WOW, that's what I call customer service. Less than a week; who does that?

The IRS......but only if you owe!

Smartie you are, hadn't considered the IRS, lol.
I suppose personnel experience counts?

Back in from BA today, arrived in a new hard case. For those wondering what the hammer and trigger upgrade looks like compare this to my earlier post. Sweet trigger now, what a wonderful job.

Sure looks good.

Thanks, I'm sure it will shoot better now; no kidding.

Warren,
Really nice looking Bond Arms. You will find that there is now a very big difference in the ability to cock the hammer single handed and the trigger pull.

Bond Arms customer service is really top notch. I call down there from time to time just to say hello and always the folks are just down right super nice.

Let us know how the "new" gun does on the range.

Yesterday I had my Bond in 45LC/410/2.5 and Tuaurs Poly Defender out on the range. As always,they batted 1000%.

Wayne

Wayne,

Spot on. I think part if the secret is they reshaped the trigger a bit too and made it more if a conventional straight back pull. Also helps that its about 3 pounds lighter.

I'm going to send mine off this week. Right now it takes 2 hands to cock it and about 10 lbs. of trigger pull.

Pap

Pap,

Before you do, speak with Ryan. He'll ask for some serial info and give you very explicit instructions to send your gun back. They turn them around quickly.

Ok, do you have their number?

Pap

Monday – Friday 8:30am-4:00pm (CST) 1-817-573-4445.

Warren,
What is the caliber that you have the Bond in? Most common is the 45LC/410/2.5.

As I said before,I have nine different bbls for mine but always keep coming back to the 45LC/410/2.5

I have a large ammo crate full of various 2.5 in 410 loads for the Bond.

Wayne

Wayne,

Yes, my barrel is a 45/410 however it's 3 1/2". And I too believe it's the most popular caliber. My barrel will also handle 3" loads and its a handful of bite.

I have found that the recoil in the Bond is very well managed as it is mostly in the palm and not the web of the hand. Since Taurus came out with the Judge series a few years ago,that ammo companies have really put out a number of quality self defense loads in 410 and 45LC.

Take a look at ten years back and compare the 410 ammo alone. It is quite an improvement.

Kind of hard to choose between 410 000 buck and the Winchester PDX
or Hornady Critical Defense rounds.

Wayne

All great choices, the Winchester loads have those flat disks that can do lots of damage. For close work, the 45LC is fine but these barrels hardly have enough rifling to stabilize a bullet at extended range.

I have fired various 45LC loads from my Bond Derringer and Taurus Poly Defender. No signs of bullet tipping or any unstabilized fight.
Quite frequently with the Poly Defender,I hit bowling pins at the 50 yard berm with the 45LC loads.

This is either with my reloads or factory loads.

Wayne

My BA derringer made it to their shop yesterday for the action upgrade. Between he cost of the new action and cost to overnight plus insurance, it isn't cheap. Hope it is worth it.

Pap

It is Pap. You'll be impressed with the change.

Pappy,
I agree with Warren,it is money well spent. When I sent mine in a couple of years ago the turn around was about three weeks.

Warren sent his in recently and the turn around was much much less.

I guarantee you that you will be very satisfied with the upgrade provided by Bond Arms.
Wayne

Y'all bringing up the 45/410 had me looking at the "Judge" agin.

Devastating power in .410. Judge is a bit large and chunky for carry. Just my opinion but I love the gun for what it is. Other similar and clones as well.

The way our world is headed.......I just carry not worried about concealing anymore.

Chief,
I agree with you. I now pack a Glock 36/45acp and have the Bond in 45acp as a back up.

I hear that the man who capped the Texas shooter is an NRA instructor!! Shame he did not get the clown before he got to the Church.

Wayne

Wayne ya ever notice how most shootings happen at a place that you aren't supposed to take a gun?

Chief,
The reason for that,and you already know this,is that the "No Gun Zones" are soft targets and the criminal element tends not to obey the laws.

There is a sign out in front of a High School in Texas that says;
50% of our teachers are armed with Glock Model 21s,Care to find out which ones?

I think that does a better job than a sign of a handgun with a slash through it.

Years ago,thoughts of folks doing stuff like this was never heard of. You wouldn't even dare think of it.

I think the old latin phrase Si Vi Pacem,Para Bellum pretty well says it all.

Wayne

Received my tricked out Bond today. Yes there is a definite difference. They sent the old parts too. Looking forward trying it out in the next few days.

Pap

Nice pap!

You guys sold me.

I ordered a TEXAN last Friday.

6" barrel. You get the leather to go with it?

Yep. Comes with it.

Got an extra 3 1/2 .357 also.

Nice!

Bond Arms has 6" barrels on their Black Friday Special !!!

They have a "Buy a gun, Get an extra barrel 50% off."

Coach, You got me on this one. Just bought the "Old Glory" Package × 1. New customer, so I got an additional $50 off coupon.

So, for a flat $700 (used my $50 Coupon) I got a:
Old Glory Handgun Custom Extended Black Ash in .45LC/410
additional 3.5 Barrel in .38/.357mag
Sticky Holster
Discount for the Dealer transfer fee of $41

Good Deal !!!

Happy Thanksgiving Coach. Hopefully, it will arrive sooner than the SIG P220 Legion 10MM I ordered in Oct. 2017. I have been waiting over a month for that one to arrive.

Happy Thanksgiving to you too !!!

I have not gotten my BA Texan yet. Hopefully next week.

Hope yours comes soon.

Yeah Sig advertises way before they release. Waiting on a Ultra compact in nickel PVD ......still!

Oh you're hooked now Eric.

I'm gonna use the 6" barrel around here on the farm. Load one barrel with a .410 for moccasins, and the other with a .45 colt for hogs.

Im gonna use the 3 1/2 barrel (.357) for concealed carry in a pocket holster.

I think that it will make a great combination.

You can pre-select which barrel fires first. It's outlined in the owner's manual.

Yep.

Those are the 2 barrels I have, the .410 and .357/38. I'm thinking about a .22 and 9mm, but have my Glock 43 and a Ruger .22. I still like the .410 with buckshot and BB's as a super defense. Also out west here we have "fool hen" grouse that the .410 7 shot, will kill them easy. I've not had the. 357 barrel on since I bought mine.

Now,Bond Arms has recently come out with a 50 cal BMG barrel!!!

No,it does not shoot and is basically a novelty item but does pose some questions.

It is called the Tank Slayer.

Wayne

So, if my baby girl accepts a teaching position at a University on the "left" coast this will be one of the two handguns that accompany her. She got to pick, of course, has shot it and her own Para P-12 (& others) extensively and feels safer with vs. without. Two 410 shells when there's no other option surely would give an edge to 5'4", 115 lb. blond, hard as wire young woman. Feels like a long ways off. Thoughts??

Glock 43.

It would make me sleep better Duke. She'll do just fine, besides she had the best teacher of all.

Glock 42 or 43, just pull the trigger, no cocking involved.

Pap

Coach,
I guess you have a snake problem there in Texas. My experience there showed me that some of the largest ,meanest snakes inhabit some areas of Texas.

I would say that the 410 Bond would be just the right medicine for them.

No sense in trying to make the smaller pistol shot cartridges do with dealing with those large critters!!!

Wayne

Thanks Rob, Warren & Pap.....appreciate the advice & support. After the Bond she's choosing between the Para O, a Beretta, a Ruger & 2 Glocks. Like she says, she can hit best with the P-12, "knows the gun better",....& is more "comfortable with the .45." It has tickled me for the last 3-4 years when the "little girl" out shoots the guys at the range with her "Big .45."
As y'all know practice, familiarity & comfort with your weapon certainly does increase confidence.
Again....appreciated.

Duke,
I guess the bottom line is what a person is most comfortable with that works the best.

Many men think that the lightweight J frame S&W is just right for the little lady when nothing could be further from the truth.

It is what she feels most comfortable with,that she will have the confidence in.

Glad to see that the "little girl" puts the guys right in their place at the range!!!!!!

Wayne

Duke which para is it..... They are hard to find these days.

Thanks Wayne & Chief & guys. I bought my Para Ordinance, P-12 new in about 1994-'95, Chief; imported it and four 12 shot clips straight in from Canada. It's been my favorite & most carried CC weapon for a long time, but my daughter started shooting it at age 12, has always been comfortable and accurate with it so it's basically been hers as desired for 5-6 years. So, what do you know about 'em, sir?

My P-12

I used to have a P13 .45 I bought in '94 before the "Brady" bill went into effect. I sold it, but now have a Colt 1911 .45 ACP with a rail. I wish it was high capacity though.

Probably just me, but I've never been comfortable with cocked and locked. After a while, too many things can make it's way into the gap. Again, it's all about comfort level with the shooter, that's most important.

Pap

Hey Wayne:

Here is what we are up against in East Texas. During the warm months, I usually see 1-2 each day I make the rounds on my place. On the day we had the tornadoes last Spring I saw 15.

I don't mind the BIG ones that you can see out on open ground, but the little ones in the grass are a different story. I took the last picture on Saturday (12-9-17) when it was 40 degrees outside.

I plan to use 3" .410s on them.

I’ve got the para expert 14.45. It’s a 14 shot 1911, and it’s a handful of fire power for sure!

Coach,
Yipes!!!! Looks like the 410 3" Bond would be just the right medicine for them!!!!

Seems if you have that many of them critters around,I would probably have the Bond in my hand and not a holster as soon as I set foot outside the house,maybe inside as well!!!!!

Wayne

I stepped on this little feller last spring as I stepped out my front door onto the front porch.

I had been watching the NFL Combines and had wondered how my I might fare these days. I know my 40 time is not what it used to be and my bench press is down too.

But at 61, my 48" VERTICAL JUMP is still intact!

In the Coaches case... a Judge is probably a better idea... also following the skip the holster idea recommended by Wayne...

So Coach, did you shoot him as you were going up or coming down? Or both?
***No "rattlers were shown in these pics. of both live & deceased Copperheads"

If I am not mistaken,the Copperhead is a more aggressive snake than the Rattlesnake.

Either way,I would not like to be in close proximity to either one.

The venom in these snakes is basically a digestive enzyme and from what I have heard,the venom of the Copperhead is a more destructive enzyme.

My classmate of many years ago was one of the founding Doctors' of the Miami/Dade Venom One squad. They are quite busy in that area handling snake calls as well as 'gator calls. Better them then me.

Wayne

Wayne, I would agree, Copperheads account for more cases of venomous snake bites than any other North American species. However, their venom is less toxic than the rattlers, so their bite is seldom fatal. Most fatal bites in North America are attributed to the Eastern and Western Diamondback rattlesnakes. Michigan only has 1 venomous snake, The Eastern Massasauga rattlesnake, and they are federally protected.

I will be using my new Bond Arms Derringer on 10 pins and water-filled milk Jugs.

I haven't had any personal encounters with a Copperhead, to the best of my knowledge.

Rattlesnakes, unless they feel threatened, would just as soon leave you alone than be aggressive. My experience with rattlers anyway.

Cottonmouth, a whole different story. Very aggressive, and in general just a bad ass snake. They demand respect if you're in their area.
Encountered this guy a couple years ago, he stood his ground as you can see

"Red touching yellow dangerous fellow; red touching black safe for Jack"

Yeah, that's to differentiate between a king snake and a coral snake.

Coral snakes have really nasty venom but the fangs are in the back of the jaw. If you're wearing boots you're not gonna get injected unless you give them a lot of time to work on you. Also, they tend to be rather docile and would rather go about their own business.

Water Moccasins (also known as Cotton Mouths) have been known to have a nasty reputation,and from what I have heard and seen from the above post,will not back down and slither away.

In New England there are some venomous snakes but they are very few and far between.

When fly fishing I always have my Bond 410 (2.5) in my vest pocket not really so much for the pretty much non existant snakes but for the two legged variety of critters.

I met a gentleman a couple of months ago who was visiting folks east. He was from the Midland area of Texas. Said it is generally common to have to have a J frame or maybe a Bond in a back pocket holster.

Seems that there are a number of encounters each week with some sort of snake.

Another poem about Coral Snakes:

Black and yellow,kill a fellow
Red and black,venom lack

As for me,I don't stay around to look,I just GTFO.

Wayne

We’ve got all of them here. Water moccasins are the worst and most aggressive. They ain’t skeered of nothin! Timber rattlers here in northeast part of state and diamond backs out west where they have snake round ups. Big deal for little towns.
I personally got bit by a copperhead July 4, 1988. Stepped right on the little guy with flip flops on... not too smart
Spent the night at hospital after allergy to anti venom. Bite didn’t really hurt much, I’ve had wasps that hurt more.
Copperheads are impossible to see in the leaves

The way I learned it was

Red and yellow, kill a fellow
Red and black, friend of Jack

Pap

This one was taken 2 weeks ago as a buddy got down from his stand. We haven’t had enough cold weather to put them to bed.

WHOA!!! Now that's a big un......it'd be tough to miss.
Always looked for 'em growing up on our farm. The summer I turned 12 we killed 37 copperheads between May & October....without trying.Have no idea why there were so many but sure seemed they were everywhere. My personal script is:
"If colorblind, best to learn the shape of a triangle head;
'cause if you don't, & just hang around, you just might
wake up dead"

Sorry, let me get this back on track. I’ve always carried a cheap little 410 single shot derringer that fits in the palm of your hand. BUT after all this discussion I’m looking for a Bond soon/now!

Duke. I like your style. That’s a butt load of copperheads

I think you could make a pair of boots for every day of the week and a few belts to match.

Birds,
After looking at that snake,my Bond in 410 isn't going to cut it. Now is the time for my barely legal; 16 ga Iver Johnson with 18 in bbl and #1 buck.

This is getting way too serious!!!

But,if you are thinking of a 410 derringer,the Bond is the way too go. I have a Taurus Poly Defender but my go to for EDC is the Bond.

Wayne

I picked up my Bond Arms 'Old Glory' today. I use a local FFL dealer (Williams Gunsight) and I have to tell you all. This pistol got more attention by the employees doing the required paperwork than any other pistol I have used them for. Even the cashier wanted to get one. I fired off a couple of boxes of 3" .410 000 buckshot and have to tell you all my right wrist woke the hell up. I am going to try the 357 barrel tomorrow. 10mm feels like a .22 after 10 .410 rounds through 'OLD Glory'.

Nice graphics Eric. Have not seen those grips before; really nice also functional. Are those an upgrade?

Very cool Bond, for sure. Natchez Shooters Supplies has a sale on Critical Defense. 410 that has 2 .35 cal round balls topped with 1 non-jacketed FTX slug that engages the rifling. 20 round box for $13.49.

Pap

Warren, They are the grips it came with, they do fit my hand great.

Oh I got it now, picks up the flag pattern. Very nice Eric.

Sexy look!

Nice Eric!

Mine will be here tomorrow.

Thanks, Guys! The more I shoot this pistol the more I want to. I have been using 410 buckshot in both barrels. Coach, I would love to see your new Bond Arms.

Eric,

Great looking Old Glory package. Must be impressive shooting the .410 out of that short of a barrel.

Tom Flynn

Pap, Thanks for the heads up on the 410 ammo. I have never owned a 410 caliber before this week. My Dad bought me a Remmy 870 20 gauge when I was 11 to us on Dove. Great Dove hunting near Fayetteville, NC back in the 1960's. I loved sitting on that bucket on the edge of the cornfield waiting for the Dove to fly in. Its a shame there is No Dove hunting in Michigan!

Tom, More like insane. The kick is awesome, my right wrist screams no more but the rest of me says reload.

Eric,

The 2 1/2" Winchester & Federal Personal Defense loads are a bit less punishing but equally effective with the combination of shot and flat disks.

Thanks, Warren I need all the help I can get! 2 1/2 W or FPD it will be in the future. I shot off all 5 boxes of 3” 000 I bought while picking up the gun. I also got a box of SIG .357 mag. It will be the first .357 I will have fired since I was 18. Haven’t switched barrels yet.

Also try some 45LC in that barrel. Not too bad at all. You can get cowboy loads for plinking that are mild to shoot.

Warren, I have a couple of .45 Colt. S&W N Frame and a Model 1909 Colt. They are nothing compared to the 410. I think it is like the difference in firing a 12 gauge 1187 and a Browning 10 gauge BPS.

Warren, Just got back inside from firing 2 rounds of 45 colt Winchester PDX1 Defender JHP 225 grain. You are right(as usual) not bad at all, but those 410's are awesome.

Do you notice a slight delay from when you pull the trigger until the pistol fires? Its like click then pow. Maybe I had to much fresh air this morning.

No never had that happen Eric. Are you seeing light primer strikes?

They look like decent deep strikes.

They look fine. Shoot it again after your wrists recover

LOL, you got that right.

Just got back from picking up my Bond Arms TEXAN from my dealer.

It is storming here so I cannot get out to shoot it.

There is one thing about the six inch barrel, if you miss, you can dang sure use it to beat the s.o.b. to death.

Coach,

Guess everything is bigger in TX. Bet that will be a sweet shooter. Very nice, good luck!

Great get Coach. They really do make great looking Derringers.

That Spyderco looks more at home now.

Eric, I was wonderin' if you would recognize it.

Wow, that 6" looks boss! Is the long barrel the .410?

Pap

Pap,

Gotta zoom in on that barrel "The Texan" Think Twice Before You Mess With Texas 45 Colt/ 3 Inch 410
You need all 6 inches for that one, LOL

Thanks Pap. Yep, that’s the .410.

Like I said earlier, if you miss, you could beat somebody to death with the barrel.

I got out & shot mine today.

The .45 Colt is more than the .357 considerably!

The .410 (3" Magnums) will reach out a lot further than I thought. 50-60 feet. I might be able to squirrel hunt with it.

Coach,
I would be interested to see how you do on a squirrel hut with that!!!

By any chance,did you pattern it at 50 feet???

Top Dog

Hey Wayne,
I’ll see what I can do. I’ll get some poster board and do it right.

I shot the .410 (3” mag, #6 shot) at a cedar tree about 50 feet away. It looked like it patterned at about 24” or so.

I was surprised at the disturbance it made on the tree.

Coach,
The 3 in mag load sounds quite potent. The pattern at 50 feet seems to be good for squirrels. Of course,closer would even be better.

East Texas? Anywhere near Granbury,where the Bonds are made???

Seems that you have your fair share of rattlesnakes in TX.

It is bad enough when I quail hunt in south GA I seem to have my eyes more on the ground looking for buzzworms instead of quail!!!!

Wayne

FWIW, Granbury isn't considered "East Texas" by anyone in TX since it is SW of DFW.

Lake Fork (the actual lake) is due east of Dallas, roughly half way between Dallas and Louisiana. Known for some superb bass fishing.

My wife picked up some poster board last night but it has been in the 20s today and I have kept close to the fire watching Football all day. I’ll try to pattern my TEXAN when it gets warm enough to get out.

Windsor is correct. Granbury is about 3 1/2 hours from me. It is a lot different country from the WOODS around here on the East side of Lake Fork. (It’s actually different country on the other side of the Lake.)

We have a few cane break rattlers around here but I haven’t seen one in years.

If you look back in this thread, you will see what we have here. I took all those pictures and many more In 2017.

Coach,
In the 20s??? I can only dream of weather that warm!!!!!

Be interesting to see how that Bond does pattern on the board with #6 shot.

Wayne

Well Wayne, we ain’t X-zactly acclimated to this weather!

I’ve stood on the sidelines many nights when it was colder than this, but I didn’t like it!

Sunny and a high of 36 here in Idaho and forecast is low 40's by weeks end. 6" of snow right now but may be gone in our valley by the weekend. Last year was a record snowfall and low temps.

Pap

Here is my "preferred" method of watching Football games these days.

Funny, guess the old boy isn't a pigskin fan?

He will learn. He is just 7 months old.

70lbs. Headed for about 110-115.

Take him with you when you pattern the Texan. Great looking pooch. Wish I could have another dog but we travel too much.

Oh, he’ll go with me. He goes everywhere with me.

This past Summer, we took him with us on a 6,000 mile “road trip” through 23 States. He did fine but he was a lot smaller.

We laugh about how we have turned into those kind of people that we used to talk about.

I’m gonna try to pattern my Texan tomorrow. I got tied up with froze pipes and trucks & tractors that wouldn’t start today.

Finally got out and shot my Bond Arms Texan at a piece of poster board from 50 feet exactly.

I hope you can make out the pictures. It definitely penetrated the poster board and buried up pretty good in the plywood behind it.

I would think that it would deliver a lethal shot on a cat squirrel at that range. The only problem would be getting that close to one.

Coach,

Would be interesting to see if tungsten heavi shot patterns better.

Okay, had to Google Search that critter.
Found a picture:

LOL.

I didn't think about folks maybe not knowin' what a "cat" squirrel is. If you ever have a good squirrel stew or "Muligan" as some folks call it, you never forget. Here's a link that you might find interesting:

http://www.chron.com/sports/outdoors/art...xas-9973878.php

I can tell you we don't have such a critter in the Blue Ridge (Allegheny...some call 'em) Mtns. of Southwest VA. I would have thought the picture photoshopped by somebody that knew how.....or a very determined & hard-rutting striped tomcat was overcome by the natural beauty of a receptive grey squirrel. Growing up, ate platters full of fried squirrel and squirrel and dumplings for Sunday lunch.....always grey squirrel. The more rare, multi-colored and beautiful Fox squirrel people only shot to mount....usually the boars and standing up so you never wondered if he was a boar.

Thanks for the link. It helped.
I remember one of the Duck Dynasty episodes was Uncle Si going out to shoot squirrels and Kay Robertson saying that fried squirrel brains were her favorite treat. Must take a lot of squirrel heads to make a meal.
When we lived in Elizabeth, CO, we saw an Albert Squirrel/Brown Squirrel crossed litter. They were weird. A couple half brown and half Albert, a couple blended colors, and a couple with one type of head and another type body.
Mother nature eliminated them within a couple of weeks.

Here's the way we do it 'round here:


2966 Stew

Ingredients:

1 gallon of Wood County Well Water
(preferably drawn from within quarter mile radius of where Farm Road 2966 crosses Blalock Branch.
But a gallon of Ozarka bottled water is almost as good)

**1 whole chicken, 1 dozen whole cat squirrels (dressed)
1lb. smoked link sausage sliced ½” to ¾”
4 large potatoes peeled and cut up (2 quarts)
1 package of peeled, chopped carrots (quart)
1 package of frozen whole kernel or creamed corn (quart)
1 quart of canned diced tomatoes (the best is Susan’s® Stew & Chili Starter)
2- 12oz cans of V-8
1 quart of de-stringed, chopped celery
1 quart of chopped onions
1 12oz can of Cream of Chicken
1 12oz can of Cream of Mushroom
1 12oz can of Cream of Celery
1 cup of chopped fresh hot peppers (ex. Cayenne, Jalapeno, Tabasco, Serrano, or Datil) keeping in mind the tastes of the guests.

Spices: Salt, Black Pepper, Ground Cayenne Pepper, Chirachi Sauce, Garlic, etc.
(None are needed if using Susan’s® Stew & Chili Starter)


Directions:

1. Boil the chicken and squirrels for 30 minutes in Wood County Well Water, then,
remove the chicken and squirrels.

2. Add potatoes, carrots, celery, corn, onions, sausage, etc and boil for an hour.

3. De-bone the chicken during this time.

4. Add canned tomatoes or Susan’s® Stew & Chili Starter, Cream of Chicken,
Cream of Mushroom, Cream of Celery, Spices, Squirrels, and the de-boned chicken.

5. Reduce to a very slow simmer for 1 long hour.

6. Get the Corn Bread ready!


Makes about 3 gallons which is enough for about 8-10 people.

**Every now & then, a dozen more squirrels or 4 large swamp rabbits are substituted for the chicken.
Don’t tell the women-folk and they’ll never know!

Coach,
I have to say that the folks down south really do know how to prepare squirrel. If I mentioned squirrel gravy to anybody up here they pretty much look at me like I had two heads ( I get that a lot so no problem)

Last October,I saw my first fox squirrel while on a quail hunt in GA. Never had seen one before!!!

Wayne

I have a Snake Charmer that I got for cowboy action shooting. I have only shot it with .45 Schofield loads and I have put a few .410’s through it.

MIC 214,
That is a nice looking Bond you have there.

They make a superb derringer.

Wayne

All you folks who have them show or tell us how you like to carry them please.

They make a neat belly holster that slips around your belt.

Pap