# Where do I get a Saturday Night Special? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 9, 2004, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284 "2004-02-09T15:43:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/21 "2004-02-10T23:23:16Z")
> [@robby](#): > > Are Tauruses considered to be good quality? (Specifically with respect to revolvers.) I was always under the impression that they were inferior S&W knockoffs. Is this incorrect? Seems to me a lot of small-town cops moved to Tauruses (Taurii?) in the late 1980’s/early 1990’s due to their low price and “decent” quality. For some reason Rugers don’t seem to be nearly as popular. Anecdotally speaking, I’ve always heard of Tauruses as being an “acceptable” firearm until you could afford something better. However, I do know they have improved the lineup quite a bit over the last few years. Una ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2004, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/22 "2004-02-10T23:31:33Z")
> [@Zaphod7](#): > > jeez where do you people live where you believe you need a gun for protection, or a gun period. I live in a part of the US that I’ll hazard has fewer murders per capita than Sydney, yet very few gun laws even for the US. AFAIK that’s a factual answer, although I haven’t looked up official 2003 crime stats. > [@](#): > > … i am still not worried or scared. It comes with our Aussie attitude though of whatever happens happens, we are too laid back to worry for long. Yes, and all Californians are surfers with blond hair that say “Dude!” and “Haul ass to Lollapalooza!” ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/23 "2004-02-11T02:52:58Z")
Forgive a stupid (but related!) question…but do they still make Derringers? You know, little two barrel handguns, probably of a small caliber? I recall an acquaintence that had one in .32 some years ago. I’d say it’d probably be just what you wanted, but I have no idea on price range. ---
**Author:** ![olefin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d78d45/32.png) [@olefin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/olefin)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 3:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/24 "2004-02-11T03:54:56Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Yeah! What my wife would call “a nice little purse gun.” (She carries a big purse and laughs at the stopping power of the old-fashioned lady’s .25.) Of course, now that her dad is dead he probably wouldn’t miss his ol’ .38 and it wouldn’t be the first time she’s “borrowed” it. My wife carries a Lady Smith (S & W) 38 SPL, loaded with +P+ JHP. Neat, hammerless, very small, very light weight but rated for to shoot +P+ for plenty stopping power. I have a Glock 9 MM model 26 for carry but I like hers better for the Glock is a little heavy for concealed carry. ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/25 "2004-02-11T04:01:27Z")
> [@GMRyujin](#): > > Forgive a stupid (but related!) question…but do they still make Derringers? You know, little two barrel handguns, probably of a small caliber? I recall an acquaintence that had one in .32 some years ago. I’d say it’d probably be just what you wanted, but I have no idea on price range. Yessir, small frame break-top two shot “Derringers” are available for calibers ranging from .22 LR to .45-70 Gov’t. Yes, you read that correctly: .45-70 Gov’t - the old-time buffalo hunting cartridge. Another model shoots a .410 shotshell / .45 ACP. The prices range from about USD 200 to USD 600. There are several makers of these guns and, as you can imagine, the quality varies from excellent to questionable. Many people who rely on these guns as “backup guns” (police, for example) prefer to have their main sidearm and the Derringer in the same caliber. That is why there are versions available in 9mm, .45 ACP, and other pistol calibers. **robby** , the Taurus line of firearms is now considered to be very good. When these guns began to appear in the U.S. a few decades ago (mostly revolvers), there were problems with the materials that were used. Those problems have been solved and Taurus now offers pistols that are close in appearance and function to the Beretta line and revolvers that are close in appearance and function to the Smith & Wesson line. I have no qualms in recommending Taurus firearms to a cost-conscious shooter. There are a few Taurus revolvers that I actually prefer to the S&W models - especially that nice little .357 Magnum seven-shooter. ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/26 "2004-02-11T04:04:10Z")
> [@olefin](#): > > My wife carries a Lady Smith (S & W) 38 SPL, loaded with +P+ JHP. Neat, hammerless, very small, very light weight but rated for to shoot +P+ for plenty stopping power. I have a Glock 9 MM model 26 for carry but I like hers better for the Glock is a little heavy for concealed carry. Yessir, that Lady Smith is a nice little revolver. If you prefer a 9mm pistol, take a look at the Lady Smith autoloader or the Chief’s Special autoloader - they are nice small packages that are chambered for 9mm, .45 ACP, .40 S&W, and I think one for .357 Sig may be available soon. ---
**Author:** ![JXJohns](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jxjohns/32/469_2.png) [@JXJohns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JXJohns)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 4:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/27 "2004-02-11T04:36:33Z")
> [@radar ralf](#): > > …There are a few Taurus revolvers that I actually prefer to the S&W models - especially that nice little .357 Magnum seven-shooter. That would be the Tracker. I love mine as well… ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 4:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/28 "2004-02-11T04:37:29Z")
> [@GMRyujin](#): > > Forgive a stupid (but related!) question…but do they still make Derringers? You know, little two barrel handguns, probably of a small caliber? I recall an acquaintence that had one in .32 some years ago. I’d say it’d probably be just what you wanted, but I have no idea on price range. Ever seen a North American Arms .22? [http://www.naaminis.com/short.html](http://www.naaminis.com/short.html) I have and they are tiny, about the size of a pocketknife. I can’t remember what they went for even though the website says about $190. ---
**Author:** ![Sideshow](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3e96dc/32.png) [@Sideshow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sideshow)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/29 "2004-02-11T06:27:11Z")
I’m pretty sure CA has passed laws against them. Add that one to the list of stupid gun laws we have. I can’t image outlawing something you couldn’t hit the side of your house with from 10 feet away. I guess it’s the way Saturday Night Special Ban rolls of the tounge. If it was the Cheap-Ass Gun Ban it never would have got passed 😃 . In any case, I wouldn’t trust my life to a pistol that cost less then my cellphone. You definatly get what you pay for with those things. I paid about 500 for by Springfield 1911 and it at least 100 times nicer and 100 times more likely to fire when I pull the trigger then any $150 piece of junk. ---
**Author:** ![Doomtrain](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/0ea827/32.png) [@Doomtrain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doomtrain)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 6:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/30 "2004-02-11T06:44:44Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#): > > Ever seen a North American Arms .22? I had not… Frankly, I don’t know how intimidated I’d be if someone pulled that on me. I mean, a small gun is one thing, but that looks like something you’d get for a quarter at the supermarket. ---
**Author:** ![ltfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@ltfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ltfire)\ **Post date:** [February 11, 2004, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/31 "2004-02-11T21:50:26Z")
> [@GMRyujin](#): > > I had not… > > Frankly, I don’t know how intimidated I’d be if someone pulled that on me. I mean, a small gun is one thing, but that looks like something you’d get for a quarter at the supermarket. I have one of these, that I purchased in 1982. In my mind, at least, I’ve always seen it as a purely self defence weapon. At any distances more than ten feet, good luck wondering where the bullet went. After firing off five rounds, the back of my hand is covered with gunpowder. I also have a belt buckle that the weapon attaches to, making it look like, well, a belt buckle. No one would believe it is a .22 cal. pistol. I remember the guy I bought it from calling it an ‘elevator gun’, because that’s the size of the area it would be effective in. ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/32 "2004-02-12T04:53:19Z")
> [@JXJohns](#): > > That would be the Tracker. I love mine as well… I think Taurus made a mistake when they made the Tracker in .45 ACP - it’s a dang five shot revolver! Nice heft to it, though. ---
**Author:** ![radar\_ralf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b2d939/32.png) [@radar\_ralf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/radar_ralf)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/33 "2004-02-12T04:57:30Z")
> [@Wesley Clark](#): > > Ever seen a North American Arms .22? > > [http://www.naaminis.com/short.html](http://www.naaminis.com/short.html) > > I have and they are tiny, about the size of a pocketknife. > > I can’t remember what they went for even though the website says about $190. These items are novelties, in my mind. I want to launch the biggest chunk of lead that I can accurately, reliably, and safely handle when the balloon goes up. For me, that’s a .45 ACP… for others, it might be a 9mm or a .357 Magnum. YMMV ---
**Author:** ![Una\_Persson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/una_persson/32/346_2.png) [@Una\_Persson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Una_Persson)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 5:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/34 "2004-02-12T05:40:43Z")
> [@GMRyujin](#): > > Frankly, I don’t know how intimidated I’d be if someone pulled that on me. I mean, a small gun is one thing, but that looks like something you’d get for a quarter at the supermarket. Me, I would be damn intimidated at any firearm pointed at me, even a 1-inch barreled .22-short derringer. I don’t remember if I posted details about it on this message board (likely not, and if so I won’t except at my own board) but I’ve had guns pointed at me or the barrels pressed against parts of my body on three occasions. You don’t really think “gee that looks small”. Rather, you think “I’m one sneeze away from oblivion and the end of the universe.” ---
**Author:** ![Eleusis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Eleusis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eleusis)\ **Post date:** [February 12, 2004, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/35 "2004-02-12T05:46:06Z")
At the very least, that thing would give somebody a good bellyache, and take the fight out of them… ---
**Author:** ![gbrohman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3be4f8/32.png) [@gbrohman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gbrohman)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/36 "2005-01-20T03:52:58Z")
[QUOTE=radar ralf] Yessir, small frame break-top two shot “Derringers” are available for calibers ranging from .22 LR to .45-70 Gov’t. Yes, you read that correctly: .45-70 Gov’t - the old-time buffalo hunting cartridge. Another model shoots a .410 shotshell / .45 ACP. ] [ The sister to the .410 would be the .45 colt(long colt). The .45ACP(automatic colt pistol) is rimless. The .410 shotshell is typicaly a 2 1/2 inch shell. I razz my co-instructor about his saturday n-s’s He brings a few tauris revolvers to our consealed carry classes. ---
**Author:** ![EvanS](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/59ef9b/32.png) [@EvanS](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvanS)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 4:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/37 "2005-01-20T04:11:44Z")
> [@gossamer](#): > > The Gun Control Act of 1968 made many of the items you’re looking for disappear. My dad is a gun nut and he backs this up. He says that they stopped being available to purchase legally, even though if you had one you could keep it. He’s got a couple derringers, a “little Ace” and a “Four Aces” that shoot .22 short (1 shot and 4-barrel) that cost less than $50 for the pair, an old Iver-Johnson break-top that is older and cost less than $25 (.38 short?). He also said they used to have guns with cast zinc-alloy frames and only the chamber and barrel was good steel that used to go for about $10-12 NEW! I think that’s what is meant by a “Saturday Night Special,” a cheap handgun guaranteed to be good for at least one use. A throw-away. And you just can’t get them legally any more. (But some day they’ll all be MINE! Nyah-hah-hah!) 😃 ---
**Author:** ![CynicalGabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3e96dc/32.png) [@CynicalGabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CynicalGabe)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 6:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/38 "2005-01-20T06:35:17Z")
[quote] warm fuzzies when the excrement contacts the rotating element [quote] Dude. LOL. ---
**Author:** ![Scumpup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce73a5/32.png) [@Scumpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scumpup)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/39 "2005-01-20T14:54:52Z")
As far as inexpensive handguns go, it’s tough to beat a Makarov. I’ve had a Russian in 9mmMak for about 9 years and love it to death. The ammo, if you use ammo loaded to combloc specs, falls between a .380 and a 9mm parabellum. The Russians designed the gun and cartridge together and wanted the most powerful cartridge a blowback pistol could handle safely and reliably. I own several of the NAA minis. If you settle on this as a choice, get one of the .22 magnum models. The grip frame is slightly loarger than on the .22lr, but the differrence in handling is significantly better. They come with a .22lr accessory cylinder for cheaper practice. You might also want to look over [Keltec’s](http://www.ktog.org/) line of firearms. I have one of their .32’s and one of their 9mm’s. While they aren’t my favorite guns in the world, they are inexpensive and they do work. ---
**Author:** ![trupa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/aeb1de/32.png) [@trupa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/trupa)\ **Post date:** [January 20, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284/40 "2005-01-20T18:48:21Z")
> [@radar ralf](#): > > Yessir, small frame break-top two shot “Derringers” are available for calibers ranging from .22 LR to .45-70 Gov’t. Yes, you read that correctly: .45-70 Gov’t - the old-time buffalo hunting cartridge. Another model shoots a .410 shotshell / .45 ACP. My hand smarts at just \*the idea \* of firing such a cartridge in that small & light a handgun. owwww. :eek: [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-do-i-get-a-saturday-night-special/228284.md?page=3)