Colt Thuer Derringer - 3rd Generation

Published on November 9, 2022
Duration: 6:52

This video examines the Colt Thuer Derringer, 3rd Generation, a popular Old West firearm. It details why such small guns were carried despite city ordinances prohibiting weapons, focusing on their concealability and effectiveness with properly loaded 41 Short ammunition. The presenter demonstrates firing the weapon and discusses its historical context and lethality.

Quick Summary

The Colt Thuer Derringer, a popular Old West firearm, was chambered in .41 Short or .41 Rimfire. With black powder loads, it achieved 500-550 fps, making it a lethal round capable of torso penetration, and was ideal for concealed carry to bypass city ordinances.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction: Colt Thuer Derringer
  2. 00:05The Colt Thuer Derringer - 3rd Generation
  3. 00:12Manufacturing Dates and Popularity
  4. 00:21Why Carry a Small Gun in the Old West?
  5. 00:32Old West City Ordinances and Firearms Bans
  6. 00:37Dodge City and Tombstone Ordinances
  7. 00:53Penalties for Violating Firearms Ordinances
  8. 01:22Checking Larger Firearms in Town
  9. 01:47The Role of Derringers for Concealed Carry
  10. 01:54Concealability of the Derringer
  11. 02:10Ballistics of the .41 Short
  12. 02:20Understanding .41 Short / .41 Rimfire
  13. 02:30Debunking Myths About .41 Short Performance
  14. 02:56Reloading .41 Short with Black Powder
  15. 03:10Achieving Original Velocities
  16. 03:22Historical Shooting Incident with .41 Short
  17. 03:46Stopping Power vs. Lethality
  18. 03:57Derringers as Concealed Lethal Weapons
  19. 04:16Demonstration: Firing the Colt Thuer Derringer
  20. 04:44Reloading Process and Ejector
  21. 05:05Limitations of Reloading Speed
  22. 05:09Summary: Cheap, Concealable, Lethal
  23. 05:39Impressive Performance for its Size
  24. 05:43Conclusion: Debunking Old West Myths
  25. 06:02Support the Channel on Patreon
  26. 06:36Thank You to Supporters
  27. 06:43Subscribe and Share

Frequently Asked Questions

Why were small derringers like the Colt Thuer popular in the Old West?

Derringers were popular because many Old West towns had ordinances prohibiting the carrying of larger firearms within city limits. These small guns were easily concealed and allowed individuals to carry a weapon for self-defense without violating local laws.

What caliber is the Colt Thuer Derringer, and how effective is it?

The Colt Thuer Derringer is typically chambered in .41 Short or .41 Rimfire. When loaded with black powder, it can achieve velocities of 500-550 feet per second, making it a lethal round capable of penetrating a torso.

Can .41 Short ammunition be reloaded for the Colt Thuer Derringer?

Yes, .41 Short can be reloaded by using .22 blanks with specially manufactured cartridges and loading them with a mixture of 3F and 4F black powder, replicating the original performance and lethality.

Is the Colt Thuer Derringer suitable for quick reloads?

No, the Colt Thuer Derringer is not designed for speed reloads. Its ejector is often not very effective, and the firearm is intended to be fired once with the expectation of achieving its desired effect.

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