Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	American Derringer Corporation More Info

About the Gun

Compact two-shot over/under derringer with a hammerless double-action-only trigger, automatic barrel selection, and an open-front trigger guard. Stainless barrels, receiver, and lockwork sit on an aluminum grip frame with rosewood or other hardwood grips. It is American Derringer’s High Standard–pattern DAO pocket pistol, separate from the Remington-style single-action Model 1 line.

Production

Production ran from 1991 through 2012.

Market value

MSRP at production was around $475–$715. Current used market value for examples in good to very good condition ranges $400–$550.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	.357 Magnum
Alias:	.357 Smith & Wesson Magnum
More Info

Analysis

This model originated from American Derringer acquiring rights to the High Standard double derringer design around 1990, scaling it up for centerfire calibers like .38 Special. It remains a niche pocket pistol in the handgun market, valued for extreme compactness and stainless construction, though limited by two-shot capacity, heavy trigger pull typical of such designs, and recoil in magnum calibers. Production on some variants (e.g., .40 S&W) ended around 2012, but .38 Special versions appear in ongoing references. The pistol sequences firing from the lower barrel first, then the upper barrel on the subsequent trigger pull. This is a built-in feature of the design—no manual selector switch or lever is required.