Selected Handgun Detail

Manufacturer
	Firearms Import & Export More Info

About the Gun

This is a single-shot, break-open derringer featuring a tip-up barrel for loading and unloading, an external hammer that must be manually cocked, and a simple direct hammer-to-firing-pin mechanism with no manual safety. The design uses a die-cast zinc alloy frame for low cost and light weight, with available finishes in blued or chrome and grips in plastic or checkered wood. Marketed as a budget pocket pistol, it prioritizes concealability and minimal complexity over durability or refined features.

Production

Marketed in the U.S. from the late 1970s until FIE ceased operations in 1990.

Market value

Examples in good to very good condition currently sell in the $150-300 range.

Cartridge Specifications
Cartridge:	.38 Special
Alias:	.38 Smith & Wesson Special
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Analysis

The FIE D86, as a budget single-shot derringer from the 1980s, delivered basic pocket carry utility at minimal cost but with notable limitations. The die-cast zinc alloy frame and direct hammer-to-firing-pin contact contributed to light weight and simplicity, yet recoil from .38 Special loads felt sharp due to the small grip and low mass. Effective range remained short—typically 5-7 yards at best—while accuracy suffered from fixed sights and no rear notch. Durability proved marginal; repeated use could loosen the barrel hinge or wear the zinc frame. In the handgun market, it competed as an inexpensive alternative to double-barrel models but fell short in refinement compared to steel-framed options like those from Bond Arms that emerged later. Production ceased with FIE's closure around 1990.