Description
The Bond Arms First Lady is a two-shot .38 Special derringer finished in black Cerakote over stainless steel, with rose gold trigger, hammer and pins. The right side of the barrel block is engraved “The First Lady” with the words Class, Strength, Beauty, and the left side carries an American flag. Bond Arms built it in limited numbers and has since listed it as no longer in production.
Bond Arms First Lady 38 Special Overview
Bond Arms of Granbury, Texas has spent decades refining the over-under derringer, and the First Lady uses the company’s proven layout: a tip-up, double-barrel block on a stainless frame, a rebounding hammer, a trigger guard and a manual safety. Bond lists it on its Stinger RS frame with extended resin grips. It measures 5.5 inches long and 4.19 inches tall, and weighs about 17.6 ounces, which gives it more heft than an aluminum pocket pistol and helps tame .38 Special recoil. This is a decorative piece that still works as a real handgun, not a wall hanger.
Design and Finish
The black Cerakote is a durable ceramic-based coating that resists scratches, sweat and holster wear better than paint. Against it, the rose gold trigger, hammer and pins add a striking accent without looking gaudy. The laser-engraved flag and lettering are crisp and even, which is why many owners buy the First Lady as a gift or a collectible. Expect the finish to show holster wear at the edges over years of carry, as any coated gun does.
Handling and Controls
Each shot requires cocking the hammer by thumb, and the single-action trigger breaks at roughly 7 lb according to Bond. A cross-bolt safety blocks the hammer, and the rebounding hammer keeps the firing pins off the primers when it is down. The B6 grips are the extended size, giving room for your whole hand and better control than the short factory stocks on some derringers. To load, you push the barrel latch lever and tip the barrels up.
No Extractor: An Important Note
Bond Arms states plainly that the First Lady’s barrel has no extractor, even though .38 Special is a rimmed cartridge. In practice that means spent cases do not lift out when the barrels tip up. You will need to push or pry them out with a fingernail, a small tool or a dowel, especially after firing hot loads that make cases stick. That slows reloading further, so treat this as a two-shot gun, not something you will reload in a hurry.
Shooting the 38 Special
.38 Special is a mild cartridge in a revolver, but in a 17-ounce derringer with 3-inch barrels it kicks sharply and muzzle rise is noticeable. Practical accuracy is close range only; the fixed blade front and rear notch sights are small, and the grip is short for long strings of fire. Standard-pressure 148- to 158-grain loads are comfortable for practice. Only use +P ammunition if Bond Arms confirms the specific barrel is rated for it.
Collectible or Carry Gun
For collectors, the First Lady’s limited production and decorative theme make it a conversation piece and a good candidate to keep in its box. As a carry gun, it is small and simple, but two rounds and slow reloads are serious limitations compared with a compact semi-auto or a five-shot revolver. Many owners use derringers like this as a backup or a trail gun for snakes. Holsters made for Bond Arms 3-inch derringers fit.
State Laws and Ownership
Derringers are legal in most states, but some states maintain handgun rosters or permit requirements. California and Massachusetts, for example, only allow sales of handguns on their approved lists, and several states require a permit to purchase or carry. Check with your receiving FFL before ordering. Pennsylvania residents can complete the transfer at our shop with a standard background check, and concealed carry in Pennsylvania requires a License to Carry Firearms.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Bond Arms
- Model: First Lady (BAFL-BP-38SPL)
- UPC: 855959005374
- Caliber: .38 Special
- Capacity: 2 rounds
- Action: Single action, over-under derringer
- Barrel length: 3 in.
- Overall length: 5.5 in.
- Height: 4.19 in.
- Weight: Approx. 17.6 oz
- Frame: Stainless steel (Stinger RS frame)
- Finish: Black Cerakote with rose gold parts
- Grips: Extended resin
- Sights: Fixed blade front, fixed rear
- Safety: Manual hammer-block safety, rebounding hammer, trigger guard
- Extractor: None
- Production status: Discontinued by Bond Arms
Before You Buy
Federal law requires handgun buyers to be at least 21 years old to purchase from a licensed dealer, and the transfer must go through an FFL with a background check. This derringer ships to your FFL, not to your home. Budget for a Bond Arms compatible holster and a small tool for removing spent cases, since the barrels have no extractor.
Who It Is For
The Bond Arms First Lady 38 Special is a great fit for collectors who want a well-finished, engraved derringer, buyers looking for a memorable gift, and experienced shooters who want a compact backup gun and understand the limits of two shots.
Buy the Bond Arms First Lady 38 Special at MAG5 Firearms
MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the Bond Arms First Lady 38 Special online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more pistols. For factory details, visit Bond Arms.
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