Guns Bullpup Pistols and Skinny Derringers Tamara Keel January 24, 2019 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Learn More Bond Arms of Texas had its booth in the usual place at SHOT, and at first glance, there wasn’t a whole lot new to see on their display tables. An inquiry with the booth crew did turn up a pair of new product offerings for 2019, however. The first was a new slimline derringer, greatly reduced in size from the typical Bond Arms offering. The stacked barrels are machined flat on the sides, giving them a width not much over half an inch. The bulbous wooden grip panels, emblazoned with Bond’s Texas star logo, are by far the widest portion of the firearm. Of course, the reason the width is easy to keep down in this model is that it forgoes the traditional Bond Arms chambering of .45 Colt and is instead chambered for the ubiquitous 9x19mm cartridge. As with all Bond Arms derringers, the workmanship is fantastic. The machining is clean, everything fits together just so, and the controls are all crisp and positive. The downside, of course, is that it’s still a derringer. While they have their aficionados, it’s hard to ignore the fact that even in slimline form, these are the size of the typical pocket .380, which holds three times the ammunition and does not need to be manually cocked for each shot. The other new offering for this year is the BullPup XL, a longer-barreled version of the tiny BullPup (nee Boberg R9). Otherwise identical to the base model BullPup, that funky design that snatches the cartridges rearward out of the magazine before stuffing them into the breech, the XL’s longer barrel allows it to have a stubby accessory rail that should fit subcompact weapon-mounted lights. Actual shipping date for the XL variant hadn’t been finalized at the time of this writing, but they swore up and down it would be happening this year, hopefully by summer. Visit bondarms.com Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.