Manufacturer: Marushin
Package: 1x pistol, 1x manual, 1x bag of 8mm BBs.
Type: Weapon
Rating: 4/5
Cost: $49.00 USD
Sigh… I’m almost ashamed to even be posting this review, but alas, here I am. The Marushin Derringer came into my possession the same time the X Factor V2 Metal Mesh Mask did but I have been sitting on the review as I have very mixed feelings towards the little derringer. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t hate it but I’m far from in love with it. It’s not the gun, it’s me. I wanted so bad the derringer to be a backup for my backup’s backup, but I’m afraid it will forever be relegated as a sneaky/scenario role… which… is exactly what it’s billed as.
The Marushin Derringer has been around for ages but not stocked state-side in any real quantity. When I saw its resurgence on the AEX online store, I made the bold move to pick it up as I had visions of NPC kills and bragging about how I zapped some player with it (like bragging about how you got a knife kill or a took out a squad using a FAMAS). I had seen a team mate outfit his girlfriend with one during a hostage situation and used it with great success. Seeing as I will volunteer for almost any NPC role, I thought it was perfect. I forked over my $50 and in the post it went.
When it arrived, I was surprised at how small it actually was (insert ‘wang’ joke here). Fitting in the palm of my hand, it was perfect for concealed use. The gas reservoir is located in the grip and you only need the smallest of amount of gas to get quite a few shots out of it. To load it, flip the lever on the side of the frame 180 degrees then flip the barrels up. Once up, you simply place one BB into the breech of each barrel, lock the barrels back into place and you’re ready to fire. Accuracy counts as you only have a 2-shot capacity!
The pistol is single action so you will need to cock the hammer for each shot. As an interesting footnote, the bottom barrel fires first, then the top. I tested with 0.34g 8mm Marushin BBs at a range of about 20 feet. All my shots easily hit a man-size target with quiet a resounding slap. Unfortunately my chrono was down so I don’t have an FPS report, but it was hard enough where if you were on the receiving end, you would feel the BB hit. The sights are fixed, the trigger is lack luster.. its just a very simple design that does exactly the job it was designed to do: take down players at close range.
In conclusion, the gun performs exactly as it should. The accuracy needed to reload makes the process time consuming. Add in only having two shots, short range and mediocre accuracy, the Marushin Derringer falls into a very narrow category of skirmishability: NPC, VIP, Civilian, etc rolls that don’t require the user to be combat effective. So, if you are looking for a concealable scenario piece, a wall hanger, or just a fun plinker, the Derringer is right up your alley.
Wait, I almost forgot! During Op: Lightning Strike II at Fort Drum NY, I loaned the Derringer to a fellow staffer to play the night game. When he returned it after the game, he proudly walked up and claimed 2 Derringer kills! The look on his face was enough proof that even with it’s short comings, the Derringer can hold it’s own during a pistol game… in the dark… in the right hands.