Another Look (with Colonel Smoothbore)
By angelamontana

Posted: July 16, 2017

A couple of years ago we looked at a newly designed semi-auto pistol, the Boberg Arms XR9-S. This was an evolutionary, perhaps revolutionary design. This gun fed cartridges from the back, rather than the front of the magazine. This allowed the maker to offer a pistol with a longer barrel but the same overall length as most other manufacturer’s guns. Unfortunately, reported functional and reliability problems, as well as a steep price (about $1200 per gun) stifled sales of this unique design.

Enter Gordon Bond of Bond Arms, a Texas handgun manufacturer.

For years Bond Arms has been producing great double barrel pistols commonly referred to a “derringers.” Bond’s guns are extremely high quality guns available in numerous models with barrel lengths ranging from 2.5 to 6 inches. They are chambered in some very powerful calibers including 38/357 and 45/410. Bond Arms makes great guns and now they have the rights to the Boberg gun.

Bond completely overhauled the XR9-S. There are no longer any MIM or cast parts in the guns. All steel components are hardened, the slide is made from billet 416 stainless steel, and the frame from billet aluminum. It took Bond over a year and a half to complete the rework of the little semi-auto and when finished, they even offered it at a lower price. That’s the American way; produce a better mousetrap at a lower price and you will have almost instant success.

Bond has renamed the new improved version the “BullPup9” and lowered the suggested retail price to $ 977.00. The gun has a 3.35 inch barrel, rosewood grips, drift adjustable 3-dot sights, and a double action only trigger. Magazine capacity is 7 + 1 with an overall length of 5.1 inches and it weighs 17.5 ounces, all in all, a compact, concealable pistol. Bond Arms’ website states that current production is only about 150 guns a month and that they are “going fast.”

Bond Arms BullPup9 looks to be off to a great start. Bond has a really great reputation for quality, affordable guns. I expect the BullPup9 will carry on that tradition. I really want to try out this little gun; its unique design has intrigued me for a long time. As soon as I can get my hands on one I’ll let you know what I think about this second generation offering.

Be safe and good shooting.

Colonel Smoothbore

 

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