Group Braintrust,
It has been more than six months since we have had any discussion of the Bond Bullpup here. Does anyone have any extensive experience with it? Anyone carry it regularly or frequently? Anyone so sold on it they have two or more?
I have always appreciated the Kahr K9 for its long, smooth trigger pull, all metal construction, and phenomenal accuracy. But the G43's weight and (for me) ergonomics with a Talon rubberized grip have made it my go to. (And I am well invested in several and many many of those little mags.)
The weight, height, and length of the Bond Arms are actually all the same or less than the G43, and it is metal with a DA hammer-fired set up. It is obviously a different animal that is on the other side of the spectrum from the simple, well vetted G 43, but I can't help it -- I have been jonesing for a while (since they were Bobergs), and it's not going away.
Any experience? Especially in regard to reliability, accuracy, trigger, or other characteristics to warn me off or make me salivate more?
Thanks very much in advance,
Scott

I handled one several times. While is seems to have a pretty decent reputation, I would never carry one. Way too complicated when there are so many other simpler, proven models. It is a cool novelty, though.

I have one and I've put about 300 rounds thru it. It wants specific ammos, those crimped or sealed into the case. It functions well if you follow the directions. Charge it forcefully by pulling back and releasing the slide. It's also thick, I will get thinner grips when available. There are few holsters, when I carry it I use a belly band. Cleaning is easy, reassembly simple. To lock the slide back, you retract and move the takedown lever to half position. Overall I like it, but it takes getting used to. It is VERY accurate and recoil soft.

quote:

Originally posted by ruger357:
While is seems to have a pretty decent reputation, I would never carry one. Way too complicated when there are so many other simpler, proven models. It is a cool novelty, though.

Well, certainly true. Thanks for that hard to argue with perspective. Hence my G43 for CCW.
But I was an early adopter of HK P7's and then a Seecamp 32 in the 1980's, and barely branched out beyond those two for regular CCW and HD use for many years. They too were impractical in many ways, but were actually completely reliable and had great features not seen elsewhere. So now I have become more practical with a Glock, but that Bullpup has some features too, and if people here have good regular experience...

I have one. Front Pocket carry in a pocket holster. Love the grips but I too will move to thinner ones when available - probably shave .25” and be under 1” wide. Shoots soft, points great for me. I have roughly 250 rounds through it, no ammo issues but stick with their list...pretty much all 9mm I own/buy works so no hardship. Racking it requires full pull and release. It does not hold open. Keep oiled, no grease nothing special just like any pistol. Still breaking in but no FTF so far.

I really like it as concealing in FL can be a challenge. This thing is small.

I owned a Boberg version after watching their progress for a few years. I hope Bond got them sorted as I really liked it. That said, I decided a carry gun over $3-400 doesn't make sense for me, given how many good inexpensive choices are out there.

I too have been very interested in this design. Still waiting to put one in my hand. That will settle everything for me.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I have one and I've put about 300 rounds it.... It functions well if you follow the directions.... Overall I like it, but it takes getting used to. It is VERY accurate and recoil soft.

Fredward,
Thank you.
The last sentence above sounds VERY appealing.
The first sentence above refers to choosing ammo that doesn't get pulled and spill, or charging, or other things that have taken getting used to?
Scott

quote:

Originally posted by FlyingScot:
I have one. Front Pocket carry in a pocket holster. Love the grips but I too will move to thinner ones when available - probably shave .25” and be under 1” wide. Shoots soft, points great for me. I have roughly 250 rounds through it, no ammo issues but stick with their list...pretty much all 9mm I own/buy works so no hardship. Racking it requires full pull and release. It does not hold open. Keep oiled, no grease nothing special just like any pistol. Still breaking in but no FTF so far.

I really like it as concealing in FL can be a challenge. This thing is small.

FlyingScot,
Thanks for the comments and those excellent photos.
I too prefer pocket carry, since getting used to that mode of carry with the Seecamp. I know the Boberg is not a Seecamp, but the slightly smaller dimensions vs the G43 I think would make pocket carry more do-able.
I would be very interested to hear your further impressions as you put more rounds through it.
Scott

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
I owned a Boberg version after watching their progress for a few years. I hope Bond got them sorted as I really liked it. That said, I decided a carry gun over $3-400 doesn't make sense for me, given how many good inexpensive choices are out there.

PGT,
What were your experiences with the Boberg? I had one on order that fell through right before Maryland law was changed, delaying my gun purchasing addiction long enough to never get one before they wound down. What problems did it have?
You are of course right about there being better, more practical choices. But...
Scott

Yes, Scott, it's about not pulling the bullets off the cases. I've not had it happen, but there are warnings in the manual. And charging is just about getting used to it. Loading the mags was weird at first, too, cause there is no floor plate, but it does work. I've had no misfires, but did fail to load/charge properly the first range session.

Winchester White Box and Critical Duty are both on the approved list, so those are my choices. It's especially accurate with the Critical Duty.

quote:

Originally posted by ScotP7:

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
I owned a Boberg version after watching their progress for a few years. I hope Bond got them sorted as I really liked it. That said, I decided a carry gun over $3-400 doesn't make sense for me, given how many good inexpensive choices are out there.

PGT,
What were your experiences with the Boberg? I had one on order that fell through right before Maryland law was changed, delaying my gun purchasing addiction long enough to never get one before they wound down. What problems did it have?
You are of course right about there being better, more practical choices. But...
Scott

the internal lifter jammed the gun on the first shot fired. With a live round in the chamber. And no safety. And, the customer service guy at Boberg blamed it on me "you must be limp-wristing it". Once I was able to render it safe, there were visible gouges inside the frame from the lifter.

It went back to Boberg for service and I was told it was user error and it worked just fine. It came back, gouge polished out and operated fine with snap caps. I put two mags through it to verify function and promptly sold it for a slight loss.

I've got a video handy of me replicating the jam on the bench with snap caps. Let me find it.

edit: https://youtu.be/BB0sUmlpU6Q

The only way to clear it was to put the frame in a vise, use a screwdriver to push down the lifter while using another to spread the tongs to release the cartridge. And then the slide comes crashing forward.

Interesting design and impeccable machining but something was seriously wrong with mine and had Boberg given me a decent explanation instead of blaming me, I would have kept it. It cost me nearly $1300 and this was many years back.

PGT,
Whoa, what a mess well conveyed in the video. That is a real shame about the experience, and then the Boberg reaction. I'd say you were pretty brave to give the Bond a chance.
Thanks for posting.
Anybody else with nasty issues? I am still seriously leaning towards the rabbit hole.
Scott

PGT no sugarcoating but that sucks. I was early on the Boberg list but shied away. I took a shot at the Bond as they bought this then took roughly a year to make right. The redesigned so no grease on barrel block, and addressed other machining issues. I’m satisfied this was addressed, but give Larry Bond a call, he actually does respond. I cannot repeat PGT issue, but only time and round count will tell. Truth about Guns has a good video putting a 1000 round through, but until I do it myself won’t stand on that. Arne Boberg was a hell of an engineer but as a guy running a company...well.

I like mine - very soft, very accurate. Very reliable - so far.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I have one and I've put about 300 rounds thru it. It wants specific ammos, those crimped or sealed into the case. It functions well if you follow the directions. Charge it forcefully by pulling back and releasing the slide. It's also thick, I will get thinner grips when available. There are few holsters, when I carry it I use a belly band. Cleaning is easy, reassembly simple. To lock the slide back, you retract and move the takedown lever to half position. Overall I like it, but it takes getting used to. It is VERY accurate and recoil soft.

Two different models of thinner grips are available at Bondarms.com. I just ordered 1 of each. I’ve actually got a Boberg and recently picked up a slightly used Bond. PJ holsters makes nice carry Kydex for these.

Thanks. I'll check out the grips and the holster.