Over the years, I have had the great privilege of getting to know Gordon Bond, Garrett, Danielle, and many other team members at Bond Arms. Last July, I also had the opportunity to tour Bond’s manufacturing facility in Texas. For over 20 years, Bond Arms has been making precision derringer-style (two-shot, over/under barrel) pistols in over 20 different (interchangeable) calibers. However, for the past 8 months I’ve used and attempted to abuse Bond’s first semi-auto CCW handgun, the Bond Arms Bullpup9 in preparation for this review.
The Bond Arms Bullpup9 is a 7-shot, 9mm, CCW (Concealed Carry Weapon) pistol. Its’ unique feeding design allows the shooter to take advantage of the 3.3-inch barrel, but still have a pistol as small as a derringer. In fact, the Bullpup9 is only slightly larger than a Ruger LCP (.380). You may have seen an early version of the Bullpup9 when it was manufactured under the name “Boberg.” In 2013, Arne Boberg created a revolutionary pistol. However, it did have some kinks that needed to be worked out. When Bond purchased Boberg, it fixed these flaws and made the gun live up to its true potential.
As mentioned above, the unique feeding method is what enables the Bullpup9 to keep a compact size, but still allow for a 3.3-inch barrel. The Bullpup9 is loaded by pulling the rounds out of the back of the magazine. The two little “fingers” hold the back of the 9mm case and guide the round into the chamber—there is no feed ramp. It’s a little bizarre, but it works.
Due to how it loads, certain types on target 9mm—ones that don’t have a good crimp on the bullet such as CCI Blazer Aluminum or Brass—won’t always work in this gun. You can get a pretty good idea by checking the owner’s manual for a list of approved manufacturers. However, this doesn’t mean you have to buy ultra-expensive to make this gun run. For example, Winchester white box is a preferred target/practice round.
When chambering the first round you’ll notice how easy it is to pull back the slide. This makes it great for both men and women. Most semi-auto pistols have a rather beefy spring and guiderod. This is not the case with the Bullpup9. Its spring more closely resembles a longer version of the spring you’d find in a click-pen. You know, the one you’ve taken apart and put back together during a boring seminar (I can’t be the only one to have done this).
How does the Bond Arms Bullpup9 shoot?
I will tell you that hands down this is the flattest shooting CCW 9mm I’ve ever shot. The felt-recoil is more like a .380 ACP than a 9mm. This allows rapid, on-target, follow-up shots. I’ve shot this gun for over eight months and have fired 1,000+ rounds of various kinds of ammunition through it, including 500+ rounds of remanufactured ammo I bought online. I’m happy to report that I’ve experienced zero malfunctions.
Over 1,000 rounds might seem excessive to some, but I feel I owe it to anyone who might rely on this gun as their CCW. Sadly, I know many people will buy a gun, shoot it once or twice, and rarely shoot it after that. It floors me when someone does this, especially with the gun they rely on as their CCW.
As for the Bond Bullpup9, the only complaint I received when I let people shoot it was that there is no slide stop, so it doesn’t stay open on the last shot. That doesn’t really bother me, but if it does you, this is not your gun. I will also warn you that when it ejects the first six rounds that they fly high up and straight back (20 feet or more). I never had one come close to hitting my head, but whatever is 20 feet or so behind you will get a shell-bath. At $977 MSRP, the Bullpup9 is definitely on the higher end of the CCW market, but what’s your life worth? It’s unique, but more importantly, it’s worth every penny. These are great guns made by great people in Texas. I highly recommend the Bond Bullpup9.
Have you fired Bond Arms Bullpup9? Do you carry one for CCW? What do you think of the innovative design? Share your answers in the comment section.
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Sweet. I want one.
I haven’t seen one of these in person, only the derringers, these look very nice
Bond Rms is a great company!
Very good read! Interesting little pistol.
Ive been wanting one of these so bad. Love em.
I purchased one of the Bullpup 9 mm from Bond Arms back in October or November of 2007 Before Christmas because my wife never tells me not to buy a gun I followed all the directions purchase 200 rounds Winchester white box went to the range shot all 200 rounds first visit with zero malfunctions this was the best shooting gun I’ve ever owned and I own a few I must say Bond Arms did an incredible job and I would depend on this gun to defend my life and my family’s lives.
Wanted a Boberg but glad I waited-it’s now improved and cheaper to buy!
My Ruger LC9s is the same size, great trigger, dead reliable, conceals very easily, and costs a whole lot less. Can’t see why I’d have a need for the BullPup unless I’d want it for it’s unusual design (collector value?).
David J was having a problem getting this post and sent a feedback form asking for for some help…
I’m enjoying mine as well. The fit and finish is awesome. I wanted something unique and special for my personal carry and I got it in this pistol. I don’t think it’s for everyone though. I I would say this is for a person who is comfortable and practiced with weapons. The trigger is double action only but sileky smooth and without stacking. Accurate rapid fire is easily accomplished. The recoil is very pleasant and there is little muzzle flip. I’ve had a couple of bobbles but they were user induced. The double action trigger has 2 points of reset. On occasion, I’ve not let the trigger fully out and it failed to reset. I’ve also induced a few failures to feed by not fully racking the slide. There is a little resistance at the end of the rack that must be worked through or you will induce a miss feed. If I had the ear of Bond Arms I would request the following. I’d like a grip option that was thinner than the slide. I’d also like them to slim the pistol just a tad more. I think bullpup design is particularly well suited for pocket carry but the width of the pistol is the dimension that could use a little improvement.