The fun of pocket pistol events, in part, is in owning these small antique revolvers, each a piece of history. They are typically found at gun shows and can be bought without a waiting period because of their age. They are often in near new condition because they typically have spent the last 100 years in a nightstand drawer waiting for an emergency that never occurred. A most unusual configuration is found in the Merwin Hulbert double action .32 with its twist barrel ejector system. The pocket pistol event usually consists of five targets at close range.
Contestants usually start and shoot seated.
Playing cards are often drawn to determine the target order and makes for a more involved the scenario. Time and misses are scored as in main stages. Derringers may be in calibers as small as .22 rimfire. Most derringers at SASS matches are reproductions of the Remington-Elliot over under two shot style. These are available from American Derringer in almost all calibers, and from Davis Derringer in small calibers only.