NAA Mini Revolver temptation...

I own a NAA Black Widow Revolver that has the interchageable 22 LR / Magnum cylinder. Workmanship on the pistol is good and the use of 17-4 PH SS steel is notable. It was loud and difficult to shoot accurately for more than a few yards though.

I would rather invest in a Ruger revolver and use the gift certificate as a discount on its price instead.

Personally, I would pass on it. i have one. It needs a new cylinder and i just can't see wasting $80 bucks to get it fixed.

I would look at the Ruger Bearcat, that's a neat little gun you can actually use.

Joe

They are fun and i can't help but to chuckle every time i shoot mine.

If you're going to buy one, buy the magnum version. the grip on the LR version is too small.

I have a 1 5/8" convertible that I purchased new. The front sight was installed incorrectly(leans to one side, a lot), and the ball detent in the cylinder pin wasn't staked correctly. I need to send it back to the factory, but haven't gotten around to it since it very rarely comes out of the safe.

I've owned several, and my advice is to get the Magnum. you can fire LR for practice, and to save money, but for 'urban renewal' the Mag is the way to go. Mine is, as we speak, on a cord around my neck. Pity the fool that tries to invade my home. I use solid point, as I believe penetration is more important than expansion.

I have a short, two LRs, and a magnum. I carry all of them now and then, depending on mode of dress and occasion.

I recently went to a wedding where many of the guests were VERY anti-gun, and there was much hugging, handshaking, dancing, etc. I carried one LR and the magnum without an issue.

I still say each one was worth the $180 or so I paid. They're well made guns, and will go anywhere (where it's legal to carry) without ever being noticed.

Personally, I would pass on it. i have one. It needs a new cylinder and i just can't see wasting $80 bucks to get it fixed.

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Eh? Call NAA and have them fix it. You could pound the gun into a metal pancake with a hammer and they'd replace it.

The website says you have to pay $25 return shipping (or $9 if your FFL is willing to have the gun shipped there for you to pick up) if the gun is more than 2 years old, but I've never heard of anyone paying that. I sent in a gun once that I'm pretty sure was a lot older than that, and they didn't charge me a thing.

You could pound the gun into a metal pancake with a hammer and they'd replace it.

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Not quite. Any screwing with it on the user's part (you took it apart and messed with it, for example) and they'll charge a few dollars, but other than that, NAA customer service is outstanding.

Not quite. Any screwing with it on the user's part (you took it apart and messed with it, for example) and they'll charge a few dollars, but other than that, NAA customer service is outstanding.

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Not sure if their general policies have changed, but they didn't in my case. They repaired some cosmetic damage that was my fault for dropping the cylinder on concrete (oops), and they didn't say a word about how messed up and warped the sideplate screw head was. I didn't actually take the sideplate off (that screw was in there tight, and yes I realize they're LH threaded, and used a screwdriver that fit the slot perfectly), but they could've said I did. It sure looked like it, anyway. They also fixed the cosmetic damage to the sideplate, from the screwdriver slipping a few times. Actually, none of the cosmetic repairs were on the $0 bill I received, only fixing the stuff that was actually broken, and tightening the cylinder gap, which I requested.

Even though 2 for 2 of the NAAs I've owned have needed to go back to the factory, I probably wouldn't hesitate to buy another one, because they'll make it right. And given their reputation, I'm willing to believe I'm just unlucky.

Wow. They're better than I thought!

What is the point of the heavier barrel on the "PUG" model?

Looks and night sights.

Mine is the 1 5/8" magnum, with the original birdshead grips it was a little difficult to shoot accurately, with the boot grips I have no trouble shooting sub 5" groups at 7 yds, off hand.

However, I just watched a movie where the main characters were saved from being killed

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Bit O' advice for carry with a NAA 22.

I carried one in my front pocket several years, well over a decade, still do on occasion or during hunting season. In the same pocket I keep loose change in. No holster or any protection for the gun, just dropped in with my change every morning. Twice in the beginning of that time I found the hammer on a live round. I was always careful to keep the hammer in the little notch between cylinders that is provided as a safety.
I found this hard on the nervous system so began to carry the gun hammer down on an empty chamber. After another several years of carry that way never have I found the hammer resting on a live round again.
I have had guys argue this isn't so, but this was my personal experience so take it or leave it and carry your NAA how you please, after all it is YOUR body parts that that live round is close to, but mine will remain on an empty chamber like a OM Ruger or a SAA.

My advice is this: don't carry anything else in your gun pocket.

I keep mine in a pocket holster,you have pull back on the hammer one click to align the cylinder with a live round, but there is a space between the firing pin and the shell and pulling the trigger in this configuration does nothing. I suppose if you dropped it often enough on a hard surface you might get it to fire...

I have had a NAA mini combo .22 MAG / .22 LR with the 1 5/8" barrel for twelve years now. I used to carry it with the .22 magnums as a BUG until my Kel Tec P32 was assigned BUG duty. I have killed several poisonous snakes on my property over the years with the long rifle cylinder and .22 shot loads. IMO they are good little niche guns.

Back around 1992 I stop carrying a off duty gun for a short while one sunday I was shooting pool in a small bar when A guy came in that look like i should know who he is i talked to the bar tender who i was trying to make some time with and she mention that he was her cousin and they knew who i was since he just gotten out of prison for selling me some meth several years earlier it turn out good we talk a little and i left. I began rethinking my decission not to carry a gun when i was off and began looking for something that would work all the time. Found a NAA 22lr asked the sheriff if i could order on letter head as it was discounted for cops and he order one too. Carried it a long time in my pocket then after a few years moved up in size now days it's a s&w 642 that's with me all the time. The NAA fine duty still while I'm in the yard working. It's my feeling that what people need is a sd system not just a gun very hard to fine one weapon that will do it all. In this case the NAA fit very well as part of a system it great for those times when nothing eles will do oh yea they a real hoot to shoot.

Be safe

The major difficulty with this most likely to have a ND gun is not reading the instructions carefully, and not having the hammer flush with the frame when you confirm that you're on one of the safety notches-make sure hammer is flush and you need to press fully on trigger to get it to lower that way. Manufacturer cites 99.99% of problems is not fully depressing trigger.

If you by chance have not lowered the hammer totally on a safety notch the cylinder will rotate freely, so always check. When that cylinder rotates freely it's because you messed up, and then the loaded chamber may be in line with the firing pin, which may have happened to a prior poster.

Also, make sure the time is 5 minutes to 1 or position of upper visible chambers is at 11:00 and 1:00 - NOT at 9 and 3 o'clock position-bad. 9 & 3 is hammer lowered on loaded chamber.

I just got the Mini-Mag in 1 and 1/8" and shot about 100 WMR today without incident. Real fun gun, may save my/your life one day. It will take a while to become proficient with it re accuracy.

Despite the fact that one must exercise a considerable amount of caution with this firearm, I see no reason not to have it fully loaded. More than other guns, I believe it imperative that you fully read and understand the owner's manual.

Brentfoto,

I just got the Mini-Mag

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After you carry it loose in your pocket several years come back and retell me this.

I wasn't gonna go here but,,,

When things are carried loose in a front pocket in jeans that might be a tad snug, then you sit and or move etc. As we all do, your pants can and do become tight where those pockets are thereby pushing against stuff. Loose pants are popular nowadays but afew years back tighter pants were in.
Try carrying a Bic lighter in your front pocket a few days and see if it has any fuel. Sooner or later the tab that allows the fuel to flow will get pushed against and it will be empty whether you use it or not. Same idea with a NAA,sooner or later your jeans will or can place pressure on the hammer pulling it back just enough to allow the cylinder to rotate slightly, allowing the hammer to come to rest on a live round.

Like my post above you carry your NAA however you please it is your body parts next to the muzzle, Chances of anything happening are very very slight, first the cylinder needs to move, then something is going to have to strike the hammer HARD to cause it to fire, but mine will remain on an empty. That or leave it in the holster which causes the overall package to increase in size to the point I didn't care for it, Which is why it was carried bare in the first place.

I will add that the finish on NAA guns is top notch. That little gun has spent thousands of hours in my front pocket, loose with coins and no way can you tell on the metal or grips, it looks almost new.

I always use a pocket holster for carry. I don't place anything else in the pocket. To do so is inviting trouble.

However, with the Mini-Mag Revolver, I'm going to attach their grip holster and carry it alone that way.

Did this problem happen on more than two occasions for you?

regards,

I carry mine in my change pocket in jeans or shorts and nothing else. No need for a holster if the hammer is in the safety notch and you aren't carrying anything else in the pocket.

When circumstances dictate that I leave my Colt DS at home, I slip this into my pocket:



I added one side of two small velcro strips to the grip so it won't slide out of my pocket when seated.

Hey, at point blank range it's more effective than a set of car keys in my fist.

Did this problem happen on more than two occasions for you?

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No only the two times mentioned earlier.

In the beginning I always tried to be careful that the hammer was down on a notch but found it on a round after some time. After that I was EXTREMELY careful to ALWAYS make sure the hammer rested in a notch and the cylinder secure. To the point it sort of became a habit to pull the gun out and check often. Again after some time I found it on a live round, when I knew absolutely it had been in OK when placed in my pocket.
That is when I began to carry on an empty. It ha been carried on an empty cylinder for years and still is now and again when in use and it has never moved again. It rests that way as I write this.

I spent a lot of time sitting on a piece of equipment and riding motorcycles back then so jeans being tight from sitting and being jostled around was normal. In loose casual dress pants I would think the odds would drop considerably. Although even in Dockers or the like mine stays down on an empty.