NAA Guardian 32 ACP opinions?
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pockets
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Try shooting both a Guardian .32 and a Kel-Tec P32 (or clone) before you buy.
In their day the NAA Guardian and Seecamp were some of the best tiny pistols available. I bought an NAA few years ago just to have one. I bought one of their mini-revolvers for the same reason. Like all NAA offerings, the .32 Guardian is cool looking, but shooting is another matter. It is DAO, a true double-action-only with a trigger/bar/hammer design that tends to put two blisters on your finger quickly. The grip has a hump on the back (to accommodate the long hammer) which makes it difficult to get a decent and natural hold. The really heavy trigger pushing back a long bar hammer is just slow and awkward. The magazine only holds 6 rounds. It is all steel, but that just makes it heavy. It is a small straight blowback gun, not pleasant to shoot.
Then there is the annoying goofy design feature of no ejector, leaving your slide held open by the last round, when it pops out of the chamber and lays on the top of the magazine (goofy more than anything else).
IMO; the Kel-Tec P32 design and its clones have made guns like the NAA Guardian and Seecamp obsolete (unless you just must have an all-steel gun). The newer polymer/steel guns may not be as pretty, but they are thinner, lighter, have a locking barrel, better trigger, an ejector, 7-round magazine (with 11 round mags available)....Overall, the Kel-Tec and such are simply more modern designs.
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In their day the NAA Guardian and Seecamp were some of the best tiny pistols available. I bought an NAA few years ago just to have one. I bought one of their mini-revolvers for the same reason. Like all NAA offerings, the .32 Guardian is cool looking, but shooting is another matter. It is DAO, a true double-action-only with a trigger/bar/hammer design that tends to put two blisters on your finger quickly. The grip has a hump on the back (to accommodate the long hammer) which makes it difficult to get a decent and natural hold. The really heavy trigger pushing back a long bar hammer is just slow and awkward. The magazine only holds 6 rounds. It is all steel, but that just makes it heavy. It is a small straight blowback gun, not pleasant to shoot.
Then there is the annoying goofy design feature of no ejector, leaving your slide held open by the last round, when it pops out of the chamber and lays on the top of the magazine (goofy more than anything else).
IMO; the Kel-Tec P32 design and its clones have made guns like the NAA Guardian and Seecamp obsolete (unless you just must have an all-steel gun). The newer polymer/steel guns may not be as pretty, but they are thinner, lighter, have a locking barrel, better trigger, an ejector, 7-round magazine (with 11 round mags available)....Overall, the Kel-Tec and such are simply more modern designs.
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rodinal220
Member
Well made and reliable. Heavy DAO pull and small size make it hard to shoot well. I like mine and my Autauga Arms .32 better than the Ruger LCP sized gun,cant shoot that one well.These are true "hide out" or "Onion Field" guns. IMHO these are very close contact pistols. I would never carry one as a primary weapon(CCW) unless thats all I really had and couldn't get or afford anything else.
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tinygnat219
Member
I have both the NAA Guardian in .32 ACP and the Kel-Tec P32.
The Guardian, while all steel and DAO is a blowback gun and thus has more recoil, whereas the P32 has the typical Browning action seen on 90% of other guns and let me tell you, that little P32 has about half the recoil of the NAA and it's the lightest semi auto out there at 6 point something ounces.
That being said, the NAA is well made and shoots just fine. It's not like .32 ACP has suddenly gotten more powerful, but the P32 turns it into a simple dream cartridge shoot / carry combo.
The Guardian, while all steel and DAO is a blowback gun and thus has more recoil, whereas the P32 has the typical Browning action seen on 90% of other guns and let me tell you, that little P32 has about half the recoil of the NAA and it's the lightest semi auto out there at 6 point something ounces.
That being said, the NAA is well made and shoots just fine. It's not like .32 ACP has suddenly gotten more powerful, but the P32 turns it into a simple dream cartridge shoot / carry combo.
Ohen Cepel
Member
I fired one mag out of one years ago. Gave me the worst "trigger sting" I have ever felt, finger was numb for a long while and then just hurt like hades for the rest of that day. Not a good time for 6 rounds.
I like NAA stuff, but there are better options out there in the market now.
I like NAA stuff, but there are better options out there in the market now.
critter
Member
I have one. It has a long trigger pull but is quite accurate for a 'mousegun'. Mine has always been 100% reliable. Takes some getting used to.
As to 'warranty work'. When I got mine, (used) it would drop the magazine after 2-3 rounds. I sent it back to them and they fixed it FREE. Not only that, they send a list telling what all they did to it. Said it was an 'older' one and they 'upgraded' it with over $200 worth of new parts! Also sent an extra magazine for my trouble. I was happy as it has been absolutely perfect ever since.
As to 'warranty work'. When I got mine, (used) it would drop the magazine after 2-3 rounds. I sent it back to them and they fixed it FREE. Not only that, they send a list telling what all they did to it. Said it was an 'older' one and they 'upgraded' it with over $200 worth of new parts! Also sent an extra magazine for my trouble. I was happy as it has been absolutely perfect ever since.
.455_Hunter
Member
The .32 ACP Guardian Is An Outstanding Carry Gun!
Hi KYamateur,
Here is the contrary opinion to give a balanced view on the Guardian.
I have carried a .32 ACP Guardian as one of my three primary EDC weapons for over five years. I use a basic pocket holster in my front pocket, and keep a spare mag in a small knife pouch in my rear pocket.
Quality- I feel there is no comparison between NAA and Kel-Tec in terms of build quality. Most Kel-Tec’s that I have owned or handled look like poster children for chincy modern manufacturing techniques and materials. Spend some time over at the Kel-Tec user’s board for more information.
Ammo- I use Fiocchi’s 73 gr FMJ loading (Italy mfg ONLY), as it is the hottest example I can regularly find at a reasonable price (~$15) for both carry and practice. In my Guardian, it provides about 100 – 125 ft lb energy per shot. The only time my Guardian has malfunctioned (after a 50 rd break-in) was with some hard primers from S&B.
Weight- Yes, the Guardian does weigh more than a P-32, but I have not found the weight to be objectionable, and it does provide some steadiness while shooting. The weight also reduces the risk of rim lock, something that must be considered (long nose FMJ only) or rectified by the user (magazine modification) in the P32 series.
Trigger- I like the Guardian trigger because there is no way that it will get pulled by accident, especially if a chapstick, pen or other foreign object ends up in your pocket. With minimal practice, you can easily stage the trigger for more precision shooting, and I regularly practice out to 25 yards for “minute-of-felon” accuracy. I do not feel comfortable carrying a gun with no safety that has a light trigger with minimal travel.
Recoil- This will run me afoul of the other posters, but I have found that blowback steel guns are MORE pleasant to shoot than their lightweight lock-breech competitors. My PPK is much nicer to shoot than my friend’s LCP. I can run 50 rds though my Guardian at the range with no issues.
Grip Frame- I have medium to large hands, and have found there is plenty to hold onto with the Guardian’s frame. All of my magazines have the flat base plate, as the finger rest model fits just wrong for my hand and grip type.
I trust the .32 ACP Guardian to defend my life (or my families lives) multiple time per week, which is about the most confidence you can express in a carry gun. I have pulled it only once, when accosted by an aggressive Pit Bull on my parent’s property, but no shots were required.
Buy the Guardian!
Take Care,
Hunter
Hi KYamateur,
Here is the contrary opinion to give a balanced view on the Guardian.
I have carried a .32 ACP Guardian as one of my three primary EDC weapons for over five years. I use a basic pocket holster in my front pocket, and keep a spare mag in a small knife pouch in my rear pocket.
Quality- I feel there is no comparison between NAA and Kel-Tec in terms of build quality. Most Kel-Tec’s that I have owned or handled look like poster children for chincy modern manufacturing techniques and materials. Spend some time over at the Kel-Tec user’s board for more information.
Ammo- I use Fiocchi’s 73 gr FMJ loading (Italy mfg ONLY), as it is the hottest example I can regularly find at a reasonable price (~$15) for both carry and practice. In my Guardian, it provides about 100 – 125 ft lb energy per shot. The only time my Guardian has malfunctioned (after a 50 rd break-in) was with some hard primers from S&B.
Weight- Yes, the Guardian does weigh more than a P-32, but I have not found the weight to be objectionable, and it does provide some steadiness while shooting. The weight also reduces the risk of rim lock, something that must be considered (long nose FMJ only) or rectified by the user (magazine modification) in the P32 series.
Trigger- I like the Guardian trigger because there is no way that it will get pulled by accident, especially if a chapstick, pen or other foreign object ends up in your pocket. With minimal practice, you can easily stage the trigger for more precision shooting, and I regularly practice out to 25 yards for “minute-of-felon” accuracy. I do not feel comfortable carrying a gun with no safety that has a light trigger with minimal travel.
Recoil- This will run me afoul of the other posters, but I have found that blowback steel guns are MORE pleasant to shoot than their lightweight lock-breech competitors. My PPK is much nicer to shoot than my friend’s LCP. I can run 50 rds though my Guardian at the range with no issues.
Grip Frame- I have medium to large hands, and have found there is plenty to hold onto with the Guardian’s frame. All of my magazines have the flat base plate, as the finger rest model fits just wrong for my hand and grip type.
I trust the .32 ACP Guardian to defend my life (or my families lives) multiple time per week, which is about the most confidence you can express in a carry gun. I have pulled it only once, when accosted by an aggressive Pit Bull on my parent’s property, but no shots were required.
Buy the Guardian!
Take Care,
Hunter
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bergmen
Member.
Wife and I each got one for compact concealed carry (especially in the summer with light clothing). Wife's has been sold, mine is decommissioned in the back of the safe. Why?
1) Brutal recoil, punishing to shoot in extended practice sessions.
2) Worthless sights. One can say that sights don't matter in close quarters combat, and this may be true. But we have to qualify for accuracy at 7 yards and it ain't easy with what NAA considers "sights".
3) Dumps magazines on a regular basis.
4) Not reliable enough for me for a serious carry gun. Several FTFs, FTE, stove pipes, etc. All types of ammo.
5) No slide lock. You cannot hand this weapon to another person in an obviously disabled state. You have to manually insert an empty cartridge case sideways to render it "out of battery". Manual says not to dry fire it so you have to load a snap cap in first or count your rounds when firing. Ridiculous.
We found ourselves dreading going to practice with this thing. If you don't want to practice, it isn't worth having as a carry gun IMO.
Dan
1) Brutal recoil, punishing to shoot in extended practice sessions.
2) Worthless sights. One can say that sights don't matter in close quarters combat, and this may be true. But we have to qualify for accuracy at 7 yards and it ain't easy with what NAA considers "sights".
3) Dumps magazines on a regular basis.
4) Not reliable enough for me for a serious carry gun. Several FTFs, FTE, stove pipes, etc. All types of ammo.
5) No slide lock. You cannot hand this weapon to another person in an obviously disabled state. You have to manually insert an empty cartridge case sideways to render it "out of battery". Manual says not to dry fire it so you have to load a snap cap in first or count your rounds when firing. Ridiculous.
We found ourselves dreading going to practice with this thing. If you don't want to practice, it isn't worth having as a carry gun IMO.
Dan
351 WINCHESTER
Member
If you load your magazine with hollow points you will get rim lock (it may happen tomorrow or a year from now, but it will happen). To avoid this load 1 hp in the chamber and 1 more on top of your magazine and load the rest with fmj.
Won't happen with a P32 if you use the optional KelTec magazine spacer.
I have the NAA in 380 and the Seecamp in 32. They are both fine guns. Very heavy compared to today's plastic guns
Even though I carry a Ruger LCP at times I will never sell the all stainless guns.
The NAA works every time. It is easy to do a trigger job of polishing the correct places and you can reduce the true DA only pull by a lot. It still is a heavy trigger though.
I would think the NAA in 32 ACP would be much nicer to shoot than the 380.
The Seecamp is brutal in 32 and worse in 380!. Their mags have a shim to eliminate rim lock
When you are out of ammo they make a great throwing weapon!
They have a great warranty and the folks are very nice to deal with.
Here you can compare them all:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B22...kLWE0MGMtZmEwNGFlMWE3ZDlm/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1
Even though I carry a Ruger LCP at times I will never sell the all stainless guns.
The NAA works every time. It is easy to do a trigger job of polishing the correct places and you can reduce the true DA only pull by a lot. It still is a heavy trigger though.
I would think the NAA in 32 ACP would be much nicer to shoot than the 380.
The Seecamp is brutal in 32 and worse in 380!. Their mags have a shim to eliminate rim lock
When you are out of ammo they make a great throwing weapon!
They have a great warranty and the folks are very nice to deal with.
Here you can compare them all:
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B22...kLWE0MGMtZmEwNGFlMWE3ZDlm/edit?hl=en_US&pli=1
browningguy
Member
While that may be, if you like heavy all steel pocket guns, I much prefer shooting my KT32 instead of my NAA .32. In my hands the NAA recoil is just horrible, much worse than the KT, and bordering on painful.
My NAA .32 is reduced to being a backup to the backup when nothing else is available in the back of the safe. My KT .32 gets carried often in my pants pocket in a pocket holster. For me the KT has a better trigger, shoots easier and is more accurate.
Guardian works-but kicks hard
KY,
I have the NAA Guardian, a KEL TEC 32, BERETTA Tomcat and WALTHER PPK. The NAA Guardian is the hardest to shoot and I cannot imagine going through a full 50 round box ever again. When I shoot it, I use a 25 round qualification drill and that is it for the GUARDIAN. The trigger is heavy, but manageable and the sights are more for appearance than real accuracy, still it does work.
I am not exagetating on the recoil. It is at my threshhold. I had a similar experience with a very small 9m.m. pistols, which proved to be more than I wanted to shoot. Now the smallest 9m.m. I will shoot is the SPRINGFIELD XD Sub Compact.
If the gun exceeds your threshhold, then you will not be able to practice enough with it. I would try it first and decide after you put a box of ammo through it.
The GUARDIAN has proven reliable with ball and COR BON Powerball ammo. I would go with POWERBALL ammo in most micro guns. It will expand and the recoil is usually lighter than the ball ammo.
It is my load of choice in the GUARDIAN, BERETTA Tomcat and WALTHER PPK.
I also have a KEL TEC and it has not proven reliable. Therefore, when I carry really small, it is the GUARDIAN which has been 100% reliable.
The really small sights and dimensions of this gun make it a challenge to shoot accurately, but it will, if you can handle it.
For me, I carry it with the flat bottom magazines as they are more comfortable to me than the magazines with the fingertip extension.
As a rule, I will carry the BERETTA, which is larger, but similar in weight and much, much easier to shoot accurately.
I will keep my GUARDIAN. It really is a small as you can get a .32ACP. Some of the others are lighter, but I put reliabiliy first and foremost.
Jim
KY,
I have the NAA Guardian, a KEL TEC 32, BERETTA Tomcat and WALTHER PPK. The NAA Guardian is the hardest to shoot and I cannot imagine going through a full 50 round box ever again. When I shoot it, I use a 25 round qualification drill and that is it for the GUARDIAN. The trigger is heavy, but manageable and the sights are more for appearance than real accuracy, still it does work.
I am not exagetating on the recoil. It is at my threshhold. I had a similar experience with a very small 9m.m. pistols, which proved to be more than I wanted to shoot. Now the smallest 9m.m. I will shoot is the SPRINGFIELD XD Sub Compact.
If the gun exceeds your threshhold, then you will not be able to practice enough with it. I would try it first and decide after you put a box of ammo through it.
The GUARDIAN has proven reliable with ball and COR BON Powerball ammo. I would go with POWERBALL ammo in most micro guns. It will expand and the recoil is usually lighter than the ball ammo.
It is my load of choice in the GUARDIAN, BERETTA Tomcat and WALTHER PPK.
I also have a KEL TEC and it has not proven reliable. Therefore, when I carry really small, it is the GUARDIAN which has been 100% reliable.
The really small sights and dimensions of this gun make it a challenge to shoot accurately, but it will, if you can handle it.
For me, I carry it with the flat bottom magazines as they are more comfortable to me than the magazines with the fingertip extension.
As a rule, I will carry the BERETTA, which is larger, but similar in weight and much, much easier to shoot accurately.
I will keep my GUARDIAN. It really is a small as you can get a .32ACP. Some of the others are lighter, but I put reliabiliy first and foremost.
Jim
Shawn Dodson
Member
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Rule3 writes:
The Seecamp .32 is a pussycat to shoot. Its magazine DOES NOT have a shim.
The Seecamp .32 is a pussycat to shoot. Its magazine DOES NOT have a shim.
351 WINCHESTER
Member
kokapeli, I installed a spacer from k/t in my p32 and guess what? Yep, with corbon I got a rimlock.
OH, but it does, the shim is part of the design to eliminate rim lock it is purposely built that way. That is why the gun originally could only use Winchester Silver tips and was built around it, As to a Pussycat, well that's an opinion. It tends to bite the trigger finger. (long time member of the SC forum)
Please see here:
http://seecamp.com/magazine.htm
Sorry to hear that. I had one rimlock and immedietly switched to fmj when I had a P32 and never had a problem after that.
MICHAEL T
Member
I chose the KelTec over the NAA just recoil alone will mak up your mind Let alone the horrible trigger and weight . All the women in my house ow have the KelTec in 32 I have the 380 KT now and still better in recoil than the NAA 32 was. '
Not worth the money May be when them and Seecamp they copied was only game in town but not now.
Not worth the money May be when them and Seecamp they copied was only game in town but not now.
Cocked & Locked
Member
I like it OK...solid, well made, not many parts, flat, and heavy for size. Other folks describe it as a last chance defensive gun and I agree.
No malfunctions and goes bang every time. It does have a stout trigger which is bad on the finger but makes it safe in the pocket I suppose.
Wife's Kel Tec is much more fun to shoot...and lighter in the pocket
No malfunctions and goes bang every time. It does have a stout trigger which is bad on the finger but makes it safe in the pocket I suppose.
Wife's Kel Tec is much more fun to shoot...and lighter in the pocket
Dan-O
Member
Heavy....and thick. Just like the girl I dated in high school. But they still get the job done.
MedWheeler
Member
.455 Hunter writes:
Never really a fair assessment standard. Replace the Kel-Tec name with that of any other gun maker, and you'd come away swearing no one knows how to build a decent gun.
That being said, there are stark differences between the P32 and the Guardian. It's almost not even fair to compare them. I like all-steel guns, but the Guardian was just too heavy for my intended use when I was .32-shopping. I bet I would have enjoyed shooting it as much as I do my P32, though. I didn't buy the latter for aesthetics; it was purchased for function, and for the ability to actually be present for said function.
Never really a fair assessment standard. Replace the Kel-Tec name with that of any other gun maker, and you'd come away swearing no one knows how to build a decent gun.
That being said, there are stark differences between the P32 and the Guardian. It's almost not even fair to compare them. I like all-steel guns, but the Guardian was just too heavy for my intended use when I was .32-shopping. I bet I would have enjoyed shooting it as much as I do my P32, though. I didn't buy the latter for aesthetics; it was purchased for function, and for the ability to actually be present for said function.
.455_Hunter
Member
Like I said, I have owned Kel-Tec products. I no longer do for various reasons, including a lack of quality in my eyes.
I am sure there are many happy Kel-Tec owners, but I feel that their designs are not fully thought through from an engineering durability and manufacturing standpoint. To be fair, the NAA Guardian is not perfect in my opinion either- just closer to the target.
khegglie
Member
- Joined
- Jan 25, 2008
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"IMO; the Kel-Tec P32 design and its clones have made guns like the NAA Guardian and Seecamp obsolete (unless you just must have an all-steel gun). The newer polymer/steel guns may not be as pretty, but they are thinner, lighter, have a locking barrel, better trigger, an ejector, 7-round magazine (with 11 round mags available)....Overall, the Kel-Tec and such are simply more modern designs".
Gotta agree with this and the similar replies here.
I wanted the .32 but got the .380 version first... It has (seriously)almost .357 out of a lightweight gun sting to it. Even with the beautiful oversized NAA grips it is a 7 round torture machine(reliable though).
The .32 is not as bad, is good and reliable with FMJ rounds; but for practical carry the Rugers and Kel Tecs et al just surpass them for CC use IMO. I would never sell them though. They were a big step foreward in the pre polymer days.
Gotta agree with this and the similar replies here.
I wanted the .32 but got the .380 version first... It has (seriously)almost .357 out of a lightweight gun sting to it. Even with the beautiful oversized NAA grips it is a 7 round torture machine(reliable though).
The .32 is not as bad, is good and reliable with FMJ rounds; but for practical carry the Rugers and Kel Tecs et al just surpass them for CC use IMO. I would never sell them though. They were a big step foreward in the pre polymer days.
Shawn Dodson
Member
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- Dec 28, 2002
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Rule3 writes:
Well I just learned something new today! I broke down a magazine that's been needing maintenance and sure enough there was the spacer (shim). (What a PITA it is to insert the shim "behind" the follower during reassembly - I found that loading one cartridge into the magazine during this effort made it much, much easier.) Thanks for pointing this out and for providing the link. I'm smarter now because of you!!!
When shooting I do notice a slight increase in recoil between 60-65gr JHP and 71gr FMJ but it's not "brutal" in any sense. (I can imagine a .380 ACP Seecamp being "brutal", which is why I did not choose that caliber.) Neither do I experience "trigger bite". I have no problem firing multiple, rapid fire, accurate shots - I don't have to re-adjust my grip - maybe I'm simply blessed with having hands that are just the right size to shoot the Seecamp .32 without issues.
Well I just learned something new today! I broke down a magazine that's been needing maintenance and sure enough there was the spacer (shim). (What a PITA it is to insert the shim "behind" the follower during reassembly - I found that loading one cartridge into the magazine during this effort made it much, much easier.) Thanks for pointing this out and for providing the link. I'm smarter now because of you!!!
When shooting I do notice a slight increase in recoil between 60-65gr JHP and 71gr FMJ but it's not "brutal" in any sense. (I can imagine a .380 ACP Seecamp being "brutal", which is why I did not choose that caliber.) Neither do I experience "trigger bite". I have no problem firing multiple, rapid fire, accurate shots - I don't have to re-adjust my grip - maybe I'm simply blessed with having hands that are just the right size to shoot the Seecamp .32 without issues.
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