NAA Guardian 32 ACP opinions?

.455_Hunter said:

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.

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IMO KelTec products do not lack quality as much as they do finish.

I have had pretty good luck with their P32, P3AT and SU16C, but did have a problem with the PF9 I owned.

On the other hand the NAA Guardian I owned looked great but was unreliable, too heavy compared to the P32 or P3AT, much more punishing to shoot than either of the KelTecs and did not have nearly as good a trigger as the KelTecs.

There now are a number of other pistols in this size category that are IMO much better than either the NAA or the Keltecs.

.455 Hunter writes:

Like I said, I have owned Kel-Tec products. I no longer do for various reasons, including a lack of quality in my eyes.

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That may be a fairer assessment standard from you. What I was saying was your reference to the old cliche about the Kel-Tec forums being "proof" that the KT guns are rife with problems was not really a fair standard.

This was the comment in post eight:

Spend some time over at the Kel-Tec user’s board for more information.

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I even quoted it when I responded with (in post 22):

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.

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I wasn't questioning your experiences, nor your opinion based on them. But, I do believe it's unreasonable to expect others to base their opinions solely on these discussion boards, as well-satisfied owners (of any make) rarely come to post about their guns' quality traits.

Personal feelings on Kel-Tec products aside, my advice to the OP is to review discussion boards focused on whatever manufacturer he is considering. I concur that most happy users don't post on the internet, but this will at least give him an idea of what issues could present themselves and reflect some actual experiences. I believe this is a critical part of making an informed choice for a weapon that you are considering for self-defense.

^^ I agree. At least, it could help potential buyers decide on whether or not they could be well-served by purchasing a given maker's firearm and then using the tips the forums' users share on making them suitable (or more suitable) for their intended purpose.

In .32acp, it's really hard to beat the Beretta Tomcat 3032.

I have the 32 Guardian and it is reliable. The gun is one of the first NAA made and I had send it back once. I also have a Black Widow and carry the BW every day. The Guardian is in my truck and has some 900+ rounds thru it. There are lighter 32 made but this one is dependable.

NAAs are reliable although heavier than polymer alternatives.
The Seecamp is 2 oz lighter and the LCP is 2 oz lighter than the Seecamp.
The Seecamp and NAA are smaller however than the p32 and LCP.
I prefer the mag release on the Seecamp as apposed to the traditional spot of the NAA (right where my thumb hits on a small gun like this).
The difference of 2 oz is noticeable in a pocket but not very.
For me, since size is the same, I'd get a LCP over a p32.
Both have lifetime warranties. Ruger is better quality no matter what anybody says.
Both the NAA and Seecamp have lifetime warranties.
Sometimes though, the smaller size is what makes it work in a pocket. LCP sized pistol can be hard to get out of your pocket quickly.
I think it really comes down to preference as usual.
Just some random thoughts.

HexHead said:

In .32acp, it's really hard to beat the Beretta Tomcat 3032.

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So very true and it's a quality product. Tip up barrel a great feature. I don't know if Beretta makes a tip up barrel for a .380 or 9mm.

I've had my .32 Guardian since 2004. Great little pocket gun when concealment is a concern. Mine has been a performer as far as range time. Very reliable and accurate within its design limits. It's not a long range tack driver, but at 7-10 yards and in, it will give acceptable groups. I personally like the .32 over the .380. It is not as wide and is easier to conceal without printing in your pocket. NAA has one of the best customer service departments around and they have a lifetime warranty.

I recently picked up an NAA Black Widow in .22 Magnum/.22 LR. In fact I bought two. Got the first one home and the wife promptly claimed it. So, I went back and bought another one. Got to say as far as a pocket gun, it is one nice piece. The 2 inch heavy barrel, enhanced sights and over sized grips make this little gun a pleasure to shoot. It will print 2-3 inch groups easily at 15 yards.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVHlRwZYXvs

Guess it all depends on what you like.

The NAA kicks very hard and this makes it difficult to control
I like the kel-tec and find the .380 is very comparable in recoil to
the naa in 32

Your .32 ACP "kicks very hard" ???

PRM said:

Your .32 ACP "kicks very hard" ???

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The Beretta .32 Tomcat has a nasty bite.

The naa series of handguns are blowback operated I understand that explains the recoil which seems harder than it should be.

Those NAA Mini revolvers in .22 LR and .22 Mag are the easiest of them all to conceal.

khegglie said:

"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.

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What Kel-Tec P32 clones are there?

Cokeman said:

What Kel-Tec P32 clones are there?

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Just a couple would be the LCP and the TCP. Both are not exactly the same but are very close in design to the P3AT.

I'm not knocking the LCP and the TCP, But clearly they are derived from the basic P3AT design.

I like my NAA Guardian .32. So far, it has worked every time i pulled the trigger with whatever ammunition I had on hand.

That includes the pricey hardcast RNFP Buffalo Bore 32 ACP + P advertised at 1150fps.

The Guardian and the 638 can go places that other platforms would'nt. They might not be the best, but they're the best that I can do.

salty

Like others have said. Well made little guns but they have heavy triggers IMO.

kokapelli said:

Just a couple would be the LCP and the TCP. Both are not exactly the same but are very close in design to the P3AT.

I'm not knocking the LCP and the TCP, But clearly they are derived from the basic P3AT design.

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Those are P3AT clones but are there .32 ACP versions? I can't think of any.

Cokeman said:

Those are P3AT clones but are there .32 ACP versions? I can't think of any.

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Ok, I missunderstood and no none that I know of.

It shows that .32 ACP is really not that popular. Very few companies make them anymore.

Cokeman said:

It shows that .32 ACP is really not that popular. Very few companies make them anymore.

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Yes I agree. I had a P32 moved up to a P3AT when they came out. I really did not find the P3AT to have much more felt recoil and it normally has the advantage of much more available ammo with many more varieties.

Cokeman said:

It shows that .32 ACP is really not that popular. Very few companies make them anymore.

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It wasn't long ago that the 32 made a come back which is why NAA came out with the Guardian and Beretta came out with the Tomcat. I think Kel-Tec also came out with a .32 at the same time.

Any reason why?

Cokeman said:

Any reason why?

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Just another craze like we went through with the .380's. I guess the next one will be 9mm pocket pistols.