Best mini-revolver for concealed carry

[couldbeanyone]

What mini-revolver do you like best for concealed carry. The magnums with their larger grip frames and more power, the Black Widows with their larger grips, 22lr with its smaller size, or some other mini-revolver. Which barrel length do you prefer?

 

[GEM]

The 1 5/8 barrel - http://www.northamericanarms.com/firearms/magnums/mag/mc.html

with the rubber slip on grips

http://www.northamericanarms.com/accessories/m-accessories/m-grips.html

Easy to put in your pocket and the grip is confortable.

I don't see the need for the bigger models - it's a BUG and close up gun.

If I want something bigger, time to go up to a J frame or smaller semi.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

If I'm gonna' go that small (not too sure I am) it will CERTAINLY be a .22 Mag. You might wait until the NAA Ranger becomes available again (1st run sold-out quickly). It's a top-break (think-mini S&W Schofield) so at least you have a long-odds chance to reload.

 

[97guns]

i prefer the cheepie 22 mag with the short barrel.

 

[JFrame]

If I'm gonna' go that small (not too sure I am) it will CERTAINLY be a .22 Mag. You might wait until the NAA Ranger becomes available again (1st run sold-out quickly). It's a top-break (think-mini S&W Schofield) so at least you have a long-odds chance to reload.

Has NAA resumed production status on the Ranger? I thought Sandy Chisholm over at NAA put out a "soap box" some months ago stating that they just could not build the Ranger at a price point that was practical, and sadly cancelled production after their initial run of 800 or so (and according to Sandy, even those were actually sold at below cost as a prototype run)...

If they changed their minds, that would be great news...


.

 

[JFrame]

To answer the OP question (sort of) -- the nice thing about NAA minis is that they have a form factor to suit nearly every preference for a mini-revolver.

I sort of "split the difference" by getting a Black Widow (2" barrel), and then putting a Pug grip on it to shrink the profile. You can also just get the Pug, with its 1" barrel. Or, as others have mentioned, the standard fixed-sight mini in either 1 5/8" or 1 1/8" barrel, if sighting isn't quite as much of a priority to you.

Really, once you get down to the 2"-or-less barrel lengths, I think it's the grip option that changes the profile of the gun more than anything...


.

 

[Ghost Tracker]

If they changed their minds, that would be great news...

Sounds as though it's MY bubble that's been popped! You're keeping tabs on NAA much closer than I am. I have a SB (Shooting Bud) who got one of the 800. If there's ever been a NAA revolver that I WOULD consider owning, the Ranger is it. Neat little piece.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

If it is your main CC gun I would definitely get one of the .22 Magnums. The Pug is a nice size and works well with the smaller rubber grip.

 

[JFrame]

Sounds as though it's MY bubble that's been popped! You're keeping tabs on NAA much closer than I am. I have a SB (Shooting Bud) who got one of the 800. If there's ever been a NAA revolver that I WOULD consider owning, the Ranger is it. Neat little piece.

Yep -- I think that was the saddest announcement to come out of a gun manufacturer this year...


.

 

[krupparms]

I like these rov.s very much as you can make it to your likening. I called NAA & was told the same. No more Rangers, they said no more as they lost money on production run. They said they would have to charge at least $700 to $800 to break even! If you want one,call &let them know. They said they would consider it, if they got enough calls saying people would buy it at that price! I have a. 22mag.w/the grips from the Earl. I have a 3"blr.Earl that I got last year! The longer blr. Is more accurate. I like it, for fishing & rafting. And if you are willing to pay For it call, NAA & let em know! This is a company here in the USA, & buying from them is the way to keep jobs here! Where they belong! In the time being, Any one with a Ranger to sell??

 

[evan price]

Yup, Sandy said no more Rangers. I saw a couple on GB for $1000 recently.

I carry the longer barrel mini-magnum. In 22 Mag, it's the only way to go for a reliable BUG or get-off-me gun.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

I think the best all-around minis are the Black Widow (2") and the Sheriff (2.5"). The longer barrel and better sights make it so you can actually plink or target shoot. Yet they are not too big for concealed carry.

The very small minis have their own tactical advantages, though. They can be concealed almost anywhere, including the palm of your hand.

 

[Stophel]

You could probably tuck those itty bitty .22 short ones behind each ear!

I'm kinda considering a .22 Mag one, myself...

 

[David E]

Were I to buy new, I'd go for the Pug for a BUGTTBUG, altho I'd use the 1 5/8" .22 magnum that I already own.

 

[Loosedhorse]

I always thought a J-frame was a mini-revolver.

But anyway:

 

[GEM]

I would like to kick myself for passing on a Ranger for $400. That was when I thought they would go into full scale production.

I do have a 22S which I bought because it was SO CUTE!

Pragmatically, I can shoot the 22 mag I described decently. The 22S - well, I bought it because it was so cute.

 

[geneo]

Took this NAA Black Widow.22/.22mag 2" out for a test this week. At 15&20 yards I shot inside of 6" circle. this will stay in my pocket or shirt. I'm pleased with it

 

[Pyro]

I've actually been looking at one of these for an EDC gun. My usual EDC gun (a 38 Special derringer) I do feel protected with but it's very difficult to shoot accurately.

Geneo: I've been looking at getting one of those Black Widows for the extra barrel length, grip size, and sight picture.

 

[cleardiddion]

/sigh
This thread just reminded me that I really shoulda picked up a Ranger when I had the chance.

 

[MCgunner]

I prefer the folding holster/grip.

 

[YJake]

I carry the .22 Magnum with a 1 5/8" barrel almost every day. It's the only gun I've been able to make vanish in everything from khaki shorts to blue jean pockets.

In the winter, I have even carried it in my shirt pocket

-Jake

 

[harmon rabb]

yeah i don't get this. carrying a SAO revolver? ummmm... if a j-frame is too large, learn to deal with a semi-auto, and buy something like a LCP.

 

[Hoppes Love Potion]

As with any carry weapon, you should be proficient in its use and familiar with its eccentricities. No different with the minis. SA shooting quickly becomes second nature with enough practice.

 

[MCgunner]

yeah i don't get this. carrying a SAO revolver? ummmm... if a j-frame is too large, learn to deal with a semi-auto, and buy something like a LCP.

What Hoppes said. But, that's why they make variety of choices for those that can't understand single action revolvers or DAO or what not. I hear a lot of griping by the auto pistol crowd about any DAO trigger, including revolvers, actually. It's like NO ONE on the planet can possibly shoot a DAO and hit anything. Well, just like Hoppes says, PRACTICE and you will improve. Hell, I've carried a cap and ball '51 Colt navy before. Was good enough for Wild Bill, and I ain't exactly Wild Bill.

I normally carry a 9mm Kel Tec, but I do have a need, like to day in church, for deep concealment and no pistol quite conceals as well as a mini revolver. I consider the .22 mag the equal of the .32ACP and I haven't even tried the new CCI Speer or Hornady offerings. I can't find 'em to try, actually. I will get around to that, but my Black Widow is quite accurate and reliable with CCI mini mag.

In addition, I my .22LR model, as you can probably tell by the pocket wear, has been my always gun for a long, long time, now rides in my weak side pocket as back up.

 

[couldbeanyone]

yeah I don't get this. carrying a SAO revolver? umm... if a j-frame is too large, learn to deal with a semi-auto, and buy something like a LCP

I work for a large corporation as a field technician. They have a strict policy of no weapons allowed concealed or otherwise, not even a pocketknife. They also don't hesitate to send you into the worst neighborhoods completely defenseless. I wear denim jeans and a tool belt. Trying to pocket a j-frame is a joke. Even a Ruger LCP is pretty big when its 105 degrees plus and your wearing jeans and a t-shirt and you absolutely can't afford to get "made" carrying.