Good trade? Titan .25 clone for NAA mini!

[SOCO]

So I had an old Tanfoglio .25 auto (Titan AE clone) that I'd received as partial payment for a broke down motorcycle I sold about 10 years ago. It was a decent shooter, but nothing spectacular by any stretch. My original plan was to get some hot pink grips and let my daughter shoot it at the range (she's 9) but at $20 for a box of 50 rounds that thing would be expensive to feed. (Looking to get maybe a Beretta Bobcat or Taurus PT-22 for her, but that's another story).

So I'd posted an ad online saying I had a this little pistol and got a few offers within an hour. One guy said $60, another offered $40. I've seen them priced at gun shows for $150, so I wasn't going to "give it away" for $40. I guess I was hoping for as close to $100 as possible, with an expectation of at least $80.



Then comes an offer for trade - an NAA mini in 22 LR. Those sell for around $150 - $200 any day of the week, and I thought it was cool! Here she is:



After a quick check on the NAA web site, I know I need to send it in for an upgraded "safety cylinder." I also fear something isn't quite right with the timing because once you cock the hammer the cylinder spins freely ... but hey, they offer a lifetime warranty so I'm hoping they'll extend that to me too and not just the original owner. But if not, I can invest a little bit, fix it, and then have an EVERYWHERE gun. It's not like I'll shoot this at the range more than once or twice.

Coming home from the trade, I set it in the slide-out ash tray of my truck and it fit perfectly. Once she's fixed up (I'm ordering new grips as well b/c these are marred) I'll get a nice pocket holster too.

So, did I do good? Anyone else have an NAA mini?

 

[David E]

I'd say you did just fine !

Maybe the "timing problem" is dried oil keeping the cylinder bolt from coming back up, but since you should send it back anyway for the cylinder upgrade, I'm sure they'll take care of it for you.

 

[Vonderek]

I've never seen one like yours with that cylinder...it most be an older version. Get a new cylinder with the safety notches between the charging holes. I wouldn't want to carry yours like it is now with the hammer resting on a live round.

 

[SOCO]

Did some research and took it apart. Seems all it needs is a new hand spring ($3 on their web site) and it should shoot just fine! I plan to send it in for the new safety cylinder and have them give it a "once over" just to be sure ... This little booger has a bunch of tiny parts so they're probably better at replacing the parts than I am. Overall I'm pleased. Can't wait to get it running and try it out!

 

[MachIVshooter]

IIRC, the FIE "Titan" is a Tanfoglio GT-27. Good little guns, but yeah, you done good. The NAA mini's are considerably better built and have higher resale value. The GT-27's are worth about $75-$120, depending on condition. The Mini starts at about $120 used, up to ~$180 in excellent condition.

 

[kanook]

Those are not rapid fire revolvers. I understand wanting to be safe. I would keep it original and only load 4 rounds not 5. Nice trade by the way.

 

[rmfnla]

The NAA minis are like pieces of jewelry but I had one misfire on me years ago in a critical situation.

The .25 doesn't look like anything I would trust either, so IMHO it's a CCW wash but at least you got something prettier!

 

[Gunfighter123]

You did REAL GOOD !!! I have fired about 300 rds. thru mine in the 15+ years I've owned it --- never had a misfire etc.

Edit --- they are TOTALLY safe with the newer cylinder that has "safety notches " between the cylinder holes.

 

[rmfnla]

GREAT photo, Gunfighter; the glare on the blade gives it a real wicked look!

 

[SOCO]

Yea, that's great photo Gunfighter!

And RMFNLA ... my primary CCW piece will be my Glock 27 once I get my permit. This mini is basically for the "cool factor." I talked to NAA today and they're going to upgrade my cylinder, replace the hand spring, and install some new grips all for FREE! She said it doesn't matter if I'm the first owner, or second, or whatever ... they stand behind their guns. Love it!

 

[rmfnla]

Can't beat good customer service!

I once bought a brand new Walther TPH from an authorized dealer and the plastic magazine plate disintegrated after about a week.

I contacted Interarms (the importer) and they sent me a price list for new parts!

Good for NAA for treating you so well!

 

[hogshead]

Fwiw the grips you have on there now are the grips that you have to have if you want the belt buckle holster. If you think you might want on be sure you tell them or they may give you standard grips.

 

[MachIVshooter]

I would keep it original and only load 4 rounds not 5

As Gunfighter mentioned, they have a notch for the firing pin between each chamber.

And on that note, even SAA-style guns are safe with all six. You just lower the hammer between chambers. The firing pin will rest between the rims, preventing the cylinder from rotating. I'm sure there are exceptions with rebounding hammers and no transfer bar or block, but for the most part, this holds true.

 

[jackstinson]

You did good....if you like the NAA better than the Tanfoglio.
I have both: an old NAA min-revolver with the old cylinder just like yours, and a couple of the Tanfoglio GT27-clones....an FIE Titan and a QFI SA-25. Both clones have been 100% reliable over many hundreds of rounds now, both will empty the magazine as fast as I can pull the trigger, and both are fairly accurate out to 7 yards or so.
My NAA mini is fun, however it is exceedingly slow to load and shoot. Loading requires removing the cylinder...not a big deal, but not quite slapping a magazine in place either. Shooting is a two-fingered affair; bang, reposition gun, bang, reposition gun, bang, reposition gun, bang...etc....and I can't hit squat past 3 yards with it. Fun gun to play with though. Try some Aquila Super-Maximums in it
I dunno.....given the choice between carrying a mini .22 with 5 rounds that are not easy to shoot quickly, or carrying a .25acp with 7 rounds which can be emptied in 4 seconds....I'd carry the GT-27/Titan.
The NAA mini's are a ball in the basement with Colibri cartridges though!!