How good is the NAA Earl

[grter]

The North American Arms Earl Black Powder Percussion revolver (Part Number: NAA-1860-4-CB) seems to be sold out everywhere I look.

It is only a .22 but it has a 4 inch barrel and looks like fun. Does anyone have any experience good or bad with this small 4 incher?

 

[PRM]

....

 

[grter]

(Part Number: NAA-1860-4-CB) Note the CB at the end. It is their Cap and Ball version of the Earl made to comply with government regulations to be condsidered a non firearm (muzzleloader.) They cannot be converted to cartridge without significant alterations.

The Earl (Part Number: NAA-1860-4-CB) holds more black powder than than their standard .22 cap and ball. Triple Seven and 4f seems to be the prefered load.

It seems to be sold out EveryWhere.

 

[desidog]

It hasn't been in production for years.

 

[grter]

They are listed on North American Arms website still ($309.00.) Desidog after reading your post I decided to call them about 5 minutes ago (today is 01/12/2015 3:47pm EST) and they have 2 of them in stock. I was told they have production runs around every 6 weeks.

But every retail store where they are listed for a little less have sold out. I do remember seeing one listed at a retail store above list price although I don't remember where. That is crazy.

I think you may be thinking of Freedom Arms which used to make the mini revolvers before North American Arms took over. My understanding is Freedom Arms does not make them anymore.

Now somebody please give it a review. It looks really fun. I am hoping the 4 inches give it what is needed for decent range and power.

 

[rodwha]

I think it would be great if the 4" model had adjustable sights for small game use. A 6" barrel might be nice too...

 

[grter]

They have a longer barrel version but it is rimfire. I wish they made a cap and ball version of that one.

 

[rodwha]

I'd even go for a little carbine!

 

[grter]

It's got a small slim non bulky profile which would make it easier to carry discreetly. The lack of bulk should make it lighter too.

A longer barrel maybe 5 or 6 inches would not be a big deal for me. It would still be non bulky and slim. With a 4 inch barrel it still can be used as a pocket pistol.

If one masters it I imagine it would not be limited by the shortcommings of a stubby barrel like a lot of other .22 caliber pocket pistols.

Since it's only 5 shots I would not mind just one safety notch to rest the hammer on though. I wonder if one can be filed without compromising the cylinder integrety in any way. Then there is always half cock (I just wrote something sacreligious.)

I think it can make a fun plinker in a format that makes for interesting target practice.

Advantages vs disadvantages.

 

[rodwha]

Or even a pin and hammer notch like a Colt...

 

[Gunby]

I got one and the super companion 22MCB- and the conversion cylinders to accept 22LR. I was searching for another Earl to buy--all out of stock and this page came up in the googleing
google "conversion cylinder for cap and ball naa" there are some sites that come up ebay and g.b.

Happy Plinking!

 

[Panzerschwein]

NAA makes TOP revolving pocket pistols of rim-firing caliber.

The C+B Earl looks a fine shooter.

If you get one, DON'T be a jackass and take it apart. I took mine apart and it's like a watch inside. I'll have to send it back to NAA sometime to have it reassembled. They have a jig that makes it a snap.

 

[rodwha]

How are you supposed to clean the internals???

 

[Acera]

Since it's only 5 shots I would not mind just one safety notch to rest the hammer on though. I wonder if one can be filed without compromising the cylinder integrety in any way. Then there is always half cock (I just wrote something sacreligious.)

It has notches on the cylinder to hold the hammer between rounds, at least the new ones do.
https://northamericanarms.com/safety/

https://northamericanarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/notch-300x149.jpg


.

 

[robhof]

I've got the Companion in C&B and with the 2" barrel I can't hit the broad side of a barn from inside, but it's fun to shoot and I did get the conversion cylinder from Black Hills LLC and now my mag b/p can fire 22 LR and I can actually hit a target at 5 yds with it. I clean it after shooting b/p by removing the grips and soaking in hot soapy water for an hour or so and working the action and then rinsing in hot water then WD 40 and blowing out with a compressor, been doing it that way for 8+ yrs and it still works and looks fine. I do take out the nipples and soak separate and tooth pick the bore of them, put anti seize on then and replace after drying.

 

[rodwha]

I used to feel the need to completely tear down my revolvers after shooting. I still prefer to but don't feel the need to. But I wouldn't like the idea of never doing so.

Now I'm curious and want to find an exploded view...

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

For some reason as much as I enjoy burning up black powder, I just cant get over the fact that shooting a 22 caliber percussion revolver cost over twice as much as shooting a 22LR revolver. Heck, the caps alone cost almost twice as much as complete rimfire cartridges!!

 

[BCRider]

While I love my cartridge shooting Earl I'm not sure I'd want to bother with a percussion version. If I'm going to make smoke I want to make LOTS OF SMOKE ! ! ! ! And for me that means breaking out the .44's. And as mentioned caps are no longer cheap at all. So I'd rather use them to light off a bigger amount of powder.