Modern Velo-Dog Revolver

[Mr. Mosin]

A recent visit to my LGS revealed his new “curio” counter- full of ancient ammunition boxes, ancient firearms, historical items, etc. Among the items was an absolutely immaculate S&W top break double action in .32 S&W and a Belgian pin-fire revolver with folding trigger.

After handling both curiosities; I hit upon an idea- if gun manufacturers where producing what amounts to the same design as NAA’s mini-revolvers over a century ago; what’s preventing NAA from doing the same ? Upscaling their design to .25 Auto, .32 Auto, .380 Auto, or even .38 Spl ? I’d almost guarantee that a scaled center-fire NAA would sale better than the .22 versions.

 

[jmorris]

what’s preventing NAA from doing the same ?

Nothing, except a demanding market.

 

[JohnKSa]

My guess is that the modern equivalent of a velo-dog would be something like the Ruger LCP or the Kel-Tec P32. Very small, light and inexpensive. Doesn't hurt that they provide an extra round or 3 compared to a mini-revolver.

 

[Tallball]

Calibers in between 22lr and 38 special/9mm aren't popular now.

If you buy a 32 revolver now, it's generally just a 38 with a different barrel and cylinder.

IIRC, Taurus made a slightly smaller 380 revolver for a while that didn't sell worth squat. I'd expect a 25 or 32 to do even worse.

 

[Dave DeLaurant]

IMO lightweight .22 WMR revolvers fill the modern niche. Ballistics are superior, but the cartridge dimensions are on par with the 5.75 Velo-Dog round.

LCRs, Airlites und so weiter.

 

[Old Hobo]

Were I a filthy rich industrialist, I'd come out with this sort of diminutive revolver and name it the "Dog Slayer".

I'd do this not to make money, but to watch the heads of animal rights activists explode.

 

[TTv2]

Calibers in between 22lr and 38 special/9mm aren't popular now.

If you buy a 32 revolver now, it's generally just a 38 with a different barrel and cylinder.

IIRC, Taurus made a slightly smaller 380 revolver for a while that didn't sell worth squat. I'd expect a 25 or 32 to do even worse.

The same applies to .22 as well, they're all just slapped on a .38 frame.

The only way a .32 sells on a smaller frame is if it's built on one meant for .22, which is the case for the Ruger Single Six/Seven .32's and was for the Heritage Rough Rider .32's back when they made those. That same principle would apply to a double action and I've been calling for a smaller than J frame .22 revolver for a while, one that could hold 5 shots of .32 should also be able to hold 7 shots of .22 LR.

Basically a modern H&R Young America, but with a longer cylinder window. Yes, the small size is going to make the trigger pull heavy and terrible, but we're talking about revolvers meant for point shooting at close range.

The .22 would sell 9x more than the .32 would, that's to be expected, the goal is simply to have a .32 be offered and the only way that happens is off the back of the rimfire models, which I have no problem with them being made, I'd like a smaller DA .22 revolver than the current offerings we have now.

The industry has been pretty disinterested in offering anything new that's a revolver that requires a decent amount of R&D. That may change with carry laws having been changed by SCOTUS, there's a much larger market than there was a few years ago and with revolvers they are legal in all 50 states and will be for a very long time.

 

[TTv2]

To the OP's topic, I don't think the Velo Dog style has any place today, not when stuff like the NAA minis in a .25 is possible. The folding trigger concept would not be popular today, people want to get the first shot off as fast as possible and the Velo Dog folding trigger would take longer than most would prefer.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

To the OP's topic, I don't think the Velo Dog style has any place today, not when stuff like the NAA minis in a .25 is possible. The folding trigger concept would not be popular today, people want to get the first shot off as fast as possible and the Velo Dog folding trigger would take longer than most would prefer.

That’s all I really want is an NAA revolver in .25 or .32- scaled appropriately; of course.

 

[TTv2]

It is odd that NAA hasn't bothered to introduce a centerfire revolver, they've pretty much hit the saturation point with their .22's currently. They've got the ability to make a good product, I guess their issue is money, they can't go and spend a million bucks on a new machine to produce something that may not sell in great quantity.

I get that they can't compete with bigger companies in the J frame market, but nobody else makes something along the size of an H&R Young America today, there's no competition and NAA could hold 100% of the market for such a firearm.

 

[Mr. Mosin]

It is odd that NAA hasn't bothered to introduce a centerfire revolver, they've pretty much hit the saturation point with their .22's currently. They've got the ability to make a good product, I guess their issue is money, they can't go and spend a million bucks on a new machine to produce something that may not sell in great quantity.

I get that they can't compete with bigger companies in the J frame market, but nobody else makes something along the size of an H&R Young America today, there's no competition and NAA could hold 100% of the market for such a firearm.

Correct. You have your individuals such as myself who, if NAA were to introduce a .32 Auto mini-revolver tonight; I’d take out a loan tomorrow morning at 8a to buy six of em- irrespective of MSRP.

 

[GEM]

NAA had a prototype of a 32 HR magnum revolver. It was an ugly gun and for various reason, not really up to production. If you dig around on the NAA forums, you can find the story. https://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=2715.0

I really don't see a strong market niche for one now. Their 32 semis are only produced in very low numbers. Their 22s fit a niche of really small guns, upsizing - there are too many competitors, I would think.