NAA .22LR Mini Revolver -- good for anything?

[GaryP]

In regards to a NAA Mini

Is it fun? Practical?

BOTH!

I have owned a NAA Black Widow since 1993 and with the exception of my Colt 1911s have shot it more than any of my other handguns.

It goes with me as my CCW BUG (Practical - Save my bacon if SHTF) and every range or woods session (FUN). The NAA minis are not toys, I would not like to be shot with one considering the new modern .22LR ammo that is available these days.

 

[gitarmac]

I have one, it's a beautiful little gun and I can't part with it right now but if I had it to do over again I would not get it. It's more of a novelty to me now. My S&W 642 is almost as easy to carry and much more practical. I have the .22 mag version and I could hit someone within self defence distances but you only get 4 shots, I'm not sure how damaging the round is out of that barrel. If you could shoot it with pinpoint accuracy then it might be a good carry gun but it doesn't point as well as a snubbie.


I say do yourself a favor and use your coupon for something more practical. An airweight 38 special will fit anywhere that NAA would.

 

[Legionnaire]

Good thread. I bought a NAA .22 WMR with 1 5/8" barrel after shooting P95Carry's at the Portage shoot in 2005. I bought it as a novelty, but after practicing with it, I'm getting fairly accurate. Not too hard to keep all five shots inside six inches at seven yards ... and can do four inches if I take my time. Trick was learning to sight along the top plane of the gun (ignore the front sight) for elevation and aligning the cocked hammer with the front sight for windage. Once I got used to that, started hitting what I was aiming at. I don't carry it much ... my "always" gun is a P32. But it goes to the range often, and occasionally into a pocket.

 

[Beastmaster]

I've been watching this thread with quite a bit of interest. Here's my take on it.

1) As a disclaimer - I own 2 NAA .22WMR's, and 2 NAA .22LR's. I use them exclusively as deep concealment pistols when I cannot carry anything else. I also use them as either secondary or tertiary backup. I also have some in mini pocket bug outs for a "just in case" situation.

2) Get the .22WMR. It's penetration is far more effective than the .22LR, and if you get the convertible version, you can practice with inexpensive .22LR and then load .22WMR for self defense.

3) I am of the firm belief that having something that goes bang in your hand is infinitely better than having nothing. I fear a gun far more than a knife (but that's due to training), and at most combat yardages, the NAA mini's do quite well.

4) Of the rare times that I've read of a .22WMR being used in self defense with shots fired, the attacker was not successful. Considering that Marshall/Sanow feels that a .22WMR gives you a 42 percent one shot stop - I'll accept that.

5) Testing done by people on other forums show penetration similar to what you'd get out of a 4" barrel. See some of the links from mouseguns.com for where you can find those tests.

There was a report on Officer.com that an NAA Mini was used successfully by an officer to defend himself by using it as a backup gun. I've written the author on getting more information about that incident and I haven't heard back yet.

So - with anything else - shot placement and having a gun in the first place is key.

-Steve

 

[rich642z]

NAA.22lr--good for anything

I carry a 642-2 w/lock and a .22 NAA in the magnum cal as backup. even with my Ruger DPR 345 in .45 cal, I carry both my Smith 642 and my NAA .22 mag. incase I walk into someone thats tries to hurt me. Rich642z,Omaha

 

[KevininPa]

I have the......

.......22 WMR with the 1 5/8 barrel and folder grip. The folder grip definitely makes it more shootable than the original birdshead. At seven to ten yards, I can do some damage to paper plates and even some soda cans if I'm on a roll. The only thing I regret is not laying out a little more cash for the Black Widow model. Always thought the Mini-Master would serve well as a backpack revolver. I once had a Rossi .22 mag(4 inch barrel) that I could drop rabbits with at 15-20 yards, I hear the 4 inch Mini-Master is pretty accurate and light.


Kevin in Pa

 

[songsofreedom]

Guys, I have the .22 magnum companion in black powder. I got 3 extra cylinders for it, 4 in total. This is so I can re-load them in advance, since it is black powder... I carry it as a trail gun, a back up to my Ruger Old Army. It usually goes in my ankle holster, its so light, I can't ever feel it. I tried kicking it off, it wouldn't come off.

Or, it goes in the inside the belt holster it comes with, so easy to conceal. I would have to say, it is kind of a little hard to shoot accurately unless you practice with it, but thats due to the small handle, especially if you have big hands like me. Its fun, because you need some skills to work it properly. But I love the damned thing, its really fun to shoot! It packs a decent bang for a little gun, maybe smallest on the market with 5 shots. I pack mine with smokeless powder, it is pretty loud/strong for a .22! I wish mine had rear sights for target practice, but whatever you use it for, it is a great gun to have, lots of fun, lots of cool toy factor. I definitely recommend it to have in your collection. I love mine! Covert, undercover, slick. Sometimes you want to have some peace of mind and not let everyone know about it, you know?

Even if, when you are in a defensive situation, I don't care what kind of gun you have, its the faster draw that wins first. Not the more powerful gun. If you have a stronger gun but are slow to shoot it, you are hurt, or dead.

Shoot first, it will give you enough time to shoot again if you have to, or run if you can. The average self defense situation with handguns involved doesn't go further than 10 feet, in my opinion. Thats plenty close to hit something with the naa mini. I know if I got shot, even with a .22, I wouldn' be able to react right away and think calmly to react and shoot back. Speed is critical, Thats more important, I'm not trying to kill anybody, even in a self defense situation, you want to disable your attacker, not kill someone.

So, I think the NAA is a great gun to have, GET ONE.

 

[Shay]

handy deterrant/defense

I carried one in Alaska in my wallet. Very good to signal with (outboard motor failed, left me on an island 20 miles from town). Also entered a boat security area at night and was almost physically challenged by the 'certified crazy' brother of a friend (who had him out of the 'nuthouse' for a day). I stood my ground but it was a lot easier with my finger on the trigger with the pistol in my pocket. So many times I left my rifle on the bank while fishing and strangers or bears got between me and it. The sound is enough to make them think twice and move back and away. Seems like the unexpected always happens....out it cames ....just in case. Fits between my thumb and palm with my hand open. Nice to have as I get older, value my life more, and the intimidators/bullies think I'm an easier mark. Never thought of the quick 5 shots , throw, and run scheme as I haven't spent much time in town but it will could come to that! (always have a backup!)

 

[Frizzman]

I guess I'll jump in. I have two of them in .22 mag. I got them mainly as something to play with. I have sometimes carried one in a pocket holster as a BUG.

I agree that on the more serious side, it is just a tiny, small caliber, SA revolver, that has to be disassembled to reload. It has tiny sights and and a small grip as it comes from the box. It is what it is. Its just another tool.

I see it as useful for a very discrete contact weapon. Is it a good choice to use against an attacker, particularly a very determined, vicious or drunk or drugged attacker who is also armed? It certainly wouldn't be my first choice. Some may say it is better than a sharp stick but at ECQB distance, a good, stout sharp stick may be a better weapon if one knows how to use it. I have been in the presence of men shot multiple times with much more potent weapons who kept right on doing what they were doing for a good while before the wounds had much effect. It is amazing how much lead some individuals can soak up and keep right on with killing you!

My biggest concern is that being so small, light and easy to carry, one might have unfounded confidence in it as a primary weapon for self defense and carry it instead of something better suited for defense. If you keep its function in perspective, then it is worth having if for no other reason than having the smallest practical revolver(s) and perhaps as a very specialized weapon.

 

[B yond]

I have been in the presence of men shot multiple times with much more potent weapons who kept right on doing what they were doing for a good while before the wounds had much effect. It is amazing how much lead some individuals can soak up and keep right on with killing you!

I get frustrated with CounterStrike too.

 

[33-805]

Quality piece. I have the short barrel magnum with the lr cylinder for cheaper practice. I have a pocket holster for it by R.L. Graham which also holds five extra rounds. Mostly I think the extra ammo carrier just stabilizes it in the pocket. There is no fast way to reload these! I put the hard rubber grips on it and I like them a lot.

I usually stick this in a cargo pocket of my 511 pants or in the back pocket of dockers, jeans etc. It vanishes in a pants pocket but is very accesible due to a proper holster. I also carry it occasionally in a kydex neck holster strung on some 550 cord. This lets you wear it under a tee shirt if you have to go out in shorts/trunks for hot weather.

This has been my last ditch, backup to my backup and/or to my regular carry guns for many years now. I do not think it is much good after about ten to twenty feet (ymmv) but it is not a novelty either. I catch some guff for carrying an extra gun, but I was a boy scout and I like to be prepared!

 

[Frizzman]

I don't know what Counterstrike is? I am talking about actual first hand observation of numerous real shootings. Is it anything like that?

 

[Coyote3855]

I have one in .22 LR. Was my BUG/pocket gun before the KelTec .32 and then the KelTec .380. I still carry it clipped in the waist band of my running shorts when out for a jog.

 

[navynurse]

Got to tell you, as an emergency room nurse, I have seen some real damage done by a .22. the slug seems to enter and bounce around inside a body tearing up all kinds of organs!!

I have a NAA .22 MAG and i have to tell you that it is a defense, close range weapon. ANY gun shot in someone's face is going to stop them !!!

The mimi-revolver is what it is, a close contact self-defense weapon.

Rich

 

[Randyc74]

Heres my NAA Mini .22LR. Occasionally I will carry it as a third weapon in my strongside pocket. It's one of those fun guns to shoot.

 

[darrellkansas]

It is a good BUG gun.
If it goes as far as my carry gun goes empty or locks up the NAA mini has very few moving parts and is reliable.Believe if you get it in a face or throat and pull the trigger a BG will most likely stop.Getting shot in the face or neck is tramatic.
I have the 22LR/22 mag convertible 1 5/8 barrel.
This is my shirt pocket gun.

 

[bglz42]

It's what I carry, when I want to look like I'm not carrying anything...

 

[BlacklabelOP]

Customer Service

I bought mine used a month ago, I realized the barrel wasn't lining up with the cylinder.. Mailed it off per the customer service page and everything was repaired free of charge no questions asked.. I only had to pay for return shipping.. Great deal!

They even replaced a screw I stripped while trying to trouble shoot it, free of charge....... even the e-mail customer service was excellent.

This is my back-up carry piece but I am glad I have it..