NAA .32 or .380

[SLMPDcitycop]

I'm considering a North American Arms .32 or .380 for a pocket gun and purse gun for my wife. The price is $79 more for the .380, but I have heard a lot of negative posts about the .380. What one should I buy?

 

[seed]

Personally, I would get the .380 for the power per few rounds you have in it. It may not be as pleasant to shoot, but if I'm shooting it I want each round to be as capable as possible.

Sorry for this drift, but have you considered the Kel-Tec? You might want to explore that option. Also consider the .32NAA caliber...a bottle-necked .380.

 

[1 old 0311]

The .32 is smaller. The .380 has more punch. Go for the punch.

 

[MICHAEL T]

The punch will be in your hand . The recoil will be greater but I don't really belive your target human or paper will know difference between 380 or 32 . from the short barrel.

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

There isn't much difference in power. Look at the kel tec's. They are decent guns and usually work. If not they will make it work for free. If you decide on the naa I would get the 32naa caliber.

 

[The Amigo]

Expect expansion from an .380 to be around .63 +-at 10 to 11 inches penetration AND .32 TO BE .48 give or take 2 to 3 inches less of penetration all this depending on barrel length and brand of hollow points. FMJ in .380 will go +13 inches of soft tissue.

 

[Mississippi]

I just bought the Kel Tec 380 and it's a nice little pocket pistol.I looked at the.32 but decided on the 380 because its bigger.The 380 does have more recoil than i expected in the small frame gun but I'm not going to be shooting it for fun.Its not over baring though.My wife shot it yesterday and she's a small women.She handled it no problem.

The Kel Tec also has a pocket clip available.

 

[Kestrel]

but I have heard a lot of negative posts about the .380

What "lot of negative posts" have you read about? I'm curious.

Thanks.

 

[Joe the Redneck]

I have the NAA in 32 acp. I bought it when it first came out. Paid about $400 for it. It had some problems, NAA took care of it. Great company. It is very easy to hide.

I don't really care for the gun.

Yup, I said it. In all fairness, it is stainless steal and will outlast me. But what a pain to shoot.

It's too heavy. It pulls down your pants if you carry it in your pocket.

It is too small. There are no two ways about it. You really can't get a good grip on it. Yeah, they sell a little dingus finger rest that sort of helps, kind of. But unless you have very small hands you are going to have a hard time getting a grip on it.

It is easy for the slide to hit the web of your hand.

It has the worst trigger I have ever shot on any handgun made after 1960.

Recoil is sharp and snappy.

The sights are useless, but that doesn't matter. Considering all of the above, it won't make any difference. Anything past five feets gets real iffy.

All and all, except for the fact it is made like a bank valt, it has nothing going for it. It is a very expensive contact weapon.

I can not even imagine what the 380 would be like.

Sunday I bought a Kel-Tec 32. I am very happy with it.

Joe

 

[ArchAngelCD]

It really depends upon your ammo choice. Are you buying the pistol in .32 Auto/.380 Auto or .32NAA/.380NAA? If you are not buying the NAA round pistols then I suggest buying the .32 Auto because Fiocchi's 7.65mm Browning round is rated at 1200 fps-205 ft/lbs and their 9X17mm is rated at 1000 fps-205 ft/lbs. Since the .32 Auto matches the .380 Auto why not buy the smaller pistol? Most other factory .32 Auto ammo is rated under 1000 fps and no higher than 140 ft/lbs of energy. I'm told Fiocchi's 7.65mm Browning rounds are so hot because they are made for European LEO's. http://www.fiocchiusa.com/cat_centerfire.php That is some really hot stuff. I'm using it in my Kel-Tec P-32. Even though it's hot it is still more manageable than the .380 stuff is in a very small pistol, and it's not expensive either. Fiocchi 60 gr JHP box of 50 will run you $12.97 where as a box of 50 Winchester Silver Tip 60 gr HP rounds will run you $29.95 http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/browse/BrowseAmmo.aspx?c=95&s=921&b=FIOCCHI I also shoot their 73 gr FMJ stuff for practice ammo. A box of 50 will run you only $9.37.

 

[mavracer]

IMHO there is little difference 380 and 32. don't overlook the small snubs 442/642s are great pocket guns.

 

[Alan Fud]

According to Evan Marshall & Ed Sanow's book "Stopping Power: A Practical Analysis of the Latest Handgun Ammunition", Federal Hydra Shock (the top rated .380 ammo that they have data on) expanded to 0.56", penetrated to 9.4" and had a one shot stopping percentage of 71%.

Compare that to Winchester Silvertips (the top rated .32 ammo that they have data on) expanded to 0.41", penetrated to 9.2" and had a one shot stopping percentage of 66%.

 

[1 old 0311]

I did a search at a few different sites. Overall the Guardian rates excellent. Kel Tec has way too many former owners who don't recommend them. Spend some time and search.

 

[Geno]

The smallest caliber that was allowed for our CCW class was the .380, and that fact should speak volumes.

 

[Muddflap]

I had an NAA .380 for about a week. The gun worked great, and the recoil was snappy, but nothing terrible. I got rid of it because it was like having a brick in my pocket. I ended up with a 642. I really don't like shooting it very much because of the recoil and small grip, but it doesn't weight anything near what the NAA weighs.

 

[swbinak]

Caliber war/debate..........

this something you can talk over till the world turns flat.....I don't want a kid throwing rocks at me let alone someone shooting .17 caliber rimfire my direction, besides it's all about the shot placement anyway. Try shooting both firearms first, afterwards which of the two are more "controlable" is the only logical choice.

 

[critter]

I have a Kahr MK9 and I have a NAA in .32 acp. I carry the NAA as a backup and/or when I can't carry the Kahr. If I have to be SO concealed that the Kahr won't work (very rare indeed), then I need something VERY SMALL and easily hidden. That, for me, fits the NAA .32 perfectly, the .380 being a bit bigger. (I use a DeSantis Nemisis pocket holster.)

Yeah, the .32 is SS and heavy, but certainly not too heavy for pocket carry. It, even though it is a bit heavy, is snappy in recoil.

The NAA .32 fits the niche I have for it perfectly and I like it very much.

As to the company support. I bought it used and when I got it, it would drop the magazine after a few shots. I sent it back to them, told them the problem and that I had bought it used. They told me it was an older model, replaced over $200 worth of parts, fixed the problem and sent it back to me-NO CHARGE!

Hope this helps.

 

[loplop]

I think the 32NAA is the better round... Just not in factory loadings. The Corbon doesn't penetrate very deeply, and it's the only defense load available.

For that reason, and the fact of ammo availability, I'd stick with the 380ACP. Or honestly, the 32ACP. The 32ACP is a much smaller and lighter gun... The 380 is a brick. I like the Guardians, and I'm waiting to find one in 32, but I won't buy the 32NAA/380; they're just too heavy. Might as well carry a j-frame.

 

[Alan Fud]

... I won't buy the 32NAA/380; they're just too heavy. Might as well carry a j-frame ...

So what better? Seven rounds of .380ACP or five rounds of .38special?

 

[hitman134]

380

 

[The Amigo]

8 rounds of .380 out of a Keltec P3

 

[BADUNAME13]

Well, I got my Kel Tec .32 before they made the .380.

But upon reflection I would rather the one more round...

(But then I no longer carry the .32... I use a 357 as a BUG.)

 

[loplop]

So what better? Seven rounds of .380ACP or five rounds of .38special?

5 rounds of 357 in a lighter package

The Guardian 380 is an absolute brick. I felt like it was slapping me around when I "tried one on" in a pocket at a local shop. In contrast, a j-frame disappears.

The j-frame makes more sense, IMO... Unless you're talking the Guardian 32ACP/25NAA. That's a small gun, about the same weight as a j-frame. I like them.

The aforementioned KelTec really does look like a "better" choice; it's longer, but so much lighter, and flatter, too. It really disappears in a pocket. The construction is nowhere near as nice as the Guardian, though, IMO.

 

[rantingredneck]

Allow me to weigh in on the Guardian in .32NAA

I've owned a .32NAA Guardian for about 3 years now. I have to say I like it as a pocket pistol. It's the gun I carry when I can't carry a gun.

Like any gun you have to shoot it to get used to its peculiarities. It is heavy, yes. The recoil is snappy, yes. The sights are nearly nonexistent, yes. But it serves it's purpose as a deep concealment, backup piece rather nicely. I've handled the Kel-tecs and they are lighter by far. Never shot one or owned one though I'll probably buy one some day.

Back to the NAA for a moment though. Mine has never jammed, never failed to fire, never had problem one. And I have SHOT mine. I would venture to guess that most people only shoot their BUG's rarely. I shoot mine at least once a month (I usually go to the range twice to three times per month on average) and I usually run at least a 20 round box of Corbon 60 gr. rounds through it per trip. This has allowed me to become proficient with this gun and I don't hesitate to trust my life to it when I can't carry one of my other pistols.

Some photos for you:

First some gratuitous gunporn. I like the NAA's looks.

This target was shot at 7 yards. 26 rounds aimed fire.

This target was shot at 5 yards. 2 six round mags rapid fire.

I recently bought a Ron Graham cookie pocket holster for the Guardian and it carries well in this holster. I don't like it so much in jeans, but in khaki pants or shorts it works nicely.

The .380 Guardian is the same size as the .32NAA (just as the .25NAA is the same size as the .32ACP version) I went with the .32NAA round based on it's higher velocity and (theoretically) better terminal performance over standard .380 or .32ACP loads. That being said I'd love to have another in .380. Not sure I'd go as low as .32ACP, but to each his own.

I've heard others complain about ammo cost/availability with the .32NAA rounds. I've got a local shop that carries it occasionally and even when they don't they'll order it for me for 16.00-17.00 per box and I usually get it in about 4 days from the order date. (order on Monday pickup on Friday). The cost is no more than the Hornady TAP I feed my .45ACP.

Overall I like my Guardian (or couldn't ya tell? )

 

[Hoffy]

Thanks for the question citycop...I'm going through the same choice. I was just given my grandfather's 1903 Colt .32. It's too nice to shoot so I was considering getting a stand in (CZ-83 surplus?). However, I worry that with the popularity of the .380 the .32 acp might become obsolete and harder to find (read: obtainable, but more expensive).