NAA .380 Guardian over Ruger LCP

[heavyshooter]

Okay brethren (and sisteren),

It's another one of those evaluation threads. I have been looking for a summer conceal carry weapon. As many of you know, this will require the smallest, but effective, weapon I can find. I had a Beretta Tomcat 3032 but, in a word, they suck (no offense intended). First, I have no confidence in the .32 ACP as a personal defense weapon. Second, the frame cracked after putting less than 100 rounds though it!!! I sent it back to Beretta and they sent me an INOX but after losing confidence in the Tomcat I traded it in.

All of this puts me in the market for a "pocket pistol." I narrowed it down to two weapons: NAA Guardian .380 or Ruger LCP .380. In spite of being a huge fan of Ruger, I have decided against the LCP for two unwavering reasons. 1) I have purchased my last "plastic" pistol. I have a few and I will not part with them, but I prefer stainless. 2) I have recently been informed of a recall on the LCP and this gave me a sweating flashback to my Beretta Tomcat experince.

This brings me to my question; what is you assessment of the NAA Guardian .380?

 

[MICHAEL T]

To heavy, trigger makes Beretta seem lite. They seem to be relieable .In these little guns 32 about same as 380 Bet BG can't tell difference. I'd go with a Seecamp in 32 NAA is a fair copy of it any way.

 

[johnnylaw53]

I have to agree in such a small weapon .32 and .380 are really close. My wife still carry her kel tec p-32 I couldn't get mine to work well so I have moved to a s&w 642 but I have been thinking of the LCP not for the .380 but kel tec isn't on the department approval list for off duty weapons and ruger is.

 

[camper]

In comparison, a new NAA has a heavier trigger pull than the LCP, although not quite as long. When you get to about the 500 round mark with the Guardian, the trigger is noticably lighter, but still not quite as light as the LCP. NAA is heavier and a bit wider than the LCP, but that keeps it on target better, in my opinion. Since it is heavier, it is a bit more weighty in your pocket, but carries great IWB in a Don Hume 715M #68. I carry it both ways. My NAA has over 500 various rounds through it with no malfunctions. The LCP has about 300 with no malfunctions, but I am waiting for the RMA to send it back to Ruger for required mods. NAA mags will fit and work in the LCP, but not flush, not the other way around. To lighten the NAA trigger, get some snap caps and work the trigger since the NAA has a double action trigger and you do not have to recharge the slide to recock the pistol. Think S&W 642 trigger. I like them both, and carry both. Which do I like better, the NAA even though it is a bit wider and heavier.

 

[kokapelli]

I can understand the advantages of real small pocket pistols like a P-3AT, LCP and Seecamp, but you can carry a Kahr PM9 as easily as an NAA or Tomcat and it's a better pistol in every respect.

 

[benderx4]

I'm with you on the LCP, they've still got some work to do with that gun.

I owned the NAA Guardian 380 and loved it. Well made, easy to clean, reliable, decent trigger for its purpose, and not too expensive. BUT, and it's a big BUT, it sure felt HEAVY in the pocket.

Today, I carry a Seecamp LWS32 and LOVE IT! Still feel secure that I can defend myself if need be, but not quite so intrusive.

 

[SwampWolf]

Not to hijack the thread but when considering which pocket pistol to buy, does anybody know anything about Magnum Research's new .380? I know it weighs about as much as the Guardian (14 ozs.) but I'm interested in feedback re the trigger pull, reliability, etc.

 

[X-Rap]

I've got a guardian in 32NAA. When you dryfire keep an unloaded magazine in it. The reason is, the trigger rebound spring is held in its cutout by the mag and when dryfiring without, it allows the spring to flex inward beyond its limits and eventually will break. The gun will still fire but will require a manual reset.
Aside from that it is a well built all be it a little heavy. If I had to do it again I would just get the 380 and use the Cor Bon ammo for PD. The 32NAA ammo is only done by Cor Bon and it's not cheap or redily available.

 

[cerberus65]

I have a Guardian .380. It is kinda heavy but that also does help with recoil. The trigger is pretty heavy but has gotten better over time. It's still pretty heavy though. I usually carry mine in a DeSantis Nemesis in my back pocket.

I've toyed with the idea of getting an LCP. But I worry about sitting on a plastic gun. But maybe I could carry it in a front pocket. I like the idea of a locked-breech pocket gun (Guardian is blowback). But I don't know if it really makes that much difference. I like the idea of having the slide lock back after the last round (Guardian doesn't).

And finally there's the whole LCP recall thing which doesn't inspire confidence at all. I'll be looking around at the gun show in a couple of weeks but I doubt I'll ever get rid of my Guardian.

The Guardian is easy to tear down. It's reliable if I keep the feed-ramp clean. The only plastic is the grips. And I can always use it as a club if it ever comes to that.

 

[camper]

Cerberus: Just a clarification on the LCP, it does not lock back after the last round is fired and the casing ejected. That slide lock is only good for locking the slide back for cleaning/inspection purposes or loading a mag and then disengaging the slide lock and letting the slide slide do its thing.
Camper

 

[Farnorthdan]

Got rid of mine

Recoil stunk and the trigger was worse than stunk, now have the LCP and have been 100% satisfied recall and all. I went threw the SR9 recall and it was a breeze so no big deal.

 

[cerberus65]

Thanks, camper, that's a good clarification.

 

[jocko]

at this particular time I would opt for the guardian. Once ruger gets through this fiasco with the lcp, I would think it would be a very desirable ccw gun, very lite ..

 

[SwampWolf]

That slide lock is only good for locking the slide back for cleaning/inspection purposes or loading a mag and then disengaging the slide lock and letting the slide slide do its thing.

It's also good for when you have a jam and need to clear your pistol while under fire. Try clearing a double-feed while having to hold the slide back with one hand under the pressure of the recoil spring while the other hand is attempting to rectify the situation and you'll see what I mean.

 

[dogtown tom]

I had a Guardian and was pleased with the quality and workmanship. Mine was 100% reliable but far from a pleasant gun to shoot. I loved the size, HATED the weight. I sold it last summer intending to get a Kahr 380.

I recently bought a used Kahr PM9 and am very pleased with it. Slightly larger than the Guardian, but LIGHTER and a 9mm. The PM9 has a better trigger, less recoil, is lighter, better sights and is a 9mm.

I do want a Kahr P380 when they finally ship.