NAA Guardian

[jwr_747]

with all the hoopla about Rugers new LCP and compairing it with the Kel-Tec,I was wondering why you don't see a compairson with the North American Arms Guardian in .380? I've really never seen much talk,for or against the NAA pistol. jwr

 

[Jason_G]

From what I hear they are fine pistols. I've never shot one. I would not want one chambered in any NAA caliber though.

Jason

 

[noelf2]

I've had my NAA .380 for about 5 years now. It's my primary pocket carry gun. It's a bit heavy compared to the cheaper 380s like kel-tec. Solid little gun and I've never had a jam or ejection issue with it and I've probably put about 500 rounds through it, both fmj and jhp (I bought it new). DA trigger pulls takes some folks a while to get used to but I've never had a problem.

 

[camper]

I've had my Guardian 380 since January 08 and have put 454 rounds through it to date. This includes Wolf, five or six brands of JHP, various brands of ball ammo plus handloads. No problems to date and the trigger has smoothed out quite a bit and to me is much better than the trigger on the KT 380 I had ever was. Yes, a little heavy compared to the P3AT and LCP, but it also dampens recoil quite a bit. Love mine and alternate carrying it with my PM9.

 

[bluez4u]

I too love my Guardian 380, Excellent Quality and Accurate. I think the only comparison would be size.

 

[chaim]

I think you see the Ruger compared more with the Kel-tec because they are more similar designs. They are both very small, very lightweight, polymer pocket pistols (heck, they even look the same). The NAA Guardians are a tad bigger, and comparatively much heavier (the .32 is about the weight of an aluminum .38spl snub).

That said, if you are considering one, the NAA is a good gun. Mine is reliable so far (though I take a bit of a gamble saying that as I don't really shoot it enough to have many rounds through it). They do feel pretty solid (they better at that weight, a bit heavy for pocket guns). On the other hand, the trigger is very heavy and the sights are terrible. They are definitely more money than either the Ruger or the Kel-tec.

I'm going to be selling mine. I'll either stick with my S&W 442 as my pocket gun around the house and when traveling in a carry state or I'll get a more powerful, similar size and weight, Kahr PM9.

 

[HisSoldier]

I like mine, but bought it without a sight. To me all handguns need sights. That's why I'm not enthused about the Seecamp .380, no sights. Good arguments against sights for guns with 2" barrels, but it's a personal thing.

 

[rantingredneck]

I've owned two and just sold the second one to a THR member. They are fine pistols.

Compared to the LCP and P3AT (I own an LCP and have owned a Keltec) they are heavier and thicker. A bit more effort to pocket carry. The weight does dampen recoil some, but you also have to consider that the NAA is a blowback design vs. locked breech designs of the LCP/P3AT. That makes recoil a moot point in the discussion, or may actually put it in favor of the LCP/P3AT. I know my LCP seems softer shooting to me.

 

[HisSoldier]

Yeah Ranting, the recoil does seem softer in the Kel_Tec. I guess it has to do with cycle time, anything that slows down the cycle turns the SMACK into a push.

Hey, I'm coming to N.C. next week to pick up an airplane, to Burlington. Looking forward to flying across the USA that way, never been. I'm thinking of taking my Kel-Tec along on the commercial flight so I can have it during the long X-C but I'm not sure about trying to get through Portland's terminal for the initial leg, PDX is notoriously antigun, freaked out full blown phobia. TSA is not the problem, it's PDX management. Be glad you live in a state with some sane people.

 

[rantingredneck]

Small world. I work in Burlington .

 

[watarski]

My wife has a .32 ACP Guardian that she carries. The pistol actually went back to North American Arms recently. Out of ~300 rounds there were several FTE's and FTF's. They polished the feed ramp and replaced some firing parts. Great customer service. I will say Remington FMJ's still won't work in this gun. As a matter of fact, that brand ammo was what caused the majority of the issues before I sent it back.

I think if I would have known about Seecamp 5 years ago when I bought this one, I might have gone that direction. I want my wife to carry a PM9 or equivalent, but she doesn't want anything bigger in size.

 

[bakert]

A friend of mine carries a .32 NA Guardian every day. He claims it is a better and more reliable gun than his Seecamp.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Because Ruger copied the Kel Tec not the Guardian
I looked a guardian but weight , trigger ,and price Was a turn off. KT does same job and its lighter better trigger and less money. I know have 3 of the little pocket blasters.

 

[benzuncle]

After a lot of research on caliber etc. I chose the NAA 380. While it is heavier than the Kel-Tec I wasn't concerned with the weight. But I can tell you this: when you go to the range and shove 100+ rounds through it to get comfortable with it (so it can be your carry gun) the extra weight is a plus. I've fired the better part of 800 rounds through mine and the trigger is "easin' up" now. No FTF's but the last round will hang in the slide. This IS NOT A PROBLEM because when you pull the slide back to jack the first round of the next mag into the pipe, that expended casing flips away. I actually prefer it because I can glimpse inside and see that everything is looking good. I've added Cocobolo grips to mine for more to hold onto, but they do make the Guardian look pretty nice. The firearm is accurate and reliable. I use a DeSantis Nemesis pocket holster and carry this piece whenever/wherever legal, along with a spare mag. I reload my ammo so I usually shoot 100/150rounds when going to the range. The NAA 380 has a nice fit and finish, breaks down easily and goes back together just as easily. Everyone likes pix, so:
NAA Guardian with Cocobolo grips
In the Nemesis Pocket Holster along with my Gerber pocket knife
Beside my Sig P220 Compact for size comparison

My apologies if the pix are too large. This is my first post on this site; glad to be here.

 

[dogtown tom]

benzuncle: ...No FTF's but the last round will hang in the slide...

Note that the Guardian does not have an ejector, so the last round stovepiping is not a malfunction but by design. NAA says simply inserting a fresh mag will clear the stovepipe. Think of it as an unloaded chamber indicator.

My Guardian for whatever reason does not stovepipe. I bought it used and the previous owner had it slicked up by the NAA Custom Shop.

 

[rantingredneck]

Neither of the two I owned did it either. I think the .32NAA may have done it on the first mag I ever fired through it, but never afterward. Never had it happen with the .380.

 

[benzuncle]

Lemme clarify: sometimes the last "casing" hangs in the slide, not the last round. My bad. Sorry if I caused any confusion. As soon as the next magazine is shoved into place and the slide slingshotted, the casing falls to the side and the firearm is good to go. Another neat feature is that you can look through the top of the slide and tell if there is one in the pipe or not. That's a really nice feature that does not include any moving parts.