NAA Mini-Revolver .22mag accuracy for qualification

[B yond]

I'll be picking up a snub-nose NAA Mini-Revolver in .22mag for a back-up or very very very deep concealment CCW weapon. The state I'm in requires a 50-round qualification before you can CCW a weapon, IIRC 75% of 50 the shots must be in the 8-ring on a man-sized target at 15 yards.

Usually, I'll just take a new weapon directly to the qualification range and run a patch through it, then fire my 50 rounds (I do practice regularly with all my carry weapons after qualification). Even with the sights not set properly from the factory I've never had a problem qualifying. The mini-revolver has me a bit worried though.

I've never shot one, but I've read some reports that they're impossible to hit a man-sized target beyond 10 feet (I'm looking at 45 ft!). I've also seen a best group post on NAA's forum that you can get a 2 inch group with my particular model at 75 feet.

So my question, to those of you who own and shoot these little guns, is should I go straight to the qualification range with it, or should I spend some time trying to figure out how to be accurate with it first? Is there any special technique to shooting these things well? I've read conflicting reports; that you can only point shoot them and that there's a marking on the hammer to use as a rear sight.

Any tips or tricks I should know?

 

[Jim March]

You're just going to have to try it in practice first, see what happens. A particular specimen may prefer 22LR or 22Mag ammo (if a dual-cylinder model). Try match-grade 22LR, also try one of the 40gr or more 22Magnum loads. The magnums might be more accurate; the specs for magnum ammo call for a .224 barrel while 22LR is a .223, so many makers who offer dual-caliber do .224 barrels (Ruger Single Six is famous for this, which is why they're not the most accurate 22LRs available...).

Which might lead to another problem: 50 rounds of magnums through a mini might start to wear you out. Consider picking up some oversize rubber grips from NAA's website, esp. if the gun seems to be shooting magnums tighter.

I own an NAA Mini-Master, the 4" full-lug bull-barrel version. It can group 5" at 25 yards off the bench . I also own a Freedom Arms 22Magnum minirevolver, 4-shot, 1.5" barrel, and I had a chance to do some long range shooting at a small-sized oil barrel (basically human torso size) at 50 >>yards<<. Hit it with all four, God only knows what the group was .

So the *design* is certainly capable of accuracy.

What state runs a qual that tight?

 

[B yond]

What state runs a qual that tight?

Kaleeforneeyuh, in the counties you can actually get a CCW in.

 

[MCgunner]

I found my NAA (.22LR) was very picky about ammo. Some lead up the bore and go to crap pretty quick. Some shoot high, some low. Federal Lightening, as it turns out, shoots to POA and I can hit a paper plate with 5 of 5 at 20 yards with it. Texas won't allow me to qualify with it and I need to qualify with an auto, anyway, to carry an auto. So, I've never tried that.

I'd shoot it first, find the POI of the thing, file the front sight if necessary. Learn where it hits first.

Personally, I'm pretty happy to use my .45 auto for qualifyers. I'd shoot one of the nines, but usually use the .45. I just like the .45. I qualified again not long ago and the instructor forbade handloads, so I had to find an empty factory load box at the range to put my handloads in. LOL! He never gave it a look. I ain't payin' that kinda money for factory loads when I can load a box up for a coupla bux! I understand his reasoning, but then, I've been handloading for 40 plus years without incident.

 

[Lashlarue]

My 22 mag came with birdshead, my next door neighbor lent me his slipons and I finally bought the boot grips.With boot grips I shot sub 5" groups at 7 yards..Mine being 1 5/8" barrel pretty much shot point of aim, the shorter barrel seem to be the ones with aiming troubles.

 

[gbran]

b yond

I'm in Kern County CA. It's never been required that I qualify with specific weapons. I've had my ccw for about 8 years. I regularilly go to the sheriffs office and add/remove guns to my list of 3 on my permit without having to qualfy with them.

When I go for my renewal every 2 years, I take what I want to shoot. If you already have a permit, take your new gun down to the sheriffs office and see if you can add it. Your county may be different.

 

[B yond]

I'm in Kern County CA. It's never been required that I qualify with specific weapons. I've had my ccw for about 8 years. I regularilly go to the sheriffs office and add/remove guns to my list of 3 on my permit without having to qualfy with them.

When I go for my renewal every 2 years, I take what I want to shoot. If you already have a permit, take your new gun down to the sheriffs office and see if you can add it. Your county may be different.

I guess it varies from county to county. I have to qualify with each weapon before it can go on my permit, and I'm limited to 3 weapons on the permit at a time. They should really standardize that.

 

[Ala Dan]

Good Luck~! I've found that the 1-1/8" barrel NAA .22 Magnum is accurate
enough only for defensive shots out to and including 7 yards; beyond that
the spread starts too get iffy, at best~!

 

[Frizzman]

I would hate to have to shoot any sort of qualification course with my .22 mag NAA mini! As it came and I carry it, I can barely put all five shots into a life size target chest area at more than spitting distance. It is very slow and reloading is very slow and requires disassembly of the gun to do. I carry mine only as a 3rd gun or in the rare circumstance when that is all I can get away with. I am a very experienced shooter but shooting any qualification course like the ones I have shot with such a gun and getting a passing score would be impossible for me to do. If I had to do that to carry it, it would stay in the safe...

 

[Lashlarue]

On reloading NAA mini's, practice, practice, practice. I can reload in less than 45 seconds.Do it every night while watching Tv at least a halfdozen times.That includes putting the hammer into the safety slot which was the most difficult part of the routine to get proficient.

 

[B yond]

Update:

I passed, first try, but barely!

 

[Dr. Snubnose]

Well I got to this thread a little late to add my vote of confidence for you...glad you did it! Congrats...I never had a problem shooting my NAA Mini-Mag or Black Widow out to 50 feet accurately...at 7 yards I can keep all the rounds down to a 2-3" group....With a little bit of practice even the little Mini can get the job done...Doc

 

[Frizzman]

You're a better man than I am Gunga Din...