NAA Revolvers: Does the 1 5/8" have "more" recoil than the 1 1/8" ?

[Snowdog]

I'm seriously considering the purchase of a NAA revolver in .22 magnum.
This question really is simply out of curiousity.

Being that the short barrel of these revolvers don't allow all the powder to burn by the time the bullet leaves the barrel, I'm presuming more of this powder would burn if the barrel were half an inch longer. If this were the case and the bullet increased velocity, would this equate to more recoil or muzzle-flip?

I'm guessing the shorter barrel would have greater muzzle flash while the slightly longer barrel would have slightly less flash and slightly more velocity as well as sharper recoil. Does this sound right?

Also, has anyone used CCI shot shells out of these revolvers? I'm curious what kind of patterns one can expect within 3' or so.

 

[RyanM]

Well, people often find that shorter barreled full size revolvers have sharper recoil, but that's mostly because the weight lost from the barrel overrides the velocity lost. For an NAA mini, it wouldn't be too hard to do the math, since NAA publishes very thorough velocity data. Just put the numbers in a recoil calculator (make sure you use different weights for the guns) and there you go.

 

[SAWBONES]

These dinky little guns have more "flip" than "felt recoil". They're hard to hold onto because of the small grips, (unless you get the Black Widow, which is large enough that the gun's purpose as a tiny hideout starts to be defeated), though the .22LR and .22WMR cartridges are hardly tough-recoiling cartridges.

I've fired 'em but can't tell any differences in the way they flip or recoil with different length barrels. Presumably the longer barrel is giving better velocity.

My own personal standards of accuracy and precision are NOT met by these little guns. Even at 5-7 yards and a steady hand, shot placement is sufficiently uncertain that I wouldn't own one, except maybe as a third or fourth gun. (If I carried a third or fourth gun, which I don't.)

 

[doc540]

I just sold a .22LR for a .22mag and have only shot the short barrel version.

Can't help you with a comparison, but I can tell you that shooting snakeshot out of one at 3' is an exercise in futility. A few pellets might hit a snake or the intended target, but I wouldn't expect effectiveness.

I foolishly shot a cottonmouth with .22LR snakeshot at about 3 feet, and it did little more than wound him and really pizz him off.

RE: "They're hard to hold onto because of the small grips, (unless you get the Black Widow, which is large enough that the gun's purpose as a tiny hideout starts to be defeated)..."

The folding plastic grips work just fine for my purposes. Still small for a pocket and provide a more than adequate grip to both control the magnum and provide close range accuracy.


Accurate enough at 5 yds.

First time to shoot it and practicing point-and-shoot. A few more trips should tighten things up quite nicely.

 

[sailortoo]

NAA

I've had a NAA Black Widow, 2" .22 mag. for 15 years or so. I consider it easy to handle (larger grip), and for a small cartridge, very effective. I needed to qualify with it (NM CCW regs are a bit strange) if I was going to carry it, even though not my primary (.357 mag). 3 yards & 7 yards- at worst about a 5" group for 10 rounds. I have no trouble with concealment, as large grips or not, it is still a tiny weapon (8.8 ounces, empty). Just so folks won't sneer at the .22 mag, I can say from experience, out of a 6" barrel (Ruger Single Six), it can kill a 150# animal at 300 yards - measured. Just a fluke, not aimed - the point being it is a lethal cartridge at distance, not a toy.
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)

 

[rc135]

Flip vs. Felt Recoil

Quote: "These dinky little guns have more "flip" than "felt recoil"...hard to hold onto because of the small grips."

I second that, although I must admit that they are still fun to fire. I fire my 1.625" 22Mag at 5 yards and can't hit much, but have a 'blast' anyway.

 

[weisse52]

I carry a 1 1/8 22 mag. I have shot both and to tell you the truth I could not tell the difference in either. I am not really sure that you get anything more out of the longer barrel other than harder to hide.

These are two things. Last chance gun you stick in ear, head, etc and pull trigger. Second, they are a ton of fun to shoot. When I go to the range I get more intrest in my NAA than anything else I am shooting.

 

[Snowdog]

Thanks for the replies guys, some good info there.

Last chance gun you stick in ear, head, etc and pull trigger

If I were planning to depend on an NAA revolver for defense, I certainly wouldn't engage anything greater than contact distance anyway; the muzzle would essentially be inches from the assailant's face (if not touching) when the hammer fell and I'd strive to have the element of surprise... I wouldn't brandish it before use, that's for certain.
This is essentially how I view my P32; if I were ever forced to use it, I can almost guarantee the surgeons (or coroner) would find powder stippling around the bullet entry/entries.

I was also intrigued by the use of CCI shotshells at extreme close range as I suspect a 52gr payload of #11 shot to the face would at the very least distract an assailant, if not for anything but allowing a better aimed follow-up shot to the face with a solid Maxi-Mag. Though I don't own one, I can see these things having the potential to be somewhat effective for a last-ditch defense... more so than stern words, I'd guess.

I guess I'll shine some light on why I'm asking. My wife's coworker (also an RN in post-op) is skittish and mentioned to my wife that she carries a knife in her purse for "defense" to and from her car at work. As they often switch from days to nights due to a nursing shortage, they find themselves leaving at night quite frequently. The hospital has several well lit parking lots and parking garage with updated security cameras (though are only as good as those watching them) and I understand Security is Johnny-on-the-spot with providing escorts when requested/available. With all these precautions, they still have hospital staff routinely hit up for money from bums and addicts that have learned the shift change times.

My wife will leave only with others who are leaving as well and will request an escort from security when leaving at off-hours. Her coworker will occasionally leave by herself, not having the patience to wait for others or for an escort to become available. There is a strict no-firearm policy in place at the hospital and this lady probably wouldn't carry one in her purse even if allowed. When I described NAA revolvers to wife, she seemed under the impression this coworker may opt for an NAA as they don't really fit the "gun" profile... with the diminutive size allowing it to seem more acceptable to those who might be put off by the presence of a traditional firearm.
Being this lady is even smaller than my wife (perhaps 5'2, 100 pounds), it seemed the NAA would make a better option than some Buck folder, especially when the wielder has limited physical strength.

We haven't seriously considered approaching this coworker with this option and may never... she'll probably end up with pepper spray, which I'm sure the hospital is far more tolerant of anyway. However, it was interesting to toss around the idea and I even think I want one for myself after scrouring the net for info and seeing how cute and diminutive these inexpensive revolvers are.

Anyway, thanks for the replies!

 

[RyanM]

I'd say pepper spray is a better idea than an NAA mini. Back it up with a leather "slapper" if legal in your jurisdiction. Go for the collarbones and forehead.

 

[sailortoo]

Snowdog - my wife (surgery RN) was in much the same situation, expecially being called in middle of the night (in a snow storm, etc) with no "escort" available. Luckily, she was willing to go for the CCW, a LadySmith .38, and the tacit agreement of the hospital to keep it locked up in her locker while in the hospital. Every situation, and person, has their own needs and faults, but taking advantage of an available escort seems the best of all (at the hospital). Beyond that, I guess every one has to find an answer that fits their needs. I treasure my NAA Black Widow .22 mag - as a special purpose hide away & fun gun, and it is not a toy!
sailortoo
Semper Paratus (also)