Seriously, .22LR as BUG?

[TFin04]

I'm looking at the NAA Mini revolvers as a conversation piece, fun little range gun and a back up gun, in that order.

I would probably be carrying it in an ankle holster with a Kahr PM9 + extra mag on me. This would mean either my Kahr would have to malfunction, or I would have to shoot 14 rounds before stopping the threat.

Only at that point would the NAA come out. My question is how lethal is a .22lr round? Obviously it is about the smallest round you can carry aside from a .22 short, and by the time this gun would come out is a super close quarters fight that could basically put the barrel right on the perp.

Would you guys trust it? Is it worth the $200 or so just to add to my collection? Think I would be better off w/ a P3AT?

Any insight would be helpful. They seem like a fun little gun that could serve a decent BUG purpose, just wondering what you guys think, as I've never shot or held one.

 

[Baba Louie]

In a life or death situation I'd hate to have to fumble with cocking the hammer and pulling the trigger against an adversary that had me down to an NAA mini and is on top of me...

If I was going to go w/ a .22 as a BUG, I'd want 8 or 10 rounds in a DA snubby revolver that I could unload in a second or two using one handed up close and personal (belly type gun) and would probably prefer something a little larger (say .38 spl type) and maybe down to 5 rounds...

But that's just me.

But they (NAA mini) sure are cute and fun to play with now and then... aren't they?

 

[TFin04]

Yeah, those were my thoughts as well.

I'm also looking at the S&W 638 Snubbie. Alloy frame, 5 shot .38SPL.

Only problem, is the S&W is about the same size as my primary and holds less rounds of a "lower" caliber. I just want a wheelgun.

I'm still debating on what to buy. I'm going to get a Kahr autoloader as a primary, either a PM9 or a CW9(which is just a hair bigger than the PM9).

Ahhhh...decisions decisions. I don't think I would really want to trust my life to that NAA, but it would be a fun gun to add to a collection. I suppose to should focus my energy (and funds) towards a gun that I can rely on to stop a threat should I ever need it.

 

[MICHAEL T]

Go get a KT in 32 or 380 the new ones are relieable. Lots better than a 22. Also ankle a really bad place to carry unles your sitting a lot.

 

[borrowedtime69]

my thoughts, FWIW...

i love the .22, im a huge fan and mostly only shoot and collect them almost exclusively.

if i had the .22 LR as a back up and it came to very close quarters this is what i would try to use it for in close combat: i would try to hit a place that would weaken or damage my apponent to give me an edge over them. in effect, i would put it up to his right shoulder and fire, incapacitating it, shoot him in the knee-cap so i could make a break for it, hit him in the mouth cause if he's choking on blood, he'll pay less attention to you.

it more than likely wont drop anyone on the spot, but it can be used to weaken an opponent before it gets up-close and personal. -Eric

 

[Preacherman]

If you really want a .22LR, why not the S&W 317? Eight shots, absolute featherweight, and pretty accurate. I have one as a 'training gun' for my 442 and 642. Put a set of Crimson Trace laser grips on it, and you can take out an eyeball at 50 feet. Not a bad choice, particularly if recoil tolerance is an issue.

EDITED TO ADD: It's also available in a kit-gun version.

 

[461]

I've got one of the little NAA .22's and it's really a lot of fun and suprisingly accurate for something so small. While certainly not my first choice and not an option if I knew something was going to happen, it does indeed satisfy rule number onein a gunfight. Have a gun! I actually have carried mine a few times and it is at least some measure of comfort.

 

[rc135]

NAA 22LR

I mostly agree with the above coments, but, occasionally, a J-frame revo is just a little to big (for some people) to carry 'quietly.' That's why I have an NAA Mini Revolver in 22Mag. For those occasions where even my Model 60 is too much. Especially since I'm a small guy and can't seem to hide even a J frame that well.

Too, can't a Single Action NAA be fired with one hand? If the cowboys could do it with the Model 1873 why can't we??

"Fanaticism consists of redoubling your effort -- when you have forgotten your aim."
-- George Santayana

"In the beginning was the word, and the work was hydrogen…"
-- Harlow Shapley

 

[bearmgc]

Already said about the first rule of a gunfight. Sure why not, but if .22, why not 22mag? Pump up the volume. I like the idea of that NAA Mini in 22mag.

 

[Iggy]

When I was in LE many years ago, I operated knowing that I had no backup most of the time.

I had a pocket sewed into the left front shirt tail of each of my uniform shirts.
The gun was located right beside my fly and just below my gunbelt.

Hoping that no one would search me close enough to discover that tiny gun in that particular location, I carried a Freedom Arms .22 there for a last ditch situation..

If I was ever taken prisoner or hostage, the theory was at some point I would say. " I don't care if you shoot me, I gotta go!!"

IF I was allowed to go to the bathroom, I could reach in and get the little .22 and if lucky, maybe shoot the BG in the eye.

Hitting him anywhere else would probably really p** him off.

Fortunately I never needed it.

 

[Ben Shepherd]

Redneck back-up. I have one. It's the freedom arms 22 mini-mag 4 shot. Goes on a belt buckle. Better than no gun at all. Good barbecue piece.

And there have been a few, albiet very few, times that that little jewel went with me slipped in a pocket, as anything larger would have been noticed and frowned upon.

And as posted above, I'd use it as a *shoot to slow down* gun. Not really viable as a *shoot to stop* gun.

 

[Legionnaire]

The NAA .22Mag mini revolver fits nicely into the phone/knife/accessory pocket on the right front of a pair of Royal Robbins 5.11s ...

 

[ArmedBear]

The little 351PD is an interesting gun -- not a .22LR, but a .22 rimfire nonetheless.

http://www.smith-wesson.com/webapp/...d=10001&productId=14744&langId=-1&isFirearm=Y

.22 WMR, 7 shots, in a tiny little 10.6 oz. package.

Pretty steep, though.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

While the oft cited first rule of a gun fight is to have a gun, Double Naught Spy's first rule is to NOT GET SHOT!!

A .22 lr as a BUG is fine, but realize that if you have to go to your BUG in a fight, the situation is already critical enough such that your primary is no longer available to you. In such a situation that has already reached that point, do you really want a .22 lr?

If you do go with a NAA mini, then become proficient with it. Keep in mind that when you power down to such a small gun, the need for well placed shots becomes that much more critical and a gun like the NAA Mini is not that easy to shoot precisely.

If you get one with the little bird's head grip, be prepared for it to hop around in your hand a bit when you fire it. If you get the larger grips, then you lose a lot of the concealability of the gun, but it will be easier to shoot because you will be able to hold it better.

Suffice it to say that the sights on the smaller minis suck. It is really more of a point and shoot gun. Mine actually has the tritium front dot sight that turned out to be too big for the gun and all it does is tell me that the gun isn't pointed toward me while in the dark. Besides, with a 1-2" sight radius and the size of the sights, just how precise are you going to be? The gun may be accurate for its size, but they aren't terribly accurate compared to larger guns. Here, the point is that every shot counts when you are down to such a puny form of defense with such cruddy little sights and needing every shot to count.

 

[RyanM]

Your Kahr is sorta a backup gun to begin with. Maybe you should buy a full-sized auto instead?

 

[TFin04]

I wont be able to conceal a full size auto on myself very well at all. In the winter months I plan to carry a Glock 19, but in the summer and especially at work it just isn't very productive for me carry a full size gun.

I've decided against the NAA. If anything, I'll buy a Kel Tec .380 and keep that on me. I work in a button down shirt and tie and a pair of very thin dress pants. A pocket or ankle holster are my only options.

I do sit at a desk for the better part of my day, in which case an ankle holster would prove to be very effective. Likewise, it would work well in my car.

I'm heading to the range next week, I'm going to try out a J frame and a Kel Tec and go from there.

To the guy who said the Kahr is already a backup gun- I agree and disagree. While it is a small firearm, it is the biggest gun I can really carry and have with me at all times. With two clips and one in the pipe it gives me 14 rounds of +P 9mm, that should handle most situations should I need it.

I like the fact that the Kahr could also be carried in an ankle holster should I want it to.

I'm going to concentrate on getting my primary first and worry about a backup after that. The Kahr PM9 will more than likely be mine very soon.

 

[earplug]

Walther TPH .22 lr

I used to carry a USA made Walther TPH in .22. As a back up.
More trouble then it was worth. Keeping it clean, keeping ammo fresh, shooting it often enough etc.
My thought is have a primary that works when you pull the trigger.
Practice with the primary. If your job involves firearms, don't mess with lots of differant actions, trigger types such as DA, SA or DAO.
I'd rather carry two J frames then a big service pistol and A little bug.
If you must carry a service pistol, and A back up, have a similer action type for both. Big Glock and A little Glock or what ever.

 

[Ultraman]

"Is it worth the $200 or so just to add to my collection?"

I think so...

 

[RyanM]

Maybe you could get a second Kahr PM9? Or the 3.5" P9. One in a pocket, one on the ankle, or something. That way you could get either as the situation dictates (ankle if sitting, pocket if standing, etc.). It usually makes sense to have your backup piece and primary carry be as similar as possible. Glock 17 and Glock 26, big wheelgun and snubby, 1911 and Mustang, P11 and P3AT, etc.

You may have a brain-fart under stress and find yourself running the gun as if it were the one you have the most trigger time on. If you're holding your primary carry, no problem. But, just as an example, if you were a 1911 shooter and found yourself holding a snubby when the S hit the F, you'd probably end up pulling your shots way high, and short-stroking the trigger. The differences between a PM9 and P3AT aren't nearly as extreme, but are still there.

Two identical guns would also mean you could continue to carry your reload in the same place, without having to worry about needing a completely different magazine, and then train yourself to always go for the correct one when holding a certain pistol. Or to always drop a certain pistol when it runs dry, and get the other one.

 

[erich w]

if you want it as a back up and being you seem to be looking at the smaller end of firearms I'd recomend a derringer da, it only has 2 shots but in a close quarters fight that should be more then enough plus you wouldn't be limited to 22lr/magnum, if you want somthing with more shots though you'd be better off with a snub nose revolver, the dixie is a cool gun and wounderful to play with and use as a conversation piece but I wouldn't put my life on it.

 

[Double Naught Spy]

Given the size and weight of some derringers, such as Bond Arms derringers, you can have something like a Kahr PM9 with more rounds on board and better reload ability. Maybe there are some other actuall small derringers being produced, but I have not seen any or not seen any that would be sufficient and small enough for me to select them over a small revolver (e.g. Airweight) or semi auto.

 

[Joe Demko]

If you buy one, get the wooden "boot grips" that NAA offers at their website. The give the grip the shape of a miniature SAA. It makes the piece dramatically more shootable than the bird's head grips without too much reduction in concealability.

 

[thesheetrockman]

I currently own a naa in 22lr that I inherited from my Grandpa. I love the gun and carry it almost all the time. I know that it isn't the best for self defense but it is better than no gun. I figure I will carry the naa when I wouldn't carry a bigger gun. I always have more firepower back in the car though.

If you are going to carry it shoot it alot. They take some practice to control. They are also more acurate than you would think.

thesheetrockman

"Is it worth the $200 or so just to add to my collection?"

I think so...

I think Ultraman has an interesting fetish.

 

[mr.trooper]

I dont Think a NAA mini revolverw ould be that great.

As sugested abouve, why not go with one of the .22 caliebr J-Frames? A Ruger Bearcat wouldnt be too bad either.

 

[RyanM]

Just a final thing, for the people that have suggested a .22 J-frame. That makes absolutely no sense. At all.

A Kahr PM9 is 5.3" long, 4.0" high, .9" wide. A S&W J-frame is 6 1/4" long, 4 3/8" high, and about 1.25" across the cylinder. Why would you want a backup that's over 30% bigger than your primary, yet less than 1/10th the power?

Oh, you may also want to look into the Kangaroo Carry holster http://www.gunblast.com/Kangaroo.htm . That will let you conceal a Glock 19 sized gun under a button down shirt fairly easily.