NAA Mini Magnum (again)

[keith44]

I know there have been a couple (at least) threads about these diminutive single action revolvers already but having picked up one a few weeks ago (money where the mouth is) I wanted to share my experiences with one so far.


I picked up a model called the NAA MSC it is the original style with safety notched cylinder and magnum frame.  It came with both the LR and Magnum cylinders.


My first few trips to my range with this little trinket were kinda discouraging.  At 15 feet it shoots 18" low if sighted like the instruction booklet advises.  I tried .22 shorts, LR (both CCI mini mag, and CCI Stingers), and some Winchester 40 grain hollow point .22 Magnum rounds.  After 30 rounds of switching ammo and trying to adjust my grip, I decided to adjust my sight picture.  By having nearly the entire front sight above the top edge of the rear sight notch it will shoot to point of aim.  I have painted a dot on the front sight at the appropriate level and don't have to think about sight picture now out to a measured 25 feet.  At 25 feet with any .22 ammo (short, long rifle, or magnum) I can hit drink cans 4 out of 5 shots, even with the cans laid on their side and shooting at the end of the can. 


So this makes the little revolvers more accurate than any Derringer I have fired, and much more so than any .25 acp I have fired.


DeSantis supplies NAA with a great little pocket holster:


 [size=78%]http://northamericanarms.com/accessories/m-accessories/m-holsters/hptd-m.html[/size]


that holds spare ammo (5-rounds) in a pouch.  Without spare rounds in the holster the gun holster combo is slightly unbalanced and tends to tip the pistol towards the pocket opening. With a spare 5 rounds in the pouch the holster stiffens nicely and just enough to hold the gun more like I want it, and does not add much weight at all.


So overall I must say these are good quality little guns.  Chambered in .22 Magnum I would (will) trust my safety to it.  It is something that can always be there when other weapons are left in the vehicle, or at home for what ever reason.  The best role of these would be as a back up, but there are times and places when and where larger guns are not available.  For those times I recommend NAA revolvers, but you will have to learn how to shoot 'em

[mechanic]

I took a file to mine and filed the front sight almost all the way off.  Painted what was left blaze orange.  I figure this is a ten foot gun, or closer if you can do it.  Ideally this is a last resort stick it up the nose and pull the trigger gun.  If you get involved in an incident where you have a shooter, you are in trouble, but as you said, its better to have this than nothing, which is what I would have most places I go.
 
Ben

[Savage]

Again, they are well built little guns that can be fun to shoot. A friend and I have had a lot of fun shooting at the 100yd steel with the .22LR version. If it's all I had (Thank God it isn't) I'd carry it as a pocket gun. As a carry gun it makes no sense to me. Too slow to get into action due to size and single action, slow follow up shots, limited capacity of low powered ammo, and difficulty in quick target acquisition. There are just too many better choices for pocket guns. All just my opinion of course. For what it's worth, I did carry one of the 1 5/8" mag versions for a backup to my duty weapon for a year or so. Had a lot of fun shooting it. Guess that alone is reason enough to own one.
Savage

[Mike in Virginia]

I quickly learnd you have to get to know them.  The key for me was that front sight bump.  I found I need not try and line it up with the hammer or anything else.  Just put that front sight where you want to hit. 
My latest test (mine's a magnum) was to put up a paper target and shoot twice at it beginning at 1 yard.  Of course the bullets were dead on.  Then I stepped back one yard, tried again, and kept doing that until the rounds were not consistently in the large bullseye, about the size of a person's head. 
I found it's reliably on target every shot to 7 yards (21 feet).  I don't think that's too bad considering what it is.  I agree with Savage that it ought not be relied upon for a carry gun, but sometimes I do.  Sometimes, if I'm mowing the yard or going out on a weekday morning to get a newspaper, that's all the gun I have. 
When a similar thread was up before this one, someone warmed the danger of the NAA is that we might get to confident and find ourselves carrying no other gun.  I suppose that's true.  It's not the best, but it's not the worst.  I know it will function.  It's a gun you can put your hand on in your pocket as you walk into possible trouble.  Cock it as it comes out. 
From tests I did with water jugs, the .22M penetrates as deeply or deeper as any centerfire pistol round; however, it does not expand.  I believe it would completely penetrate a large animal's skull.  I think it would certainly reach its heart. 
Another good point about the NAA magnums is that they are very, very loud.  If shot with one, the receiver might think he's been shot at with something much more powerful.  I think he'd certainly stop bothering you and go away. 
No real sound logic for carrying a weapon, I know, but points to conider.  At 4.5 ounces, I like 'em.