Author Topic: Who owns AND USES a micro N.A.A. revolver? (Read 2137 times)

Couger · « **on:** November 23, 2012, 07:11:30 AM »

Am thinking of getting a North American Arms Mini-Master 4inch revolver, to carry as an ultra lightweight kit gun!

Does anyone at GBO have the Mini-Master? (or similar 2in Black Widow?)

If so, how well does your little revolver shoot? How accurate is it? Do you like it?

Could you use it reliably to collect a grouse or bunny for camp dinner?

Would you recommend one?**

**Usually I think of the NAA micro 22's being good for only making noise or as a conversation piece, but the Mini-Master and Black Widow have 4in and 2in functional barrels!

rod251 · « **Reply #1 on:** November 23, 2012, 08:32:14 AM »

I have the 1 5/8" 22 magnum. Once I got a feel for the sights, I can keep them in a 4" circle at 10 yards. I have no doubt the longer barrels that you're asking about would make good camp guns. They are very well made. Hopefully someone who owns one of the longer ones will chime in.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #2 on:** November 25, 2012, 09:39:08 AM »

I agree with Rod. I have the 1 5/8 .22M. I have it in my pocket now. I always have it in my pocket. With a few shooting sessions, I learned that a milk jug size target can be hit every shot up to 7 yards. I wouldn't consider shooting a game animal with it, but maybe the 4" inch gun you mentioned would work fine for that. NAA puts a lot of quality into their product.

Ladobe · « **Reply #3 on:** November 25, 2012, 10:25:49 AM »

I had 3 of them years ago. A shorty for the belt buckle, a 1 5/8 w/oversized grip, and a 1 1/8 cap and ball. The longer barreled versions would have been better maybe, but they are not condusive to hunting by design IMO. You simply can not shoot them as accuartely as you can a larger platform. As said, very well made and fun to tinker with. But with cook pot fodder as a main use for a kit gun they would not be my choice, first, second or last. I had several others way better suited at the same time IOW. The most often carried a Ruger Suoer Bearcat, one of a couple of S&W kit guns, and later even the Beretta M21 was a way better choice as it was surprizing accurate at much longer ranges than any NAA. I was out shooting/hunting just about every day those years, teh Bearct or one of the Smiths just stuffed in a back pocket usually until I bought the M21 and a nylon holster for it. Never knew it was there until I needed it. It gave up some to the Bearcat because of barrel length and grip, the Smiths even more because of their sights and grip, but was still more than adequate for taking small game at range simply because I could consistently hold it much better with big hands than the NAA's.

Rangr44 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 26, 2012, 06:30:12 AM »

I actually prefer my BW to the longer barreled MiniMaster, since it's much handier & just as accurate.
I've had NP shooting them, and actually prefer the small black rubber birdshead grip panels to the huomungous issue BW grips - since I saw the shooting tutorial in a 70's GUN DIGEST.
The trick is to hold the gripframe tightly in the closed fist of the shooting hand, and manipulate the hammer/trigger with the "off"ane while using a two-hand hold (sort of a modified Weaver stance).

.

Gray Paw · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2012, 03:42:00 PM »

I carry a Black Widow daily and sometimes have a Pug in my shirt pocket. I have a lot of confidence in the platform and I practice a lot. Not sure I would want to rely on the Black Widow to feed me, though. I can hit a quarter-sized target at 15 feet, but at 15 yards, I would probably hit a squirrel in the rear end.

It's possible the 4" Minimaster or Earl is better suited for a kit gun. I really have not done a lot of longer-range shooting with the BW, since it is primarily a carry gun. Mine has the fixed sights.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #6 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:48:14 PM »

if i could afford to, i'd have one
in each pocket.

they're not really a game getter, or
a target buster. it's more like a
GET THE @#%***&% OFF OF ME
YOU $%^$$** CRACKHEAD! ! !
type gun.

i have however, used mine to shoot a
rabid skunk before, and had it when
hunting alone at a place where there
had been a robbery.

buy one and i don't think you'll be disappointed
if you keep the limitations in mind.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 28, 2012, 06:50:34 PM »

and i apologize, i have the
regular short barrel naa, not
the long barrel.

rod251 · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2012, 11:59:29 AM »

I forgot to mention in my first post that I replaced the birds head grips with the NAA laminate boot grips. The gun still disappears in my pocket but there's more grip to hold on to when shooting, which helps accuracy.

Flynmoose · « **Reply #9 on:** December 04, 2012, 04:50:08 PM »

I had a standard 22LR NAA with the short barrel. I haven't seen it much since the wife claimed it.
It is what they used to call a "gut gun" and would work for close encounters of the unpleasant kind.
FM

Keith L · « **Reply #10 on:** December 04, 2012, 11:53:01 PM »

I have long admired the quality of the little guns, but a little tiny gun with little tiny grips loose in a pocket or purse, single action that requires some fine motor movement to use will not be all that helpful in the two seconds the NRA says we will have to respond in a defense situation. While it would be fun just to have one, I can't see it being all that useful.

oldhunter · « **Reply #11 on:** December 05, 2012, 12:34:34 PM »

I own a BW with .22 & .22Mag cylinders. Only carry the .22Mag. Can group shots at 5 yards in fist-sized area but no bunny unless it was very cooperative and walked up real close. Carry this often as either primary or BUG and believe that best use in my case would be a last resort when very close and personal.

oldhunter

cwlongshot · « **Reply #12 on:** December 06, 2012, 01:59:03 AM »

LOVE'EM!

I have a few and carry them all the time. I use them as a second gun or deep cover or when I just have to have something more than a knife.

The shoot bird shot very well as the shallow rifling and shorty short barrels don't impart much stability to the "bullet". The shred a tin can, just past your feet, with a Maggie round!

CW

Lonegun1894 · « **Reply #13 on:** December 13, 2012, 10:53:28 AM »

I used to have the 1 5/8" .22LR version til an ex relieved me of it. Claimed to have "lost it", um, ok. Anyway, once I got the feel for it, I could keep all shots on a coke/dr. pepper can out to 20yds. Now this was with careful aim, and not snap shooting by any means. Having said that, I did take a few rabbits, but not many. I took the little revolver to a friends place and being younger and dumber, agreed when he decided to tape up the paper targets to some plastic 55 gal drums with a berm behind them. Well, I lost all faith in it as far as hunting goes when I hit the bulls eye at 15 yds but the bullet bounced straight back and hit me in the chest. Well, I was dumb enough to think this was a fluke and couldnt possibly happen again, maybe a bad round or something. Well, three more shots that all hit me in the chest and I was done with the little gun. I never carried it again and it became a range toy that didnt go to the range much. I'm sure y'all understand why I didn't raise much of a stink when the now-ex claimed to have lost it fishing. They are well made little guns, and I wouldn't mind having another, but I think I would go for a longer barreled version such as you're talking about or the .22 Mag version.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #14 on:** December 19, 2012, 01:29:49 PM »

Someone above said it. It's a way to keep someone from hurting you. Shoot him with a .22 Magnum and he will bother you no more. Shoot him with 5 and he'll never bother anyone again. The LR version might not work in that regard. I'd rather have the little Magnum in my pocket than no gun at all.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #15 on:** December 19, 2012, 01:59:35 PM »

yes, the magnum is the one to buy.

keith44 · « **Reply #16 on:** December 19, 2012, 10:14:40 PM »

I have the 1 5/8 barreled Magnum, it stays on me somewhere. Pocket holster or IWB holster, or loose in a shirt pocket. Pocket holster is probably the best way to carry these. Longer barreled types for game gittin'? NAA has a forum full of diehard NAA fans who would be happy to debate this for you. Me I can shoot soda cans at 15 to 20 feet all day long with mine.

cwlongshot · « **Reply #17 on:** December 19, 2012, 11:13:09 PM »

Quote from: keith44 on December 19, 2012, 10:14:40 PM

I have the 1 5/8 barreled Magnum, it stays on me somewhere. Pocket holster or IWB holster, or loose in a shirt pocket. Pocket holster is probably the best way to carry these. Longer barreled types for game gittin'? NAA has a forum full of diehard NAA fans who would be happy to debate this for you. Me I can shoot soda cans at 15 to 20 feet all day long with mine.

If you look at my pic, there is a couple ways to carry I find useful... Kydex neck holster, Leather wallet holster and grip holster. They say it looks like a pager.

I dont believe that, but makes for a nice grip and its a robust clip. Rides well on the top of my boot.

CW

keith44 · « **Reply #18 on:** December 20, 2012, 05:53:54 AM »

I've been wondering about Kydex holsters for a while now...I still prefer leather for most things, but might try kydex. Do you recommend kydex holsters, or did ya just have to try one

cwlongshot · « **Reply #19 on:** December 20, 2012, 07:02:04 AM »

Quote from: keith44 on December 20, 2012, 05:53:54 AM

I've been wondering about Kydex holsters for a while now...I still prefer leather for most things, but might try kydex. Do you recommend kydex holsters, or did ya just have to try one

I love the Kydex for fishing trips!! It's hi up outta most of the water being around my neck. Super easy to conseal yet super fast to acquire. It's a bit of a job inverting it into the holster. But comes out with a quick jerk, yet zero absolute zero, worries of it ever "falling" out. Plus the gun is stainless and mine has been dunked and swam with many times. Kydex is a natural as its impervious to water or wet environments.

One big plus the short barrel and shallow rifling allows pretty decent patterns with rat shot. When fishing the first two are shot and last three usually old CCI Gold Dots. Now Hornady Critical Defence.

The wallet holster is nice with all day comfort and ability to carry 6 extra bullets. I don't think you could shoot thru the holster.

CW

quasne.inc · « **Reply #20 on:** December 20, 2012, 01:26:05 PM »

I love my mini master. I put the folding pocket clip on it and it is easier to shoot than the stock grip it comes with. It is the perfect size for carrying on my person all the time. It is perfect for going out to the barn if I come across skunks or feral cats trying to get to my chickens. I didn't care for the really short .22 lr naa mini I had, but the mini master with it's four inch barrel and .22 mag is the perfect combo for me.