BP noob, and NAA Companion

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Al-jim19

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recently I kind of got intrigued by black powder revolvers. I’ve never held or shot one before and I’m hoping the pros can share some pitfalls and tips about ownership and use based on experience. Any models/ manufacturers that would be a good choice for a rank amateur to buy and try?

I have been considering the NAA Companion for a few reasons:

1. It’s pretty cheap. About $250 is a pretty cheap investment to try this out.

2. It’s hard and expensive to get the .22lr NAA in my state, so this would scratch my itch for a cool, tiny gun.

3. It’s a gun that’s actually light enough to carry while I’m running, and conceal at the gym.

My last question is in regards to number three: I’ve not run across a gun light and small enough to carry comfortably in garb made for running/lifting weights. Black powder definitely isn’t my first choice (or second, third, fourth...etc) but I figure that it’s better a sternly worded pamphlet for defense. Have any of you ever carried black powder or this gun specifically? Wondering if there are any downsides or limitations to it other than the obvious not-as-good-as-smokeless arguments.

Thanks!
 
I wouldn't carry a NAA for self defense, smokeless or BP. If you want a toy to play around with go for it. In a situation where I need to defend myself? I want every advantage. Why set yourself up for failure?

Shooting BP is lots of fun. Personally I'd recommend you start with a steel frame Pietta 1860 Army Colt or Pietta 1858 New Model Army Remington.
Uberti is good too just more expensive.
 
I wouldn't carry a NAA for self defense, smokeless or BP. If you want a toy to play around with go for it. In a situation where I need to defend myself? I want every advantage. Why set yourself up for failure?

Shooting BP is lots of fun. Personally I'd recommend you start with a steel frame Pietta 1860 Army Colt or Pietta 1858 New Model Army Remington.
Uberti is good too just more expensive.
I second that. If you're interested in shooting black powder, start with a Pietta. I also agree on the NAA statement. I have owned 3. (2) .22LR (1) NAA guardian .32 acp. All three were traded off. If you just want one because " you want one",cool. Go for it. But as a previous owner, I would NEVER count on them for self defense. Myself, I carry a .357mag.
But I'm getting off topic, sorry.
If you want a smaller black powder revolver, try one of the 1863 pocket revolvers. Or maybe a Uberti Wels Fargo. I believe you would enjoy those much more than the NAA.
 
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As the owner of both a Companion, the 22 mag version and a Wells Fargo, I concur with drobs, the Wells Fargo is fun and enough power to drop a rabbit. The NAA bounces off water filled bottles at 5 yds. with 4f powder.
 
Given the limitations of use/scenario, what pistol in the size/weight class of the naa family would you recommend? Black powder or otherwise.
 
There are nifty little derringers, two shot in 38special on the market that would fill the bill quiet well. A friend carried one in a holster with two reloads. Bond Arms come to mind. They have one 45C, expect that would be a handful to touch off. IMO a would be assailant would be more hesitate if confronted with any type of firearm, even a 22 is better than a rock or pocket knife. Just the threat would,
 
Smallest for me would be a .380 acp Ruger LCPII or Glock 42 with a pocket holster. A S&W J Frame 38 special also disappears in a pocket.
Check out the Braids pocket holster. The panel breaks up the outline of the pistol making it look like you have a wallet or cell phone in your front pocket.

s462466524370859916_p67_i1_w640.jpg
https://www.braidsholsters.com/stor...tec_p3at_leather_wallet_&_pocket_holster.html
I think could make similar holster and just use a kydex rectangular panel loosely mounted to a pocket holster.

I CCW a FN Hi Power or Glock 19 when out and about. For family gatherings where I know there will be lots a hugging a S&W 442 or Ruger LC9S is dropped into a front pocket.
 
Thanks for the tips.

The complicating factor is that I live in MA. There is an approved handgun roster here that makes many small pistols hard or expensive to get. The ruger lcp that every shop in free America has for $200 Is nowhere to be found here. Same for 2 shot .38 derringers. You can get a beretta 92 with 15 shot mags at any shop here, but not a 2 shot derringer. Kel-Tec need not apply anywhere.

A j frame is on the upper end of being acceptable in weight but I worry it would be too heavy running in the pocket of gym shorts.

Those factors are what led me to the tiniest of guns.

Living in a slave state sucks.
 
Just to add to what I said previously, I carry a G19 or a Shield 9mm when I wear a belt. I’m simply looking for a tiny gun for running or similar activities. I’m under no illusions that any NAA or black powder pistol or .22 is the best choice or even a good choice for most circumstances, but rather is it better than the spyderco clipped to my pocket?
 
IMG_0198.JPG I agree, any gun is better than no gun. In your case, and given all that you have told us about the restrictions there as well as your personal requirements, I don't see many other options other than something like my .31 caliber CVA derringer. And it's a single shot black powder derringer.
 
There is an approved handgun roster here that makes many small pistols hard or expensive to get. The ruger lcp that every shop in free America has for $200 Is nowhere to be found here. Same for 2 shot .38 derringers

Sounds like he's a "neighbor" of mine in the People's Republic of Maryland :confused: The Beretta Bobcat in .22LR and the Tomcat in .32 acp, plus the Ruger LC380 are all approved on Maryland's roster.

Otherwise..., if you can't find a dealer who will either let you buy it and have it shipped to the dealer for clearance to take possession, and you have to go black powder, you may want a two-shot .36 caplock kit from Dixie Gunworks...A Snake Eyes https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...ame/PH1301+Classic+Arms+Snake+Eyes+Pistol+Kit or a Twister https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...t_name/PH1403+Classic+Arms+Twister+Pistol+Kit.

LD
 
Sounds like he's a "neighbor" of mine in the People's Republic of Maryland :confused: The Beretta Bobcat in .22LR and the Tomcat in .32 acp, plus the Ruger LC380 are all approved on Maryland's roster.

Otherwise..., if you can't find a dealer who will either let you buy it and have it shipped to the dealer for clearance to take possession, and you have to go black powder, you may want a two-shot .36 caplock kit from Dixie Gunworks...A Snake Eyes https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...ame/PH1301+Classic+Arms+Snake+Eyes+Pistol+Kit or a Twister https://www.dixiegunworks.com/index...t_name/PH1403+Classic+Arms+Twister+Pistol+Kit.

LD
I agree on the Twisrer. But they are no longer available. I've been trying to find one to build myself. My understanding, they are no longer being produced.
 
I own a couple of NAA and Freedom Arms black powder revolvers. They are a hoot to shoot and even have the belt buckle mount but would never consider carry for self protection unless I had no other choice. I realize that any gun is better than none but that would really press the theory..
Good luck in you endeavor
Maybe time to move to a free state..
 
Actually the NAA shooting the .22 Mag is quite effective. I have one that I can almost conceal in my hand. Read the ballistics on .22 mags - you might be impressed. Win PDX-1 in 22 mag makes a good defensive load.
 
Paul, I agree with you on the .22 mag. But the .22 lr's and the .32 guardian I had, although easy to conceal, the .32 was bad to jam after the first shot. The bird head grips were too small on the .22lr's, it would tip up every time I shot.
They were good "belly" guns. I liked them, but just didnt trust them for defense.
 
True enough about a belly gun. The wife and I had a condo at Daytona Beach and use to walk every night on the beach. I would wear those stupid jogging pants with no pockets so I'd carry one in my hand. Never had to use it but can you imagine the sound and muzzle blast at night at belly ranges ? :what:And, the .22 is the choice of assigns - can't be all bad. .:)
 
lol well here's my two cents I own two naa bp revolvers one the companion and the other is the super companion and I love both of these but the super companion which is the magnum is way better and what I found to make it have power is to take goex 4f powder and really pack those chambers, I load the chambers like normal with a touch extra then I take the nipple out and put a little more in and it gets tight screwing in the nipple but you'll figure out just about how much with a little trial and error how much extra can be forced on each load! but trust me it sure makes it shoot really strong and is better than nothing!
 
lol well here's my two cents I own two naa bp revolvers one the companion and the other is the super companion and I love both of these but the super companion which is the magnum is way better and what I found to make it have power is to take goex 4f powder and really pack those chambers, I load the chambers like normal with a touch extra then I take the nipple out and put a little more in and it gets tight screwing in the nipple but you'll figure out just about how much with a little trial and error how much extra can be forced on each load! but trust me it sure makes it shoot really strong and is better than nothing!

Were it me and with self defense in mind I’d bypass the Goex and use 4F Swiss. I’d even take 3F Swiss/Olde Eynsford/Triple 7/Pyrodex P over 4F Goex.
 
I don't think you can even get NAA's in Mass, so the Companion is your only option so long as the seller is willing to ship to you.

I don't think the NAA is a good choice for a first black powder gun, I think the Pietta 1858 New Model Army is, but you can't exactly carry them easily. BTW, I assume you have an LTC because if you carry a black powder antique firearm without one, you'll surely be arrested.

Your question is on the NAA and with the right grip, they are shootable. The Black Widow/Minimaster grip is excellent, I make repeatable hits on steel at 50 yards with my Minimaster. No reason with a short barrel that you couldn't make good hits out to 7 yards with that grip. The issue with be the sights, the short radius doesn't help much.

If you really want an NAA Companion, there's a 4 inch model that I would buy, but I'm happy with the Minimaster. 4F and Triple 7 should get decent velocities with it. They're tough to find and they're longer, so if you want small, the Super Companion is the best choice for ultra small. Also, don't bother with the non Super Companion, there's not enough room for powder in the cylinder, it's a novelty and nothing more. The Super Companion has potential, especially if you use smokeless in it.

What no one other than me is going to say is that you can load smokeless powder in the companion and really up the power. So long as you don't use too much powder and you don't seat the bullet too deeply, you'll be fine. There is a larger room for error tho, so you'll have to do your research and be careful. I won't tell you what powders and amounts to use, but back when the Companions were first being made, they were advertised to use a certain amount of Bullseye powder.

With smokeless they'll pack quite a punch and personally, I feel more confident in the NAA Companion than I do the rimfire NAA's because rimfire ammo is sketchy and every range trip I've shot .22 LR, I've had at least one failure to fire. Yeah, if you get a misfire you can go to the next chamber, but I've never had a percussion cap fail to fire, I've just had powder fail to ignite or have a piece of cap get stuck and interfere with the hammer hitting the cap hard enough. If I was down to my last shot and had to choose between .22 rimfire and percussion cap, I'd choose percussion cap.

The NAA is probably the highest quality percussion revolver made today, I doubt it will have such issues. Also, you can buy spare cylinders for them, so you could have a fast reload with a pre-loaded cylinder at the ready and loaded with 5 shots because it's not being carried in the revolver with a cap under the hammer. BTW, if you do carry a Companion, you can only load it with 4 because the empty chamber will rest under the hammer.

Alternatives? 1863 Pocket Remington and 1862 Pocket Police. The 1863's are very small, but I've heard the quality on them is very iffy, especially the Pietta made ones. Stuff like chambers being way oversize or the grooves being too big. Pietta's not the only one who has made repro's of them, CVA has, but idk what they're like. The brass frame ones usually go for a good price and I would steer you in that direction. You won't need steel frames as long as you don't shoot them regularly with max loads.

The 1862 Police is made by Uberti, I have a used one with a pitted bore that I am planning to chop down to 2 inches. You'll need a hacksaw, a file, and some way to put a crown on the barrel if you do this. I'm a machinist, so it's a piece of cake to me.

Besides revolvers, there's always true muzzleloaders like the Philadelphia derringer. You can get those used very cheap. There's the Twister derringer, but those are tough to come by. I always keep my eye out for Ethan Allen by Hoppe's. Hoppe's made some repro guns back in the 70s/80s and I've seen Pepperboxes, derringers, etc. and I'm led to believe the quality on them is very good.

One last alternative is an expensive one. There's a company in Czech Republic called Great Gun. They make over/under double barrel percussion derringers in 9mm, .45, and .54 calibers. Because they're over/unders, they're quite flat and they're available in a variety of barrel lengths, from 2.5 inches up to 6 inches depending on the caliber. IDK how you get them in the US, I think you'd have to order them through the company directly. The 9mm starts at $250, the .45 is $290, and the .54 is $340 if the conversion rate is correct on google. Shipping is what will set you back a lot and Idk what that will cost.

IDK all what's available in Taxachusetts as far as the approved handgun roster goes, but I wouldn't turn my nose up to a snub revolver.
 
Indeed the Pietta Pocket .31 has way undersized chambers. If you can get them reamed to groove diameter they’d be an improvement over a .22, especially if you deal with bullets. Not sure if the safety notches are wide enough, but filing the hammer nose would fix that.

I had Accurate Molds create my custom designs for my .44/.45 cal revolvers, one of which is just .400” long and weighing 170 grns with a wide flat nosed meplat which would create a greater sized wound cavity than all but a good hollow point. In essence it could be loaded with a touch more powder over a ball.

Quite frankly I’d lean more towards the Uberti Colt Police in .36 cal, which gives .380 ACP performance with an energetic powder. Maybe the smaller 4.5” version would be small enough for your pocket. An after market 3.5” barrel without the loading lever can also be had. This would be the bigger and heavier of the 3 (NAA, Remington Pocket, and Colt Police) and the largest (thicker frame and longer length).

The Colt may need to have the arbor length modified, and something may need to be done to work on cap jamming. Filing the edges of the safety notch in the hammer may work. If not installing a cap rake would work. The chambers are also slightly undersized but it’s not as big of a deal as with Pietta’s grossly undersized chambers. I’d still ream them were it mine.
 
I'd like to think that the 1863 would be an improvement over the .22 NAA, but 47 grain round balls are not good at penetrating and that's the only choice one has in .31 caliber. If somebody would make a conical mold for .31's I'd have a different opinion, but nobody does and thus you'd have to spend big money on a custom mold.

The good thing about the NAA's bullets is that they are conical, they weigh 30 grains, and I think they'll penetrate better and hit vitals better.

Then again, the .22 and .31's shouldn't be shot at the body, they should be shot at the head and neck for maximum effectiveness. If I took a .22 or .31 to the jaw, throat, or eye, I'd stop what I was doing.
 
Another B/P to look at is the Remington 1863 in 31 cal, very concealable, almost as small as the Companion, but larger bullet and more power. Pietta and Umberti both make them or at least both did, also there's a lot of older ASM's running around. They're 5 shots and to carry you only have 4 shots, but better than 2 and bigger than 22.
 
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