BP noob, and NAA Companion

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TTv2 said:
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.
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I don’t recall if the fellow who did a ballistics gel test with a Colt .31 and 50 grn ball mentioned the powder used but it did show that it penetrates 13”. Not bad. Of course a ball often creates a slightly smaller than caliber wound track but often better than what a RN creates, and even more so than the original pointy style of conicals used 150 years ago.

A custom mold can be a bit pricy. Mine was a little over $200 but that was due to having 5 cavities with 3 designs. But if this is the type of gun this fellow wants/needs to carry I’d certainly think the expense was worth it if he were to ever need it.

Another option which a fellow has done was to have his mold hollow pointed. From there he epoxied the rammer to create a pin to keep the cavity from deforming upon loading.

The one thing I don’t like about the NAA is that you have to buy their projectiles. They aren’t outrageous but also aren’t cheap and keep one from being self sufficient. A pound of reclaimed lead can cost as little as $1. That would make 116 bullets weighing 60 grns. It wouldn’t take long to recoup the equipment cost if one shoots a lot.
 
I’m curious if anyone with one of these BP NAA pistols know how readily the bullets can/will expand. How soft is the lead?

If they don’t really expand anymore than a lead ball I’d certainly opt for the .31 over the .22.
 
This store in MA (the first one I looked at) has a Ruger LC9S as well as an LCR and a Sig p232M in .380. You might contact them for other options. They seem to be up on what's happening in your state:

P232-Stain-detail-L_small.jpg rugerlc9s.jpg

https://fsguns.com/fsg_new_hg.html

I found them by searching for 'lightest MA legal pistol' on Google

As far as carrying the pistol while running, you should get a belly band. Not necessarily advocating the 'Flip belt' (check out the Amazon link below for various options) but this is the first image I could find and load.



https://smile.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8...targid=kwd-90058619565&ref=pd_sl_66iijepnqi_b
 
rodwha said:
I don’t recall if the fellow who did a ballistics gel test with a Colt .31 and 50 grn ball mentioned the powder used but it did show that it penetrates 13”. Not bad. Of course a ball often creates a slightly smaller than caliber wound track but often better than what a RN creates, and even more so than the original pointy style of conicals used 150 years ago.

A custom mold can be a bit pricy. Mine was a little over $200 but that was due to having 5 cavities with 3 designs. But if this is the type of gun this fellow wants/needs to carry I’d certainly think the expense was worth it if he were to ever need it.

Another option which a fellow has done was to have his mold hollow pointed. From there he epoxied the rammer to create a pin to keep the cavity from deforming upon loading.

The one thing I don’t like about the NAA is that you have to buy their projectiles. They aren’t outrageous but also aren’t cheap and keep one from being self sufficient. A pound of reclaimed lead can cost as little as $1. That would make 116 bullets weighing 60 grns. It wouldn’t take long to recoup the equipment cost if one shoots a lot.
Click to expand...

rodwha said:
I’m curious if anyone with one of these BP NAA pistols know how readily the bullets can/will expand. How soft is the lead?

If they don’t really expand anymore than a lead ball I’d certainly opt for the .31 over the .22.
Click to expand...
The idea isn't about creating expansion, it's about penetration. The issue with round balls is that they never penetrate straight if you hit bone, they're going to bounce off at a weird angle and may not hit vitals. Not saying the little NAA .22 is going to fix that, but it will do just as well and in a smaller package.

mark3smle is the one who did the .31 ballistic get test

 
I suppose it’s possible they can change direction a bit, though the old military testing in bone and gel didn’t show that with a slow .44 cal ball.



With a little 22 I’d want some expansion, though it wouldn’t be such a big deal if used on an attacker’s face.

There’s a couple of guys who use standard modern lead bullets and use a sizing die to create a rebated base to easily load in a percussion cylinder. And then there’s also the conversion cylinders. I believe one can be had in .32 S&W or something for the Remington Pocket.
 
You guys have really given me some good stuff to think about.

Definitely reconsidering any BP option for carry now. I have concerns developing over reliability when exposed to sweat.

I have carried a shield running and it was just too heavy. I think a .38 revolver in the lcr irk frame category could be light enough but I’m not sure.

As for fun/plinking and collecting, I like the idea of the 1858 Remington or the .31 Remington pocket.

Not giving up on the Companion yet! Still looks really fun.
 
My 642 is so small and light that when I carry it IWB, I literally forget that its there sometimes and have to physically check (IE grab my waistband) to make sure that it is... 5rnds of 125 +P hollowpoint is off the charts better then most BP mouse gun options. Of course for serious carry I still revert back to my 3" 1860 with thunderer grip, either in BP form or with its conversion. That thing is in a whole other world as far as weight is concerned though, and would never work for running etc... Look into the 642 airweight, I think youll be glad you did... You can always come back to the BP world for side carry or just the pure fun of it!

Now.. If we talk holster carry, thats another thing as well... I ALWAYS go for the BP when woods walking, fishing, etc.. Simply the most versatile option!
 
Snidely70431 said:
Suggestion. Move. At a guess, if you have to use your hold out, BP or not, they will sink you. CC is likely a no-no BP or not.
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Actually I have a license to carry any legal pistol, which is basically anything other than AR/AK stuff and similar. Massachusetts is really a mixed bag when it comes to guns. In some ways we have it better than California, and there are even minor aspects that beat Texas of all places. It’s legal to own most common guns with the right license. Licensure depends on the town, which can add a lot of obstacles or be as simple as taking a course and paying for a license.

Black powder stuff is definitely ok, and you’d be surprised what usually happens when LTC holders defend themselves. Some get railroaded and others walk with little legal issue.
 
Ok, since you have the LTC, you should look into the P32 from Kel Tec as it weighs basically the same as an NAA mini revolver. You can carry the P32 in a belly band or leg band and you'd forget it was there. Yeah, the sights are kinda crap, but it's not like the NAA sights are better. Yeah, the trigger is a heavy double action, but it's not like the NAA grip is ergonomic either.

If it's on the approved handgun roster, take a look at the P32. They're currently available from online stores and gunbroker and they tend to sell out quick. There was a lengthy period last year that they were just flat out not available online.
 
TTv2 said:
Ok, since you have the LTC, you should look into the P32 from Kel Tec as it weighs basically the same as an NAA mini revolver. You can carry the P32 in a belly band or leg band and you'd forget it was there. Yeah, the sights are kinda crap, but it's not like the NAA sights are better. Yeah, the trigger is a heavy double action, but it's not like the NAA grip is ergonomic either.

If it's on the approved handgun roster, take a look at the P32. They're currently available from online stores and gunbroker and they tend to sell out quick. There was a lengthy period last year that they were just flat out not available online.
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OP stated earlier that keltec was unavailable where he is.
 
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Kel-Tec would be a great choice, and for their size and price point I’d definitely try one. Unfortunately they are relatively rare here and prices are inflated beyond reason due to their scarcity.
 
Al-jim19 said:
Actually I have a license to carry any legal pistol, which is basically anything other than AR/AK stuff and similar. Massachusetts is really a mixed bag when it comes to guns. In some ways we have it better than California, and there are even minor aspects that beat Texas of all places. It’s legal to own most common guns with the right license. Licensure depends on the town, which can add a lot of obstacles or be as simple as taking a course and paying for a license.

Black powder stuff is definitely ok, and you’d be surprised what usually happens when LTC holders defend themselves. Some get railroaded and others walk with little legal issue.
Click to expand...

License. Approved handgun list. Thanks, I will stay in Louisiana.
 
I thought this was the BP forum, from what I am aware of the NAA is not intended to be used as a BP weapon. It shoots as I'm aware of the .22SL&LR, at meager velocities. Definitely not BP! Sorry I just couldn't resist.
 
loose noose said:
I thought this was the BP forum, from what I am aware of the NAA is not intended to be used as a BP weapon. It shoots as I'm aware of the .22SL&LR, at meager velocities. Definitely not BP! Sorry I just couldn't resist.
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Yes, there are NAA models that are BP only.
 
Thanks for informing me, Ya learn something new ever day. BTW I do own the Black Widow NAA with that same grip, however I've only shot the LR thru it.
 
People tend to forget that NAA makes a percussion revolver. I've been guilty of that in the past myself.
 
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