NAA Guardian or Tomcat?

[Stevie-Ray]

I'm not quite sold on either of these, but I've narrowed my next purchase down to something small to replace my pocket Taurus PT-22 with something with a little more punch. The Tomcat can be had in .32 ACP max, I believe, whereas the Guardian comes in .380. I like the idea of a .380, but if this gun is horrendously innaccurate compared to the .32 Tomcat, it's not for me. Any folks out there with experience with either?

 

[CZ-75]

Not that I have experience with any of these, but the Kel-Tec P32 seems to get favorable opinions.

 

[WhoKnowsWho]

Tried the Tomcat in .32, it won't be a daily range gun. Light weight and a blow back action means the recoil felt worse than my other stuff, plus the safety dug into my hand no matter how I held it. Unless I held it really low then it really flew upwards after I shot it.

It did work fine except for on last round jam in the first string fired. Not too bad accuracy wise but I was starting to flinch a bit because of the expected ow.

I wanted my wife to get the Kel Tec, but she thought it was ugly...

 

[beemerb]

I had a tomcat and can't fault the gun in any way as far as function and accuracy.I did think it was a little thick for carry.Sold it and bought a kel tec P 32.Like it better then the tomcat.
Bob

 

[MikeJ]

I have a NAA Guardian .32 that I really like. Eventhough it is close in size to the NAA .380 there is enough difference IMO to make the .32 much easier to conceal and carry in a front pocket. I did own a KelTec P32 but much preferred the Guardian over it. I had trouble getting use to the fact that it felt like a toy. I use to have the Beretta in .25 but never liked the trigger and I prefer DAO for small pocket guns.

 

[Mal H]

As Mike just said, the NAA Guardian comes in both .32 and .380. And he is also right that there is a bigger difference between the guns other than just the calibers. The .380 is quite a bit heavier. As far as caliber goes, some think the .380 is anemic (it isn't), so where does that put the .32? I went with the .380. I would call it an accurate pistol for its intended purpose. I can put 7 aimed shots in COM at 7 yds with it, or 7 shots OB (on body) rapid fire.

Either of them are not ideal carry guns, but are excellent BUG's.

 

[Watch-Six]

I have a Guardian 380 that I had NAA put Novak night sights on. It is a decent little pistol, but kind of heavy for its small size. I have owned KelTec and NAA 32s, but I just can't get too excited about the caliber. You might want to check out the new KelTec P3AT in 380 that is coming out. The NAA is a good pistol. I don't have any experience with the Tomcat. Watch-Six

 

[10-Ring]

I like the stock trigger in the Guardian marginally more, but like the Tomcat overall...looks, function, accuracy, & overall quality.

 

[schild]

No complaints about my .32 Guardian.

 

[Stevie-Ray]

Sounds like the Guardian deserves a close scrutiny. The KelTec in .380 also sounds good, I'll give it a look when I see one. I don't have to make a decision soon.

I'm sure you know this is for those shorts and tank-top days, when the Kimber or even the G26 is just not practical.

Thanx fellas.

 

[Marko Kloos]

I've owned both the Guardian and several Tomcats. Sold the Guardian, but still have a Tomcat...it's my wife's carry gun. The Guardian is a lot more unpleasant to shoot, but conceals better. The Tomcat has far superior sights and the convenient tip-up barrel. The Tomcat is also easier to shoot well.

 

[PCRCCW]

Just a note..The Guardian comes in the new "NA32" or whatever the hell its called. Its hotter than the .380 from the same gun and Corbon makes the ammo for it....
The Keltec 380 sounds pretty interesting for a pocket gun....really light small gun with a kick.
Shoot well

 

[SouthpawShootr]

I have both a Tomcat and a Guardian .380. The Tomcat sits on a shelf, although it was my everywhere gun for about a year. It's lighter, of course, but the .380 is a better use of space, if you will. Trigger pull on the Tomcat is better. Accuracy is about the same (you have to have realistic expectations in this area). When I first got the Guardian, I shot 100 rounds through it during the first range session. My hand was sore for about 2 days after that. The recoil isn't really that bad, except that the gun butt is driven directly into the middle of my palm during recoil. As far as I'm concerned, this isn't a prolbem, I'll just fire 20 or so rounds per range session. The trigger takes some work to get used to and the sights are downright awful (these are point and shoot guns anyway). If I can part with it long enough, I'll have NAA's gutter snipe sights insalled to correct this.

The only real complaint I have against the Tomcat is the back of the slide is VERY SHARP, especially for those of us with meaty hands. I have scars that kind of look like snake bites. Stay with the factory stocks. I haven't seen anything slimmer, though I have tried Pearce grips and didn't like them.

 

[faustulus]

I have a tomcat I carry pretty much everyday. It even serves as a backup when I can carry my primary.
I haven't had any problems and it is an excellent pocket gun. I have played with the gardian and it seems to be a good gun (I keep trying to get my friend to buy one to see if I will like it) but the grip doesn't fit my hands as well as the tomcat, so for about the same size ...

 

[106rr]

The T Cat is the only mouse gun that is accurate at 25 yds. It's quick to reload but wears out in long term use. The modern T Cats are much improved. Better safety, stronger frame, etc.
With a full load and one spare mag you are good for fifteen rounds of "leave me alone" The P32 is more compact but less accurate.
There is a trade off in caliber when you go to a pocket gun -- the 32 ACP in T Cat or P32 is remarkable for it's power to weight ratio. Haven't tried the NAA.

 

[Mannlicher]

I would not compromise on my insurance policy, my brake parts, or my gun. No .32 here.

 

[bad_dad_brad]

Man, if you are going .32 look no further than the incredible featherweight KelTeck P32. The ultimate semi-automatic derringer. 6.6 oz unloaded.