I have used the Mini with .22 Magnum loads, and after a box have concluded that it will make a dandy fishing lure after I weld on some hooks. Because it is SS, it should last a few seasons in the salt water. Beyond that, for my purposes it is next to useless, although quite well made.
NAA mini revolvers .22mag vs .22lr
- Thread starter Tarheel59
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Stainz
Member
It's odd... think a NAA 5-shot .22 WMR with a 1 7/8" tube and you think 'range toy'. Now, consider a S&W 351PD - a 7-shot .22 WMR also with a 1 7/8" tube and HiViz front sight - and you think, "... serious backup!" or, "... decent CCW.". Wow. Even Mas Ayoob likes the 351PD! Is it because you can shoot it DA? Faster reloads? Rethink that - HKS makes a #51-J speedloader - 6x .22 WMR for the 6-shot 51/651 models.
I must like it... a month ago found me dropping a bunch for a new 351PD (I couldn't find a NAA!).
Stainz
I must like it... a month ago found me dropping a bunch for a new 351PD (I couldn't find a NAA!).
Stainz
Clark
Member
I cut threads on one of these
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/527760.htm
And there are other things that can be done with 22 barrel liners.
http://www.gunpartscorp.com/Products/527760.htm
And there are other things that can be done with 22 barrel liners.
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BCRider
Member
Stainz, it's not about the barrel length. It's about how to HOLD the darn gun. The S&W has a frame and grips which are human sized. Like I said back before, I LOVE my NAA for the unique little gun that it is. But it simply does not fit normal human hands at all well.
Once I get my shop renos done one of my early projects (there must be about a dozen "first" projects on my long list
) will be to make up a short but proper set of grips for my Earl. Likely the look will resemble something SAA like but shorter that provides a nice two finger hold and fills out to the thumb to forefinger web for a "proper" sort of grip contact. The same sort of thing which the S&W comes with.
Clark, that looks like the Jack Nicholson "Joker" movie revolver done to scale....
Once I get my shop renos done one of my early projects (there must be about a dozen "first" projects on my long list
) will be to make up a short but proper set of grips for my Earl. Likely the look will resemble something SAA like but shorter that provides a nice two finger hold and fills out to the thumb to forefinger web for a "proper" sort of grip contact. The same sort of thing which the S&W comes with.Clark, that looks like the Jack Nicholson "Joker" movie revolver done to scale....
Confederate
Member
There was a magazine a number of years ago, and the writers were decidedly anti-22mag, which they couldn't control. The .22LRs were better, they said, but stay away from the .22mags!
DocCasualty
Member
Most everybody seems to look at the wrong niche for these pistols. Their role is very much a last ditch shot to the brain at arm's length, nothing more. I'm eager to see any objective date, though believe .22Mag>.22LR>.25acp in this role.
Though larger calibers are more commonly associated with firearm homicides now, the .25acp was a common leader in that category a couple of decades ago. That doesn't make these minis the preferred SD choices, though they do have a role in ultra-concealable SD.
Though larger calibers are more commonly associated with firearm homicides now, the .25acp was a common leader in that category a couple of decades ago. That doesn't make these minis the preferred SD choices, though they do have a role in ultra-concealable SD.
Stainz
Member
BCR,
You are totally correct re the 'typical' NAA revolver's teeny grip. The two I've shot were too small for my medium + sized paws. Re your Earl and making better sized wood grips, just don't make them too comfortable. Years ago, I had R. Mika make me a pocket holster for my 296, an L-frame hammerless 2.5" barrel AirLite-Ti in .44 Special. Gripped at the time in some rounded Uncle Mike's Combats, which pad the backstrap, it was more comfortable to shoot 200gr Speer Gold Dots in - but 'printed' and drug the pocket when retrieved - back to the OEM dimunitive boot grips. No printing or drag. One day I tried the Hogue X-frame monogrips (for the .460/.500 Magnum series), which softly padded the backstrap and gave me a lot more to hang on to. They fit and functioned perfectly, albeit ad absurdium in size! Back with the boots... and just accept that, in it's case, shooting isn't supposed to be comfortable due to the recoil. That first shot could be quite accurate, however. Grip size is important to 'comfort' - but a firearm that is an effective 'hide-away' needs to be 'adapted to' by the shooter - to keep it's 'hidden' status. JMHO.
My wife's fellow lady pastor friend decided she needed to shoot her 'ancient' NAA in .22 WMR, several years ago, which had been her glovebox protector thru several cars. She could not believe ammo was no longer <$3/box... it had been a while since she last shot it. I cleaned the gun and she bought it new ammo. Both she and my wife were consistently better shots at 7yd on a bg silhouette target - when they remembered to cock the SA hammer. Therein lies the Achille's heel of the SA SD firearm. I had several other calibers in SD that she would shoot, each time asking if I had anything 'more powerful'. When she saw my 6" 629, she asked if that wasn't a 'shiney version of 'Dirty Harry's' gun... and could she shoot it? I had some mild 240gr LSWC's (900-930 fps), so I let her. Her concerned look became a Cheshire cat smile on the first shot - and she would shoot it more than the other cf revolvers, all of which she would shoot DA only - and nicely displayed her marksmanship - even out to 50yd. She took an empty case and a live round to show her work friends what she had done on her Sunday afternoon - after church.
The NAA SA's, no matter the caliber, just aren't right for the occasional shooter - especially as a last ditch weapon. For the experienced shooter only, IMHO.
Stainz
You are totally correct re the 'typical' NAA revolver's teeny grip. The two I've shot were too small for my medium + sized paws. Re your Earl and making better sized wood grips, just don't make them too comfortable. Years ago, I had R. Mika make me a pocket holster for my 296, an L-frame hammerless 2.5" barrel AirLite-Ti in .44 Special. Gripped at the time in some rounded Uncle Mike's Combats, which pad the backstrap, it was more comfortable to shoot 200gr Speer Gold Dots in - but 'printed' and drug the pocket when retrieved - back to the OEM dimunitive boot grips. No printing or drag. One day I tried the Hogue X-frame monogrips (for the .460/.500 Magnum series), which softly padded the backstrap and gave me a lot more to hang on to. They fit and functioned perfectly, albeit ad absurdium in size! Back with the boots... and just accept that, in it's case, shooting isn't supposed to be comfortable due to the recoil. That first shot could be quite accurate, however. Grip size is important to 'comfort' - but a firearm that is an effective 'hide-away' needs to be 'adapted to' by the shooter - to keep it's 'hidden' status. JMHO.
My wife's fellow lady pastor friend decided she needed to shoot her 'ancient' NAA in .22 WMR, several years ago, which had been her glovebox protector thru several cars. She could not believe ammo was no longer <$3/box... it had been a while since she last shot it. I cleaned the gun and she bought it new ammo. Both she and my wife were consistently better shots at 7yd on a bg silhouette target - when they remembered to cock the SA hammer. Therein lies the Achille's heel of the SA SD firearm. I had several other calibers in SD that she would shoot, each time asking if I had anything 'more powerful'. When she saw my 6" 629, she asked if that wasn't a 'shiney version of 'Dirty Harry's' gun... and could she shoot it? I had some mild 240gr LSWC's (900-930 fps), so I let her. Her concerned look became a Cheshire cat smile on the first shot - and she would shoot it more than the other cf revolvers, all of which she would shoot DA only - and nicely displayed her marksmanship - even out to 50yd. She took an empty case and a live round to show her work friends what she had done on her Sunday afternoon - after church.
The NAA SA's, no matter the caliber, just aren't right for the occasional shooter - especially as a last ditch weapon. For the experienced shooter only, IMHO.
Stainz
todd_g
Member
I just sold my NAA mini-mag 1 1/8 barrel, I still have the folding grip holster and an IWB tan leather holster right handed that I bought from NAA site, they are very barly lightly used and the folding grip holster still has the original box and instruction. I will sell for half of what they are listed on the site plus you pay shipping, so $29 plus what ever usps charges for shipping. [email protected]
DNS
Member
I pocket carry my magnum NAA year round. I just can't stand lugging around several pounds of firearm/ammo while keeping my pants up plus keeping it concealed. Yes the magnums more powerful but its also about being 25% larger in the hand. Still small but holding it is much easier for me.
Hoppes Love Potion
Member
It's worth it to carry the magnum NAA and to get grips that fit your hand, even if they make the gun larger. We're still talking about a very thin, light gun that is easy to carry an conceal.
As far as the NAAs being "last-ditch" weapons, I consider my .357 a "last-ditch" weapon, too.
As far as the NAAs being "last-ditch" weapons, I consider my .357 a "last-ditch" weapon, too.
Clark
Member
~ 18 years ago I was carrying one of my NAA revolvers as a carry piece.
One of my hens had a brood of chicks, and when the young roosters showed their colors, I shot them. I used a 10/22 rifle with LR hollow point ammo. I had a scope and a picnic bench rest at short range.
None of the body shots seemed to affect the 1 pound birds. Head or neck shots took them down instantly.
250 pound pigs shot with a 22LR rifle, if the bullet glances off the skull, can run full speed.
I have changed my carry strategy as a result of my barn yard testing.
I will now put 6 shots of .355" 90 gr hollow points at 1100 fps through the perps lungs, and then out run him.
When I am in Seattle at night, I up the carry piece to 6 rounds of 45 cal holes... and then out run the perp.
One of my hens had a brood of chicks, and when the young roosters showed their colors, I shot them. I used a 10/22 rifle with LR hollow point ammo. I had a scope and a picnic bench rest at short range.
None of the body shots seemed to affect the 1 pound birds. Head or neck shots took them down instantly.
250 pound pigs shot with a 22LR rifle, if the bullet glances off the skull, can run full speed.
I have changed my carry strategy as a result of my barn yard testing.
I will now put 6 shots of .355" 90 gr hollow points at 1100 fps through the perps lungs, and then out run him.
When I am in Seattle at night, I up the carry piece to 6 rounds of 45 cal holes... and then out run the perp.
BCRider
Member
Stainz, I agree with most of what you posted in #23 above. And the items that I'm not in total agreement with I still agree at a basic level.
I think you also just laid down a guantlet to me... It may not see the light of day in the next short term but I'm thinking of a set of wood grips and a holster for my Earl where the wood grips tend to blend to the holster such that the total package is something that would not print overly or drag on clothing but which offers an easy to obtain grip on the important part for draw and use.
Now I won't be carrying it since up this way handguns are all in the Restricted class of firearms. And that means that I can only transport the guns to a proper approved range to play with them.
But if the project seems worthy as a possible concealed carry option or perhaps as a waist worn kit gun holster setup for trail walks down in the US then it might be something worth making a few and selling to fellow NAA fans before I move on to other pursuits.
I think you also just laid down a guantlet to me...
It may not see the light of day in the next short term but I'm thinking of a set of wood grips and a holster for my Earl where the wood grips tend to blend to the holster such that the total package is something that would not print overly or drag on clothing but which offers an easy to obtain grip on the important part for draw and use. Now I won't be carrying it since up this way handguns are all in the Restricted class of firearms. And that means that I can only transport the guns to a proper approved range to play with them.
But if the project seems worthy as a possible concealed carry option or perhaps as a waist worn kit gun holster setup for trail walks down in the US then it might be something worth making a few and selling to fellow NAA fans before I move on to other pursuits.
JN01
Member
Folks on the NAA Forum seem to like these grips for their minis:
http://www.revisioncv.com/gallery
http://www.revisioncv.com/gallery
BCRider
Member
Now THOSE look like grips that a normal human adult can hold onto! ! ! !
Not to mention that the way they sweep up and forward to form a recoil shield is rather stylish.
I may just need to send them an email and see if they are set up to be allowed to ship to Canada. Not everyone can for some types of firearm parts.
Not to mention that the way they sweep up and forward to form a recoil shield is rather stylish.
I may just need to send them an email and see if they are set up to be allowed to ship to Canada. Not everyone can for some types of firearm parts.
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