NAA 22 revolver

[rooster]

I took my girlfriend with me to the gunstore as we are looking for a new carry gun for her. She has a difficult time with 380 and 38's and feels far more comfortable with a 22. (Ik its not a manstopper but a 22 she is comfortable with is better than nothing.)

Anyway she was gravitating towards the selection of NAA revolvers such as the 22LR and the 22mag. I have never shot one and my only real concern is the reliablity because I dont own one and dont know any one that does. Any input would be appreciated.

She was also looking at the bersa 22 and the walther 22 but hasnt made up her mind yet.

 

[Joe K]

I have had a 22lr and a 22 magnum carried them for years as a discrete pocket carry option while working I never had a problem with mine and with the notches in the cylinder to rest the hammer on it makes for quite a safe piece. In my opinion if you are looking for her something to enjoy shooting ie actually putting consistent rounds on paper and getting the self satisfaction that comes with achieving that, I would look at a S&W J frame 22 or the Ruger LCR, the reason I go with a revolver is sometimes the semi auto's can be kinda finicky I have had good luck with a Beretta 21a though. Hope this helps.

 

[Colt556]

I carry a NAA 22 Magnum in a pocket holster as a back up. I've never had an issue with it. The Beretta 21 or Taurus copy, PT 22LR (?), are good lil guns too.

 

[rooster]

This is for a carry gun. She has a 22 mk II that she shoots like a champ, she just has a hard time with the full size calibers

 

[Shoots4Fun]

I second looking at the Beretta Bobcat.

I have a NAA but it is not very accurate. Reliable, but hard to control with such a short barrel.

 

[Joe K]

Well something to consider is the fact they are a close up gun which you have to cock each time if it were for my girlfriend I would try to steer her into something a little bigger and subsequent shots are easier I just think it would be hard to keep cocking and firing that little revolver in a high stress situation (that's why I got rid of mine) I believe they are making a Ruger LCR in 22 mag I think that would be a great choice for a recoil sensitive shooter, also I really enjoyed my Beretta 21a tip up barrel for easy loading I ran CCI stingers through without any troubles pretty darn accurate for its size to.

 

[Racechase1]

Just don't buy this holster for it.


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[Bigtanker]

The NAA is probably not the best for her. The Beretta .22 is likely a better choice. Maybe the Taurus .380 revolver. No matter what she gets, get her some training to go along with it. Knowing how to use the gun is far more important that what gun she has.

 

[ultra...good]

Those NAA 22 mags kick pretty good. If the recoil is what is getting to her, I would definitely recommend an automatic of some kind. The slide absorbs some of the energy when it cycles the next round into the chamber. Next would be to avoid lightweight/featherweight pistols as from my experience, the lighter the gun the more recoil I felt.
Beyond that, you need to find a range with a selection of rentals and go from there. I would recommend staying away from ported barrels for a carry gun. They are great for range use, but if needed for self defense, you never know where those ports will be aiming and it would be a shame to catch that blast in the eye.
Just my opinions of course.

 

[ultra...good]

It is a little on the expensive side, but SIG makes a .380 in a sub compact 1911 style. Forget if it is a 238, a 938, but might be worth looking into if it is in the price range.

 

[rooster]

She has an arthritic type condition in her wrists that make her more recoil sensitive. She can shoot a 22 just fine. She shot my 38 special revolver and LCP and hated the LCP and strongly disliked the 38.I will have to find a bobcat or something with a metal frame in a 25 or 32 such as the bobcat that she can coonfinger and see if she likes.

 

[Joe K]

I will say regarding the 3032 tomcat just my experience only speaking I had two and they both were very unreliable. But my 21a just ran and ran and ran loved those little guns. I have had three over the years...

 

[ultra...good]

Yeah, one of those flip up barrel models probably would be best if she has arthritis. Would be a chore to work the slide for her.
Try to find a range that rents. Has to be one around you. Maybe someone from the forum near you that has one, might let her try it out.

 

[rooster]

she just brought up a good point as well, Any thoughts on the durability of the ones with the plastic fold up handle

 

[ultra...good]

Plastic fold up handle? Sorry, I am not familiar.
I do know that plastics/composites have come a long way in recent years. Look at how durable, not to mention popular plastic frame guns are now a days.
If in doubt, google or bing search the particular make and model of the gun for reviews. Take a little time to read through them. It is usually not hard to find gripes about a product online. People are more then happy to complain it seems.

 

[Littlejoe]

I have a NAA Pug 22mag that I carry everyday for a backup. It has night sights and is very easy to hide with the right pocket holster.. I keep it loaded with Hornady short barrel ammo. I read somewhere that it is close to a .380 in ballistics. I would not give it to my wife for a carry gun. After 5 shots it will be to much for her to reload. NAA has a new model coming out that has a flip-out cyl. I can't wait to see one, may have to replace my Pug.

 

[Littlejoe]

she just brought up a good point as well, Any thoughts on the durability of the ones with the plastic fold up handle

I have a friend that has the folding NAA 22mag. and he just loves it. His has a clip on it and he just slides it in his pocket. Looks just like he has a folding knife with a clip...

 

[rooster]

I have a NAA Pug 22mag that I carry everyday for a backup. It has night sights and is very easy to hide with the right pocket holster.. I keep it loaded with Hornady short barrel ammo. I read somewhere that it is close to a .380 in ballistics. I would not give it to my wife for a carry gun. After 5 shots it will be to much for her to reload. NAA has a new model coming out that has a flip-out cyl. I can't wait to see one, may have to replace my Pug.

I havent heard about this, do you have a link?

 

[45fan]

I have a NAA Pug 22mag that I carry everyday for a backup. It has night sights and is very easy to hide with the right pocket holster.. I keep it loaded with Hornady short barrel ammo. I read somewhere that it is close to a .380 in ballistics. I would not give it to my wife for a carry gun. After 5 shots it will be to much for her to reload. NAA has a new model coming out that has a flip-out cyl. I can't wait to see one, may have to replace my Pug.

Not saying this isnt a little better than a 22 LR, but have you shot these over a chronograph? I know in a handgun (71/2" barrel) the 22 Mag is only marginally better than the hyper velocity 22 LR loads that are available.

For a carry gun, the only issue I would have with the NAA mini would be that its a single action. Not the best option, especially considering that multiple shots probably will be required.
If recoil is an issue, perhaps looking into one of the larger locked breach .380 designs would be an option that would suit her, and put her into a caliber that is more formidable than a rimfire.
A few pistols that come to mind are the LC380 that Ruger has come out with, or Walthers PK380.
The locked breach design will have the added benefit of a weaker recoil spring as compared to a blow back operated pistol of the same size, making it easier to cycle, and making recoil not as difficult to manage. My wife started out with a PK380, and all but the super hot buffalo bore ammo felt as light, or lighter than my dads Walther pp in .22, and was easier to cycle the slide.

 

[shibumiseeker]

I have the basic mini-revolver in .22lr. I chronyed CCI Stingers out of it at about 650-700fps.

I love it as a pocket gun. As far as reliability goes it is simplicity itself, not much will go wrong mechanically.

As far as a defensive weapon, it is not something would ever recommend as a primary weapon for anyone, but a great deep concealment gun for those times when a better option simply is not possible. It's only going to be a close-up weapon and pretty much only used to distract the attacker and weaken him so I can run like hell. I can maintain a 3-4" circle at 50' with any pistol I own except this one. Beyond 10' I was off the paper.