NAA Guardian in .32ACP, Locally, for $275

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GeoJelly

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A gent I have bought from before has a .32 Guardian up on the local trader for $275. The good news is he's very anal about taking good care of his firearms. The bad news is - I don't know much about the Guardian. And, sure, I have Googled it for reviews, but I don't think much of the most reviews since they tend to offer a glowing report, and not much else.

If I got it - it would be my second micro .32 - since I recently picked up a wide-slide Tomcat in .32. Does anyone have any experience with one? It's OK to say it's a no-go - I'm good looking, and smart, but not made out of money ... ;) ... and would hate to pick something up that is too difficult to shoot. This is the actual pistol - apologies to the gent for posting his photo but I did crop and edit it ...
oSsP4co.jpg
 
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I have had one for a couple months. I've put a box through it of assorted ammo. It had a stovepipe but the doc I got it from had not lubed it. It is "up close" useful, forget the sights. Not much recoil, it is heavy for its' size. I can't get a grip on it with the flat bottom mag, the "finger perch" is necessary. I bought mine so my wife would carry something, I'm hoping for "just right" after the 642 debacle. If'n I had a Beretta Tomcat I don't reckon I'd add the NAA. Joe
 
I have one in 32ACP that I keep as part of my teaching inventory. During a class there is always a woman novice shooter that wants to talk about the cute little pistols and I let them try and rack the slide on the Guardian. That settles the issue and most of them go out and buy J-frames

It is not a bad firearm. I got mine for free from an out of business gun smith shop. It had no lock-work, just the slide, barrel and frame. The good folks at North American Arms fixed me up with all the parts and magazines for $107 shipped(gun smith pricing)

I have found mine to be reliable and easily combat accurate to 15 yards or so.

If I did not teach, I probably would not bother with one. I never worry about a bulge in my pocket and always carry something bigger.

Old_Cop's 32NAA is built on the larger 380ACP Guardian. The 32NAA cartridge is a 380ACP necked down for a 32 caliber projectile.

If you think it is cute, and it is cute, then buy it.
 
I have never owned a Guardian. But The F-I-L has one as a BUG. I've shot his and consider them to be a fantastic BUG! I use a Tomcat in an ankle holster when in a suit, The Guardian will be easy to do that with.

AS to weight, since polymer guns came out all metal framed guns are considered "Heavy for Size!" If the few ounces is that important to you, get a Kel-tec! Compared to a Colt 1908 or a Walther PPKs the Guardian is very fine in weight!

For ammo, FMJ always works! In the 12-15 32ACP pistols in my extended family Winchester Silver Tip Hollow Points always work also, that hasn't been the case with other SD ammo! American made FMJ is weaker than most European 32ACP Ball ammo, you might like some of the RWS/GECO brand, I had a few thousand rounds of Euro police surplus when the went to 9mm a couple of decades ago! Real good stuff!

My Opinion, is for a BUG or hide gun the compact 32 ACP's are better in winter than 380's of similar size, due to penetration. In warm weather I find the reverse is true.

Hope this helped some,

Ivan
 
My understanding is that after the patent that Seecamp had for it's pistol expired, NAA stepped in and made their version of it and supposedly addressed the shortfalls of the Seecamp pistol. These improvements include: the addition of sights, an "American" style magazine release rather than the "European" heel clip magazine release, and the ability to shoot any .32ACP ammo in it. The .32ACP Seecamps were designed to shoot the Winchester .32ACP Silvertip ammo, but over time, the factory tested, and "okayed" other ammo. I own a Seecamp, and all I ever load and shoot in it are the Winchester Silvertips.

If you visit the Seecamp website, one of the features you'll find there are photo overlays of the Seecamp (same size for the .25ACP, .32ACP, and .380ACP) with various other handguns. Kinda sneaky, but they used the larger framed .380ACP NAA Guardian to show their Seecamp is smaller in size.

The Seecamp is heavy for its size, but its well made and all stainless steel. The price you quote is a very good deal, and if I didn't already have a Seecamp, I'd probably buy it. These micro pistols aren't any fun to shoot on a regular basis. But they are very handy, and remove any real excuse for not being armed with a handgun.

Good luck,

Dave

PS - I've provided photos of my Seecamp along with my 432PD in .32 H&R Magnum to give you an idea of its size.

Regards,

Dave
 

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If I wanted a second .32, I'd be looking for a second Beretta. The tip up barells on the little Beretta's put them in a class by themselves IMHO.
 
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Thank-you Gents, each and all, for your thoughtful and well-written input! I have decided to get it and I've contacted the seller. I understand it will be heavy-ish - but I'm slowly trying to get away from polymer frames. I have the good fortune of not really needing this .32 - but it will be nice to have another toy in my collection. Not related - but once again, you folks, the established S&W Forum members, have validated why I like SWF so much!!

Edited to add: I understand that my comments are perceived as fake until I come up with the goods and post a pitcher or two! You'll know it's real when I post cause it'll have a red rubber band wrapped around it!!
 
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Just wanted to post a quick update - I picked up the NAA .32 last week - but haven't had a chance to shoot it. Overall, I'm pretty happy with it - although it did have a few more scratches in the bead-blasted areas than I would care for. I like the trigger - I would say it's an order of magnitude better/easier than my BG .380 from last year. I do worry about the possibility of slide bite though - there isn't much of a backstrap to protect even medium sized hands. And, I can only get one finger on the actual grip, so the extended floorplate helps a lot. I'm hoping to find someone around here to beadblast the frame - the slide is in pretty good shape but it looks like it's been carried without a holster in a pocket at some point ... :(
tYJe3Hx.jpg

Edited to add: I went to the laundromat this morning and found a like-new wrist band - I think it has very nice contrast with the stainless finish ... ;)
 
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