Small and mini handguns

[anglaispierre]

I read Cajunlawyer's fascinating thread about Freedom Arms mini revolvers, and found several other mini handguns including Bond and Cobra derringers. The NAA revolvers appeal to me because they are s/s whereas some others are alloy. Bond are expensive, but Cobra are cheap. Anyone got experience of derringer v revolver. What other small arms can anyone recommend.

 

[TACC1]

I've had a couple of High Standard O/U derringers, a FA mini,
and two or three NAA minis. I like the NAA minis best, for ease of carry,
alternate grips, and the safety notch. I've had no experience with
larger bore derringers. TACC1

 

[gunlovingirl]

I owned a Cobra 9mm derringer. Easy to hide, not pleasant to shoot. A derringer is better than a stick, but a revolver is definitely a better carry gun. For obvious reasons. 2 shots vs 5+. A lot more accurate at greater distance, and easier to shoot.

 

[feldspar13]

seecamp 32acp

 

[Iggy]

Another vote for the Seecamp.

 

[flop-shank]

Many derringers like Bond Arms makes are really no smaller than a J frame, but hold three less shots. If I'm going to carry a hide out gun larger than a Black Widow, it's a P3AT or a J frame Smith.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

I've owned and carried many of these types of small hideout guns for a back up, usually a 3rd. gun when I was working. I'd sooner have a .32 or .380 today though, compared with the .25 ACP's that were so popular in my day "in the bag". The derringer's were never my taste, too limited. I always seemed to use the Walther TPH .22, which is very accurate and reliable. But today there are so many more choices in larger calibers that are just as small. Kel Tec, Seecamp, North American Arms, Kahr P380, Ruger LCR, etc. The Colt Mustang .380 was also once a favorite BUG for me. I have had the NAA Mini revolvers for decades and they are very suitable for going to the beach, LOL, stuck in that little key pocket in your trunks. I think the choices afforded today are nearly endless. The key question is reliability, which is why I always carry at least one revolver. Why bet your life on a primer?

Cheers!
Lefty
BELL CHARTER OAK CUSTOM HOLSTERS (607) 783-2483

 

[gunlovingirl]

I'd like to ask Lefty or Caj or anyone else who can comment (don't mean to hijack your thread anglaispierre), what's the limit on accuracy for the little NAAs? Is it possible to make a head shot at say, 20 ft?

 

[red14]

I'd like to ask Lefty or Caj or anyone else who can comment (don't mean to hijack your thread anglaispierre), what's the limit on accuracy for the little NAAs? Is it possible to make a head shot at say, 20 ft?

With enough practice, it's possible. But that's farther than they are made for. It really depends on the shooter. Some people are quite good, I am not.

 

[Bell Charter Oak Holsters]

I'd like to ask Lefty or Caj or anyone else who can comment (don't mean to hijack your thread anglaispierre), what's the limit on accuracy for the little NAAs? Is it possible to make a head shot at say, 20 ft?

Misty;

Yes it certainly is possible. It's been done, although I would be reluctant to characterize that as typical. I don't think 20 feet is a stretch of the Mini Revolvers performance range, the .22 cartridge is certainly more capable with longer barrel arms, but for a head shot with that revolver I'd like to be a bit more intimate, if practical. I can hit a large 8 inch drain pipe in one of my ponds with the .22lr NAA Mini from about 50 feet, offhand. So rather than taking a chance on a distance head shot, I recommend emptying it into the torso. Small guns like these wander when your nervous, shaking or upset. The slightest movement from a wandering hand under stress could mean a miss. The K5 is your friend in that case.

 

[jframe]

OK, I carry a j frame 90% of the time and a 2.5" Model 19 the rest. Can I really justify the couple hundred to buy one of these minis, and if so, which is y'all's favorite? I suppose it's good to have as an "always" gun, like a pocket knife.

 

[Pontiaker]

My second gun is a NAA mini in .22 longrifle, I carry Stingers in it. I keep a clip grip on mine, makes it super handy with all the ways you can carry it including dropped in a pocket with no gun print. The best thing is the clip grip gives you a very steady larger grip which makes the whole gun easier to use, cock, etc...

I have owned and shot a bunch of little guns from a .44 Mag over under to a .22 short single shot Colt. I like the NAA revolvers mainly because they are small and light and have more than two shots. I will probably replace my long rifle gun with a Magnum version soon.

I had a Seecamp in .32 and other than not liking the pipsqueek round it felt like I had a chunk of lead in my pocket and the grip was too small.Just too hard to get it out and in a propper grip quickly, did I saw it was heavy?

 

[flop-shank]

OK, I carry a j frame 90% of the time and a 2.5" Model 19 the rest. Can I really justify the couple hundred to buy one of these minis, and if so, which is y'all's favorite? I suppose it's good to have as an "always" gun, like a pocket knife.

I have a 1 1/8" lr. mini and a Black Widow. The BW is a much better gun and, Misty, it will out shoot my smith J frame. The .22 lr. mini is much harder to shoot and less accurate. The BW is a little easier to hide than a P3AT. I've written a decent amount about the BW in Cajunlawyer's recent NAA thread if you would like to know more. IMO the BW is definately worth every penny I paid for it.

 

[anglaispierre]

How about this

I'd like to ask Lefty or Caj or anyone else who can comment (don't mean to hijack your thread anglaispierre), what's the limit on accuracy for the little NAAs? Is it possible to make a head shot at say, 20 ft?

You want to know what these little guns can do. Watch this and other videos on youtube
YouTube - NAA Black Widow at 100 feet
I have just reserved one here in France, second hand, and must now wait several weeks for my authorisation to come through before I can actually buy it.

And don't you worry about hi-jacking my thread Girl. I don't own it, I just gave birth to it after reading Cajun's thread. I am pleased to see that it has generated some interesting replies.

 

[sipowicz]

OK, I carry a j frame 90% of the time and a 2.5" Model 19 the rest. Can I really justify the couple hundred to buy one of these minis, and if so, which is y'all's favorite? I suppose it's good to have as an "always" gun, like a pocket knife.

For me, a j-fame is an always gun...so I don't feel the need to go any smaller...especially since I can't hit well with those mini guns anyway...

 

[flop-shank]

Sipowicz raises a good point. IIRC, in past discussions he's expressed an unwillingness to carry more than one gun. That's his choice and I respect that. I agree with him that for someone only willing to carry one gun a NAA mini is a bad idea.

I would only advise someone to carry a one as a BUG, or better yet, third gun.

 

[sipowicz]

Sipowicz raises a good point. IIRC, in past discussions he's expressed an unwillingness to carry more than one gun. That's his choice and I respect that. I agree with him that for someone only willing to carry one gun a NAA mini is a bad idea.

I would only advise someone to carry a one as a BUG, or better yet, third gun.

Good advice.....

 

[David Sinko]

I look at my Mini as a novelty mostly because it doesn't go BANG every time. I don't know if the hammer needs more spring tension or what or if the misfires are normal. I definitely would NOT want to bet my life on this thing. I think a good fixed blade knife is far more effective than a Mini, even if the Mini does give reliable ignition.

I recently did some chrono work with my Mini and it was averaging just under 800 FPS with all the high velocity stuff I tried.

Dave Sinko