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I have a NAA 22 but that thing is the dickens to shoot and it is easy to forget you have it in your pocket. I carried it to work one day and did not know I had it untill I reached for some change in my pocket. that could get you fired where I work.Now I stick with my LCP and the little 22 just stays in a desk.
If ur going to carry at least get something 32 caliber or bigger and makes sure its center fire.
Oddly, I can speak from recent experience with the Cobra .22 mag.
My son recently bought one, against my strong recommendation not to do so.
He got the stainless version, and it is pretty. The construction is also sturdy. Anything else nice that I have to say about it, stops there.
* The trigger pull is stiffer than a bear trap. I don't have the means to measure it, but it has to be well over 10 lbs.
* By the time you're able to actuate the trigger, any chance that you're still on target is very slim.
* The ejector slide doesn't work. The cases expand so that you have use a small dowel rod up the muzzle to eject them.
* The safety has a tendency to slide over and brush against the hammer as it falls. When it does this, you will get a light strike that often will not fire the round.
My kid still thinks it's cool, and likes it. As a toy - well, whatever floats your boat. However, I would rather have a sturdy rock for self defense over this little gizmo.
I have the 38 big bore Cobra. The trigger is very hard to pull if u don't follow the directions that come with the pistol. If u follow the directions it does release a lot better however it Is a stiff pull still but better. My crossbolt safety is very postive that does not move at all until pushed directly. This all said there are better pocket pistols of the same size and lighter with more rounds. But I see comments on different forums of people shooting plus P rounds out of them, dry firing them and then causing broken firing pins, thus complaining that theirs broke. If u follow directions and take care of ur weapons they will work. Myself I carry a SW 642 J frame because I want more then two shots. However some will not carry a revolver because of only 5 Or 6 shoots and want an auto loader. To each their own with what ur happy with. One more thing Iwas at a LGS one day and a guy was in there dry firing another gun that's not recommended dry firing with the LGS owner just standing there watching. He does not buy and u come in later an purchase the weapon as new not knowing its been dry fired, so now u have a damaged new weapon. That happens more times then we all know too. I'm Leary of purchasing weapons that have been laying in those glass counters being shown and handled a bunch of idiots. I usually have a dealer that I can trust that I buy my weapons and usually have them order new from the wholesaler. I've also seen idiots open revolver cylinders and either spin them or take their wrist an flip them back closed which is not good at all...
I have the unfortunate displeasure of owning one. J. U. N. K.
I had an American Derringer Model 1 years ago chambered in .410 / .45 Colt. It was a nicely built stainless with green laminated grips. A nice piece, but heavy. It did save my A** one night in a break in situation. Don't want to go into detail, but I traded it off because of the memory associated with it. Now that the years have passed, I kinda' wish I had it back again...Oh Well.:frown:
Even a Keltec P-32 would be better.
It's one of my BUGs and disappears in a pocket, with a holster, of course.
I purchased a 22lr revolver,5 shot.I throw it in my pocket when I carry my ruger 380.Sometimes I carry three small ones for summer carry.My s&w Bodyguard 38spl,RugerLCP380,and my little 22lr revolver;total round count for all three 17.Winter carry glock 17 with one in pipe 18 rounds. I must admit I purchased this one after seeing a fellow squad member showing me his 22mag for carry.My littke gun is a hoot to shoot and with occastional practice I can hit my target with little effort.
Masterpiece Arms MPA380B-IIQuote:
Originally Posted by grnwdjsn
The size of a Seecamp 32. Half the cost of a Seecamp 380. Mine is very reliable. Double action safety. Ported barrel makes for reduced recoil. Good accuracy. A legitimate, no exageration, easy pocket carry 380. I love mine.
40+ years experience with combat and civilian guns and shooting. One of the few members of gun forums who actually fired a shot in anger and be shot at. Much of what you read in gun forums is pure opinion based on beliefs and information read which may or may not be true or 100% accurate. Heck, most posts are from people that even held the gun you are talking about. :)
So here is goes. Some informed advice based on experience. I own a Cobra Derringer in .22 mag, for my Old West display in my man cave where it sits with a Colt SAA. I shot it a few times at the range. I have also owned a Bond Arms Derringer in .410 at one time. I would never carry the Cobra. First off most will carry it in their pocket and like my cousin found out last week when I badgered him to try drawing his "pocket rocket" from his front pants pocket, he could not do so seated, while laying down (easily) or when I had him in a bear hug or was twisting his body so that his pockets tightened. He immediately understood what I was saying about not thinking that he could bring a belly gun carried in his pocket into play for the times he thought he would need one. Recent events in his church also made him understand that his mental picture of when he would possibly need a gun does not control reality. He was only prepared for self defense at arms length and learned that threats come from further away a lot of times. Smart criminals do not get into touching distance unless they are unarmed and he learned that criminals carry guns and knives too and threaten you from halfway across a room in a church.
After some training I also showed him that while in a car he would be shooting through glass unless he would first ask the carjacker to wait while he rolled down his window. I also timed him from the word go to the time he was able to pull his Cobra, cock it (which often was diffcult depending on how he held it) and then find the saftey which was inapproiately placed on the right side instead of under the thumb to take off safe. I showed him how it only took me 3 seconds to reach him from 7 yards away and he realized that he would be dead before he could bring his gun into play.
In summary, after training shooters for so many years there are many who just want to feel safe or protect themselves from whatever they fear. I had one guy who only wanted to carry a gun when walking from his car to a hotel during business trips. He did not carry at other times. Everyone has a mental picture in their heads of their own gunfight but reality is very different. I know becaues I experienced it. Makes no sense to buy a gun, no matter how cheap, that is only effective in a limited number of situations. That is not being safe. That is easing your fears but no real protection.
If you need something very small I am (also) for the NAA 22Mag with 5 shot revolver.
Not very accurate or fun to shoot but its better than nothing and well made. It is an option at times. I would rather have at least a 9mm on me but it is better than nothing. I certainly would not want to get shot by it.
Pay the extra for the NAA
Always remember shoot center mass and shoot until the threat stops. Get a service caliber gun that u can get familiar with in the dark and practice with it. Be aware of gun grabs and situation awareness around you at all times. IMHO get u a good J frame size revolver such as a 642. Simple operation and fast to get in action service caliber round for the expert and for a beginner.
I too considered derringers and NAA minis. But I decided that my G27 was small enough.