So after much internet research, many gun articles, youtube videos, online forums and reviews, I took the plunge and launched a couple of Benjamins at this nifty little pistol. I've long been infatuated with Derringers and small pistols as a matter of novelty. I'd previously sworn off all pocket pistols and small caliber handguns as a matter of principle. It turns out that I was wrong as there truly is a niche to be filled by these little devils. I caved on my "large frame only" stance and have since picked up an LCP which is pretty much always with me, hence, the strength of these pocket pistols. While the Mini is not my first, 2nd or 3rd choice of self defense, it does fill a nice void as a last ditch effort of self preservation against BG's and the occasional snake while fishin'
I picked up my mini this evening and when I opened the case, I had to giggle. I'm not sure why, but this revolver just cracks me up. That's not to say that this is a toy or a gun to be taken lightly, by any means, it will kill you, dead. However, the dainty profile of the revolver just makes you smile. That smile continued onto the range, after an order of arms was performed by my gun shop, explaining the finer details.
First, the mini is a 5 shot, single action revolver. There is no speed loader and the cylinder must be removed to load your ammo. There is a retaining pin on the under side of the barrel and at the end of said pin, there is a button to push which releases the pin from the revolver. Make sure your hammer is in 1/4 cock position and this will allow the cylinder to freely travel in and out of the frame. The retaining pin is also is used to push fired casings from the cylinder.
There are safety notches in which the hammer can be placed so that you do not let the hammer rest on a primer of a live round. This is a matter of much debate, with some folks insisting that they've had there mini's come out of the safety notch to allow said hammer to rest on a live shell. THIS IS A BIG NO NO. I personally will give up a round and rest my hammer on an empty chamber as a trade off, but I'm a cautious person by nature. You can make your own decision regarding this matter, should you choose to pick up one of these in the future.
I then proceeded to the firing line and after a get to know you session, I loaded Mini. The first shot down range was a somewhat surprising as the little revolver nearly jumped out of my hand (fingers) A warm gust of gas caressed my thumbnail and inner index finger and I caught a decent muzzle flash out of the corner of my eye. After my first 5 shots, I had a pistol at a 45 degree angle in my hand, black smudge on my thumb and index finger and my target mocked me, unblemished. NOTHING, 3 yards out, I whiffed, not even paper. My smile faded as I quickly began to wonder if I could figure this little guy out.
I removed the cylinder and checked my grip angle. The bore axis was pointing up at a steep angle, I don't think that the bullet holes in the ceiling were mine as there are a few on that lane, but at this point, I can't rule it out either. I'm no novice with a gun, but the Mini does require some motor skills and handling techniques to figure out.
After some adjustments, I started getting rounds on target. I strictly view this pistol as a point and shoot, for me, and I treated it as such. I gripped the pistol in one hand, brought my shooting hand down just above waist level and tried to "look" the round on target. I was pretty pleased because that technique seemed to do the trick. The firing process became non visual and completely a feel process. After getting the hang of it, I was peppering the target very nicely at 3 yards. I wasn't a bullseye shooter by any stretch, but center mass was the norm and that's all could hope for in a real life scenario.
The mini became familiar and even so, there is so little grip to hang onto, the gun is always going to be jumpy with a one handed grip. I found the trigger pull decent and the hammer could be pulled back while holding the mini one handed.
All in all, I really love this gun. This would not be a first line of defense, but was a nice addition to round out my toolbox. This truly is a go anywhere revolver and suited for the deepest of deep concealment. At 4.5 oz and just over 4 inches long, the NAA mini revolver is about the same size as a pocket knife. This is not a complete overview, but a first impression of my NAA Mini.
Happy shooting.
I picked up my mini this evening and when I opened the case, I had to giggle. I'm not sure why, but this revolver just cracks me up. That's not to say that this is a toy or a gun to be taken lightly, by any means, it will kill you, dead. However, the dainty profile of the revolver just makes you smile. That smile continued onto the range, after an order of arms was performed by my gun shop, explaining the finer details.
First, the mini is a 5 shot, single action revolver. There is no speed loader and the cylinder must be removed to load your ammo. There is a retaining pin on the under side of the barrel and at the end of said pin, there is a button to push which releases the pin from the revolver. Make sure your hammer is in 1/4 cock position and this will allow the cylinder to freely travel in and out of the frame. The retaining pin is also is used to push fired casings from the cylinder.
There are safety notches in which the hammer can be placed so that you do not let the hammer rest on a primer of a live round. This is a matter of much debate, with some folks insisting that they've had there mini's come out of the safety notch to allow said hammer to rest on a live shell. THIS IS A BIG NO NO. I personally will give up a round and rest my hammer on an empty chamber as a trade off, but I'm a cautious person by nature. You can make your own decision regarding this matter, should you choose to pick up one of these in the future.
I then proceeded to the firing line and after a get to know you session, I loaded Mini. The first shot down range was a somewhat surprising as the little revolver nearly jumped out of my hand (fingers) A warm gust of gas caressed my thumbnail and inner index finger and I caught a decent muzzle flash out of the corner of my eye. After my first 5 shots, I had a pistol at a 45 degree angle in my hand, black smudge on my thumb and index finger and my target mocked me, unblemished. NOTHING, 3 yards out, I whiffed, not even paper. My smile faded as I quickly began to wonder if I could figure this little guy out.
I removed the cylinder and checked my grip angle. The bore axis was pointing up at a steep angle, I don't think that the bullet holes in the ceiling were mine as there are a few on that lane, but at this point, I can't rule it out either. I'm no novice with a gun, but the Mini does require some motor skills and handling techniques to figure out.
After some adjustments, I started getting rounds on target. I strictly view this pistol as a point and shoot, for me, and I treated it as such. I gripped the pistol in one hand, brought my shooting hand down just above waist level and tried to "look" the round on target. I was pretty pleased because that technique seemed to do the trick. The firing process became non visual and completely a feel process. After getting the hang of it, I was peppering the target very nicely at 3 yards. I wasn't a bullseye shooter by any stretch, but center mass was the norm and that's all could hope for in a real life scenario.
The mini became familiar and even so, there is so little grip to hang onto, the gun is always going to be jumpy with a one handed grip. I found the trigger pull decent and the hammer could be pulled back while holding the mini one handed.
All in all, I really love this gun. This would not be a first line of defense, but was a nice addition to round out my toolbox. This truly is a go anywhere revolver and suited for the deepest of deep concealment. At 4.5 oz and just over 4 inches long, the NAA mini revolver is about the same size as a pocket knife. This is not a complete overview, but a first impression of my NAA Mini.
Happy shooting.
Thanks for sharing.
