What's it been? 15-20 years?

[22luvr]

My 22 mag mini with the 1 1/8" barrel is approaching a carry life of perhaps 15-20 years and still going strong (honestly I've lost track).  I have the oversized grip (part GMM-M) and have gone through countless pocket holsters, most of them Uncle Mike's size 1.

   It shows no rust, pitting, or inaccuracy. It has been my primary back-up for all these years.  My wife's uncle, a Navy swift-boater in 'Nam 68, recently shot it with better accuracy than I can achieve, and LOVED it. (He was unable to explain why he shot it so well) Thanks Sandy, for building a weapon that is made with superior materials, workmanship, and backed with superlative customer service. And, yours truly has kept the innards, as well as the "outards" scrupulously clean.  Best wishes....

[ksblazer]

Thanks for sharing your NAA Mini Mag experiences with us. I wish I would have boughten one 15-20 years ago. They didn't cost as much back then I'm sure. How much did you pay for yours back in the day? Do you recall?

   

   PS: I use a Uncle Mikes size No.1 holster for my Mini Mag as well.

[22luvr]

I bought mine way back when (1990-1995) from a colleague for $125, a bargain on anyone's terms.

[cedarview kid]

I bought my first NAA mini-revolver, a combo Black Widow, in about 1998 for $175, which included a wallet holster that I wanted nothing to do with, being an AOW, which I sold on eBay for $65. That essentially dropped my price to $110. (My first NAA was a Guardian .32 with night sights and stippling.)

   

   This Black Widow was probably "my mistake," as it led to purchase 25 more NAA's since then. LOL.

[grayelky]

All you young whipper snappers just settle down.

   

   I'm gonna stick my neck out and lay claim to having owned a mini revolver longer than any one on the forum. I believe I can lay hands on the original receipt if needed. I got mine in 1977, and have carried it ever since. If my math is correct, that is 32-33 years. I think I paid about $125 for it, but I am not sure. That would also include a box of HPs as well. I have had the safety upgrade done to it. NAA replaced everything but the barrel, frame and cylinder pin when the upgrade was performed.

   

   My Dad got one about the same time, maybe the same day. Again, he still has the receipt. Or perhaps I should say his wife does. He passed away about a year ago. If I was guessing, I would say less than 200 rounds have been fired through his, and it has not been converted. He still has the original box, I think.

   

   My best friend got a Mini about 2 moths later, after seeing mine on several occasions, and shooting it. He still has it, and it has not had the safety conversion done. (I have tried to get him to do it, but so far he has been reluctant to so so.) I have no clue as to how many rounds he has fired in his.

   

   A picture of mine:

   

[cedarview kid]

Wow, nice. I think you're the winner--and with a beautiful piece, too!

[bill_deshivs]

My minis were purchased before the long rifle version was made.

[theysayimnotme]

Buying back in the day would not have saved you much money. They were very expensive. The early ones cost around $125 which was about the same price as a .44 magnum Ruger & $50 more than a new 1911 A1. There was a VERY long list of handguns that cost far less than $125 at that time.  

   The problem then was that they were at the very beginning of the learning curve in machining stainless steel & these tiny pistols & tight tolerances made it even worse.

[Uncle_Lee]

I bought a consective set in 1976. I think they were $85.00 each. I changed the white plastic grips for wood ones. Put them in the gun safe and didn't think any more about them (didn't even remember who made them) until 2009 when I bought two Earls. Then I was hooked and dug out the little minis. What do you know they are from the same maker.

   

   

   

   

[coopercdrkey]

No safety notches in those bull cylinders.  I'd definitely keep them that way, especially if they are "in the gun safe" collectibles.

   

   Be careful if you ever decide to fire them, though....

[22luvr]

You guys have some "purdy" toys there! This thread is just a testament to the quality of the products at NAA.

[coinchop]

I bought a NAA 22short sometime before 1974.  

   I carried it in my back pocket padded by a  

   big red hanky that was there for hiding the

   outline of the gun. The reason I know that

   I had it before 1974 is because thats the  

   year I got rear ended by a car while I was

   on a motorcycle and I didn't have the gun

   in my pocket that day. I stopped sliding  

   about a block and a half from point of impact

   most of which I covered sliding on my back

   feet first down the highway. Had the gun been

   in my pocket it would have been ground  

   mostly away. There wasn't much left of  

   my clothes, and no pockets left, but I still

   have the gun.

   If the gun had been in my pocket it would  

   have set off a shell or two when things got

   hot and added to the pain.

   I have been going to call NAA sometime

   and find out when the gun was made but I never

   seem to get that done.

[grayelky]

I knew when I was typing my post there would be at least one who had their Mini longer than I have had mine. That's okay. It's nice to know there are others who appreciate the guns for what they are.

   

   I neglected to mention it, but I bought mine as a "last ditch" back up weapon. I was a LEO, and felt an emergency weapon was a good idea, in addition to my other back up gun. I carried it until I retired 8 years ago. I had it engraved about 7 years ago. It still rides in my right front pocket, unless I have one of my Mini Magnums.

[coinchop]

The neat thing about these little guns, is

   not how long we have had them, but the fact

   that we do, and can have them.

   In the times in which we live, they are like

   an ace in the hole. Thats a good thing.

   

   In our quest of a good life, NAA is a big  

   plus...

[red14]

"The neat thing about these little guns, is  

   not how long we have had them, but the fact  

   that we do, and can have them.  

   In the times in which we live, they are like  

   an ace in the hole. Thats a good thing.  

   

   In our quest of a good life, NAA is a big  

   plus..."

   

   Awesome post, should be on the web site!!!

[coinchop]

Thanks Red.

   But now my cap is to small!

[cedarview kid]

"Awesome post, should be on the web site!!!"

   

   Um, it IS! ;) That's where I'm reading it!

[ricart]

Darvell, any idea of what happened to CJ?  I remember years ago when you, him, and I use to drop bits of "wisdom" back and forth on this board.

[sirbarkalot]

He is still here,,,,,,,,,,, using different names from time to time.............

   

   Mostly MDE right now..................

   

   LOTS of words of wisdom..........

[redhawk4]

"The neat thing about these little guns, is  

   not how long we have had them, but the fact  

   that we do, and can have them"

   

   That's why having lived for 42 years in the UK, I have nothing to lay claim to in terms of long term ownership. My claim to fame could be the one who's owned one the shortest period of time.

   

   Seriously, great to see these older minis. that's a great part of gun ownership having something you know will last for your lifetime and those of generations to come.

   

   I do still have my BSA air rifle my Dad bought me knew in 1971, if that counts at all

[cedarview kid]

I don't know, Ricart. He left this forum maybe 1.5 - 2 years ago, but for another year hung out on the Stories section of this board. Then he seemed to have left all together awhile back. I had some sort of disagreement here with him on something, I forget what, and wondered if I had driven him off. I don't think he was that petty, though, so I have really no idea what happened.

[coinchop]

CJ did his last post Aug. 28, 2009. Said he

   wouldn't let the door hit him on the ass on  

   the way out.

   I think he was an Obama fan which is a bad

   spot to be in if you like the 2nd. amendment.

   HE thought we should all get along and settle

   any disagreement without knocking the things we were against such as the current administration

   and Obamas gun policys. He thought if we didn't  

   like things the way they were we should just  

   wait till we were in my mind, screwed, and  

   try to vote them out next election. To me that  

   would be like spraying water on your house  

   after a fire burned it down.

   

   He called me a yapper at least once if not  

   more when I didn't agree with him, and that  

   didn't impress me much.

   On the plus side, some of the members that

   left because of him have come back to the

   forum. Some under a different name, so all

   is not lost.

[stainless1]

I have a 1 1/8" LR.  It was given to me by an uncle in 1977.  I carried it hidden when I worked undercover whenever I thought there was a chance I'd be pat down for a second wallet or handgun.  I had some Hells Angels send a couple of their women over to feel me all over in a biker bar but they never found it.  I think most of the patron were armed.