Black Widow on order

[WyoShooter]

I just joined this forum a few days ago and after a lot of reading I decided to order a Black Widow with both cylinders to join my little Freedom Arms 22LR mini that I purchased back in the '60s or early '70s.  Now I just have to try to be patient as I wait for her arrival. 

I'll just pass the time reading and dreaming while I wait.   

[billmeek]

While waiting Ed, might as well use the time to start holster shopping.  Rick at Desert Gun Leather makes some very nice holsters for the NAA pistols.

[Crippler]

I just joined this forum a few days ago and after a lot of reading I decided to order a Black Widow with both cylinders to join my little Freedom Arms 22LR mini that I purchased back in the '60s or early '70s.  Now I just have to try to be patient as I wait for her arrival. 

I'll just pass the time reading and dreaming while I wait.   

Congrats on the new piece!
How different are those old Freedom Arms models compared to the new NAA ones?

[Honky Tonk Man]

Welcome to the forum Wyo.  Great place to hang out.  I think you're going to like that Black Widow.  Nice grips and  sights.  If you're going to use it for self-defense, start looking for some Speer Gold Dots or Hornady Critical Defense ammo in .22 WMR.  They are formulated for 2" barrels.  Most of the other magnum loads are for rifle length barrels.  +1 for Bill's holster recommendation. 

[WyoShooter]

While waiting Ed, might as well use the time to start holster shopping.  Rick at Desert Gun Leather makes some very nice holsters for the NAA pistols.

Thanks, Bill.  I've been looking at Rick's web site and he has some nice work.  I'm thinking I'll start with a nylon DeSantis  pocket holster from NAA for starters but will probably get some nice leather from Rick after I have a little experience with the BW. 

[WyoShooter]

Congrats on the new piece!
How different are those old Freedom Arms models compared to the new NAA ones?

I won't know for sure until I get my BW to compare them.  I'm planning on taking some pictures of them together when the BW arrives. 

I do think the BW will be somewhat larger and I know the Freedom Arms doesn't have any safety notches in the cylinder.  Instead the hammer goes into a half cock safety position.  I like the NAA cylinder notches instead.   

[WyoShooter]

Welcome to the forum Wyo.  Great place to hang out.  I think you're going to like that Black Widow.  Nice grips and  sights.  If you're going to use it for self-defense, start looking for some Speer Gold Dots or Hornady Critical Defense ammo in .22 WMR.  They are formulated for 2" barrels.  Most of the other magnum loads are for rifle length barrels.  +1 for Bill's holster recommendation.

Thanks, Honky Tonk.  I'll look for those Speer Gold Dots.

[Warthog]

Welcome!

The Black Widow is my favorite Mini of all time.

[WECSOG]

Welcome and congrats! The BW is a very popular Mini around here. I like mine a lot, too.

[smokeless joe]

Welcome WyoShooter. Great choice on the Black Widow. Have you thought of which one you'll get after that? 

[WyoShooter]

Welcome WyoShooter. Great choice on the Black Widow. Have you thought of which one you'll get after that? 

Thanks, Joe.  I'm already psyching myself up for the Sidewinder.  I may have to wait a bit though to let my wallet cool down before I make the decision.

[WyoShooter]

Welcome and congrats! The BW is a very popular Mini around here. I like mine a lot, too.

Thanks WESSOG.  I think posts by you and others are what persuaded me to go for the BW first.

[RICKS PLACE]

Of course, it's only my opinion, but I think you started with the best of the minis.

[Honky Tonk Man]

WyoShooter, here's a list of my NAA family.  Seeing Rick's Place photo reminds me I need to take a family portrait.

1. 1986 .22LR Mini, 1 1/8" bbl  First Mini

2. 2015 Pug Combo  Best looking

3. 2017 Black Widow Combo  Most practical due to best grips, sights.

4. 2018  Sidewinder Combo 2.5" barrel.  Handiest to load, no pin to wrestle with. 

Favorite??  We had 2 kids, a boy and a girl.  When they asked us "Who is your favorite?"  We'd answer You're our favorite son" and "You're our favorite daughter."  Can't say I have a favorite Mini.  I like them all.  Next one?  3" Earl.

[smokeless joe]

Welcome WyoShooter. Great choice on the Black Widow. Have you thought of which one you'll get after that? 

Thanks, Joe.  I'm already psyching myself up for the Sidewinder.  I may have to wait a bit though to let my wallet cool down before I make the decision.

Nah don't wait, smoke that wallet. Live large   

[Honky Tonk Man]

WyoShooter, If you haven't figured it out yet, this forum is not a good place to hang out if you want to save money!

[franco22]

Welcome Wyoshooter. You will love your Black Widow. The Sidewinder is a great choice for your next mini.

[top dog]

Wyoshooter,
Welcome to the forum.

OK,you now will soon have two minis. Now you went and really done it.  They tend to "multiply".


And for gosh sakes,don't do what Uncle Lee does and that is put them in a shoe box. Then they really "multiply"!!!!


All kidding aside,this is a great place to be.

                                                                                                  Top Dog

[Uncle_Lee]

Yes, Yes, Yes, they multiply very quick in shoeboxes.

[WyoShooter]

Well, after reading the reply's above, my earlier suspicions are becoming confirmed; that I've fallen into a den of enablers.     And I'm beginning to recognize in myself a growing onset of NAAAS, NAA Acquisition Syndrome.   

I've had this problem before in other areas and, with a growing sense of impending doom, I'm sending out a cry for help.  Anyone want to help me set up a Go Fund Me page?     

Ooopps, I just realized I'm still on probation.  Honest, Mr/Ms moderator, this isn't meant to be spam. JK

[RogueTS1]

He is a goner!

[Honky Tonk Man]

No Hope....

[Gog]

Excellent choice on the Black Widow. Still my favorite but they are all pretty great!

[Rick_Jorgenson]

Welcome Wyoshooter!

If you are looking for help with questions on your NAA's this Forum is the place to get it. 

The extensive knowledge and experience is second to none.

Now..... as far as reaching out to "stop acquiring" NAA's -  forget about it this group will always encourage acquisitions of them.  you know.... in a charming way! 

We are "Enablers" for sure!

Many have been very happy with their first purchase and never have a "need" for another...... until they join the Forum!

Peer pressure and keeping up with the "Uncle_Lee's" sets in and next thing you know you're selling the lawn mower to finance the next Mini purchase. lol!!

Anyway...  Good decision on the Black widow,  and like others have asked "Which one is next?" 

I know you said the Sidewinder, my suggestion is a lower dollar gun in-between high dollar gun. Maybe consider a Magnum 1 1/8" Barrel or the Magnum
1 5/8" Barrel to get your feet wet for a little less money.

Or for a little bit more money round out you "Square Barrel" guns with a Pug.

The first 15 posts are a drag, smooth sailing after that!

Again Welcome to the Forum!  Post photos!

[WyoShooter]

Welcome Wyoshooter!
...I know you said the Sidewinder, my suggestion is a lower dollar gun in-between high dollar gun. Maybe consider a Magnum 1 1/8" Barrel or the Magnum
1 5/8" Barrel to get your feet wet for a little less money.

Or for a little bit more money round out you "Square Barrel" guns with a Pug....

Thanks, Rick, for the suggestions.  My mindset is that I'm interested in a gun with maximum pocketability (short barrel) and maximum velocity (long barrel).  To my thinking that means a compromise of barrel length between 2" and 3".  The sidewinder seems to hit a sweet spot at 2.5" plus it appears to be a little more friendly in the reloading department for plinking. And if the Ranger II ever comes out with a longer barrel fitting those parameters then I'd be a pushover for that too.   

That doesn't mean that I wouldn't get the ones you've suggested at some time in the future, but I'm most interested in the 2.5" range right now.  And I gotta say that driving holster on your site that holds the gun horizontally on the belt is intriguing me.  After I have my BW in hand and I know what its size feels like I'm going to try and figure out if that holster would work the way I think it would.  I'm thinking it would make a nice driving cross draw on my left side for my right hand. 

[Warthog]

Ed, or WyoShooter, NAA Minis breed like rabbits.  This is an old pic of all of the NAAs I have, more have come without me seeing them.  Just Popped Out!

[Honky Tonk Man]

I'm saving this picture Warty.  Next time my wife says "How many Mini's does one man need?"; I'll show her this.  

[smokeless joe]

Ed, or WyoShooter, NAA Minis breed like rabbits.  This is an old pic of all of the NAAs I have, more have come without me seeing them.  Just Popped Out!

Gotta be an older pic. I can't help but notice the absence of the ranger II

[top dog]

WYOSHOOTER,
I guess by now you realize that opened a pandora's box.

Look what happened to Warty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry,this is a "help" group. We will "help" you.....................................I think.

                                                                              Top Dog

[Warthog]

My Hog Leg, Ranger IIs and another 22 short to name some of the missing.

I imagine Uncle Lee has it worse than I do Top Dog.

[OV-1D]

  Warty that is one beautiful picture love those group shots , I think you need one of my Ranger#1 's (much better than those #2 's) , if interested slip me a shout .

[WyoShooter]

Ed, or WyoShooter, NAA Minis breed like rabbits.  This is an old pic of all of the NAAs I have, more have come without me seeing them.  Just Popped Out!

Well, I may wind up getting more than one NAA but I don't think I'll ever compete with you on the number of NAAs that I acquire.   

[WyoShooter]

I'm saving this picture Warty.  Next time my wife says "How many Mini's does one man need?"; I'll show her this.

If my wife says ,"Where did THAT come from?", I can often say, "Oh, I've had that for years."

I don't think that'd work for a collection like Warty62's.

[WyoShooter]

WYOSHOOTER,
I guess by now you realize that opened a pandora's box.

Look what happened to Warty!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't worry,this is a "help" group. We will "help" you.....................................I think.

                                                                              Top Dog

Nah, that's too many for me.  I'd never be able to shoot them all. 

[smokeless joe]

  Warty that is one beautiful picture love those group shots , I think you need one of my Ranger#1 's (much better than those #2 's) , if interested slip me a shout .

I'm guessing lunch wouldn't qualify as an even trade OV? I'd even make the drive and let you pick the place