Best cylinder pin ?

[bearcatter]

I see that minis seem to have three different means of securing the cylinder. I'll describe them as best I can. One with a push button on the tip, one that pulls down and turns, one with a button on the underside that looks like it slides? Looks like that one is only on the Sheriff?

https://northamericanarms.com/shop/firearms/naa-1860-250/

I've read some issues about the tip button where a dimple in the frame engages a ball in the pin, and the dimple wears larger and makes a loose fit? That sounds hard to repair. So, the pull down and turn may be better?
My questions are; which one is the easiest to operate, and which seems least likely to cause a problem from use and wear over time?

I'm getting a slight urge to maybe buy a mini, if I can decide on one and actually find it to buy. I have zero use for magnum ammo. so I'm leaning toward the longer barrel LR and changing the grips to the screw on rubber that the Wasp comes with. Maybe even a Ranger, though it's magnum.

[Wumbey Goomba]

Yes

[theysayimnotme]

You can add one more if you count the Freedom Arms mini with a cylinder pin that turns. (I like it the least) The newer Black Widow pin is far better than the original & the easiest that I have used.

[OV-1D]

  The "Earl" holds the best . Did I spell all that correctly Bearcatter ?   

[bearcatter]

Are you still mad about "revoltion"? I was just teasing. You were wound up, typing fast and missed the U. Forgive me, please?
I thought a little grin would get you out of the doghouse with Uncle Lee.
The Earl is a little bigger than I'd considered.

New posts put me back to details. I thought the BW type cylinder catch would be the best, and I looked it up again. It is actually available as LR only. Thanks, Wumbey. I would rather have the simpler sights of the standard minis, but that's okay. So, it's down to BW with the screw on rubber grips vs Ranger, but I haven't heard about the Sheriff's pin.

[OV-1D]

  BW price wise , yeah and I type a one finger . 

[bearcatter]

  BW price wise , yeah and I type a one finger . 

On a good day I use two. I proofread everything because I miss letters, and spaces too.

[Ozark75]

I have a Sheriff and my wife has a Black Widow. I used to have a regular mini. I much prefer the Sheriff pin to any of the others. The Sheriff seems to lock in to place quicker and easier than the BW. The BW is a little "fumbly", to me any way, since it has the piece that rotates left to right. If that make since. My vote would be Sheriff. You can get both cylinders. The pin is the easiest to use. It is the longest NAA you can get and still pocket carry, or in my case IWB holster carry. To me it is the perfect balance. It is still a mini, but with a longer barrel than most J frame style snubbies. I have added some NAA birds head grips in elk. I just love this package!

[Ozark75]

Here's a pic.

[bearcatter]

That looks really good, thanks!! Simple sights, good pin, we may have a winner......

[barrytheprof]

I find the BW pin hurts my arthritic fingers. I like the push button pin on the mini, but I haven't tried the sheriff yet. The sheriff looks like it might be easier to deal with. I'm leaning toward the sheriff myself as my next purchase.

[bearcatter]

I looked at the owner's manual. You push that button up, toward the barrel, then slide the pin forwards. Sounds a good way to do it, plenty of metal contact. Now if I should decide, I gotta find one. I've bought most of my guns over the years at Davidson's Gallery Of Guns. Coincidentally, a link to them is on the NAA page for each individual model. Says "Buy Now!"..... LOL.... I frequently check GOG directly, and they haven't had any NAA gun in stock for a year at least.

List is $332 for the convertible, 34 bucks more than the mag only is a deal. Through Davidson's I could save a chunk off the $332. Put that toward a few goodies and spare parts.

[Canoeal]

So in all there are five types (if you consider the Sidewinder too) that you have to deal with the cylinder pin. Of those I think the best is the Black Widow. I have lost some of the feeling in my fingers and along with it some dexterity from CTS. I can still manipulate the BW pin fine, the standard style pin on my Wasp is more difficult. I think as a second for me might be the pin in the Earl and Bugouts, regular pins are harder and I think the Sidewinder is a no-go for me. The other more expensive option is not to need to mess with pin in reloading, so the Ranger 2 has a place. JMHO.

[Ozark75]

What type of cylinder pin do The Earls use? Is it similar to the Sheriff, the regular minis or something else all together? Anyone have a close up pic?

[Wumbey Goomba]

Something else all together.

[tinhorn]

Earls are easy-peasey, just like their 1858 Remington big brothers. Release the catch on the end of the "loading lever", then drop the lever and pull the pin. No buttons, no twisting. You just have to insure that the flat spot on the pin rides against the barrel when you insert it.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

The best one is the one that works for you on the model you want to carry    lol!

People new to NAA Revolvers have a difficult time with the Sidewinder Cylinder Pin. JMHO 

The Bug Out model using the Sheriff Pin is/was a cool idea, looks good and functions well.  When the Bug Out is carried in a Holster the Maker does need to accommodate to make sure the Pin does not drag against the Leather when drawn.  If it does, the Pin can be unlatched and start to back out.

As a Maker we make sure all Bug Out Holsters have proper clearance on the underside of the barrel for the Pin. We create a "track" on the underside while molding the Holster similar to the "Sight Track" on top of the barrel so the sight doesn't drag when the gun is drawn.

[theysayimnotme]

When considering a Black Widow you have to be sure it has the newer pin. The old one backs out under recoil & makes a VERY slow single shot pistol. I have to wonder if that happens with the two regular magnum pistols?

[copfish]

I like the pin on the BUG the best of the guns I own.

[Canoeal]

When considering a Black Widow you have to be sure it has the newer pin. The old one backs out under recoil & makes a VERY slow single shot pistol. I have to wonder if that happens with the two regular magnum pistols?

It has not happened in the last 3 years with my Wasp...

[Snooper]

When considering a Black Widow you have to be sure it has the newer pin. The old one backs out under recoil & makes a VERY slow single shot pistol. I have to wonder if that happens with the two regular magnum pistols?

I'm in the process of buying a used Black Widow. How do you tell the newer pin from the older pin?

[Rick_Jorgenson]

When considering a Black Widow you have to be sure it has the newer pin. The old one backs out under recoil & makes a VERY slow single shot pistol. I have to wonder if that happens with the two regular magnum pistols?

I'm in the process of buying a used Black Widow. How do you tell the newer pin from the older pin?

The older pin is square with a "push pin" in the middle of it.

If I remember correctly, it also has a "cross hatch" engraving pattern on the sides.

Sample photo...
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/948453973

[bearcatter]

[Snooper]

Thanks

[theysayimnotme]

Yeah, that is the old style. The good news is NAA will replace it with the new style for free but you have to pay shipping & that costs quite a bit.