The one (for backup carry) = PUG!

[kurth83]

I realize this is highly subjective.
I have been collecting guns for a while to try to find the "perfect" carry gun for me.
Mostly settled on a Ruger LCP MAX 380 ACP (I could sing it's praises for a while too).

Before that I briefly carried an NAA 22lr (with the foldout holster grip).

I know a lot more about my preferences now, and realize that I want a smaller gun for some uses than the LCP MAX.

My current criteria for a carry gun is:
- small, light, low recoil (a 9mm hurts my aging carpal tunnel wrists, I read women's reviews because if they like it I know I will too).
- can be drawn quickly, that first round timing is very important.
- can be fired one handed in tight situations.
- is accurate enough for medium range if needed, great sights and a laser is the preferred setup.
- I'm happy with the 80% solution smaller caliber guns provide (I don't miss).

I rejected the 22lr a while back because it was slow to draw (folding out the holster), slow to fire.  It was also too inaccurate for me.

Fast forward a year, and after lots of training and some private lessons and some successful prequal IDPA training, I took my 22lr down to the range for fun, and I was able to easily shoot 1" groups at 5 yds (15 feet).  As a better shooter my speed had improved too  Suddenly my eyes were opened to the possibility of a smaller gun.

I thought about the things I would improve about the 22lr (for carry).
- grip too small, or the fold-out holster (which is bigger) is too slow on the draw.
- would like a WMR instead of plain 22lr.
- better sights.
- no laser options.

So a quick review of the NAA lineup to see what the smallest gun that fixes all those drawbacks, and the PUG was suddenly an ideal gun by that criteria.  I found a review from a retired COP who said the same thing, he called it "The One", after a long search.

So I am going to give one a try.

My current thinking on the PUG
- small, light, low recoil, 22WMR is better than 22lr.
- grip is ok as-is, allows for normal (fast) pocket draw, a little practice with the single action and speed is good.
- No worries about jamming when fired one-handed like some semi-automatics (G42 anyone).
- Has great sights, and a laser grip is available from Viridian. If it is as accurate as the 22lr it will be fantastic.

A special super mega bonus is it is way easier and faster to clean than any semi-automatic.  I am ashamed to admit this has become pretty important to me. I can shoot 100 rounds through a semi way faster than the time it takes to clean the gun.  And if I do 50 rds with two guns then I am spending huge time cleaning.  When that was 3-4 times a week it got very old.

I know these kinds of choices are very personal, but that is how I am thinking about it.

[Canoeal]

My thoughts were like yours when I bought my first NAA. I find the birdshead grips too small, I have very beat up hands and wrists from 35 years in a wooden boat shop. I wanted the NAA  with the best numbers I could find, I instead of a pug, which I consider too small of a barrel, and went for the BW. My second one was a Wasp 1 5/8" as I could not find another 2" barrel. Both work well for me, but I have made grips for both of mine. They are smaller than the stock rubber BW grips but still allow me a 2 finger grip, and of course, they are made of wood...Imagine that....

[Canoeal]

Size comparison to the BW grips...

[Ozark75]

Maybe consider the Blackwidow. 2 inch barrel larger grips. My wife loves hers, and it carries well. The standard magnum mini or wasp could be contenders. They both have a slightly shorter barrel than the blackwidow, but longer than the pug. They don't have the best sights, but that may not matter for your intended use. In fact, it could be a benefit. On the other hand, the Blackwidow has better sights, so it is a little more fun at the range.

[Uncle_Lee]

Hello Kurth83,
Welcome to the group that loves North American Arms.
We are nuts but not crazy.

I seldom carry a NAA mini. I carry 2 or 3. In the winter when the clothes have more pockets, I carry 2 Black Widows and a Pug.

You put in a lot of thought into picking out a mini.
I wasn't like that. I started out because they are so cute. The first time that I shot one, I found out that they are functional. Now that is all that I carry.

[kurth83]

Thanks for all the replies, I am having some similar issues with the grip.

I bought the pug, it's pretty good, but not quite as perfect as I had hoped.

- trigger pull is harder than the 22lr
- hammer pull is also harder.
- trigger pinches my finger (does not break skin fortunately, but finger is sore).
- cannot shoot as accurately as the 22lr, 3" groups at 15' (as opposed to 1" groups).

I think all the issues can be addressed.
My theory is I just can't get a good enough grip on the gun.  Maybe practice will help, maybe a bigger grip.

So I ordered a larger grip for it, similar to the one mentioned above (but in black).
I also ordered the foldout holster grip, I'm not a fan for the slower draw time, but it provides a fantastic grip.  I want to see if a really great grip can solve the accuracy problems.

I ordered a blackhawk tecgrip AMBI holster in size 1 and 2 (I use a size 3 for the LCP MAX and they are great), hoping they will work for pocket carry for the pug.  My 22lr with the holster grip also fits well in a size 3.

I own finger gloves I use when flossing (rubber pull-ons), they solved the pinch problem, and I won't care about the pinch in a defensive situation.

I'll circle back around when I try the new grip.

[Anvil]

I love my Pug! It's the "ONE" for me! It's my EDC with an oversized rubber Grip and a cross-draw leather holster carried on my belt behind my back (shirt untucked) no one ever knows it's there and on Sundays in church it fits nicely in my leather vest pocket. Prayerfully I'll probably never will need it but it's there if I ever do!

[OV-1D]

  Always a good looking weapon .

[top dog]

Anvil,
A nice set up you have there. Nice to have and not need,than to need and not have.

For Church/security,I use a Bible cover made by Skinner sights and inside is a Ruger SP-101/357. Ankle rig is a Charter lightweight hammerless.

Pastor is "heavy" also.

                                                                                                              Top Dog

[kurth83]

Yeah that's the grip I ordered, I think it's the mini master one.

I also carry on sundays, as part of our church security team, but I bring the laser-equipped Ruger for that.

If I could shoot a 9mm it would probably be a Glock 43x.

But for personal defense carry everywhere convenience, it's the Ruger and (eventually) the Pug.

I have gotten used to the harder trigger pull and hammer pull with some dry-fire practice (cylinder removed).
So things seem to be moving along nicely.

[Gnomie]

I wish the Pug was available in California!

[bleak_window]

The Pug is a great choice. I like how small and sturdy it feels.  My wife keeps a Pug in her purse.  I pocket carry so the 2" BW works better for me. I also shoot the BW better than the Pug.  The larger grip and longer barrel make a difference.

[top dog]

Kurth,
Lots of good advise for you here.

I think that the more you practice with the NAA,the more you will like it.

They tend to "grow" on you.

I have yet to see one person just have  one mini. Surely two or more will follow.

That is not a bad thing,it is just the way things are.

                                                                                                 Top Dog

[jeff30339]

I love my NAA PUG and don't leave home without it. Most of the time it's accompanied by a sub-compact 9mm but sometimes it's just me and the PUG. I shoot mine a lot and am very comfortable with it. It's not a target gun but it's a fine, up close and personal, self defense weapon.

Jeff

[kurth83]

I have more good news.

After putting on the mini-master grips I could shoot 1" groups at 15' just like the 22lr.  It was so tight the holes ran together (probably some keyholing there but that's fine with me).

And this finishes this thread for me, the Pug has delivered on everything I had hoped for it, so yes, it is "The One" for smallest shootable 22 mag pocket carry. :-)

But it shoots WAY to the right (see pic for a laugh - I am going to send it in).

[Wumbey Goomba]

Use your other eye.

[smokeless joe]

Welcome kurth83 looks like you chose my favorite of the minis. Pug life for me. I may have missed it but do you plan to use a pocket holster or just drop it in and go? If you decide on a pocket holster look into Desert Gun Leather. Rick is one of the forum members and offers a great variety of options for the minis. Enjoy your Pug and again welcome to the forums.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

You might try one of these "sight drifter" tools

https://www.wyomingsightdrifter.com

A Forum member ("AR Ken") had one of these sent to me several years ago and it works great!

I've used it on my 1911's, Black Widow's and Pug's

It might save your Mini a trip to the "Mother Ship" in Utah