Next NAA Purchase

coppertop · June-28-22 11:06

Struggling with my next NAA purchase. I've got the standard models in 22LR and 22WMR. Looking at the ported 22WMR with 1 5/8" barrel, the Wasp with 1 5/8" barrel or a Black Widow with 2" barrel. This would be a pocket carry option and if that darn money tree in the backyard would ever bloom, I'd get all three.

The Black Widow looks interesting but worried about the longer barrel and added weight. I briefly owned a Mini-Master. Fun to shoot but not very practical for pocket carry. Figure the Black Widow might work out better.

The Wasp looks interesting but rank up there with unicorns as being difficult to find.

The ported 22WMR is really grabbing my interest. Not sure how much a difference a ported barrel will have, though. With the Wasp, the ported barrel model is also hard to find.

For those who own any of the three, any downsides to one or the other? Anything make one stand out above the other? Side note on the Black Widow... do the aftermarket grips (CV Revision) feel as good with the heavier revolver as they do the standard?

Bigbird48 · June-28-22 13:06

I love my BW its my EDC very dependable and is ok for pocket carry

OV-1D · June-28-22 13:06

Well my two cents is the Wasp ,that skeleton hammer is a worry of breaking , the ported is just a waste with no real function for the price so that leaves the Black Widow the piece of choice actuarily . I carry either a Ranger 1 or a Standard long rifle with boot grips . If I'm going into any hostile areas ,and there are plenty down south of me, I carry my 45 Kimber Ultra lite in a modified fanny pack for frontal carry also . All are concealed of course to a degree .

coppertop · June-28-22 14:06

Quote from: OV-1D on June-28-22 13:06
Well my two cents is the Wasp ,that skeleton hammer is a worry of breaking , the ported is just a waste with no real function for the price so that leaves the Black Widow the piece of choice actuarily . I carry either a Ranger 1 or a Standard long rifle with boot grips . If I'm going into any hostile areas ,and there are plenty down south of me, I carry my 45 Kimber Ultra lite in a modified fanny pack for frontal carry also . All are concealed of course to a degree .

I agree about wondering into hostile territory (Sig P365 is my flavor of choice) but the NAA's are great for shorts and more peaceful areas.
Hadn't given the skeleton hammer a thought until you mentioned it. I do imagine it is a weak spot on the Wasp.

Didn't think the ports would be really functional and might be limiting (doubt it's good to shoot snake shot from it). Gotta give the BW another look.

Thanks for the two-cents.

Canoeal · June-28-22 20:06

My two are the Wasp 1 5/8" and the BW. Both fit in my pocket well, the BW is the better shooter for me, but a little heavier.
I actually prefer the BW...The Wasp is lighter if that is a factor. Both have DGL holsters and personally made grips. My Wasp has had the hammer replaced with a solid one. The BW has had the adjustable sights replaced with fixed.

heyjoe · June-29-22 09:06

i never understood the practical aspect of ported minis. there is no need in reduction in recoil and with the guns being so small to start with, it just increases the chances of being burned by escaping gases if you arent careful.

if you are buying one just to collect, that i understand perfectly

bleak_window · June-29-22 11:06

Black Widow with fixed sights is the only choice! Works great for pocket carry and you will shoot it better than the LR or Magnum mini.

coppertop · June-29-22 13:06

All good points and having a standard 22WMR, the Black Widow would be a nice partner. Just gotta find one at a good price.
Thanks for the advice.

theysayimnotme · June-29-22 21:06

One more vote against porting a mini. In a longer barrel it can make sense but consider the moment arm the porting has to be functional. I have a ported 16" 45/70 barrel for my Thompson Contender & it does WORK. I also had a Hi-Standard .22 short Olympic target pistol & the detachable porting proved useful for rapid fire but in each case the moment arm was long enough to be useful.

coppertop · June-30-22 05:06

Never expected dramatic differences with the ported barrel but hadn't thought about getting burned. Not as much an issue with larger guns with the ports being further away from your fingers. But with the small handgun, those gases are being pushed out just a few inches from your hands.

After hearing everyone's advice and insight, I'm picking up a Black Widow later today. While I like the looks of the Wasp, the skeleton hammer makes me nervous. As someone mentioned, the ported (as well as the Wasp) are nice additions to collections but for EDC use the Black Widow makes more sense. The weight is a little concern but the only thing I have owned similar is the Pug and I'm hoping the longer barrel will distribute the extra few ounces better.

Thanks again for all the insight. Haven't been around for a while but it's nice to see that the knowledge base is still strong with this group.

Rick_Jorgenson · June-30-22 08:06

My vote is for the Black Widow. One of mine is in my EDC rotation 99% of the time and sometimes I have 2 on me.

One in a Pocket Holster and one Strong Side in a Pancake Holster.

If you don't care for it and feel you might be happier with another, the Black Widow would be the easiest to sell

JMHO

coppertop · June-30-22 12:06

Found one locally yesterday but couldn't make it out to the store, lets call it Simons to avoid ruining the owner's good name, until today.
Salesman, let's call him Bob to protect the idiot, said no worries, we've got plenty. I still gave him my name in hopes he'd hold one.

Showed up at Simons and was told they sold the last one yesterday and one was on hold in the back. I explained the conversation on the phone I had with the Bob. They checked the name and it was the same first name, different last name. I asked why I was told they had plenty and was told Bob often tells customers the wrong thing.

My argument was that Bob has a tendency to get things wrong, he could have easily have written down the wrong last name. Long story short, they wouldn't sell me the gun and said if it was a typo, I could come back Tuesday (Simons is closed until then for the holiday) and buy it. Seeing that the sales staff didn't give two hoots that Bob once again screwed over a customer, I told the guys not to worry about it and moved on. Just felt they knew once I left, someone else would step up to make a purchase. Between their attitude and Bob's blunder, I doubt I'll spend another nickel at Simons.

Ended up spending about 30 minutes with a buyer at another store and the only Black Widow we could find was the PVD coated model. The price wasn't much more so I got him to order it. Should be in next week.

Still irks me about Simons. I get that if there actually was another buyer and they sold the BW to me, that wouldn't be fair. But to let a guy known for giving out bad information answer the phone should never have happened. So strange that you can have such a crappy experience at one gun store and at the next, people bend over backwards to help you out.

It worked out in the end. I'd rather do business with the other store than Simons and the PVD coated model stands out.

Bigbird48 · July-01-22 00:07

awesome your gonna love that gun

Texduk3 · July-01-22 07:07

You will love it............!

Wumbey Goomba · July-01-22 07:07

I hate Bob.

heyjoe · July-01-22 07:07

Bob is a dork. Don't be Bob.

theysayimnotme · July-01-22 09:07

Bob's your uncle.

coppertop · July-01-22 12:07

To my surprise, Bob called today to apologize for writing my last name down wrong. Said he would hold the gun until they opened back up next week and make sure the name was correct.

Gave Bob credit for apologizing and let him know that I made other arrangements to spend my money at another gun store. Money they could have gotten had he gotten the name right or if his co-workers would have lifted a finger to discover the error.

On the plus side, the PVD Black Widow came in earlier than expected and heading out to pick it up now. It'll be worth fighting afternoon traffic.

bearcatter · July-01-22 12:07

(I'm sure you will) let us know what you think of the PVD. It must have some advantages besides looks.
Myself, I can't understand coating a stainless gun. Like my grand-uncle who painted his new redwood sided house white....

coppertop · July-01-22 14:07

Got it!
The PVD coating is interesting. Seems like a teflon coating on a stainless steel pan. It looks more durable than old-fashion bluing and the mat finish does look really good.

Just tinkering with things around the house, it looks like it will be good for preventing scratches, holster wear and other things that might wear on a gun. But then again, stainless steel does a pretty good job of things as is. I won't be able to fire the pistol until early next week and will be curious how well it cleans up. I'm curious to see if it gets the black gun powder blast rings on the cylinder.

Now I just need Thing Meister build my grips and Rick to send me an invoice to get the holster going. Speaking of grips... when did Revision CV stop making wood grips for the magnums? They fit the hand so well.

Bigbird48 · July-01-22 18:07

The coating is to give it the BAD BOY look

bearcatter · July-01-22 18:07

I have read several times that the PVD makes cleaning a lot easier.

coppertop · July-03-22 13:07

Quote from: bearcatter on July-01-22 18:07
I have read several times that the PVD makes cleaning a lot easier.

I had a chance to take it out yesterday. Only ran 25 rounds through it and it performs just as you would expect a NAA revolver to perform.
Cleaning was noticeably easier with the gun powder residue wiping off with little effort. Not sure I'd say PVD is a must have but if the price difference is within your budget, I don't think you'll regret it.

It's a nice little gun and I appreciate the insight that steered me in that direction. It'll be a staple item in my shorts pockets during warm weather and jacket pocket when things get chilly.