time for something new?

[bearcatter]

A .22LR Guardian would be for practice and fun. I'd still carry my 32s...

I have a .22 SP101 on my nightstand, loaded with 8 Velocitors. I'm satisfied with that. Less flash and bang. Takes too long to put on muffs and sunglasses....

[LHB]

bearcatter's comment about sun glasses and muffs reminds me of the story I read years ago, about the time law enforcement were starting to switch to 9mm.   Story went that the Colorado Highway Patrol was carrying Pythons, but did all their practice with .38 target ammo, but carried .357 on duty.   The story was that three troopers got into a situation where they needed to use their sidearms.   It was just about dark, when the shooting started.   Two of them fired one shot, the third fired twice, and they were all done shooting.   None of them had ever fired a full bore .357, let alone in near darkness, and they were not prepared for the flash and bang, and their vision was messed up for a while from the flash.
I remember the first time a heard a .357 go off.   Young and macho, we didn't use hearing protection, and when the shot went off, I thought someone had slapped me across both ears.

[bill_deshivs]

There have been several attempts at producing a Baby Browning clone in .22 LR.
None of them worked.
It's possible that the gun could be made in .22 long or short, but not LR.

True, but Astra made a copy for Colt (and themselves) in .22 Short.  Might have to find one as a placeholder until NAA comes through!

The Astra was not a copy of any Browning design, and it was larger than the Browning. The Astra Cub was made in .25 and .22 short-as was the Junior Colt that Astra made.

[Canoeal]

I'd like to see them downgrade one gun and make a .22LR Guardian. I've been wishing that for 4 years. I've got a pile of 2-6 cpr .22 and would rather practice shoot it instead of my 60 cpr .32 ACP. I rarely shoot my Guardians because of ammo cost and iffy availability.

The purpose of a small gun is CC-SD. I'd be thrilled to see a Guardian in .22WMR but LR seems pointless to me.

Yep, me too.

[RogueTS1]

The Astra was not a copy of any Browning design

While visually appearing much like the Colt and Browning Vest Pocket pistols, the Star has an actual hammer inside vs the Colt and Brownings being striker fired. This makes the Star a better pistol in our opinion.

[boscobarbell]

Snooper and Uncle Lee -  I think we've all given fair assessments. I guess my Guardian will remain in the minority. It's just contradictory that the biggest complaint is the weight, yet there are lots of people who have no problem carrying a 3 pound (loaded) 1911. I don't understand that. A loaded P-32 is 9 ounces, but my Guardian's 15 are worth the pluses to me. A .380 Guardian is 21 loaded, that's getting heavy.

My Zastavas are 26 ounces loaded, size of a PPK, and I would find both a bit much for concealed. It's fine OWB.

Wait...I thought the Guardian was 15 ounces UNLOADED.  Have I had that wrong all along?

[bearcatter]

If you look at a manual, the 32 Guardian is 13.5 oz empty, 14.8 loaded.....

The 380 is 18.72 empty, 20.80 loaded. That's 5.2 and 6 more than the 32....

[boscobarbell]

If you look at a manual, the 32 Guardian is 13.5 oz empty, 14.8 loaded.....

The 380 is 18.72 empty, 20.80 loaded. That's 5.2 and 6 more than the 32....

So strange, because the web page shows it at 15 plus.  I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but the difference between 13.5 and 15 plus is significant.  At least for me, as I primarily carry AIWB...often without a belt, and at least fifty percent of the time in workout gear.   

Thanks...that information just pushed me a step closer to ownership....

[bearcatter]

I see that, 15.6 ounces.

https://northamericanarms.com/shop/firearms/naa-32acp/

and click Specifications.

This is the website Owner's Manual, showing 14.8. I've seen that weight in reviews and other articles.

https://northamericanarms.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/ownersg.pdf

Okay, I just dug out a 32 Guardian, 7 rounds of FMJ, and my handy dandy digital scale.
I get 13.8 with an empty mag. 15.4 with 6 rounds, 15.7 with 7 rounds added to the scale. So mine is .3 and .6 higher. I doubt NAA measured one with 6+1 rounds.

I don't have a big $ scale, but it matches other things I have where a weight is given. I'd claim it's within .1 ounce right. Manufacturing variance in the gun and ammo could account for half an ounce, I guess.

[boscobarbell]

Thanks very much for checking that.  Nice to see it confirmed.  13-plus ounces puts it right about 2 ounces heavier than a Seecamp, which to me isn't a deal breaker.  Especially since I appreciate some of the features that NAA offers as opposed to the Seecamp. 

[bearcatter]

I'm always happy to help someone research the Guardians, especially the .32. I looked at pocket guns until I couldn't find any more info. The 32 Guardian came up the winner. It's sad that average production is only about 500 per year. I'm glad NAA has kept making it, even other brands in .32 help keep the ammo available.

[bill_deshivs]

RogueTS1- Star never made a concealed hammer gun.
Astra did make one-the Firecat that had an internal hammer, but it was not a Browning copy- it was simply a Cub with a concealed hammer.

[boscobarbell]

So it appears that, now that I am inching closer to grabbing a Guardian 32, they are all but impossible to find anywhere. 

[bearcatter]

I got my two through Davidson's, and they show zero. There is a used one on GunBroker, $230 with 3 days to go, but the seller's feedback is only +6. Maybe some others know of a possibilty.

I checked Bud's and Kentucky Gun Co too.

[RogueTS1]

RogueTS1- Star never made a concealed hammer gun.
Astra did make one-the Firecat that had an internal hammer, but it was not a Browning copy- it was simply a Cub with a concealed hammer.

Yes, that is the one we meant to speak of. Trying to think of what sits at home in one of the vaults can be confusing some times. 

[ChristTrekker]

Welcome ChristTrekker,
Good to see new folks. That is how I pick up ideas and food for thought.

On the useless nature of the 22 LR, ask anyone who died from being shot with a 22 LR.
There lots of them.

I'm not saying people haven't died from 22LR. I'm saying I wouldn't want to risk my life depending on it to put down a bad guy. I'd carry one for SD if it were all I had, but if I were purposefully designing a small weapon (for CC, else what is the purpose of being so small), it wouldn't be in 22LR. I think that's an important distinction.

[RogueTS1]

I wouldn't want to risk my life depending on it to put down a bad guy.

While we agree with the basic premise of this statement we must remember that every tool has a purpose. The trick is, choosing the right tool for the right job at hand.

PS: Sentry removal is what we think of when we think of a .22 pistol.  The sentry nor anybody else will ever hear it coming.

[heyjoe]

RogueTS1- Star never made a concealed hammer gun.
Astra did make one-the Firecat that had an internal hammer, but it was not a Browning copy- it was simply a Cub with a concealed hammer.

Yes, that is the one we meant to speak of. Trying to think of what sits at home in one of the vaults can be confusing some times. 

everytime i open mine, i find a surprise...haha

[RogueTS1]

everytime i open mine, i find a surprise...haha

Hahaha ....................... us and our First World Problems. "Cannot remember what guns are in the vaults at home." 

Maybe, if we are not too lazy this weekend, we can find and pull out an example of the Astra, the Colt Vest Pocket and the Browning Vest pocket and get photos for comparison of the three. Also give Uncle Lee some coffee drinking material. 

[bill_deshivs]

Here's a pic of a lightweight baby Browning, a Bernardelli .22 short/long, a Beretta model 20 .25, a Beretta 950 .22 short, and a Keltec P32.

[bill_deshivs]

Here's a Bernardelli .25 and a .22, a Galesi .25, a Rigarmi .25, and an Astra Cub in .22 short.
Of course there's .22 short mini revolver there, too.
Correction! Wrong picture!
One is a PSP Browning .25. No Rigarmi. No Bernardelli.
Beretta Minx with factory decoration.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

Here's a Bernardelli .25 and a .22, a Galesi .25, a Rigarmi .25, and an Astra Cub in .22 short.
Of course there's .22 short mini revolver there, too.

Wow! All very beautiful guns on their own but, your work on them is incredible Bill!

It takes then to another level of awesome!

[bill_deshivs]

HERE'S the Rigarmi.25, the Bernardelli .22 & .25, and the Galesi.

[Ozark75]

Just got back from the gun show in springfield mo and a guy had about 6 or 8 baby brownings for sale. I was tempted, but they were more than I wanted to spend on a gun I didnt really want. They sure are pretty cool though.

[RogueTS1]

Way nice Bill.

We were not too lazy this afternoon so out of the downstairs vault we were able to find the three we spoke of yesterday. Here they are; Colt Vest Pocket 6.35mm, FN Browning Vest Pocket and the Astra Firecat (Vest Pocket); all in 6.35 mm. The Colt and FN are all but identical pistols while the Astra is definitely fashioned after them but a little different looking. The Astra has an internal hammer compared to the Colt and FN's striker fired mechanism making it a much nicer working pistol.

[Uncle_Lee]

Yes Rogue, I do love pictures of the little guns.
Sip, AHHHH

[ChristTrekker]

PS: Sentry removal is what we think of when we think of a .22 pistol.  The sentry nor anybody else will ever hear it coming.

Removing many sentries, are you? 😁

[RogueTS1]

So glad we could help Uncle Lee. 

[OV-1D]

  I think thats the most beautiful part of collecting small guns one can have a boatload of them put away in just about any drawer or shoebox just like someone we know and love on this forum .    . Heres a small picture for our one and only Unc and his coffee .

[ChristTrekker]

Just got back from the gun show in springfield mo and a guy had about 6 or 8 baby brownings for sale. I was tempted, but they were more than I wanted to spend on a gun I didnt really want. They sure are pretty cool though.

I've heard that prices at shows are really high as of late, across the board. (I don't frequent them because, honestly, I'm not confident in my ability to judge used weapons. Wish I had some local buddies to tag along with.) Can anyone corroborate?

[RogueTS1]

Beautiful OV, simply beautiful. 

[Uncle_Lee]

WOW, OV,,,,
I will come back in the morning and enjoy them with a cup of very special coffee.

[OV-1D]

  We need more and more pictures on here like we use to dang it .

[RogueTS1]

OV; really like that S&W 638. We LOVE the Humpbacks. The Pepperbox is awfully nice too. Tell us about the last photo........ some kind of shotty?

[OV-1D]

  Can't tell anything Rogue just a picture I picked up looks like a 12 guage rotating cylinder thingy , maybe suppressed somewhat .