Made some 25 NAA Brass Today (pic)

[Tony Rumore]

Despite popular belief, you can't make 25 NAA brass from 32 ACP cases.  The 32 case is too short and it's semi-rimmed, not rimless.

I used 32 H&R Mag brass, recut the rim/groove, shortened it, then used a CH4D form die to bring it down to 30 caliber, then the full length size die to neck it to .25 cal.  Then with a final trim to .745", it's ready to load.

In order to get the shoulder position correct, I made a gauge so I could compare the shoulder position on factory ammo, to the cases that I made, in order to ensure they were the same.
Unfortunately, I don't have a head space Go gauge, so I have no way of knowing if the factory ammo (shoulder position) is correct or not.  Additionally, the Guardian's barrel can't be used as a gauge either, since the cartridge rests with part of the case head south of the chamber, unlike most other pistols.

Tony

[grayelky]

WOW! I had no idea it would be that complicated!

[TruthTellers]

This is why I prefer .32 NAA to .25 NAA, not just for the greater power, but the ease of reloading it as .380 brass is the true parent case of it.

But, good on you for doing this. It's a shame that this cartridge is going to require these feats to have ammo for and that NAA has not had the wherewithal to conclude that the industry is dropping the NAA calibers from production and owners will be stuck up the fecal creek without an ammo paddle.

The least NAA could do is work with Lee and become a distributor of .25 and .32 NAA die sets at a fair price. $300 for a custom Lee sizing die is just not feasible.

[Rick_Jorgenson]

Great info!

Thanks for posting your findings

I haven't started reloading for the NAA caliber Guardians yet, this kind of information is very helpful 

[OV-1D]

  Seeing that NAA's cartridges are few and far between I suppose its the only recourse . It looks like an all day job making fifty for sure . Gotta make sure of the dimensions again for sure . Good luck .

[bill_deshivs]

I would have the barrel relined to .32 acp!
Too much trouble for very little gain with .25 NAA, and resale value is down the tubes.

[Tony Rumore]

I also confirmed with Starline, that they used their 32 H&R tooling to make the original 25 NAA cases for CorBon, so my cases should be internally identical to the factory cases.

Tony

[MR_22]

I would have the barrel relined to .32 acp!
Too much trouble for very little gain with .25 NAA, and resale value is down the tubes.

Then you would have a plain-Jane .32. There are collectors who like these oddball calibers (like myself--I have one of these!), so if that's what you want, it would be better (and cheaper) to just trade it off and get the .32. Besides, the caliber would also be mislabeled on the gun.

As for the resale value, they have actually gone up because of collector value. Here's one on GunBroker for $800: https://www.gunbroker.com/item/1006235630

That's not to say that it'll sell for that, but I have been watching the .25NAA and .32NAA guns on GunBroker for a few years now and they do in fact sell for higher values, but you do have to find the right buyer for them. And then, of course, there's the ammo issue, but I currently have about 400 factory rounds, so I'm not worried.

JMO, of course.

[bearcatter]

I would have the barrel relined to .32 acp!

Then you would have a plain-Jane .32.

And then, of course, there's the ammo issue, but I currently have about 400 factory rounds, so I'm not worried.

JMO, of course.

I'm happy with my "plain-Jane" .32s  and my 7500 rounds. ...    ... I do have to share that with my Zastavas ... 

[MR_22]

I'm happy with my "plain-Jane" .32s  and my 7500 rounds. ...    ... I do have to share that with my Zastavas ... 

Nothing wrong with plain Jane! (Says the guy who carries a Glock everyday.)