When did you see your first NAA mini revolver

[ksblazer]

Just curious as to when was the first time that you ever saw a NAA mini revolver?

What model was it?

What did you think of them at that time?

How long after that did you finally own one?

For me. It must have been around 1986-1987. It was in the back pages of a Cabelas magazine.

It was the .22 short version with the belt buckle. I think they may have also offered the .22 short without the buckle and the 1 1/8th version in .22LR

As a 12yr old kid. I thought that was a cool idea. Having a revolver on a belt buckle like that. Had envisioned my self living on a ranch or farm in the southwest with one on my belt.

As years went bye. I kind of forgotten about that. By the time I tuned 21 I was into reading the gun magazines. They really didn't tell you much about mini revolvers that I recall. It was more about the new wondernines, 1911's and law enforcement moving towards.40 cal round.

Then about 15yrs ago I was at my friends dads house. I'd known them for like 20 years. He knew that I liked to go shooting and he did as well. I talking to him about random stuff we have in common. When he tells me he's got something to show me. Reaches in his pocket and pulls out a 1 1/8th .22lR NAA mini revolver. Takes the cylinder out, unloads it, then hands it to me.

He told me what he liked about it was that it was so small and light. That he always had it him. He felt that if needed a .22 could get the job done. I kind of realized that he was right. My officers size 1911 was getting carried less and less. I could conceal that mini revolver in quite a few places year round and go unnoticed. It would also make a great 2nd gun for concealed carry.

Within a week I picked up a used 1 1/8th .22 LR like his and have purchased a few other models over the years. Like my friends dad. It's the one I always have on me.

[adp3]

I fell into the NAA wormhole in the 1970's. Found a .22 Short at the South Carolina Arms Collectors gun show in Greenville. It was the first I'd ever seen and it went home with me. A .22LR followed later, then a pair of magnums, and then, and then... I lost track of how many. Black Widows, Pugs, Earls, an original Ranger, many more .22LR's and .22 Magnums. Wish I still had that first .22 Short. I think that it's time for another one soon. Maybe a gold one for my 50th anniversary with NAA.

Best Regards
ADP3

PS:
I forgot about the .32ACP Guardians. Several of them followed me home once upon a time. I always preferred them over the Seecamp. Useable sights, much wider selection of ammo, and less fussy takedown. I probably need to replace those long-gone Guardians too.

[Anvil]

Actually I'm a gun dreamer and have followed Freedom Arms for years on end even knowing I could never afford one. The 2008 is the ultimate handgun IMHO! The extreme high quality and total precision of these firearms are truly second to none. So when they sold their rights of the mini's to NAA I started to follow them also. The big difference is NAA's are affordable for me and fun to shoot!
I used to compete in IHMSA back in the day when I was young but now in retirement I prefer close range shooting and my 4 NAA revolvers fit the bill.
I reckon my first was in 2004.

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Saw the belt buckle mini in the 70s? I thought      .

First that I bought was the Super Companion. My "little black pain in the A**". Was also my first black powder gun.  We have a love hate thing going on. 

[OLD and GRUMPY]

Loading is slow.-- LR conversion cylinder.-- Ready for a walk.-- Hanging out with big sisters.

[Dinadan]

I think I first saw Minis back in the 1970s in a sporing goods store whose name no longer exists. I thought the long cylinders on the tiny magnums were quite interesting and unlike any revolver I had seen before. Back then I had very little spending money, and it had to go to fishing gear, girls, and beer. In that order. But by the 2000s I was ready to try one of those little long cylinder guns.