Newbie here

Shovel-ready project · May-11-14 16:05

Hi Guys, I'm new here. I just bought a mini mag, hope to get it to the range this week.

I tried to buy from the LGS. They only had one, overpriced model and didn't seem to want to order what I wanted. So, hello Bud's!

Spending time now becoming familiar. What a neat little machine! My only issue is decocking it. Is there a better way than sticking my thumb in front of the hammer to stop it?

OV-1D · May-11-14 16:05

ikoiko · May-11-14 20:05

Practice with it UNLOADED, and getting it into the safety slot, slowly lowering it with your thumb.

top dog · May-12-14 06:05

Shovel,

I second that of the advice of ICOICO,just practice with an unloaded weapon until it becomes second nature to you.

Welcome to the forum,great bunch of folks here.

Probably you have heard about this before,but Minis tend to multiply. You have one...then...ZAP!!! You have more!!!

Don't try to fight it,just go with the flow,we will help you!!

Top Dog

Shovel-ready project · May-12-14 10:05

Thanks, guys. The problem I have is if I try to decock it with one hand, the hammer wants to slam forward faster than I want. Faster than I can let go of the trigger. Probably not a good thing so I'll just use two hands until it becomes natural.

TD, you have me figured out! I haven't even fired this thing yet and I am already looking at the catalog. Do I need help?

TwoGunJayne · May-12-14 10:05

I sort of pinch my thumb and forefinger, placing it along the top of the pistol frame, with the thumb and forefinger towards the hammer.

I drop the hammer between my fingernails, rolling the fingers away to gently and easily lower the hammer, sort of like the manual of arms for a semi auto pistol without a decocker. If you try to single-thumb the hammer down on a semi and accidentally drop it, you may break your thumb. It won't feel good in any case.

No negligent discharges yet with a NAA mini revolver (knock on wood.)

Multiple cat skinning methods.

Shovel-ready project · May-12-14 12:05

Thanks, Jayne. That seems to work better than easing it into my thumbnail. Several more days before I can go to the range, should be pretty confident by then.

Kevin55 · May-12-14 13:05

1. Always aim at something you are willing to destroy. The floor, an old tube computer monitor. Just in case you make a mistake.

2. Rotate the cylinder to the safety notch and lower the hammer slowly.

I hold the revolver in one hand, hold back the hammer with my other thumb. Pull the trigger and slowly lower it. Practice until you are good at it.

If you bring home empty cases for dry firing, NEVER leave them in the gun. Load spent cases before dry firing. We don't want to read, "I thought they were spent cases and shot the neighbor". If there are cases in the revolver, assume they are live ammo.

G50AE · May-12-14 16:05

Welcome to the forum Shovel-ready project.

top dog · May-13-14 05:05

Shovel,
All of the above advise is sound. Practice with an empty weapon until you get it correct.

Now about the wanting more NAA problem.......................

You will find yourself looking in the catalog often and also on the web and rereading NAA stories and articles.

AND.................looking into this forum frequently.

Top that off with frequent trips to the range and LGS.

Yeah..............you got bitten by the NAA PUG er,ah,umm I mean bug!!!

Top Dog

JES14352 · May-14-14 23:05

Welcome and happy shooting......

Shovel-ready project · May-20-14 19:05

Well, I finally took my mini to the range the other day. That thing is a ball to shoot. One minor problem: I couldn't hit the broad side of a barn! Okay, I was shooting at seven yards (minimum allowed there), but I was really bad. (At least I was able to hit the berm.

)

I have since searched ways to hold it so that should help next time. Also, I need to find a place to shoot at a closer distance. Problem is, I won't be able to get back out for two months. So I will start fresh then. It will be tough to wait until next time.

G50AE · May-21-14 16:05

Quote from: JES14352 on May-14-14 23:05
Welcome and happy shooting......

+1 on that.

Shovel-ready project · May-22-14 13:05

Thanks, guys (or gals)! It's nice to be here, looks like a good bunch of folks you have here.

TwoGunJayne · May-22-14 14:05

We're mostly good like that.

grayelky · May-22-14 19:05

Quote from: Shovel-ready project on May-12-14 10:05
Hi, guys. The problem I have is if I try to decock it with one hand, the hammer wants to slam forward faster than I want. Faster than I can let go of the trigger. Probably not a good thing so I'll just use two hands until it becomes natural.

If you release the hammer, and then release the trigger, the sear will catch in a "half-way" notch, and the hammer will not be fully down in the frame. Pulling the trigger in this situation could result in broken parts on the in side. While watching TV, remove the cylinder and practice dry firing. This willl help to smooth the trigger pull, help you get the feel for your new gun, help your trigger finger and grip learn your new gun, and help your brain accept a small version of a revolver. You will also be surprised how much better your aim is when you get to the range. I have absolutely no problem lowering the hammer one handed, with full confidence it will not slip. I'm sure the fact I have been handling and carrying a NAA mini since 1977 has nothing to do with it......

Quote from: Shovel-ready project on May-12-14 10:05TD, you have me figured out! I haven't even fired this thing yet and I am already looking at the catalog. Do I need help?

Help? Sure, I can help. May I suggest either a Pug, with the trit front sight, or a Black Widow? My personal favorite is a 3" barreled Earl.

millsriver · May-23-14 10:05

Welcome to the forum.

Shovel-ready project · May-23-14 13:05

Quote from: grayelky on May-22-14 19:05
If you release the hammer, and then release the trigger, the sear will catch in a "half-way" notch, and the hammer will not be fully down in the frame.

Help? Sure, I can help. May I suggest either a Pug, with the trit front sight, or a Black Widow? My personal favorite is a 3" barreled Earl.

Specifically, the problem I'm having is I can't hold the hammer and release the trigger with the same hand. When I don't get off the trigger soon enough the hammer comes down on a hole instead of the half-cock position. It's just going to take more practice. TGJ had a good suggestion to use the support thumb and index finger to hold the hammer. That works well. Maybe in 30 years or so I'll be good enough to do it one-handed. For now, I'm wearing this little puppy out watching TV.

As to the Pug or Black Widow, gosh, I never thought of getting one of them! (I lie.) Once I master the mag mini, one or both are next.

BTW, thanks, millsriver.

TwoGunJayne · May-26-14 19:05

A challenging thing it is to figure out how your particular set of hands can integrate with the mini revolvers. It isn't particularly intuitive, there's not much substitute for thought and range trials.

Figuring how to best hold it is half of the game.

top dog · May-27-14 05:05

Shovel,
Now you have some time to get familiar with the gun. Take your time and follow the above advice.

Also,when you do get to a location where you can shoot at a more realistic range (10-12 feet), concentrate on the sights only. The target will be a blur being that your eyes cannot focus on two objects at different distances.

You will be surprised to see how well you fo.

Here's a drill you can do,don't even need the gun. Extend your shooting hand with the thumb up at arm's length and just focus on the ridges of the thumb and not at the distant object on the wall. Keep focusing on the thumb but you will also find that you "wander" to the more distant object. This is normal and practice will help you concentrate on your thumb/sights.

Top Dog

MR_22 · May-27-14 08:05

Welcome, welcome! Bud's is great, if you have a local dealer to accept it for your for a decent price. I'm seriously thinking about buying my second gun from Bud's today.

Shovel-ready project · June-06-14 17:06

Quote from: MR_22 on May-27-14 08:05
Welcome, welcome! Bud's is great, if you have a local dealer to accept it for your for a decent price.

I prefer to shop local but when you can't, a place like Bud's is hard to beat. Here's my story:
o Exact model I wanted was in stock.
o Priced less than MSRP, free shipping and no sales tax.
o In my hands on the eighth day.
o Low price guaranty. Sevaral days later, it was listed for a lower price, so I got another $12 back.
What's not to like? I would have given up some of the perks to keep the local folks in business but what can I do?