My LR Mini

[pdenny]

I'm always looking for that ideal small carry pistol and over the years have bought everything from a Beretta Tomcat to Kel-Tecs, and more recently a Kahr PM9 and Sig P238. What I've continued to come back to though are the NAA Mini-Revolvers, and for the last couple of years it's been the LR Mini with a 1-1/8" barrel and oversize Rosewood grip. I carry it in the nylon NAA pocket holster, which I had re-stitched to accommodate the occasional use of a laser. It took me a while to give in to the size increase of an oversize grip but it's night & day compared to the other grips, making the gun completely controllable and fun to shoot. And on the LR Mini it's still small enough that I can cover it with my hand. I'm afraid that most people, including me, would find themselves all thumbs if they actually had to do much with a Mini-Revolver with standard-size grips in a high-pressure situation, especially since they likely don't do much practicing with it.

     

   I initially improved my LR's almost nonexistent sights by painting the top of the hammer for a rear sight and painting a dot on the front blade but It's worked so well that I've now drilled a dot into the front blade. And with the oversize grip and sights, the gun is actually fun and accurate. Some people don't like shooting Mini-Revolvers because of what it takes to reload one, but it doesn't take much practice to be able to do it in less than 30 seconds. And with all the practice I put in, I do it quite a bit faster. Also, some people say it's foolish to carry something smaller than .380 for personal protection, but one reason I practice a lot is so that I can aim at a spot instead of center mass. I of course do prefer carrying something bigger and often do, but for me, I believe the LR Mini is more often than not my best compromise.

     

   A word about the laser, I don't understand why it's not more popular. It allows you to point & shoot accurately, and it also helps you to practice pointing & shooting accurately, by showing you where the gun's actually pointing without firing it. I have mine on the gun a lot but do hate it that I have to take it off to use the sights. The screws & allen wrench aren't all that durable but so far mine are still holding up.

     

   I thought I'd illustrate the LR Mini's accuracy by shooting 25 rounds at a target from 20 yards this afternoon. I'm 61 and don't have the best eyes anymore, so a younger guy should do better, but it's just amazing to me that a tiny gun with a 1-1/8" barrel can do this well. It was outdoors in a gusty breeze from a standing position, and of the 25 rounds, (23) hit the paper, (19) were in the 7-1/4" circle, (14) were in the 4-3/4" circle, (8) were in the 3-3/4" circle, and (2) were in the 2" circle.

   

   

   

   

   

   

[Uncle_Lee]

I understand the "old eyes".

   At least you hit the paper at 20 yards.

[jupiter7]

Slick paint job! Nice job

[grayelky]

I like your sighting system.

   

   I have a 1 1/8" LR mini like yours I got in 1977. I rarely carry it anymore, as I have gotten a couple of the magnums, and find they are as easy to carry as the LR, and have a touch more power. If the opportunity presents it self, try a mag frame. As to reloading in a hurry, a spare cylinder will be the second quickest way to get back to shooting. A second gun will be the fastest!

[22man]

Nice review, thanks

[plinker631]

NAA-1&5/8th Mag in a NAA "Cross draw" holster (HCD-M)

[pdenny]

I bought a Magnum back in the 90's and sold it just recently. It had a 1-5/8" barrel and with oversize grips, it was quite a bit larger than my LR Mini with oversize grips.

   

   I was reloading ammo for all my center-fire pistols cheaper than I could buy .22 WMR and I had just quit shooting it.

   

   Denny

[ArmedPatriot]

"I was reloading ammo for all my center-fire pistols cheaper than I could buy .22 WMR and I had just quit shooting it. "

   =========================================================

   

   I hear ya.

   I cast my own 158gr LRN bullets for my Ruger so I end up paying less than $6 / 50 to shoot my 357.

   

   I dont think I'll be shooting the 22mag much but when I get the 22lr/22mag combo next we have about 5000 rounds of 22lr to play with at the range.

[bleak_window]

I would say to stick with what works.  Pdenny has refined and customized his mini into a formidable system of eye, hand, grip, and sights all working together.  Looks good, too.