Your first Mini

Mr.Mini · February-02-19 20:02

I'm sure this has been done before, but I thought it'd be fun to look back on the mini that started your NAA addiction!

For me it was the mini 22 lr. My LGS had two minis in stock. A combo 22 mag and a 22 lr mini. I didn't know how much I'd like it so I opted for the smaller 22 lr. Plus it was cheaper. Little did I know after all these years I'd still be hooked!

Fharing · February-02-19 21:02

This isn't mine, but it was one exactly like this that started my love for minis

Canoeal · February-02-19 21:02

First, and so far only...

smokeless joe · February-03-19 02:02

This isn't my first but I bought it in remembrance of my first mini. My pop gave me my first and I sold it so I could buy the 22 magnum version. I found this one at a gun show and it couldn't be any closer to the original that pop gave me. I know I can send it to NAA and get the safety cylinder but I want it to stay like the one I owned years ago.

Uncle_Lee · February-03-19 05:02

My first pair was in 1976.
Pretty little Shortys.

Uncle Fatso · February-03-19 05:02

The 1 5/8" magnum was my first. Bought secondhand for $125.

top dog · February-03-19 06:02

Smokeless Joe,
Even though you do not have the safety notches in that mini,is it possible to let the hammer rest between the chambers???

Or do you have to have the hammer down on and empty chamber/fired cartridge???

Top Dog

Honky Tonk Man · February-03-19 06:02

My first mini was a new .22 LR, 1 1/8"bbl. made in Spanish Fork, UT in July '86. I carried it everywhere! I went. Hunting, fishing, camping, around the world on my active duty adventures, you name it, it's been there. Now I have a Pug, Black Widow, and Sidewinder combo models, but this is the one with all the memories.

smokeless joe · February-03-19 06:02

Quote from: top dog on February-03-19 06:02
Smokeless Joe,
Even though you do not have the safety notches in that mini,is it possible to let the hammer rest between the chambers???

Or do you have to have the hammer down on and empty chamber/fired cartridge???

Top Dog

If I were to have it loaded I would leave one chamber empty for the hammer to rest safely. I'll probabky never shoot this tho. Bought it for sentimental purposes.

holiday009 · February-03-19 10:02

Quote from: Mr.Mini on February-02-19 20:02
I'm sure this has been done before, but I thought it'd be fun to look back on the mini that started your NAA addiction!

For me it was the mini 22 lr. My LGS had two minis in stock. A combo 22 mag and a 22 lr mini. I didn't know how much I'd like it so I opted for the smaller 22 lr. Plus it was cheaper. Little did I know after all these years I'd still be hooked!

That's a great photo, nice angle...

You don't see the 1 5/8" that often anymore.

holiday009 · February-03-19 10:02

Quote from: smokeless joe on February-03-19 02:02
This isn't my first but I bought it in remembrance of my first mini. My pop gave me my first and I sold it so I could buy the 22 magnum version. I found this one at a gun show and it couldn't be any closer to the original that pop gave me. I know I can send it to NAA and get the safety cylinder but I want it to stay like the one I owned years ago.

Didn't the mini's use to come with a rug ?

Seems like I remember seeing miniature gun rugs with the naa logo on them, may have been accessories though.

Honky Tonk Man · February-03-19 10:02

Mine either came with a brown vinyl rug or I purchased it separately. It was pretty nice. I lost mine in a home fire. Fortunately the gun wasn't in it. Looked just like Joe's.

Warthog · February-03-19 11:02

First was this Black Widow, then came a lot more.

Mr.Mini · February-03-19 13:02

Quote from: holiday009 on February-03-19 10:02
Quote from: Mr.Mini on February-02-19 20:02
I'm sure this has been done before, but I thought it'd be fun to look back on the mini that started your NAA addiction!

For me it was the mini 22 lr. My LGS had two minis in stock. A combo 22 mag and a 22 lr mini. I didn't know how much I'd like it so I opted for the smaller 22 lr. Plus it was cheaper. Little did I know after all these years I'd still be hooked!

That's a great photo, nice angle...

You don't see the 1 5/8" that often anymore.

Thanks! I took it after a cleaning session. I want to get a 1 5/8 mag to go with it.

OV-1D · February-03-19 13:02

Great picture Mr.Mini .

Boisesteve · February-03-19 19:02

Howdy all,
My first mini revolver was a Freedom Arms 4-shot, which I carried with the hammer down on an empty cyl. so it really was a 3-shot.
My first NAA was this Spanish Fork 1 5/8" 22LR that I found second hand but almost new in a gunshop, not too long after they were first introduced with the safety cylinder in the 1980's (forget exactly which year, was it 1984?) I got oversize wood grips for it and then modified them to be thiner. The two holsters were my originals for the revolver, the one from NAA and the other a generic Bianchi clip-on in which the revolver rides real low, very easy to carry invisibly at inside waistband appendix. I sold the Freedom Arms; everything I own gets used and it wasn't anymore.
There ya go! Be well all, Boise Steve

Mr.Mini · February-03-19 19:02

Love seeing all the pictures!

grayelky · February-03-19 23:02

My first was purchased in 1977. My next one was the 4" Earl. I now have in excess of 30 or so. I think. The engraving was done about 12-14 years ago.

Uncle_Lee · February-04-19 04:02

My second purchase was also the 4" Earl.
A pair of them.
Now I have shoeboxes full of them.

OV-1D · February-04-19 05:02

Unc_Lee what I wouldn't give to see your whole collection on display all at onetime , would be grand for all ofus .

$:-\$ $:-\$

smokeless joe · February-04-19 05:02

Quote from: OV-1D on February-04-19 05:02
Unc_Lee what I wouldn't give to see your whole collection on display all at onetime , would be grand for all ofus . $:-\$ $:-\$

From what I gather it would be a challenge to get them all in one shot

grayelky · February-04-19 06:02

He'd be so far back, he'd have to use a tele-photo lens!

holiday009 · February-04-19 06:02

Quote from: uncle_lee on February-04-19 04:02
My second purchase was also the 4" Earl.
A pair of them.
Now I have shoeboxes full of them.

How many minis do you have total ?

top dog · February-04-19 07:02

HonkyTonkMan,
I too have one of those Russell "one handed knives". One of first ones they came out with.

Good companion to the mini.

Top Dog

Razmear · February-04-19 15:02

Just picked this up today, Victory for scale.
Hunting for a decent IWB holster.

Dinadan · February-04-19 16:02

My first Mini was a Pug. I bought it at a gun show in November, 2010. It came with a Mag cylinder, and I had to scour the internet to find a LR cylinder. I probably put way over a thousand rounds though it the first year or so that I owned it. I have not shot it much over the past few years as I have mostly switched to my Sidewinders.

OV-1D · February-04-19 17:02

Quote from: Fharing on February-02-19 21:02

This isn't mine, but it was one exactly like this that started my love for minis
[/quote

Flaring that's the same Freedom Arms that got me into mini's also . It's shape and slenderness hooked me bad and then it was off to the races . Great picture thanks .

Uncle_Lee · February-05-19 05:02

How many?
Over 50.
More than most, less than some.

smokeless joe · February-05-19 05:02

The mini that got me back into the minis was my Pug. It's rare that I go anywhere without it. My collection has grown larger since making the Pug purchase.

Mr.Mini · February-05-19 05:02

It's awesome to see so many pictures!

holiday009 · February-05-19 10:02

Really nice pics, I like that S&W Victory!

Ruger · February-05-19 11:02

There sure are some nice collections out there!

Honky Tonk Man · February-06-19 14:02

Quote from: top dog on February-04-19 07:02
HonkyTonkMan,
I too have one of those Russell "one handed knives". One of first ones they came out with.

Good companion to the mini.

Top Dog

Yes Top Dog that was an original version One-Hand Knife by A.G. Russell. I consider them a classic. I couldn't afford much in his catalogs, but loved getting them in the mail anyway. That was before internet I believe?

holiday009 · February-07-19 16:02

Quote from: Mr.Mini on February-02-19 20:02
I'm sure this has been done before, but I thought it'd be fun to look back on the mini that started your NAA addiction!

For me it was the mini 22 lr. My LGS had two minis in stock. A combo 22 mag and a 22 lr mini. I didn't know how much I'd like it so I opted for the smaller 22 lr. Plus it was cheaper. Little did I know after all these years I'd still be hooked!

Still can't get over how great of a pic this is, it's perfect!

Warthog · February-07-19 18:02

Addiction....yeah, and I think I need to find a 12 step place so I can get off of this stuff. LOL

Old Group Shot below, before the Ranger II's came and a few others like the Hogleg and the BOB....prolly a few others also missing...prolly need to drag them out again for a new group shot.

grips on some have changed too....