What if there were plastic non-NAA minis?

bearcatter · October-12-19 13:10

I get so tired of reading posts elsewhere comparing the Guardian against "another pocket pistol". "It's too heavy", "Heavy trigger", "It kicks too hard", "It slams my finger". Then they go on, giving wrong weights, dimensions, trigger pulls, etc., that make the "other pocket pistol" seem even better.

The "other pocket pistol" just does not compare, to me. Plastic frame, guide rod, trigger, action pins; even the trigger bar is plastic. Extractor is a piece of spring steel. Steel is carbon. People trust their life to that? For a few less ounces and dollars?

Let's say another company started making tiny SA revolvers with polymer frames and other parts, for about a third less price and weight compared to NAAs. Would you be drooling to get one?

grayelky · October-12-19 13:10

I would go find one, and look it over and make a decision at that point. It would have a large hill to climb to overcome my NAAs.

Dinadan · October-12-19 17:10

The NAA Minis are so light weight that there is no way that a lighter weight would be a decisive factor for me. That does not mean that I would not get one the the plastic minis, but it weight would not be a factor. Nor would price if I had to make a choice. The basic Mini is not very expensive.

Bigger revolvers weight matters to me. I have started carrying a LCR .38 at times, and that is pretty much based on polymer weight versus steel .38s.

bill_deshivs · October-12-19 19:10

The fact of the matter is that a plastic mini revolver couldn't possibly work.
A plastic gripped auto will work fine.

Here's a story I have told here before:
Years ago, I broke the hammer spring on my Keltec P32. It was near Christmas and Keltec was closed until well after New Year. No problem, I'll just carry My NAA .32 Guardian for a couple of weeks. I dropped it in my pocket and headed off to work. Within a couple of hours, I left work and went to my friend's pawn shop and bought another P32. There is that much difference in the weight.

autofull · October-13-19 07:10

yep, i agree with that one. i have owned and fired all three of my p32,s with no breakage. i do own a bunch of replacement parts as i can repair them if i must and parts are inexpensive. i do own some guardians and love them but they are belt pistols to me. well made but very heavy. oh, on the minis, i would keep my naa,s but would certainly check out any competition.

bearcatter · October-13-19 09:10

I don't know about plastic mini frames not working. LCRs have plastic grip frames, and Taurus has the Model 85 revolver with a complete plastic frame, even the barrel is a plastic shroud with a liner. If they thought there was a dollar to be made, some company would try a mini type. Couldn't come close to NAA quality, though.

Guardian 32 loaded weight is fifteen ounces, P32 is nine. That six ounce difference matters to some. The Guardian 380 is six ounces over the Guardian 32, which mattered to me, being well over a pound. But if I had to have a 380, I'd still do the 21 ounce Guardian over the 12 ounce P3AT or LCP. FWIW, the .38 LCR is 16 ounces loaded.

grumpyoleman · October-13-19 11:10

Not too interested in plastic pistols in general, but that's me. Sure wouldn't be interested in a plastic SA. I had a Guardian once in .32. Swapped it for something I thought I wanted more. Sort of wish I hadn't done that.

Uncle_Lee · October-14-19 03:10

Welcome Grumpy,
You can go out and buy another .32 and promise it that you will never let it go..

Ruger · October-14-19 07:10

Hey . . . Grumpy . . . . WELCOME to the Forum!! Glad to have you. We need new ideas, opinions, range reports, and, of course, lots of pictures!

When it comes to plastic frames, I own a number of plastic revolvers and pistols. The plastics are range toys or home defense tools. I carry steel: my NAA Sidewinder and my Sig P238 lately. Yup, there is a real difference in weight between the two, but with a good pair of suspenders, pocket carrying either is no big deal. I used to carry my LCR .38, but I always felt it printed to much in my pocket. Yeah, I know, it works well on a belt, but I have never carried any other way other than in my pocket.

bearcatter · October-14-19 08:10

Quote from: uncle_lee on October-14-19 03:10
Welcome Grumpy,
You can go out and buy another .32 and promise it that you will never let it go..

That is an excellent suggestion !

grumpyoleman · October-14-19 08:10

Thanks for the welcomes. Taking an unfired LCP 'plasket pistol' to a friend who wants it. I will be researching the Guardians, don't believe the 380 was even available when I bought the 32. I will be picking up my new pug this week so there will be a short intermission while I find a few more bucks.

rattlehead · October-14-19 09:10

One of the main reasons I love these little NAA revolvers so much is the fact that they're made of stainless. With the size being so small, weight really isn't an issue even with a steel frame. Polymer has its place. I really like my S&W Shield for belt carry. I like plenty of other polymer framed semi-autos as well, but I have zero interest in a plastic mini revolver.

Uncle_Lee · October-14-19 12:10

After giving it full thought and consideration, polymer framed minis, I'd take a pair of those.
Different, so I would want a pair.

linux_author · October-14-19 13:10

you can already buy a plastic revolver... Taurus 85 IIRC...

but i wouldn't want one, especially after Friday's and today's score of two classics snubbies...

(won't divulge which ones until Wednesday's range pics)

i like my NAA carry 22WMR revolvers: a Ranger II and a Sidewinder... works for me... i also carry a P32...

willie
on the Gulf of Mexico

Canoeal · October-14-19 15:10

As most of you know I like steel and wood...

Ruger · October-15-19 04:10

Quote from: linux_author on October-14-19 13:10. . . . . . . . i like my NAA carry 22WMR revolvers: a Ranger II and a Sidewinder... works for me... . . . . . .

Nice style!

pietro · October-17-19 19:10

RogueTS1 · October-18-19 07:10

Pietro; it's a mini Mini! LOL

OV-1D · October-18-19 11:10

Sure looks functional .

bearcatter · October-18-19 16:10

More details, please? Who made it, and does it work?

pietro · October-18-19 19:10

Quote from: bearcatter on October-18-19 16:10
More details, please? Who made it, and does it work?

Made in Russia by Vadim Navaznov - pinfire cap gun key fob.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/690109040/miiniature-pinfire-gun-fob-gun-small-naa?gpla=1&gao=1&&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=shopping_us_a-accessories-keychains_and_lanyards-keychains&utm_custom1=5f5cf802-dac9-40d1-bf7f-4ef40ca1715e&utm_content=go_1844702565_65111516850_346428851447_pla-352693456253_c__690109040&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIl630kKWn5QIVgZOzCh2m9A0gEAQYAyABEgLG7PD_BwE

.

Wumbey Goomba · October-18-19 19:10

$470 dollars

seaotter · January-26-20 18:01

I have a both a "plastic" 380 and a Guardian 380. I like them both, but I rarely carry the plastic one. Why? Because the Guardian is smaller in most of its dimensions. In my pocket it just looks like a large-ish wallet, while the "plastic" 380 looks like a gun. I know that depends on the pockets and the holster. I wear "comfort fit "old guy jeans because I AM an old guy! If I wore something more fitted, I'd probably carry the plastic 380. Or more likely my Black Widow.