North American Arms (NAA) makes the smallest revolvers on the market for concealed carry and lawful self-defense, and the advanced engineering on its Pug and Sidewinder mini revolvers are very hot right now.

RELATED STORY: 5 Mini Revolvers & Pocket Pistols From North American Arms

The Pug is a five-shot, single-action, stainless steel mini revolver that measures less than 5 inches long and weighs around 7 ounces unloaded. The 1-inch-long barrel fires .22 LR ammunition and features six functional ports milled into the muzzle to reduce muzzle rise and felt recoil. Factory custom LaserLyte grips build a highly useful laser right into the grip, projecting a bright red dot onto your target. The Pug also features manual sights, with a speed-sight rear and a high visibility white dot-front sight.

The Sidewinder is a five-shot mini revolver whose cylinder swings out to the right side of the action, and is held in place by a cam during reloading (most NAA mini revolvers reload by completely detaching the cylinder from the frame). It even features a classic-style, spent-cartridge-extracting plunger. Popular versions of the Sidewinder ship with an integral pocket holster/grip with pocket clip.

RELATED STORY: North American Arms’ Ported .22 Mag Mini-Revolver

For more information, visit http://www.northamericanarms.com.

The post New for 2016: North American Arms’ Pug & Sidewinder appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

A while back, I did a test and evaluation on the North American Arms (NAA) Sidewinder Mini-Revolver Conversion Model in .22 Magnum/.22 LR. If you are unfamiliar with NAA, its largest line comprises several versions of a diminutive single-action, five-shot revolver in .22 Short, .22 LR and .22 Magnum, which the company has been producing in various forms since the early 1970s.

Except for a short-lived hinged-frame model, all the NAA revolvers have had a solid frame that requires the cylinder to be removed for loading or extracting spent cartridge cases. The Sidewinder changed that rule of thumb, as it has an ejector rod/cylinder locking pin that, when pulled forward slightly, allows the cylinder to be swung to the right on a crane, once the hammer has been cocked to the first notch or “click.” This makes for rapid loading and ejection of brass almost on par with typical swing-out-cylinder double-action revolvers.

NAA recently announced the production of a California-legal Sidewinder that sports a 4-inch barrel. Living in America’s heartland, I couldn’t care less about the useless gun laws in California, but I did think that a 4-inch barrel on the Sidewinder could provide some interesting possibilities.

Pocket Upgrade

The Sidewinder’s swing-out cylinder makes it easier to load/unload than NAA’s previous models.

My test gun arrived in a black “crinkle-finished,” lockable metal box, and inside I found a conversion cylinder for .22 LR. Also inside, beneath the foam-rubber padding, were keys for the case lock, an owner’s manual, a warranty registration card and some other NAA literature. I took the Sidewinder out and gave it the once-over from stem to stern. The gun’s fit and finish seemed up to NAA’s usual high standards and there were no machine marks or other blemishes to mar the little handgun’s good looks.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – NAA Sidewinder with LaserLyte Mighty Mouse Laser

The Sidewinder is a stainless steel handgun. The sides of the frame and the cylinder are given a brushed satin finish, while the cylinder flutes, barrel, hammer, trigger and the top and bottom surfaces of the frame and gripstraps are matte finished. As this is a single-action revolver, the hammer has a long enough spur to make cocking easy, and the spur is serrated for better thumb purchase. Like many of the small revolvers and derringers seen in the Old West, it has a “spur” trigger that has some protection provided by downward projections of the frame, but no triggerguard. The trigger’s front surface is serrated.

A simple round bead serves as the front sight.

The Sidewinder’s sights are fixed and consist of a small bead at the barrel muzzle, sitting atop an integral rib. The rear sight is a notch cut into the topstrap that can only be seen to aim with when the gun is at full-cock. There’s also a slot cut into the notch that allows one to see the top of the cylinder, which enables the user to place the firing pin in a cylinder safety notch. These notches are on the breech end of the cylinder, along with small cuts that allow a view of the cartridge rims, to act as a loaded-chamber indicator. The Sidewinder’s stocks appear to be laminated rosewood with a soft luster finish and no checkering.

RELATED STORY: North American Arms’ .380 Guardian Pistol with Crimson Trace Lasergrips

As stated earlier, regular NAA mini revolvers require the cylinder to be removed for loading. However, the Sidewinder is a swing-out cylinder design like many modern DA revolvers. To unlock the cylinder so that it may swing on its crane to the right of the receiver, one must first cock the hammer to the first “click.” This takes the hammer-mounted firing pin out of the safety notch and lowers the locking bolt slightly. One hand is used to pull forward on the ejector rod/locking pin while the other hand manipulates the cylinder out to the right.

The cylinder crane and ejector rod double as a cylinder lock/release.

Once fully pushed out, the ejector rod can now be used to punch out empty cartridge cases. With fresh cartridges in the cylinder, it can now be swung back into the frame window and locked into place. I found this was best accomplished by using one hand to press inward on the cylinder crane and the checkered knob on the ejector rod/locking pin. The barrel has a lug ahead of the pin for protection, and an integral “collar” where it attaches to the frame, which is part of the locking system, also provides some additional protection for the hand.

RELATED STORY: 16 Concealed Carry Derringers & Mini-Revolvers

To convert the Sidewinder from .22 Magnum to .22 LR, and vice-versa, a screw on the front of the frame, at the bottom forward of the trigger, must be turned out and removed with the cylinder in battery. Using the process already described, the cylinder is swung out, allowing it and the crane unit to be lifted free. The user can now insert the conversion cylinder and secure it in place with the frame screw. The laminated wood grips are also fastened to the grip frame with a screw, and NAA has a number of different grip options should you wish to change them out. NAA makes some imitation stag grips I like, as they provide a better gripping surface.

Note the spur trigger.

Some might question describing the NAA Sidewinder with a 4-inch barrel as a pocket pistol. Back in the Old West, it would have easily fit into a frock coat pocket, but today’s fashions are a bit different. I found the little five-shooter would tuck into the flap pocket of my cargo pants, but if I was taking it along with me somewhere that had a more formal dress code, I might want to opt for a holster. NAA makes some suitable leather for the 4-inch Sidewinder, and if you like a belt holster, the company makes a Model 1860 in black and tan with basket-weave stamping and a leather thong to loop over the hammer spur for security. It comes in right- and left-handed versions. Another model is the Mini-Master 4-inch, and this is constructed of suede leather and rides inside the waistband. It has a brushed finish, an open muzzle to allow for air circulation and comes in left- or right-handed versions.

Getting The Lead Out

Winchester developed the .22 WMR cartridge in 1959, and for many years it was only offered by the company and some other major ammo producers with 40-grain hollow-point and FMJ bullets at about 2,000 fps (out of a rifle barrel). Today, there are a plethora of .22 Magnum loadings (when you can find them). Some of them are intended for use in short-barreled handguns like the NAA revolvers.

For this test, I selected .22 WMR cartridges from Armscor (Warning: No longer recommended for use in NAA guns), CCI, Hornady and Speer. The Armscor load has a 40-grain JHP with an exposed lead tip. The CCI round is that company’s Maxi-Mag +V and has a “hypervelocity” 30-grain JHP. The final load tested was the Speer Gold Dot. This .22 Mag load is formulated especially for short-barreled handguns and has a 40-grain Gold Dot hollow-point bullet with a factory-rated velocity (out of a 1.9-inch barrel) of 1,050 fps at the muzzle. I wanted try the .22 LR conversion cylinder, so I also selected a vintage box of CCI Mini-Mag 40-grain, solid-point bullets. I was anxious to see what kind of velocities my chronograph would give me shooting the above loads out of the Sidewinder’s 4-inch barrel.

RELATED STORY: 5 Mini Revolvers & Pocket Pistols From North American Arms

From the bench, I put five shots of each load through the tripod-mounted Sky Screens. Next I put my sandbag on the bench and stapled up some bullseye targets downrange at a distance of 7 yards. Even with a 4-inch barrel, I didn’t think the NAA Sidewinder would allow accurate shooting at a longer distance; I may have been wrong.

Even though the sights are right out of the 19th century and the trigger pull was heavier than my pull scale would measure, I was still able to shoot a five-shot group from the bench that came to just 0.93 inches using Armscor .22 WMR ammo. Second place went to the Speer load with a five-shot cluster my dial calipers measured at 1.27 inches. The CCI Mini-Mags in the conversion .22 LR cylinder provided a best group of 1.38 inches for five shots.

Real-World Ready

During a practical shooting test, the author found the 4-inch-barreled Sidewinder to be deadly accurate.

Since it provided good groups and was the easiest in the extraction of empty cartridge cases, I elected to use the Speer Gold Dot .22 WMR round for the combat test phase of my evaluation. My plan was to first load the Sidewinder and put it in my right cargo-pants pocket. I would then walk up to within 3 feet of the silhouette target and empty five rounds into the head of the target as rapidly as possible using only the strong hand, looking over the sights.

For the next 25 rounds, I loaded the gun, took a giant step backwards and then drew from the pocket and fired three rounds center mass and two to the head. The center-mass shots were just pointed and I took a quick aim at the head. I repeated this giant step process until I was back at the barricade. I then drew the loaded gun, took aim and fired two rounds in left-side center-mass and right-side barricade, then knelt and fired one round to the head from the right side. The results were quite satisfactory.

RELATED STORY: 4 .22 WMR Mini Revolvers From North American Arms

The close-range headshots would have been deadly and the target was peppered with gun-powder stippling. My center-mass shots were centered, with only two hits outside the 10-ring. Be sure to put your hand in your pocket and your thumb on the hammer spur to prevent the spur catching in the pocket lining while drawing.

The overall performance of the NAA Sidewinder with the 4-inch barrel was very favorable. I believe this little five-gun has the makings of a good last-ditch defense gun or backup gun. The 4-inch barrel certainly increases the velocity of the .22 WMR loads considerably, putting it in the same league as many .32 ACP JHP loads with 132 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. It is accurate enough to get good close-range headshots when firing with two hands; cocking the hammer with your support hand, you can get off five shots quickly. Loading and extracting empties is faster than with other versions of the NAA single-action revolver, but you’re still mostly going to have to count on those five rounds in the cylinder.

I’m also thinking it might be a great little trail gun, and with some .22 WMR shot cartridges it would make good medicine for threatening vipers. A big walnut tree was near the range, and with .22 LR cartridges I had no trouble shooting walnuts off limbs, so hitting squirrels would not be an improbable feat.

For more information, call 800-821-5783 or visit http://www.northamericanarms.com.

The post Pocket Wheelgun: NAA’s New Sidewinder With A 4-Inch Barrel appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

North American Arms’ Sidewinder earned its name because, like most modern double-action revolvers, it has a cylinder that can be swung out to the side for loading. The Sidewinder has a 1.5-inch barrel, stainless steel construction, an overall length of 5 inches, a height of 2.87 inches and a width of 1.06 inches. It’s a single-action design, which means it has to be cocked for each shot, but the hammer spur is easily accessible and serrated, and it has a serrated spur trigger.

Notches at the rear of the cylinder allow the hammer to be lowered and locked in place between chambers and act as visual loaded-chamber indicators. The sights consist of a front post and a fixed rear notch. You can also get the Sidewinder with a .22 LR conversion cylinder to make for less expensive practice. The factory grips are a smooth laminated wood.

RELATED STORY: 4 .22 WMR Mini-Revolvers From North American Arms

The Mighty Mouse by LaserLyte will fit just about any of the NAA mini-revolvers. It features what I call grab-and-go activation—grasp the gun properly and the laser is activated. Besides allowing fast target acquisition and recognition, it has the red dot intimidation factor that, thanks to TV, everyone is aware of. The laser unit replaces the factory grip entirely, and a stalk that extends up from the right grip panel projects the laser beam over the top of the cylinder. It’s a tough unit that’s made from glass-filled nylon and attaches using a hex-head screw. The right grip panel holds the 392 batteries and a coin-slotted compartment cover allows for a battery change without having to remove the grips. The unit boasts a 650NM, 5MW, Class IIIA laser and has a constant-on life of over one hour.

My sample came with the batteries installed and three extras, plus hex wrenches for the grip and sight-adjustment screws and instructions. The tradeoff is the unit adds 0.75 ounces of weight, extends the gun’s width to 1.25 inches, and it is 3 inches long. I installed it on the Sidewinder and tried to adjust it to point of aim (POA) at 7 yards with the fixed sights. I turned the windage screw out as far as it would go and the red dot was still left of POA and slightly high. Given the purpose of this handgun, I’m not overly concerned.

Range Test

Let’s talk about “purpose.” The NAA Sidewinder is not my idea of a primary defense handgun, but maybe a second or even third backup gun. That being said, it can and has been used as a primary gun. With defense in mind, I elected to test my Sidewinder with these .22 Magnum cartridges. The CCI V-Max is first. it features a 30-grain jacketed bullet with a Poly-Tip embedded in the hollow nose. With its velocity readings, it might be devastating for contact shots. Next is Hornady’s Critical Defense round that’s loaded with a 45-grain FTX bullet, with a polymer plug within its serrated, hollow nose for expansion. Then there’s the Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection cartridge with its 40-grain GDHP bullet, which I’ve found expands well even from a 1-inch barrel.

RELATED STORY: New For 2016 – North American Arms’ Pug & Sidewinder

The Sidewinder is anything but a target gun with its tiny sights, but I was interested to see what accuracy potential it had at 7 yards. The group winner was Hornady Critical Defense with a five-shot cluster that covered 2.76 inches. The average for all of the test loads at the range was about 3.5 inches.

More Minis

NAA Black Widow

Besides the Sidewinder, NAA makes other versions of its mini-revolver, plus variations of these differing models with short barrels for “pocket” use. These single-action mini-revolvers are stainless steel, with spur triggers and five-shot cartridge capacities, but these other models require the cylinder to be removed for loading/unloading. There are also different methods of cylinder removal that are improvements on the basic design and speed up the process while limiting the fine motor skills required.

Barrel lengths vary from 1 to 2.5 inches, and some barrels have solid or vent ribs, and barrel porting is even available. The options are seemingly endless, with different grips, adjustable rear sights, laser sight options, as well as high polish, blued and even gold-plated finishes available.

RELATED STORY: North American Arms’ Deep-Cover Defenders

Sporting a 1.6-inch barrel, the standard model in .22 Magnum tips the scales at 6.5 ounces. It has the traditional NAA cylinder base pin, which has a push button at the end that allows it to be removed, along with the cylinder for reloading. The revolvers in the Mini-Master series all offer what I’d call a pull-down, slide-out mechanism for extracting the cylinder base pin, making cylinder removal easier. This series includes the Black Widow, which has distinctive “hourglass” grips and sight options, and can also use the Mighty Mouse laser like all other .22 Mag NAA revolvers. There’s also the Pug with a 1-inch, solid-rib barrel, rubber grips and a big dot or tritium front sight.

All the aforementioned revolvers have the convertible .22 LR/.22 Magnum option. Some of these revolvers can also be had with a unique folding grip/holster unit that looks like a clip-on pocket knife when worn, adding to their concealed-carry appeal. In all, NAA has something for everyone.

For More Information

North American Arms
http://www.northamericanarms.com; 800-821-5783

LaserLyte
http://www.laserlyte.com; 928-649-3970

The post Pocket Rimfires: The NAA Sidewinder and Other Mini-Revolvers appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and you know what that means. Presents, and lots of them. We get it. Sometimes it can be tough figuring out what to buy for loved ones. If there’s a firearm enthusiast in your family, that decision-making process can be even more daunting when you haven’t done your research. Or perhaps you want to treat yourself to something nice, but aren’t sure what should go on your “maybe” list. If it’s pocket pistols you’re looking for, we’ve got your back.

• RELATED STORY: Be Discreet – Common Sense Concealed Carry Tips & Techniques

From the concealable Beretta Pico and subcompact Glock 43, to Ruger’s just-released LCP II, Remington’s tiny RM380 and many more, there’s a slew of big-time gun manufacturers offering cool and innovative pocket pistols that put a premium on concealed carry and self defense. Looking for a great stocking stuffer? You’ve come to the right place. Without further ado, here are 15 pocket pistols perfect for Christmas.

• RELATED STORY: 5 Shooting Drills To Maximize Speed, Accuracy and Power

For more information about the pocket pistols featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.

Beretta
http://www.beretta.com

Bond Arms
http://www.bondarms.com

Colt
http://www.colt.com

Glock
https://us.glock.com

Heizer Defense
https://www.heizerdefense.com

Kahr Arms
http://www.kahr.com

Kimber
http://www.kimberamerica.com

North American Arms
https://www.northamericanarms.com

Remington
https://www.remington.com

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com

SCCY
http://www.sccy.com

Sig Sauer
https://www.sigsauer.com

Smith & Wesson
https://www.smith-wesson.com

Springfield Armory
http://www.springfield-armory.com

Taurus
http://www.taurususa.com

The post Stocking Stuffers: 15 Pocket Pistols Perfect For Christmas appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Semi-autos may be all the rage these days, but don’t kid yourself: revolvers aren’t going anywhere. The market for them is still very healthy, with a host of attractive options for the discerning buyer having been unleashed over the past several years. Throughout the pages of ‘Combat Handguns,’ we’ve covered it all when it comes to revolvers. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to compile what we consider to be 11 of the best to grace the pages of the magazine this year. Scroll through above to see what they are.

• RELATED STORY: Revolver Holsters – 25 Rugged and Reliable Rigs for Your Wheelgun

For more information on the guns featured in this photo gallery, please visit the following sites.

Charter Arms
https://www.charterfirearms.com

Chiappa
http://www.chiappafirearms.com

Dan Wesson
http://www.danwessonfirearms.com

Kimber
http://www.kimberamerica.com

North American Arms
https://www.northamericanarms.com

Nighthawk Custom
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
https://www.smith-wesson.com

Taurus
http://www.taurususa.com

Taylor’s & Company
http://www.taylorsfirearms.com

Uberti
http://www.uberti.com

The post Revolvers: The 11 Best Models from ‘Combat Handguns’ in 2016 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Back when I was a kid, pocket pistols were novelties. But fast-forward a few decades and the most extraordinary transformation has occurred in the shooting world.

• RELATED STORY: 4 Common Locations For Your Pocket Pistol

Concealed carry of firearms for personal protection has finally caught up with the founders’ clear original intent as depicted in the United States Constitution. Now this deep into the Information Age, law-abiding folks are taking responsibility for their own security from coast to coast. Some states restrict the practice so severely as to leave their citizens defenseless, but most do not. As a result, concealed-carry guns and gear have become a huge industry.

When it comes time to pick out pocket pistols with which to defend yourself or your family, there are tons of options. Here are some of the best pocket pistols currently available.

• RELATED STORY: Semi-Autos Vs. Revolvers – Massad Ayoob Sets The Record Straight

For more information about the pocket pistols featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.

Glock
http://us.glock.com

Smith & Wesson
http://www.smith-wesson.com

Colt
http://www.colt.com

Rock Island Armory
http://www.armscor.com

Bond Arms
http://www.bondarms.com

Walther
http://www.waltherarms.com

Taurus
http://www.taurususa.com

North American Arms
https://www.northamericanarms.com

Heckler & Koch
http://www.hk-usa.com

This article was originally published in ‘Concealed Carry Handguns’ 2017. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

The post 10 Modern, Cutting-Edge Pocket Pistols for Self Defense appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

In the culture war known as “gun control,” those who would abolish the cherished American right to keep and bear arms see a pocket pistol as a tool of the devil suitable only for committing murder. But history is replete with cases where a handgun small enough to fit inside a pocket has averted tragedy and saved innocent lives.

• RELATED STORY: Pocket Carry Primer – What You Need to Know About Packing in Your Pocket

Let’s go all the way back to the Old West and look at Example One. Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire tamed the town of El Paso, Texas, with a pair of cut-down, short-barreled Colt six-shooters that he carried concealed in leather-lined hip pockets. Stoudenmire won multiple gunfights with that equipment before his luck ran out in his final shooting affray.

• RELATED STORY: Shooting Under Pressure – Lifesaving Tips for Surviving a Gunfight

Scroll through the gallery above in order to learn about 10 cases from the past and the present where a pocket pistol saved the day. Hopefully, this short list of 10 “saves” will be helpful to you the next time you are debating with someone who mistakenly thinks pocket-sized handguns are only for the black of heart.

This article was originally published in ‘Pocket Pistols’ Spring 2017. To subscribe, visit http://outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Pocket Pistol Saves: 10 Real-World Cases Where a Backup Gun Saved the Day appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

These days, a lot of “Keyboard Kommandos” refer to smaller handguns, sometimes anything less than .45 caliber, as “mouse guns,” and those cartridges especially targeted for this derision are some real antiques. More specifically, I’m referring to the .25 ACP and .32 ACP, which both came from the inventive mind of John Moses Browning.

Even at the dawn of the 20th century, Browning had his fingers on the pulse of the gun market and saw what was popular with the public: small handguns for self-defense. Browning invented the .32 ACP (aka the 7.65mm Browning Short) in 1899 and followed up with the Browning Model 1900 pistol made by FN in Belgium. It had a straight-walled case and was semi-rimmed, firing a 73-grain FMJ bullet at around 905 fps. Colt adopted another Browning design and produced the Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol, which jostled other gun manufacturers and led to the Savage Model 1907, the Browning Model 1910, Walther’s PPK and dozens of others.

In 1905, Browning came up with the .25 ACP (6.35x16mm), and FN made the Model 1905 pistol, or “Baby Browning,” to shoot it. This tiny cartridge, with its 50-grain FMJ bullet traveling at 760 fps, was also chambered in other pistols, such as the Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket, the Beretta 950 Jetfire, the Walther TPH and a score of others.

Popular Pistols

For the most part, people were happy with these small handguns and diminutive cartridges. The .32 ACP was extremely prevalent in Europe and was adopted by many police and military forces. While not as popular, the .25 ACP was a top seller in the civilian market. Statistics from Colt indicate that the Model 1903 and Model 1908 pistols were the second and third best sellers in the early 20th century behind the Model 1911. Around 570,000 and 420,000 of the Model 1903 and Model 1908 pistols were made, respectively, so they are commonly found on the used gun market.

Today’s plethora of small handguns in the more effective .380 ACP and 9mm has pretty much doomed the .25 and .32 ACP to obscurity. However, dozens of European makes and models from such companies as Ruby, HK and Sig Sauer, mixed with American products like the Bauer, Raven, Sterling, Taurus and Kel-Tec, make finding used guns in these calibers both easy and oftentimes a bargain. Add to this the uncounted thousands of these older guns still in bedside tables and desk drawers.

While there are few new handguns in .25 and .32 ACP being made, ammunition sales in these calibers are still fairly brisk, and subsequently, cartridge manufacturers have upped the performance of these two 100-plus-year-old rounds to more modern standards.

Take the .25 ACP. My ammo locker had expanding bullet loads from three different companies, including Hornady’s 36-grain XTP HP, which chronographed at 839 fps from my 2-inch-barreled Colt Model 1908. Speer’s 35-grain Gold Dot HP clocked in at 775 fps, and Winchester’s 45-grain Super-X Expanding Point, which has a Lubaloy-coated lead bullet with a steel ball in the nose, came in at 773 fps. These bullets expand reliably and allow all of the 63 to 65 foot-pounds of energy (fpe) to be expended into the target.

The same goes for the .32 ACP. My ammunition included Hornady’s 60-grain XTP HPs, Magtech’s 71-grain JHPs and some vintage Winchester 60-grain Silvertip HPs, which clocked in at 919, 860 and 968 fps, respectively, from my 3.75-inch-barreled Colt Model 1903. The expanding bullets offered about 125 to 133 fpe from the muzzle, which is more than enough to take care of the biggest “mouse” with good shot placement.

There aren’t many pistols still being made in .25 and .32 ACP. Your classic “pocket pistols” in these calibers were generally all steel, and their weight was reduced through their slender designs, short barrels and overall lengths, and compact grip frames. Today, smaller, lighter and stronger guns can be made with space-age alloys, polymers and stainless steel. Upgraded designs offer larger-caliber guns that are much the same size as these old-timers, and they’re usually lighter, too. Modern double-action-only (DAO) and striker-fired guns are safer and easier to shoot than many of the elder pistols with single-action (SA) triggers and exposed or concealed hammers. While they might not be more accurate, these new guns for the most part have better sights; the sights on guns from “back in the day” were sometimes not much more than reference points.

Despite all that, I’ve rounded up some of the best .25 and .32 ACP mouse guns, from the past and present, to give you some options. Let’s take a look.

For more information about the mouse guns featured in the gallery above, visit the following sites.

U.S. Armament Corps
usarmamentcorp.com

North American Arms
northamericanarms.com

Standard Manufacturing
stdgun.com

Phoenix Arms
phoenix-arms.com

Kel-Tec
keltecweapons.com

This article was originally published in ‘Concealed Carry Handguns’ Spring 2017. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post 5 Mighty Mouse Guns Chambered in .25 and .32 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The post VIDEO: North American Arms, Talo Team for ‘Bug Out Box’ Mini-Revolver appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

When examining handguns for women, we have to acknowledge that guys and girls are not the same. Some these days would have us believe that the two genders are essentially interchangeable. However, this could actually be one of those rare occasions wherein we should take a lesson from the French. Viva la difference. Personally, I like the stuff that makes us different.

RELATED STORY: 21 Self-Defense Products For Women

Speaking in sweeping generalities, women are typically a bit smaller and a bit weaker than men. Female fashions are also, thankfully, a bit clingier and more form fitting than those of their male counterparts. At a time when female shooters make up the fastest growing segment of the defensive firearms market, it behooves us all to devote a little time and treasure to the thorny topic of guns and gear for the fairer sex.

The “Best” Handguns For Women

What you don’t do is Cerakote your favorite 1911 in Pepto-Bismol pink and expect lady shooters to flock to your shop like it was Black Friday to make one their own. Defensive handguns for women should be compact, effective, and easy to use. Interestingly, much of what makes a defensive gun good for a woman carries over to us hairy Neanderthals as well.

Without further ado, here’s our list of great defensive handguns for women.

Walther CCP

In a cluttered sea of defensive handguns the Walther CCP is refreshingly different. The trigger is a bit gritty for my tastes, but the gas-retarded action is quite literally brilliant. In this case, gas is tapped from the barrel and used to impinge upon a gas piston arranged backwards in the gun’s frame. This slows the gun down rather than speeding it up. Imagine an M1 Carbine in reverse. The design allows the gun to run full-power 9mm ammunition through a chassis the size of your typical .380 ACP. It also means that the racking force for the slide is markedly more manageable than that of a comparable more conventional heater. Thin, powerful, and attractive, the Walther CCP is the ideal “girl gun.”

For more information: WaltherArms.com

Ruger LCP

The Ruger LCP is purpose-designed for concealed carry. The gun is no larger than a cell phone and sports smooth no-snag lines. It also packs 6+1 .380 ACP into a package small enough to ride in a pocket. It has the added benefit of being very reasonably priced.

The trigger on the LCP is a long double action, and the gun comes in a variety of colors for those who might indeed want to color coordinate their defensive weaponry. Recoil is a bit snappy and the trigger is designed more for safety than recreational plinking, but the LCP is a trim and effective deep concealment gun. Whether it rides in a purse or a discreet holster, the LCP is all but painless to tote.

For more information: Ruger.com

Taurus Curve

The Taurus Curve represents a radical departure from traditional concealed carry weapons. The Curve indeed sports a gentle curved architecture to better conform to your natural shape while either on the waist or in a pocket. It also eschews sights of any sort. In their place is a white printed crosshair of sorts on the back of the slide that helps align the gun when fired with both eyes open.

The trigger is a long double action, and the gun comes with a built-in light and laser. There is a handy belt clip on the side, and everything is smooth and snag-free. The Taurus Curve is a radically fresh approach to concealed carry.

For more information: TaurusUSA.com

Glock 42 & Glock 43

Glock has mastered the art of doing one thing very well. All its handguns are variations on a theme depending upon caliber, magazine capacity and intended application. The G42 and G43 sport the familiar 5.5-pound Safe-Action Glock trigger along with a trim packable architecture.

RELATED STORY: Stop the ‘Polymer Pistols Suck’ Argument, Because You’re Wrong

The Glock has no manual external safeties beyond the traditional blade in the trigger. However, the trigger pull is consistent and crisp from the first round to the last and the gun comes into action very quickly. The Glock 42 is chambered for .380 ACP, while the Glock 43 runs 9mm. Both guns are almost, but not quite identical otherwise.

For more information: US.Glock.com

Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra FS HC Combo

This bulky steel-framed 1911 pistol is boat anchor heavy and will not be concealed underneath anything less substantial than a burka. Rock Island’s plus-sized cannon also packs a whopping 17+1 rounds onboard. However, the Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra FS HC Combo offers something nobody else does: It fires the .22 TCM cartridge.

The .22 TCM is a 9mm case necked down to accept a .22-caliber jacketed hollow point bullet. Pushing a 40-grain bullet to around 2,000 feet per second, the .22 TCM is like carrying a sawed-off M16 around in your glove box. Additionally, swap out the barrel and recoil spring and the same gun runs 9mm Parabellum.

The Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra FS HC Combo offers a trivial slide-racking force, no recoil and blistering downrange performance. If your gun will ride in the car and not on your person, this revolutionary heater from Rock Island Armory is the coolest advancement in handgun technology in a generation.

For more information: Armscor.com

North American Arms Mini-Revolver

North American Arms produces an extensive line of adorable little single-action five-shot stainless steel revolvers. The smallest of the lot is little more than a novelty. The .22 Magnum version, however, is a legitimately effective defensive tool.

My gun has a pivoting grip that covers the trigger when stowed and provides a healthy bit of real estate to grab onto when deployed. The manual of arms of a single-action revolver is a bit more complicated than might be the case with an autoloader, but the gun will pack painlessly literally anywhere. When stoked with Winchester PDX1 Defender expanding rounds, the North American Arms .22 Magnum mini revolver is the gun you can always have on you.

For more information: NorthAmericanArms.com and Winchester.com

Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380

The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 is a trim recoil-operated pocket gun that incorporates combat-proven features. The slide locks back on the last round fired, the magazine release is in the right spot for rapid manipulation, and the slide release allows for combat reloads, albeit on a tiny scale. Sights are low profile but effective, and the gun can be had with a great built-in laser sight. The trigger is a long double action. While not much fun recreationally, it leaves the gun nice and safe for concealed carry.

For more information: Smith-Wesson.com

Smith & Wesson Model 642 LS Ladysmith .38

The J-Frame Smith & Wesson revolver has been around since 1952. This tidy little wheelgun still offers certain attributes not bettered even today. The Ladysmith is built around a lightweight alloy frame and a stainless steel cylinder rated for +P loads. The gun carries five rounds onboard and sports that smooth S&W double-action only trigger. Using the double-action revolver is as simple as point and squeeze, and the .38 Special chambering brings serious power to the purse.

For more information: Smith-Wesson.com

Sig Sauer P238

The Sig Sauer P238 .380 ACP brings 1911-style combat efficiency to the realm of pocket guns. Available in a variety of attractive grip and finish options, the P238 offers a trim package that sports a crisp single-action trigger and lightning fast employment. Any 1911-style handgun will require practice for safe and effective employment, but what you get in return is unparalleled accuracy and speed. The controls are all right where they should be and the sights and features are likewise bred for combat.

For more information: SigSauer.com

Sig Sauer MPX

The MPX may seem an odd handgun for inclusion on a “Best Handguns For Women” list. It’s big as a hubcap and weighs as much as your kid’s school backpack. However, nothing says, “Step away from my minivan!” in the midst of a violent urban insurrection like a tooled-up soccer mom protecting her kids with this semi-auto submachine gun.

The MPX, particularly when equipped with Sig’s revolutionary sliding Pistol Stabilizing Brace, combines rifle-like accuracy, a 30-round magazine capacity, familiar M4 controls, negligible recoil, and plenty of space for accessories. Should your daily sojourn take you through sketchy spaces, a tricked-out MPX tucked into the center console leaves you immune to much of life’s darker stuff.

For more information: SigSauer.com

The post Defense Equalizers: The 11 Best Handguns For Women Right Now appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

In the May 2016 issue of “Combat Handguns,” I wrote about Tackle Box .22s, along with their likely uses and drawbacks. While .22s are great for plinking and taking small game, the primary limitation of rimfire handguns is simply their lack of oomph. If you want a compact, tackle-box-sized pistol with greater power for dispatching rabid skunks, foxes or coyotes—or protecting yourself from two-legged predators—you need to step up your game to 380 pistols.

The .380 (9mm Kurz) cartridge has long been a staple of European police forces, and it’s becoming increasingly popular in the United States. When it comes to practical, useable power, it’s head and shoulders above .22 rimfires. The .380 is probably the minimum you should consider for serious self-defense. Several .380 pistols fit handily into a tackle box or the pocket of your fishing vest. You’ll hardly know the gun is there until you need to use it.

While 380 pistols generate greater recoil than .22s, they’re not all that hard to handle and shoot well. It just requires practice to become proficient. Though ear protection is a must if you don’t want to lose a tiny—but irretrievable—bit of hearing every time you trigger a round. The .380 is truly “the mouse that roared!”

The Sentinel

The North American Arms Guardian is the smallest—yet heaviest—of the 380 pistols I’ve used. While just 4.81 inches long, it tips the scales at a relatively heavy 20.4 ounces thanks to its all-stainless steel construction. That said, the corrosion resistance is a big plus for backcountry carry.

The double-action-only (DAO) Guardian has an extremely long, hard trigger pull. Because it’s so heavy, I couldn’t measure the trigger pull weight with my RCBS scale. Another negative is the vestigial sights, which don’t lend themselves to fast target acquisitions. The sights are non-adjustable; they work up close but aren’t great for anything beyond 20 yards.

• RELATED STORY: 4 Compact, Lightweight Rimfire Revolvers For Your Tackle Box

The first time I fired this gun, I had nine malfunctions in the first 100 rounds. These included failures to feed and “stove-pipes” with a variety of different loads. The next 100 rounds were less problematic, with just five failures. I gave the gun and my sore trigger finger a rest and returned home. I went back to the range two days later, after cleaning the Guardian. That’s when the little gun settled down and chewed through the next 100 rounds with only a lone feeding failure.

This little gun probably needs to fire 300 rounds to properly break-in and perform reliably. This isn’t unusual in small pocket guns or even full-sized autoloaders. I wouldn’t trust any autopistol until it goes through a similar firing test.

On the plus side, its diminutive size offers some real advantages, whether you’re finding room in your tackle box or carrying the gun in your pocket or belt holster. I’ve owned a couple of Guardians over the years, and once ‘broken in,” they’ve all proven comfortingly reliable with the ammunition they like.

Kahr Insurance

Just 4.96 inches long, Kahr’s CW380 is eminently suitable for packing in your tackle box or tucking away in your pocket. You’ll barely notice its scant 10.2-ounce heft thanks to the little gun’s polymer grip frame. The slide and barrel are made of stainless steel, a combination that is both lightweight and corrosion resistant.

Like the Guardian, the CW380 has a DAO trigger, and it breaks at just under 5.5 pounds of pressure. There’s no manual safety, either—this is an uncomplicated “point and pull” affair. An internal block prevents the striker from moving forward unless the trigger is depressed.

Kahr recommends a 200-round break-in before you depend on its reliability. My sample produced only three feeding failures with a variety of ammo during the break-in period. Malfunctions are now few and far between. I’ve had the best luck with round-nose ammo. If I planned on buying this gun, I’d find the ammo it liked best and stick with that choice. I’ve learned that .380 pistols can be fussy about what they’re fed.

This little gun fits nicely in my hand, and the recoil is easily controlled. The sights are well designed with an eye-catching white dot up front and a rear sight that’s drift-adjustable for windage. The rear sight also sports a single white dot that aids in fast targeting. Fired offhand from 15 yards, it proved capable of printing 2.5-inch five-shot groups.

Personal Protector

Smith & Wesson’s M&P Bodyguard 380 is 5.3 inches long and weighs a light 12-ounces. It has a polymer grip and a matte black stainless steel slide and barrel. The slide is coated in an Armonite finish. That com-bination makes this little gun corrosion resistant when tucked into a tackle box.

This DAO handgun is hammer-fired with a trigger that breaks under 9 pounds of pressure. The trigger is so smooth that it feels lighter than it actually is. Also, while not a major point, the gun offers a “second-strike” capability. If the chambered round fails to fire, pulling the trigger a
second time may result in a discharge.

The slide is easier to rack than the other guns tested. This is a big plus for me and many other older shooters that have deteriorating hand strength. Believe me, that’s a serious consideration when it comes to selecting an autopistol.

The M&P Bodyguard 380 also fits my hand very well. The grip has finger grooves, and my little finger curls naturally under the magazine. While it still fits into my tackle box, it’s notably larger than the other .380s reviewed here. That makes it easier to control and shoot well. And despite its size, it produces less recoil than the smaller guns.

The sights are easy to see, and both the front and rear are drift-adjustable for windage changes. The three-white-dot aiming system allows for fast aiming. With the help of a small Allen wrench, the rear sight can be anchored in place after changes in windage.

Dressed In Black

The Walther PK380 is a locked-breech design, and its grip should accommodates all of your strong-hand fingers. This hammer-fired pistol fits in my hand very nicely, allowing good control.

The gun has a short dust-cover rail for installing laser sights, flashlights or other aiming aids. I’m not a fan of aftermarket laser sights for compact .380 ACP pistols, but it’s nice to have this option.

The Walther PK380 also has no slide release. You have to manually retract the slide, then release it to chamber the first round from the magazine. According to other shooters, the slide is supposed to be easy to rack. However, the slide on my test gun would sometimes lock up, and I had to use a Handi-Racker to solve the problem. Thanks to a developing myopathy, I have weak hands, which didn’t help.

• RELATED STORY: Tests & Scores of the 4 Most Popular Polymer 45 ACP Pistols

When firing in DA mode, the trigger pull is long and weighs around 9 pounds. After firing the first shot, the gun goes into single-action (SA) mode with a crisp 5-pound pull. As for the other controls, an ambidextrous paddle-style safety is located at the base of the triggerguard. This is a unique arrangement that takes some getting used to, but the safety is easy to reach and works very well. It was very stiff when the gun was brand new, but this issue went away with use.

The biggest problem I have with this gun is that you must use a special tool to take it down for cleaning or maintenance. Quite frankly, this is a pain. If you misplace this strange-looking tool, you’ll have to go to a gun store or write the company to replace it. This is a “feature” Walther would do well to reconsider.

Also, when my test sample sometimes locked up, it required some fiddling to release the slide and trigger. I’ll be sending this particular gun back to let Walther solve this issue, but otherwise it ran well.

Feed ‘Em Right

Because each of these 380 pistols prefers different kinds of ammo, I fired a lot of rounds to see what loads worked best. The ammo used included Winchester 95-grain FMJ fodder that worked well in all four guns. The FMJ bullets fed smoothly (after the break-in period) and delivered good accuracy. Hornady Critical Defense loads featuring tapered FTX hollow points also earned high points in regards to reliability. CorBon ammo loaded with 90-grain JHPs produced velocities in the 990-fps range and fed well in spite of their hollow-point bullets.

Each gun will have its own preferences, so it’s best to try a variety of loads to see which it prefers. Most of the loads I tested delivered good accuracy and decent reliability. Fired off-hand at 15 yards, five-shot groups measuring 2.5 inches between centers were possible with the ammo each gun seemed to like best. The largest groups ran around 4 inches. One notable exception proved to be Wolf ammunition, which proved uniformly balkier than most.

380 Pistols Specs

For More Information

Kahr CW380
kahr.com

North American Arms Guardian
northamericanarms.com

Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380
smith-wesson.com

Walther PK380
waltherarms.com

This article was originally published in “Pocket Pistols” 2018. To order a copy, go to outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post 4 Reliable 380 Pistols to Keep in Your Tackle Box appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

A while back, I did a test and evaluation on the North American Arms (NAA) Sidewinder Mini-Revolver Conversion Model in .22 Magnum/.22 LR. If you are unfamiliar with NAA, its largest line comprises several versions of a diminutive single-action, five-shot revolver in .22 Short, .22 LR and .22 Magnum, which the company has been producing in various forms since the early 1970s.

Except for a short-lived hinged-frame model, all the NAA revolvers have had a solid frame that requires the cylinder to be removed for loading or extracting spent cartridge cases. The Sidewinder changed that rule of thumb, as it has an ejector rod/cylinder locking pin that, when pulled forward slightly, allows the cylinder to be swung to the right on a crane, once the hammer has been cocked to the first notch or “click.” This makes for rapid loading and ejection of brass almost on par with typical swing-out-cylinder double-action revolvers.

NAA recently announced the production of a California-legal Sidewinder that sports a 4-inch barrel. Living in America’s heartland, I couldn’t care less about the useless gun laws in California, but I did think that a 4-inch barrel on the Sidewinder could provide some interesting possibilities.

Pocket Upgrade

My test gun arrived in a black “crinkle-finished,” lockable metal box, and inside I found a conversion cylinder for .22 LR. Also inside, beneath the foam-rubber padding, were keys for the case lock, an owner’s manual, a warranty registration card and some other NAA literature. I took the Sidewinder out and gave it the once-over from stem to stern. The gun’s fit and finish seemed up to NAA’s usual high standards and there were no machine marks or other blemishes to mar the little handgun’s good looks.

RELATED STORY: Gun Review – NAA Sidewinder with LaserLyte Mighty Mouse Laser

The Sidewinder is a stainless steel handgun. The sides of the frame and the cylinder are given a brushed satin finish, while the cylinder flutes, barrel, hammer, trigger and the top and bottom surfaces of the frame and gripstraps are matte finished. As this is a single-action revolver, the hammer has a long enough spur to make cocking easy, and the spur is serrated for better thumb purchase. Like many of the small revolvers and derringers seen in the Old West, it has a “spur” trigger that has some protection provided by downward projections of the frame, but no triggerguard. The trigger’s front surface is serrated.

The Sidewinder’s sights are fixed and consist of a small bead at the barrel muzzle, sitting atop an integral rib. The rear sight is a notch cut into the topstrap that can only be seen to aim with when the gun is at full-cock. There’s also a slot cut into the notch that allows one to see the top of the cylinder, which enables the user to place the firing pin in a cylinder safety notch. These notches are on the breech end of the cylinder, along with small cuts that allow a view of the cartridge rims, to act as a loaded-chamber indicator. The Sidewinder’s stocks appear to be laminated rosewood with a soft luster finish and no checkering.

RELATED STORY: North American Arms’ .380 Guardian Pistol with Crimson Trace Lasergrips

As stated earlier, regular NAA mini revolvers require the cylinder to be removed for loading. However, the Sidewinder is a swing-out cylinder design like many modern DA revolvers. To unlock the cylinder so that it may swing on its crane to the right of the receiver, one must first cock the hammer to the first “click.” This takes the hammer-mounted firing pin out of the safety notch and lowers the locking bolt slightly. One hand is used to pull forward on the ejector rod/locking pin while the other hand manipulates the cylinder out to the right.

Once fully pushed out, the ejector rod can now be used to punch out empty cartridge cases. With fresh cartridges in the cylinder, it can now be swung back into the frame window and locked into place. I found this was best accomplished by using one hand to press inward on the cylinder crane and the checkered knob on the ejector rod/locking pin. The barrel has a lug ahead of the pin for protection, and an integral “collar” where it attaches to the frame, which is part of the locking system, also provides some additional protection for the hand.

RELATED STORY: 16 Concealed Carry Derringers & Mini-Revolvers

To convert the Sidewinder from .22 Magnum to .22 LR, and vice-versa, a screw on the front of the frame, at the bottom forward of the trigger, must be turned out and removed with the cylinder in battery. Using the process already described, the cylinder is swung out, allowing it and the crane unit to be lifted free. The user can now insert the conversion cylinder and secure it in place with the frame screw. The laminated wood grips are also fastened to the grip frame with a screw, and NAA has a number of different grip options should you wish to change them out. NAA makes some imitation stag grips I like, as they provide a better gripping surface.

Some might question describing the NAA Sidewinder with a 4-inch barrel as a pocket pistol. Back in the Old West, it would have easily fit into a frock coat pocket, but today’s fashions are a bit different. I found the little five-shooter would tuck into the flap pocket of my cargo pants, but if I was taking it along with me somewhere that had a more formal dress code, I might want to opt for a holster. NAA makes some suitable leather for the 4-inch Sidewinder, and if you like a belt holster, the company makes a Model 1860 in black and tan with basket-weave stamping and a leather thong to loop over the hammer spur for security. It comes in right- and left-handed versions. Another model is the Mini-Master 4-inch, and this is constructed of suede leather and rides inside the waistband. It has a brushed finish, an open muzzle to allow for air circulation and comes in left- or right-handed versions.

Getting The Lead Out

Winchester developed the .22 WMR cartridge in 1959, and for many years it was only offered by the company and some other major ammo producers with 40-grain hollow-point and FMJ bullets at about 2,000 fps (out of a rifle barrel). Today, there are a plethora of .22 Magnum loadings (when you can find them). Some of them are intended for use in short-barreled handguns like the NAA revolvers.

For this test, I selected .22 WMR cartridges from Armscor (Warning: No longer recommended for use in NAA guns), CCI, Hornady and Speer. The Armscor load has a 40-grain JHP with an exposed lead tip. The CCI round is that company’s Maxi-Mag +V and has a “hypervelocity” 30-grain JHP. The final load tested was the Speer Gold Dot. This .22 Mag load is formulated especially for short-barreled handguns and has a 40-grain Gold Dot hollow-point bullet with a factory-rated velocity (out of a 1.9-inch barrel) of 1,050 fps at the muzzle. I wanted try the .22 LR conversion cylinder, so I also selected a vintage box of CCI Mini-Mag 40-grain, solid-point bullets. I was anxious to see what kind of velocities my chronograph would give me shooting the above loads out of the Sidewinder’s 4-inch barrel.

RELATED STORY: 5 Mini Revolvers & Pocket Pistols From North American Arms

From the bench, I put five shots of each load through the tripod-mounted Sky Screens. Next I put my sandbag on the bench and stapled up some bullseye targets downrange at a distance of 7 yards. Even with a 4-inch barrel, I didn’t think the NAA Sidewinder would allow accurate shooting at a longer distance; I may have been wrong.

Even though the sights are right out of the 19th century and the trigger pull was heavier than my pull scale would measure, I was still able to shoot a five-shot group from the bench that came to just 0.93 inches using Armscor .22 WMR ammo. Second place went to the Speer load with a five-shot cluster my dial calipers measured at 1.27 inches. The CCI Mini-Mags in the conversion .22 LR cylinder provided a best group of 1.38 inches for five shots.

Real-World Ready

Since it provided good groups and was the easiest in the extraction of empty cartridge cases, I elected to use the Speer Gold Dot .22 WMR round for the combat test phase of my evaluation. My plan was to first load the Sidewinder and put it in my right cargo-pants pocket. I would then walk up to within 3 feet of the silhouette target and empty five rounds into the head of the target as rapidly as possible using only the strong hand, looking over the sights.

For the next 25 rounds, I loaded the gun, took a giant step backwards and then drew from the pocket and fired three rounds center mass and two to the head. The center-mass shots were just pointed and I took a quick aim at the head. I repeated this giant step process until I was back at the barricade. I then drew the loaded gun, took aim and fired two rounds in left-side center-mass and right-side barricade, then knelt and fired one round to the head from the right side. The results were quite satisfactory.

RELATED STORY: 4 .22 WMR Mini Revolvers From North American Arms

The close-range headshots would have been deadly and the target was peppered with gun-powder stippling. My center-mass shots were centered, with only two hits outside the 10-ring. Be sure to put your hand in your pocket and your thumb on the hammer spur to prevent the spur catching in the pocket lining while drawing.

The overall performance of the NAA Sidewinder with the 4-inch barrel was very favorable. I believe this little five-gun has the makings of a good last-ditch defense gun or backup gun. The 4-inch barrel certainly increases the velocity of the .22 WMR loads considerably, putting it in the same league as many .32 ACP JHP loads with 132 foot-pounds of muzzle energy. It is accurate enough to get good close-range headshots when firing with two hands; cocking the hammer with your support hand, you can get off five shots quickly. Loading and extracting empties is faster than with other versions of the NAA single-action revolver, but you’re still mostly going to have to count on those five rounds in the cylinder.

I’m also thinking it might be a great little trail gun, and with some .22 WMR shot cartridges it would make good medicine for threatening vipers. A big walnut tree was near the range, and with .22 LR cartridges I had no trouble shooting walnuts off limbs, so hitting squirrels would not be an improbable feat.

For more information, call 800-821-5783 or visit http://www.northamericanarms.com.

The post Pocket Wheelgun: NAA’s New Sidewinder With A 4-Inch Barrel appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

North American Arms’ Sidewinder earned its name because, like most modern double-action revolvers, it has a cylinder that can be swung out to the side for loading. The Sidewinder has a 1.5-inch barrel, stainless steel construction, an overall length of 5 inches, a height of 2.87 inches and a width of 1.06 inches. It’s a single-action design, which means it has to be cocked for each shot, but the hammer spur is easily accessible and serrated, and it has a serrated spur trigger.

Notches at the rear of the cylinder allow the hammer to be lowered and locked in place between chambers and act as visual loaded-chamber indicators. The sights consist of a front post and a fixed rear notch. You can also get the Sidewinder with a .22 LR conversion cylinder to make for less expensive practice. The factory grips are a smooth laminated wood.

RELATED STORY: 4 .22 WMR Mini-Revolvers From North American Arms

The Mighty Mouse by LaserLyte will fit just about any of the NAA mini-revolvers. It features what I call grab-and-go activation—grasp the gun properly and the laser is activated. Besides allowing fast target acquisition and recognition, it has the red dot intimidation factor that, thanks to TV, everyone is aware of. The laser unit replaces the factory grip entirely, and a stalk that extends up from the right grip panel projects the laser beam over the top of the cylinder. It’s a tough unit that’s made from glass-filled nylon and attaches using a hex-head screw. The right grip panel holds the 392 batteries and a coin-slotted compartment cover allows for a battery change without having to remove the grips. The unit boasts a 650NM, 5MW, Class IIIA laser and has a constant-on life of over one hour.

My sample came with the batteries installed and three extras, plus hex wrenches for the grip and sight-adjustment screws and instructions. The tradeoff is the unit adds 0.75 ounces of weight, extends the gun’s width to 1.25 inches, and it is 3 inches long. I installed it on the Sidewinder and tried to adjust it to point of aim (POA) at 7 yards with the fixed sights. I turned the windage screw out as far as it would go and the red dot was still left of POA and slightly high. Given the purpose of this handgun, I’m not overly concerned.

Range Test

Let’s talk about “purpose.” The NAA Sidewinder is not my idea of a primary defense handgun, but maybe a second or even third backup gun. That being said, it can and has been used as a primary gun. With defense in mind, I elected to test my Sidewinder with these .22 Magnum cartridges. The CCI V-Max is first. it features a 30-grain jacketed bullet with a Poly-Tip embedded in the hollow nose. With its velocity readings, it might be devastating for contact shots. Next is Hornady’s Critical Defense round that’s loaded with a 45-grain FTX bullet, with a polymer plug within its serrated, hollow nose for expansion. Then there’s the Speer Gold Dot Personal Protection cartridge with its 40-grain GDHP bullet, which I’ve found expands well even from a 1-inch barrel.

RELATED STORY: New For 2016 – North American Arms’ Pug & Sidewinder

The Sidewinder is anything but a target gun with its tiny sights, but I was interested to see what accuracy potential it had at 7 yards. The group winner was Hornady Critical Defense with a five-shot cluster that covered 2.76 inches. The average for all of the test loads at the range was about 3.5 inches.

More Minis

Besides the Sidewinder, NAA makes other versions of its mini-revolver, plus variations of these differing models with short barrels for “pocket” use. These single-action mini-revolvers are stainless steel, with spur triggers and five-shot cartridge capacities, but these other models require the cylinder to be removed for loading/unloading. There are also different methods of cylinder removal that are improvements on the basic design and speed up the process while limiting the fine motor skills required.

Barrel lengths vary from 1 to 2.5 inches, and some barrels have solid or vent ribs, and barrel porting is even available. The options are seemingly endless, with different grips, adjustable rear sights, laser sight options, as well as high polish, blued and even gold-plated finishes available.

RELATED STORY: North American Arms’ Deep-Cover Defenders

Sporting a 1.6-inch barrel, the standard model in .22 Magnum tips the scales at 6.5 ounces. It has the traditional NAA cylinder base pin, which has a push button at the end that allows it to be removed, along with the cylinder for reloading. The revolvers in the Mini-Master series all offer what I’d call a pull-down, slide-out mechanism for extracting the cylinder base pin, making cylinder removal easier. This series includes the Black Widow, which has distinctive “hourglass” grips and sight options, and can also use the Mighty Mouse laser like all other .22 Mag NAA revolvers. There’s also the Pug with a 1-inch, solid-rib barrel, rubber grips and a big dot or tritium front sight.

All the aforementioned revolvers have the convertible .22 LR/.22 Magnum option. Some of these revolvers can also be had with a unique folding grip/holster unit that looks like a clip-on pocket knife when worn, adding to their concealed-carry appeal. In all, NAA has something for everyone.

For More Information

North American Arms
http://www.northamericanarms.com; 800-821-5783

LaserLyte
http://www.laserlyte.com; 928-649-3970

The post Pocket Rimfires: The NAA Sidewinder and Other Mini-Revolvers appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

The holiday season is fast approaching, and you know what that means. Presents, and lots of them. We get it. Sometimes it can be tough figuring out what to buy for loved ones. If there’s a firearm enthusiast in your family, that decision-making process can be even more daunting when you haven’t done your research. Or perhaps you want to treat yourself to something nice, but aren’t sure what should go on your “maybe” list. If it’s pocket pistols you’re looking for, we’ve got your back.

• RELATED STORY: Be Discreet – Common Sense Concealed Carry Tips & Techniques

From the concealable Beretta Pico and subcompact Glock 43, to Ruger’s just-released LCP II, Remington’s tiny RM380 and many more, there’s a slew of big-time gun manufacturers offering cool and innovative pocket pistols that put a premium on concealed carry and self defense. Looking for a great stocking stuffer? You’ve come to the right place. Without further ado, here are 15 pocket pistols perfect for Christmas.

• RELATED STORY: 5 Shooting Drills To Maximize Speed, Accuracy and Power

For more information about the pocket pistols featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.

Beretta
http://www.beretta.com

Bond Arms
http://www.bondarms.com

Colt
http://www.colt.com

Glock
https://us.glock.com

Heizer Defense
https://www.heizerdefense.com

Kahr Arms
http://www.kahr.com

Kimber
http://www.kimberamerica.com

North American Arms
https://www.northamericanarms.com

Remington
https://www.remington.com

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com

SCCY
http://www.sccy.com

Sig Sauer
https://www.sigsauer.com

Smith & Wesson
https://www.smith-wesson.com

Springfield Armory
http://www.springfield-armory.com

Taurus
http://www.taurususa.com

The post Stocking Stuffers: 15 Pocket Pistols Perfect For Christmas appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Semi-autos may be all the rage these days, but don’t kid yourself: revolvers aren’t going anywhere. The market for them is still very healthy, with a host of attractive options for the discerning buyer having been unleashed over the past several years. Throughout the pages of ‘Combat Handguns,’ we’ve covered it all when it comes to revolvers. It wasn’t easy, but we managed to compile what we consider to be 11 of the best to grace the pages of the magazine this year. Scroll through above to see what they are.

• RELATED STORY: Revolver Holsters – 25 Rugged and Reliable Rigs for Your Wheelgun

For more information on the guns featured in this photo gallery, please visit the following sites.

Charter Arms
https://www.charterfirearms.com

Chiappa
http://www.chiappafirearms.com

Dan Wesson
http://www.danwessonfirearms.com

Kimber
http://www.kimberamerica.com

North American Arms
https://www.northamericanarms.com

Nighthawk Custom
http://www.nighthawkcustom.com

Ruger
http://www.ruger.com

Smith & Wesson
https://www.smith-wesson.com

Taurus
http://www.taurususa.com

Taylor’s & Company
http://www.taylorsfirearms.com

Uberti
http://www.uberti.com

The post Revolvers: The 11 Best Models from ‘Combat Handguns’ in 2016 appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

Back when I was a kid, pocket pistols were novelties. But fast-forward a few decades and the most extraordinary transformation has occurred in the shooting world.

• RELATED STORY: 4 Common Locations For Your Pocket Pistol

Concealed carry of firearms for personal protection has finally caught up with the founders’ clear original intent as depicted in the United States Constitution. Now this deep into the Information Age, law-abiding folks are taking responsibility for their own security from coast to coast. Some states restrict the practice so severely as to leave their citizens defenseless, but most do not. As a result, concealed-carry guns and gear have become a huge industry.

When it comes time to pick out pocket pistols with which to defend yourself or your family, there are tons of options. Here are some of the best pocket pistols currently available.

• RELATED STORY: Semi-Autos Vs. Revolvers – Massad Ayoob Sets The Record Straight

For more information about the pocket pistols featured in the gallery above, please visit the following sites.

Glock
http://us.glock.com

Smith & Wesson
http://www.smith-wesson.com

Colt
http://www.colt.com

Rock Island Armory
http://www.armscor.com

Bond Arms
http://www.bondarms.com

Walther
http://www.waltherarms.com

Taurus
http://www.taurususa.com

North American Arms
https://www.northamericanarms.com

Heckler & Koch
http://www.hk-usa.com

This article was originally published in ‘Concealed Carry Handguns’ 2017. For information on how to subscribe, please email subscriptions@outdoorgroupmags.com or call 1-800-284-5668.

The post 10 Modern, Cutting-Edge Pocket Pistols for Self Defense appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

In the culture war known as “gun control,” those who would abolish the cherished American right to keep and bear arms see a pocket pistol as a tool of the devil suitable only for committing murder. But history is replete with cases where a handgun small enough to fit inside a pocket has averted tragedy and saved innocent lives.

• RELATED STORY: Pocket Carry Primer – What You Need to Know About Packing in Your Pocket

Let’s go all the way back to the Old West and look at Example One. Marshal Dallas Stoudenmire tamed the town of El Paso, Texas, with a pair of cut-down, short-barreled Colt six-shooters that he carried concealed in leather-lined hip pockets. Stoudenmire won multiple gunfights with that equipment before his luck ran out in his final shooting affray.

• RELATED STORY: Shooting Under Pressure – Lifesaving Tips for Surviving a Gunfight

Scroll through the gallery above in order to learn about 10 cases from the past and the present where a pocket pistol saved the day. Hopefully, this short list of 10 “saves” will be helpful to you the next time you are debating with someone who mistakenly thinks pocket-sized handguns are only for the black of heart.

This article was originally published in ‘Pocket Pistols’ Spring 2017. To subscribe, visit http://outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post Pocket Pistol Saves: 10 Real-World Cases Where a Backup Gun Saved the Day appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

These days, a lot of “Keyboard Kommandos” refer to smaller handguns, sometimes anything less than .45 caliber, as “mouse guns,” and those cartridges especially targeted for this derision are some real antiques. More specifically, I’m referring to the .25 ACP and .32 ACP, which both came from the inventive mind of John Moses Browning.

Even at the dawn of the 20th century, Browning had his fingers on the pulse of the gun market and saw what was popular with the public: small handguns for self-defense. Browning invented the .32 ACP (aka the 7.65mm Browning Short) in 1899 and followed up with the Browning Model 1900 pistol made by FN in Belgium. It had a straight-walled case and was semi-rimmed, firing a 73-grain FMJ bullet at around 905 fps. Colt adopted another Browning design and produced the Model 1903 Pocket Hammerless pistol, which jostled other gun manufacturers and led to the Savage Model 1907, the Browning Model 1910, Walther’s PPK and dozens of others.

In 1905, Browning came up with the .25 ACP (6.35x16mm), and FN made the Model 1905 pistol, or “Baby Browning,” to shoot it. This tiny cartridge, with its 50-grain FMJ bullet traveling at 760 fps, was also chambered in other pistols, such as the Colt Model 1908 Vest Pocket, the Beretta 950 Jetfire, the Walther TPH and a score of others.

Popular Pistols

For the most part, people were happy with these small handguns and diminutive cartridges. The .32 ACP was extremely prevalent in Europe and was adopted by many police and military forces. While not as popular, the .25 ACP was a top seller in the civilian market. Statistics from Colt indicate that the Model 1903 and Model 1908 pistols were the second and third best sellers in the early 20th century behind the Model 1911. Around 570,000 and 420,000 of the Model 1903 and Model 1908 pistols were made, respectively, so they are commonly found on the used gun market.

Today’s plethora of small handguns in the more effective .380 ACP and 9mm has pretty much doomed the .25 and .32 ACP to obscurity. However, dozens of European makes and models from such companies as Ruby, HK and Sig Sauer, mixed with American products like the Bauer, Raven, Sterling, Taurus and Kel-Tec, make finding used guns in these calibers both easy and oftentimes a bargain. Add to this the uncounted thousands of these older guns still in bedside tables and desk drawers.

While there are few new handguns in .25 and .32 ACP being made, ammunition sales in these calibers are still fairly brisk, and subsequently, cartridge manufacturers have upped the performance of these two 100-plus-year-old rounds to more modern standards.

Take the .25 ACP. My ammo locker had expanding bullet loads from three different companies, including Hornady’s 36-grain XTP HP, which chronographed at 839 fps from my 2-inch-barreled Colt Model 1908. Speer’s 35-grain Gold Dot HP clocked in at 775 fps, and Winchester’s 45-grain Super-X Expanding Point, which has a Lubaloy-coated lead bullet with a steel ball in the nose, came in at 773 fps. These bullets expand reliably and allow all of the 63 to 65 foot-pounds of energy (fpe) to be expended into the target.

The same goes for the .32 ACP. My ammunition included Hornady’s 60-grain XTP HPs, Magtech’s 71-grain JHPs and some vintage Winchester 60-grain Silvertip HPs, which clocked in at 919, 860 and 968 fps, respectively, from my 3.75-inch-barreled Colt Model 1903. The expanding bullets offered about 125 to 133 fpe from the muzzle, which is more than enough to take care of the biggest “mouse” with good shot placement.

There aren’t many pistols still being made in .25 and .32 ACP. Your classic “pocket pistols” in these calibers were generally all steel, and their weight was reduced through their slender designs, short barrels and overall lengths, and compact grip frames. Today, smaller, lighter and stronger guns can be made with space-age alloys, polymers and stainless steel. Upgraded designs offer larger-caliber guns that are much the same size as these old-timers, and they’re usually lighter, too. Modern double-action-only (DAO) and striker-fired guns are safer and easier to shoot than many of the elder pistols with single-action (SA) triggers and exposed or concealed hammers. While they might not be more accurate, these new guns for the most part have better sights; the sights on guns from “back in the day” were sometimes not much more than reference points.

Despite all that, I’ve rounded up some of the best .25 and .32 ACP mouse guns, from the past and present, to give you some options. Let’s take a look.

For more information about the mouse guns featured in the gallery above, visit the following sites.

U.S. Armament Corps
usarmamentcorp.com

North American Arms
northamericanarms.com

Standard Manufacturing
stdgun.com

Phoenix Arms
phoenix-arms.com

Kel-Tec
keltecweapons.com

This article was originally published in ‘Concealed Carry Handguns’ Spring 2017. To subscribe, visit outdoorgroupstore.com.

The post 5 Mighty Mouse Guns Chambered in .25 and .32 ACP appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.

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When examining handguns for women, we have to acknowledge that guys and girls are not the same. Some these days would have us believe that the two genders are essentially interchangeable. However, this could actually be one of those rare occasions wherein we should take a lesson from the French. Viva la difference. Personally, I like the stuff that makes us different.

RELATED STORY: 21 Self-Defense Products For Women

Speaking in sweeping generalities, women are typically a bit smaller and a bit weaker than men. Female fashions are also, thankfully, a bit clingier and more form fitting than those of their male counterparts. At a time when female shooters make up the fastest growing segment of the defensive firearms market, it behooves us all to devote a little time and treasure to the thorny topic of guns and gear for the fairer sex.

The “Best” Handguns For Women

What you don’t do is Cerakote your favorite 1911 in Pepto-Bismol pink and expect lady shooters to flock to your shop like it was Black Friday to make one their own. Defensive handguns for women should be compact, effective, and easy to use. Interestingly, much of what makes a defensive gun good for a woman carries over to us hairy Neanderthals as well.

Without further ado, here’s our list of great defensive handguns for women.

Walther CCP

In a cluttered sea of defensive handguns the Walther CCP is refreshingly different. The trigger is a bit gritty for my tastes, but the gas-retarded action is quite literally brilliant. In this case, gas is tapped from the barrel and used to impinge upon a gas piston arranged backwards in the gun’s frame. This slows the gun down rather than speeding it up. Imagine an M1 Carbine in reverse. The design allows the gun to run full-power 9mm ammunition through a chassis the size of your typical .380 ACP. It also means that the racking force for the slide is markedly more manageable than that of a comparable more conventional heater. Thin, powerful, and attractive, the Walther CCP is the ideal “girl gun.”

For more information: WaltherArms.com

Ruger LCP

The Ruger LCP is purpose-designed for concealed carry. The gun is no larger than a cell phone and sports smooth no-snag lines. It also packs 6+1 .380 ACP into a package small enough to ride in a pocket. It has the added benefit of being very reasonably priced.

The trigger on the LCP is a long double action, and the gun comes in a variety of colors for those who might indeed want to color coordinate their defensive weaponry. Recoil is a bit snappy and the trigger is designed more for safety than recreational plinking, but the LCP is a trim and effective deep concealment gun. Whether it rides in a purse or a discreet holster, the LCP is all but painless to tote.

For more information: Ruger.com

Taurus Curve

The Taurus Curve represents a radical departure from traditional concealed carry weapons. The Curve indeed sports a gentle curved architecture to better conform to your natural shape while either on the waist or in a pocket. It also eschews sights of any sort. In their place is a white printed crosshair of sorts on the back of the slide that helps align the gun when fired with both eyes open.

The trigger is a long double action, and the gun comes with a built-in light and laser. There is a handy belt clip on the side, and everything is smooth and snag-free. The Taurus Curve is a radically fresh approach to concealed carry.

For more information: TaurusUSA.com

Glock 42 & Glock 43

Glock has mastered the art of doing one thing very well. All its handguns are variations on a theme depending upon caliber, magazine capacity and intended application. The G42 and G43 sport the familiar 5.5-pound Safe-Action Glock trigger along with a trim packable architecture.

RELATED STORY: Stop the ‘Polymer Pistols Suck’ Argument, Because You’re Wrong

The Glock has no manual external safeties beyond the traditional blade in the trigger. However, the trigger pull is consistent and crisp from the first round to the last and the gun comes into action very quickly. The Glock 42 is chambered for .380 ACP, while the Glock 43 runs 9mm. Both guns are almost, but not quite identical otherwise.

For more information: US.Glock.com

Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra FS HC Combo

This bulky steel-framed 1911 pistol is boat anchor heavy and will not be concealed underneath anything less substantial than a burka. Rock Island’s plus-sized cannon also packs a whopping 17+1 rounds onboard. However, the Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra FS HC Combo offers something nobody else does: It fires the .22 TCM cartridge.

The .22 TCM is a 9mm case necked down to accept a .22-caliber jacketed hollow point bullet. Pushing a 40-grain bullet to around 2,000 feet per second, the .22 TCM is like carrying a sawed-off M16 around in your glove box. Additionally, swap out the barrel and recoil spring and the same gun runs 9mm Parabellum.

The Rock Island Armory TAC Ultra FS HC Combo offers a trivial slide-racking force, no recoil and blistering downrange performance. If your gun will ride in the car and not on your person, this revolutionary heater from Rock Island Armory is the coolest advancement in handgun technology in a generation.

For more information: Armscor.com

North American Arms Mini-Revolver

North American Arms produces an extensive line of adorable little single-action five-shot stainless steel revolvers. The smallest of the lot is little more than a novelty. The .22 Magnum version, however, is a legitimately effective defensive tool.

My gun has a pivoting grip that covers the trigger when stowed and provides a healthy bit of real estate to grab onto when deployed. The manual of arms of a single-action revolver is a bit more complicated than might be the case with an autoloader, but the gun will pack painlessly literally anywhere. When stoked with Winchester PDX1 Defender expanding rounds, the North American Arms .22 Magnum mini revolver is the gun you can always have on you.

For more information: NorthAmericanArms.com and Winchester.com

Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380

The Smith & Wesson M&P Bodyguard 380 is a trim recoil-operated pocket gun that incorporates combat-proven features. The slide locks back on the last round fired, the magazine release is in the right spot for rapid manipulation, and the slide release allows for combat reloads, albeit on a tiny scale. Sights are low profile but effective, and the gun can be had with a great built-in laser sight. The trigger is a long double action. While not much fun recreationally, it leaves the gun nice and safe for concealed carry.

For more information: Smith-Wesson.com

Smith & Wesson Model 642 LS Ladysmith .38

The J-Frame Smith & Wesson revolver has been around since 1952. This tidy little wheelgun still offers certain attributes not bettered even today. The Ladysmith is built around a lightweight alloy frame and a stainless steel cylinder rated for +P loads. The gun carries five rounds onboard and sports that smooth S&W double-action only trigger. Using the double-action revolver is as simple as point and squeeze, and the .38 Special chambering brings serious power to the purse.

For more information: Smith-Wesson.com

Sig Sauer P238

The Sig Sauer P238 .380 ACP brings 1911-style combat efficiency to the realm of pocket guns. Available in a variety of attractive grip and finish options, the P238 offers a trim package that sports a crisp single-action trigger and lightning fast employment. Any 1911-style handgun will require practice for safe and effective employment, but what you get in return is unparalleled accuracy and speed. The controls are all right where they should be and the sights and features are likewise bred for combat.

For more information: SigSauer.com

Sig Sauer MPX

The MPX may seem an odd handgun for inclusion on a “Best Handguns For Women” list. It’s big as a hubcap and weighs as much as your kid’s school backpack. However, nothing says, “Step away from my minivan!” in the midst of a violent urban insurrection like a tooled-up soccer mom protecting her kids with this semi-auto submachine gun.

The MPX, particularly when equipped with Sig’s revolutionary sliding Pistol Stabilizing Brace, combines rifle-like accuracy, a 30-round magazine capacity, familiar M4 controls, negligible recoil, and plenty of space for accessories. Should your daily sojourn take you through sketchy spaces, a tricked-out MPX tucked into the center console leaves you immune to much of life’s darker stuff.

For more information: SigSauer.com

The post Defense Equalizers: The 11 Best Handguns For Women Right Now appeared first on Gun News | Gun Reviews | Gun Magazine: Personal Defense World.