These ain't your Grandpa's pocket pistols: nope, these mouse guns can handle big, fat rats

Guns Magazine, Feb, 2005 by John Taffin

Finally, we come to the biggest and baddest of the smallest. The .380 has been necked down to .32 to become the .32NAA. Again the only loadings available are from Cor-Bon with a 60-grain JHP at 1,062 fps, and a 71-grain FMJ at 1,044 fps. That's an increase of more than 250 fps over comparably loaded standard .32s. This is the only one of the four exhibiting what could be called snappy recoil. With the Hogue pebble grained nylon grips in place, the .32 NAA is just over 9/10" in thickness at the widest point.

All of these Guardians slip easily into pocket or purse, however North American Arms also offers several holster options. Each model comes standard in a DeSantis zippered case with a belt clip and an extra magazine. Worn on the belt, they are less conspicuous than a fanny pack (doesn't every fanny pack contain a gun?) and with the zipper at the top perhaps the firearm is even more accessible. Holster options include several inside the pants and pocket styles from Bell Charter Oak, DeSantis, and Mitch Rosen. There was a time when easy to find cheap pocket pistols came in .25 and .32. To my way of thinking cheap is way too expensive when it comes to firearms, which may be needed to protect life or limb of friends, family or oneself. These little pocket pistols are not expensive, but they are well made and reliable. They fit my pockets just fine.

GUARDIAN .32 ACP
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

2150 South 950 East, Provo Utah 84606
(801) 374-9990, www.naaminis.com

  Action type:    Double action only semiauto
      Caliber:    .32 ACP
     Capacity:    6 1
Barrel length:    2"
Overall length:   4.4"
        Width:    .85"
       Weight:    13.5 ounces
       Finish:    Stainless steel
       Sights:    Fixed
        Grips:    Hogue pebble-grained nylon
        Price:    $402

GUARDIAN 25 NAA
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

2150 South 950 East, Provo Utah 84606
(801) 374-9990, www.naaminis.com

  Action type:    Double action only semiauto
      Caliber:    .25 NAA
     Capacity:    6 1
Barrel length:    2.185"
Overall length:   4.75"
        Width:    .85"
       Weight:    13.57 ounces
       Finish:    Stainless steel
       Sights:    Fixed
        Grips:    Hogue pebble-grained nylon
        Price:    $402

GUARDIAN 32 NAA
NORTH AMERICAN ARMS

2150 South 950 East, Provo Utah 84606
(801) 374-9990, www.naaminis.com

  Action type:    Double action only semiauto
      Caliber:    .32 NNA
     Capacity:    6 1
Barrel length:    2.49"
Overall length:   4.75"
        Width:    .93"
       Weight:    18.72 ounces
       Finish:    Stainless steel
       Sights:    Fixed
        Grips:    Hogue pebble-grained nylon
        Price:    $449

RELATED ARTICLE: Ammo performance.

Four different .32 ACP loads were fired in the .32 NAA Guardian with the American Eagle 71-grain FMJ clocking 787 fps, Speer 60-grain Gold Dot HP, 795 fps, Winchester 60-grain Silver Tip HP, 826 fps and the hottest load, Cor-Bon's 60-grain JHP, at 1,030 fps. I had five loads to try in the .380 Guardian. The American Eagle 95-grain FMJ registered 808 fps, CCI Blazer 88grain JHP, 872 fps, CCI Blazer 95-grain FMJ, 820 fps, Cor-Bon 90-grain JHP, 971 fps, Winchester 85-grain Silver Tip HP, 880 fps and Winchester 95-grain SXT, 823 fps. No powerhouses here, but remember again--a hit with a .380 beats a miss with the .357. Both the .32 ACP and .380 were point shot at seven yards with all loads. Functioning was flawless, and I had no problem whatsoever putting my shots where I pointed.