Are you worried about the performance of the.380 ACP as a defense cartridge? Well, this might open your eyes: The newest addition to the Federal Hydra-Shok Deep line of ammunition is a.380 ACP load. And, it’s the first expanding.380 ACP cartridge to meet FBI protocol recommendations consistently for penetration in bare gel and through heavy clothing.
Not happy with the tiny sights on the Ranger II revolver? Well, there are a couple of solutions. One is to buy one of the NAA Pug, Mini-Master or Black Widow models, which all come with better sights. The other is to get a set of the new Viridian grip laser sets for NAA magnum frame revolvers. The laser activates when you take a normal shooting grip on the revolver. They’re adjustable for windage and elevation. The grips are rubber over-molded. While red lasers are more visible in low light, that’s when most bad things happen.
Unless every one of your days is exactly like the next, one of anything is usually not enough. Yes, you can live with just one pair of shoes and one suit of clothes, but neither will be ideal for all types of terrain, all weather conditions or all social occasions. The same goes for a handgun. You can pick a versatile one that’ll serve for most roles, but it won’t be ideal for all situations or more-serious “social occasions.” A handgun used for hunting, for instance, probably won’t be the best for deep concealment.
The new load uses a 99-grain expanding bullet. Testing done by Federal Ammunition engineers showed typical results of 13 to 13½ inches of penetration in bare gel and 13¼ to 14 inches through heavy clothing. That exceeds the 12-inch minimum penetration outlined in the FBI protocol.
MSRP: $199
For that reason, in addition to other handguns I carry for hunting or self-defense, one or more small handguns from North American Arms (NAA) have been part of my survival plans for several years. These tiny, well-built firearms are perfect for tucking into a pocket when I’m pedaling a few miles on my bike.
Test gun barrel lengths were from common compact handguns ranging from 2¾ to 3½ inches. In other words, it’s tailor made for pocket pistols such as the NAA Guardian. (The downside? I couldn’t get my hands on any in time for this review.)
I’ve included one in a pack that floats when I’m kayaking. I also keep one in a pocket when I’m staying home, knowing I have a larger gun accessible a few steps away. I’ve kept them in small kits and packs as a second tier of readiness for wilderness jaunts, and I’ve carried them as backup weapons around town.
Recently, I had a chance to test two very different NAA handguns. Like all NAA guns, they’re made in the United States. One was the Guardian semi-auto chambered in.380 ACP. That’s right—NAA makes more than mini revolvers. The second is the latest Ranger II model, a revolver with a 4-inch barrel.
“BREAK-ACTION REVOLVERS WERE COMMONPLACE AND VERY POPULAR IN THE LATE 1800s AND EARLY 1900s BECAUSE THEY’RE VERY EASY TO LOAD AND UNLOAD: WHEN YOU OPEN THE ACTION FULLY, THE STAR EXTRACTOR ON THE CYLINDER PARTIALLY PULLS OUT THE CARTRIDGE CASES.”
Semi-auto or revolver—take your pick! Both of these small North American Arms handguns deliver big performance.
“WHEN YOUR LIFE’S ON THE LINE, YOU’LL POINT THIS GUN AND INDEX OFF THE TOP OF THE SLIDE, USING THE SLIDE AS A SIGHTING ‘LAUNCH PAD’ WITH THE TARGET AT THE END OF THE ‘RUNWAY.’”
GUARDIAN .380