North American Arms Black Widow .22 mini

[Heartsblood]

My wife has expressed an interest in this gun as a carry piece. She has been reluctant to carry or even shoot handguns because of the recoil/noise factors - she's fired my XD 9mm, and a .32 and while she proves to be a decent shot, she just doesn't appreciate the loud explosion like nature of shooting a firearm like I do. 

Anyweys, she has expressed an interest in this weapon and I only want to encourage that. So, any advice on how we can get one into her hands to try short of purchasing one? Does anyone here on the board have one we could shoot? Or Does anyone have expereince with these mini (deep conceal) pistols?

Thanks.

http://www.northamericanarms.com/firearms/minis.html

[h20hunter]

While I encourage both of you to persue the interest I'm not sure if I would want my wife carrying a .22. Granted, looking down the barrell should discourage most but I think it is not up to the task if needed to be used. I consider a .380 the smallest to carry for protection. However, maybe start there and upgrade when the comfort level grows?

[Heartsblood]

Hey h20hunter-

Thanks for your note. I agree whole heartedly. I'd obviously feel better if she was comfortable/confident with a larger caliber. But, seeing as she's not, and sh'es carrying nothing at all, I want to enthusiastically support her desire to carry something.

Hopefully yes, we can work our way up from there. I agree.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Get her into a firearms training class for women. 'Taught by women'....  Get ahold of a Browning Buckmark or RugerMK series 22 for practice and familiarity with a gun long before you just shoot something once or twice then buy it for her purse.  I might be able to come up with a contact for a class for her. Part of the confidence for a new shooter is the ability to shoot accurately. Those NAA's are nasty with recoil for any size hands. The old wood grip those used to have with rounded butt and small grip area is not for the new shooter. The new grips are nicer, but I don't think is optimal.  They have a much more snappy recoil than you'd think. What you're making up in reduced noise is going to return in 'ouch', my hand.

I am not an instructor but do play Range Officer for Bullseye league... (6 years) I start everyone out on a target model of 22 rimfire to build confidence with then move new shooters that want a little more pop to a Walther PPK or small framed 38spl revolver with good grips.

-Steve

[FC]

I kind of wondered how one of those tiny 22's would be on recoil Steve, I wouldn't advocate my j frame for anyone who was noise/recoil sensitive though either...lol I was thinking something like the Walther or Bersa in .380 might be better 

[huntinguy]

I don't have one, but I was able to try a friends. My friend  had the longer barrel version of the same gun.

Accuracy... They are not target guns. Three inches at 25 feet.

Manipulating it takes practice... cocking, grip position and such. It might be better if your wife has small hands. The grip is not bad, fat and short. The hammer is short...

Take her to a gun shop that has one and let her feel it. Cock it, see how it loads.

They are a 22 and loud but not like a centerfire. You might want her to practice with CB caps and carry it with Magnums.

Recoil. oddly enough... they are not bad. MUCH less that a 380 or 32 in a keltec/ruger format. I would say much less that a 380 in a PP size.

Besides, if she doesn't like it you will have a very light weight grouse gun 

I am leaning very hard to getting one....

[NWHydroprint]

My wife has about 7 NAA's the Black widow with the 22 mag has a big bark and is very accurate. The 22 mag shooting a 40 grain bullet is traveling at about 1400 FPS and around 200 FTlbs of energy.
I would rather my wife shoot a 22 cal than nothing at all. She also has a XD9 sub compact but prefers to pack a NAA.
If you want to no more about them feel free to get in toch with me or have your wife talk to my wife.
NWH

[KillBilly]

That's a pretty large hammer and could easily get snagged trying to draw it out of a purse quickly. Most of the best conceal weapons for pocket or purse are hammerless....