I looked at an Armslist Tomcat in a parking lot, and the chamber end of the barrel could move about 1/4" - 3/8" left to right when it was pivoted forward. I passed. The seller said that was normal, but I've had a few of the .25's and a .22 and none was like that.
No, that's not normal. I have 3 Berreta 950BS which have the same tip up barrel. It does NOT move side to side.
Off the topic, those little 950s are very reliable. I only have problem with Blazer ammo that the shell won't clear the chamber. I shot FMJ ammo, over 1000 rounds through the 3 guns, other than one dead primer, not a single failure with the brass shells. Later, after I got a little into gun smithing, I polished the chamber a little, even the Brazer worked fine. Talk about small, this is a dimension smaller than the snubby or the 380s. I even made a hoster that when I put it in, it fits in my back pocker and feel like a thicker wallet!!!
Yes I agree with
Carl The Floor Walker, there's no right or wrong gun to carry. You carry what you feel comfortable with. You want to carry a Glock 19, good for you. People like me, convenience is important, I don't intend to go out to a fight, if I carry one, it would be "just in case of one million to one". The Barreta 950 serves me well, even the snubby is too bulky. Later on, I even switch to a Freedom Arm 22 magnum. Those little thing is more powerful than people think, I actually Chronograph them. The 1" barrel clocked 1,100fps, the 1 3/4" clocked an amazing 1,300fps. I won't joke around about those little thing. Now, that does
NOT translate to NAA mini revolvers. I like the Freedom Arm so much I bought a 3" NAA 22 magnum, it clocked a little less than 1,100fps...........For a 3" barrel, that's a shame.
I think it's because the gap between the barrel and the cylinder is wider on the NAA than the Freedom Arms even though it's in spec. Wider gap leak gas, must be the reason the bullet are slower. That's the thing about revolvers, the barrel to cylinder gap is important, too wide, you leak gas, too narrow, it will bind after shooting like 100 rounds. You want it to be tight, then you have to clean more often.
To me, even if I have only a Freedom Arm, it's better than a knife. I did practice shooting with it, it's not hard once you find the right way to shoot it, I can shoot with one hand easily. Practice is the key.
Too bad, Freedom Arm stopped producing those mini revolvers before 2000. I have 4 and I am happy.