More NAA Gaurdian Questions

Q

Quantum Singularity

New member
I am stuck on buying either a NAA Gaurdian or a Tel Tek P32. I like the looks of the Gaurdian better (stainless steel), but I would like to get an opinion about its durability. Because the trigger pull is so heavy and the sights so useless, I need it to go a couple thousand rounds without breaking (it looks like it will take weekly practice to stay proficient with it). These pocket pistols are hard to shoot accurately over 3 yards if you don't practice a lot. Is there a life expectancy on the Guardian? Which one will hold up to more rounds? The Gaurdian or the Kel Tec?

One other question: is the frame stainless steel or alloy? On the picture in the NAA catalogue, it looks like an alloy which might suggest a low life expectancy.

[This message has been edited by Quantum Singularity (edited October 01, 2000).]
 
I can't speak regarding the P32, but the Guardian is quite sturdy. It's all stainless (fixed barrel is actually part of the frame). Given the blowback design, I'd imagine you should replace the recoil spring from time to time to prevent undue wear, but I would doubt if you'll shoot it out. Reliability is reputedly spotty (mine is only fair), but the word is that newer guns have been pretty good, and NAA stands behind it (except it's always a pain to have to ship a handgun for service). I'd imagine if you ran into any durability issues down the road, they'd fix it without question. YMMV, best wishes.

Andrew
 
Thanks awisler,

Your response was very helpful. I think I now have the confidence to pick one up once my 30 day wait is over (in Kalifornia only one handgun purcase per 30 days).
 
QS,

Sounds like you are already convinced but I'll add my vote for the Guardian.

As for the sights being useless, that's only if you choose not to use them. Mine shoots exactly to point of aim using the small but usable sights. You can even have NAA install Novak sights if you want them.

Accuracy over three yards is quite good. Head shots on IDPA targets to 10 yards are quite easy. Accuracy on eight inch steel plates at 15 yards suffers a bit (about 80-90% accurate but only 50% knockdowns). The trigger is no worse than a good snubbie revolver. I have used mine in IDPA "Back-up Gun" matches and fared well enough even against Glock 19's and small Sigs. Some of the other guys have used it with similar results.

A lot of the reliability issues are lube related. The Guardian has relatively large contact areas between the slide and frame (compared to it's small size). The lube that comes on them from the factory is a little tacky and failures to feed are the result. I cleaned all that reddish gunk out and lubed with Rem-Oil (light teflon/oil lube) and mine has gone several hundred uninterrupted rounds since.

I trust my life to one on a daily basis. It is an almost constant companion in a State that imposes restrictions on some carry locations. I may leave my primary gun behind at times but seldom the Guardian. It fills the bill for the "don't ask-don't tell" situations we all face when we must make a choice about carry legality or personal protection.

The Kel-Tec is also a fine gun and several of my fellow club members have them. They are longer and taller than the Guardian but thinner and lighter too. I'm not a big fan of the new ultra-light trend. I would rather pack the weight and let it help me shoot better if I ever need to.

Just my opinion...

Mikey

[This message has been edited by Mikey (edited October 01, 2000).]
 
QS,
I received an e-mail from the president of NAA who stated that he thinks that a properly maintained Guardian will outlast it's owner.
It's all stainless steel. As I said before, for me back pocket carry is best. You can send an e-mail directly to the president of NAA. There's a place to click on the website. He answers right away, too.
It's amazing!

Will
 
I love mine! It's 100% reliable and in my back pocket as I type.

Out of all my carry guns (4) it's the most carried!

You'll love it!

Chris
 
That is disapointing (slide not locking back). It will be easy to dry fire it accidently if you don't count as you shoot. I hear dry firing the Gaurdian is NOT good for it.

This alone would probably take it off my list (no slide locking open after last round is tactically bad too IMO). Too bad, its such a nice pistol in all other areas.




[This message has been edited by Quantum Singularity (edited October 02, 2000).]
 
Well, uh, the slide does a reasonable facsimile of locking back when it stovepipes on the last round. ;) I don't think that dry-firing a Guardian once or twice if it is being used for serious social purposes is any real concern. Seriously, it is asking a lot of these really tiny blow-back autos to have features of larger guns. I like the Guardian a lot but must admit to being fascinated by the features of the P32. I do question its durability. Time will tell.
 
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