NAA Guardian in 9X18MM

George:

I rather like the idea of cutdown Makarov. But to be honest, it's already been produced. Here's a picture of my Hungarian R61, chambered in 9x18M, next to one of my regular Maks. As you can see, it's a good bit smaller. While I normally carry a SIG 229, Springfield XD40, or CZ PCR, my little R61 is always on me somewhere. It's not a pistol that's pleasurable to put 100 rounds through in one session at the range, but it doesn't beat me up either, and it has been totally reliable and surprisingly accurate for a pocket pistol.

On the other hand, if the new Kahr PM9 proves reliable, I think it's going to be the hot new ticket in pocket rockets.

Take care. Marko
 

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Personally, I'd pass on the 9x18 NAA. If someone want's to do us all a favor, they could produce a small SD gun with a locked breech in 9x18. The recoil is a lot milder than a blowback for the same sized gun, which translates into more pleasant shooting. That should result in more practice with the gun, which will be a big boost in proficiency if you ever need it. I think a 9x18 blowback gun that small would be pretty painful to shoot for most folks...
 
Like George said,"Everything's a compromise".

We'll continue to design the perfect gun because it's fun. But the only perfect gun is one that fulfills a particular shooters individual needs perfectly. I have a Guardian .380 "mouse gun" for backup and a summer carry. Maybe I just got a particularly good one but I like it a lot. Yup, it's a little heavy for a pocket carry but it works fine. I think of it as a miniature PP/K that won't bite the snot out of your hand.

If you nudge the size up to handle 9mm luger I'm sure you'll have a good gun but you'll have a different gun for a different purpose. And if it's SS it'll weigh as much as some already out there. So I think I'd be more interested in that new round N.A.A. is developing.
 
The R61 is the same gun as the SMC918 which is the Mak calibered SMC 380...I would love one.
Goerge...AF sports in lindon/orem had an SMC 918 for sale just over 6 months ago....sniff.
I missed buying it but rented it a bunch....
I didnt know it was for sale and probably put 1000 rnds thru it.
Shoot well
 
Eric: You are correct, in that the SMC918 is essentially the commercial version of the rather rare R61, which was one of the officially issued Hungarian sidearms. There are some subtle differences, with the main one being the R61's alloy frame as compared to the SMC918's steel frame, if I recall correctly. And the R61 employs two flat grip panels as opposed to the SMC's left-side thumbrest panel. General fit and finish is also finer on the R61.

What was the trigger like on the SMC you rented? FEG pistols aren't known for having the lightest and smoothest triggers, but the one on my R61 is shockingly good. It's light and smooth in DA mode, and quite crisp in SA mode --- very little take up and no creep. I don't know if the previous owner -- a fellow Makarov enthusiast -- worked on the trigger or not, but it sure is sweet for a little Eastern European pocket gun.

Also, unlike my late and certainly not lamented PPK/S, the R61 doesn't jam on me, it doesn't bite me, its slide is easy to rack, the trigger is great, the accuracy is surprising, and it digests and fires 9x18 hollow points with no problems. Oh, and it only cost me about $200 instead of $450.

Because of its reliability, small size, and light wieght, it's actually replaced my Makarov as my normal back-up. And that's saying something.


Take care. Marko

P.S.: Eric: I wonder if I could get Hakan to make a set of grips for it. Now that would be beautiful.
 
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