Micro-pocket-mini-pistol novelty

[ChuckDizzle]

I've always had an itch for the smallest of small handguns. Pocket guns. Probably because my first exposure to firearms was the gun magazines found at my grandfathers in the early 90's overwhelmingly featuring sub-compact .380s.

This love for the pocket rocket has led to a collection including a J-frame, P938, and Glock 42.

I thought I had sufficiently satisfied by desire for small package firepower. However, upon visiting my local fine (term used loosely) firearms retailer on black Friday to take advantage of some incredibly low low prices on hearing protection a set of Cobra derringers caught my eye in the display case, and awakened an itch upon my gun buying soul which is in need of scratching.

After some interwebs research I have found myself torn between the Cobra Big Bore line (most likely initial purchase in .38 special), and the North American Arms .22 Magnum (w/ conversion to LR).

I am having a devil of a time deciding on which platform to purchase. As far as my uses go they would be mostly novelty guns. Likely only carried if I was dressed appropriately for a pool party. But, I feel the usefulness as a pocket defensive firearm enhances their novelty appeal. Then I am torn between the two center-fire round capacity of the derringer, or the five round rimfire capacity of the NAA revolver.

Price isn't too significant as the Cobra's were listed at about $160 and the NAA offering goes for a little over $200. I like that the Cobra can swap barrels with several other calibers, while the NAA is limited to .22 LR and Magnum. But there is some confusion to me as to what each gun is capable of handling. I would hope that .380 ACP can be fired from the 9mm Cobra, and .22 shorts from the .22 LR cylinder of the NAA.

Any feedback as to what you would choose to carry, or own would be of great help to me.

[sealocan]

I have personal experience with the Davis line of derringers that design eventually became Cobra brand pistols, I believe.

The one I shot was the 32 ACP so it was the smaller frame but in general this is what I can tell you about them, The push button safety worked in the wrong direction.
it could've easily been designed correctly (to be worked with the thumb) but it wasn't, so it was a two-handed operation to put the safety on or off.

Because there was no trigger guard, I think they purposely make the triggers very very stiff and heavy though not a long pull at all.
Combined with the large primitive style nonadjustable sights over the upper and lower barrel lead to extremely poor accuracy even at close range.

I think you could reload a NAA mini revolver quicker with a spare loaded cylinder in your pocket then putting two fresh shells into the derringer that you have to flip open.
The derringers, even if you get the either the large or the small versions don't have that many accessories other then holsters.

The NAA many revolvers on the other hand have lots of aftermarket and factory extras...lazer sights, medium, large and even microsized grips, clip grips etc. ..

I think I also used to make a belt buckle holster version (but that's probably illegal in California = because it's fun.)

Lastly and most importantly if you're going to keep the gun for a while you want something quality & the NAA revolver is made of stainless steel, I think almost every part is.

The Davis Derringer that I had experience with was mostly made out of zinc pot metal except for the barrel liners.
Now the newer cobras might have upgraded that but I think you'll still find the quality of materials and workmanship is superior in the NAA revolvers.

But if you think you'll be using it for fun and would like some cheap ammo to plink all day for low-cost or you're going to need it possibly use it in a self-defense situation...
if that's the case you'll need to practice a lot a real lot to get good with any micro mini size pistol so again you might want to get the .22 LR ammo to practice A LOT with and the 22 Magnum cylinder to use in an life emergency.
Both of those activities are going to be much more expensive if you try to do them with 38 special, which if you haven't priced recently is a bit more expensive.

All this leads me to believe the NAA is a better pistol.
The 3 extra rounds it offers just puts it over the top and as the clear winner in my opinion.

[BarrettM99]

Bacon. Missing the bacon option.

[Capybara]

I shot one of CSA Cannoneer's NAA .22 pistols. While it was fun, I would never own or carry one. Also never knew that .22 LR could have noticeable recoil, it kind of made me laugh as the tiny little grip shifted in the palm of my hand. Fun toy but not practical and so small as to be pretty dangerous if you are not paying 100% attention to how you are holding it.

[Oceanbob]

In my mind it depends on the intended use of a pocket rocket.

.22 is cheap and fun to shoot but will a .22 stop a threat? Assuming this pocket gun will be used up close and personal to protect your life. Under 3 feet away. A gun to shove into the Perps Belly and pull the trigger. In that case I want a big bore even if you only have 2 shots.

One step up and what I sometimes carry is a .38 snubby wheel gun (5 shot)
That can be fired (double action only hammer spur missing) from inside a coat or jacket pocket.

Big bore derringer is my vote.

[billofrights]

Heizer pocket .410 or .223. Ridiculous and impractical, still want both.

[sholling]

Neither pistol is good for much past 10 feet and have very limited usefullness. The NAA is fine for snake protection (with snake shot) but is slow shooting and very hard to shoot well. The Cobra's two shots is not enough for anything beyond snakes and is slow to load. A 13oz Ruger LCR in 38spl would be a far better pocket carry choice than either of the two in the poll.

[Lor]

The Beretta Tomcat in .32 ACP is my pocket pistol.

[Carcassonne]

I think if someone else was paying for it I would get the NAA Revolver because it holds more ammo. I held one at a gun show, and it was too small for my hands. I have a Beretta 21A that is a little bigger, and fits my hands.



.

[hundreddollarman]

Tagged. I'm interested in adding an SMG (Sh*tty Mouse Gun) to my collection. Saw a Phoenix Arms HP22 and thought about that, but I'd like to know what other options there are.

[ojisan]

I love Mousers!
I have both NAA .22mag / LR and Davis D38 .38 derringer.

NAA: get the magnum size frame.
It's a bit larger than the LR frame but so much easier to hold onto.
It still easily fits in a pocket.
It's more accurate than you might think, it does take some practice.
The mag round really adds performance to this gun.
I have the .22LR cylinder as well, you can shoot short, long, long rifle cartridges in it.
A rather versatile back up / SHTF gun!

The D38 is surprisingly solid given its construction.
The safety is a pain, but can be released with the trigger finger.
Trigger is heavy, it pulls down as much as back to fire.
Once you know this, the trigger is much easier to pull.
Accuracy is card-table distance only.
You can shoot some decent .38 loads in it so for a two shooter it can pack some punch.
Good pocket gun loaded with snake shot for hikes in the desert.

ETA: Important to know...when loading the Davis type derringers, the hammer must be at half-cock so the firing pin(s) retract.
If the hammer is not at half cock, and you try to force the barrel closed with fresh rounds in the chamber, it may go off.


Oh, and my official vote is buy both!

[Jimi Jah]

I have the .22LR NAA. It's really cute and tiny. Hold it tight or have it fly out of your hand. I use the side of a barn to practice with it. It keyholes at 10 yards.

Did I mention it's really cute?

My wife has the .32 ACP Tomcat, a great small gun.

[ChuckDizzle]

I think some of you guys didn't fully read my original post. I already own a J-frame (in .38 +P), Sig P938, and a Glock 42.

I've got the more practical of the pocket guns covered. I joke about being dressed for a pool party because I know neither is ideal and they are only slightly better than no gun at all (maybe even worse if someone doesn't shoot them regularly).

I'm interested in the novelty of them, but I feel the lethality/utility of them, however small that may be, still enhances the novelty. Think of it like me as a motorcycle collector, I'm interested in buying a mini-bike for funsies, I'm not going to drive from Oklahoma to Colorado on it with my dim witted friend on the back, but it would be neat if it was possible.

[ChuckDizzle]

The Beretta Tomcat in .32 ACP is my pocket pistol.

That's the one you break load the first round right? I have looked at them for sure and one is definitely in my future.

I hope more will post other mouse gun options, someone also mentioned a Phoenix Arms .22

[CSACANNONEER]

The guns listed aren't "micro" anything. They may be small but, that's it. I have a NNA .22mag and, while I have it more as a novelty, it would also be a useful small CCW gun. BTW, here are my "micro guns":