NAA Guardian 380 wetpack test

[oldgranpa]

Here are the results from a wetpack test with a NAA Guardian 380 pistol, 2.5" barrel.

Legend for the picture...

1  Corbon DPX 80gr copper bullet
2  Corbon 90gr JHP
3  Federa HydraShok 90gr JHP
4  Remington GoldenSabr 102gr JHP
5  Speer GoldDot 90gr JHP
6  Winchester SXT 95gr JHP

Note with the shorter barrel (shorter than P3AT 2.75") the DPX keyholed and did not expand much.  Even poorer results with the Corbon 90gr, no expansion which is the same I got with a P3AT in previous tests.
Both are high velocity rounds and don't stabilize from a short barrel. In previous tests barrels 3" and longer were required to get good results from the CorBon 90gr JHP.

Again, my choice is the GoldenSabr. The Fed HydraShok and Win SXT are good too. Note that the Win SXT bullet is NOT the same bullet as Winchester Ranger ammo.

Some velocity readings with my Chrony....use legend above...
1  1130fps
2  no reading
3  959.2fps
4  897.6fps
5  no reading
6  no reading

FMJ's...UMC  918.2, 962.4, 960.4fps  and Fed AmerEagle  982.6fps

The sky was bright sunlight at 10a.m. and even with the screens, the Chrony didn't always give a reading. Didn't bring enough extra ammo for more readings. But you can see the big difference with DPX compared to other ammo.

This thread will remain open for comments.

og

[Norfdet]

The case is still proven that Remington GS is still the best round.

[oldgranpa]

that's right, Norf, we don't even have to take poll about it.

Cheers,
og

[Norfdet]

I have been using Remington GS for years mostly because it was either that or Winchester silver tips. When I thought about switching to something else, I encountered your wet pack testing date and was then convinced that Remington was where I needed to stay. I am always interested in new rounds that are coming out (especially in 9mm) but I am always convinced that GS is where it is at, historically.

[mr surveyor]

I'm going shopping


Now that the .380 is taken care of, what do I need for the wife's P32

[Norfdet]

I'm going shopping


Now that the .380 is taken care of, what do I need for the wife's P32

I always used Cor-Bon. Since it is such a small round, I wanted all of the "oomph" that I could get. I have also read that alot of people preferred a Spanish FMJ for carry but I can't remember the name. I also think that it was somewhat tricky to get.

[mr surveyor]

I keep one Corbon in the tube, and one on the top of the stack, and the rest are PMC FMJ's. I finally picked up another magazine for her pistol a couple of weeks ago, so now I need to do a Flyer Wire mag so I will feel safer hith her having all Corbons loaded up. They probably are the best, being 60 grain and a vel. of 1050 fps.

[mr surveyor]

and since the point of the thread is the .380 round from the NAA Guardian, I need to ask a question about the NAA Guardian. My brother in law was talking about buying a pocketable pistol, but just does not like the idea of the KT pistols. Unfortunately he witnessed my P3AT problems last year, but is not around enough to have seen the evolution of the gun as it became totally reliable. Anyway, he wants something he can go to the range (probably 3-4 times a year, and no more) fire 50-100 rounds and be able to drop it in his pocket anytime he feels warranted. And, no doubt he probably would expect it to drive tacks at 25 yards, clean itself, stay out of sight until called on.....

Since there's probably not much in the way of semi-auto that fits his requirements, I told him to go on a quest for a Seecamp, and have plenty of cash. I wonder if the NAA Guardian would cost him just enough to mak him believe he got what he wanted Or maybe he would?

[oldgranpa]

hi, surv,
The NAA 380 is about $440, the LWS 380 about $900 if you can find one. Both have pros and cons. LWS pros is smallest to fit in the pocket, cons are recoil and setback of bullets in mag during firing (by mine and f&s tests) which is a concern.
Pros of the NAA is lower cost and lower recoil, better trigger than P3AT, IMO. Cons of the NAA are a fussy firing pin needs to be perfectly clean and not oily or it will do light strikes (based on a famous gunsmith article). Also sometimes the last round stovepipes on ejection which ain't all bad. On mine it doesn't do that.
The firing pin problem is a concern but the firing pin can be removed very easily with a 1/8" punch for cleaning. Mine came from the factory full of gunk, I've cleaned it yesterday but haven't rechecked to see if that cured the light strikes.
Fit and finish of the NAA Guardian 380 is excellent. While a lot heavier than a P3AT (P3AT is still best carry gun) the NAA is a great looking pistol. It will fit in the pocket. I don't need both but I like 380's. I want one of the new Bersa compact carry 380's next to try out. You might want to check into that as an option.
Hope this helps,
og

[mr surveyor]

og

Thanks. That was exactly what I needed to know. I really like my P3AT for the size and weight, but I also do love the feel of steel too. I will pass the info on to the Bro-in Law. I had actually forgotten to mention the Bersa, but will pitch that into the mix as well.

[oldgranpa]

surv,
in reply to your other question about the P32....load the magazine this way....
FMJ
FMJ
FMJ
FMJ
FMJ

.32acp JHP bullets have a small cavity and the velocity with a P32 is not quite high enough to get reliable expansion. Almost all tests, mine, firearmstactical, Goldenloki, etc. show that to be true.
Besides, with FMJ you don't have to worry about rimlock.

Cheers,
og

[mr surveyor]

makes good sense to me, but I was really thinking about the 1050 fps rating on the CorBon JHP, at least for the round in the tube. Or is that really not an issue in the P32 short barrel.

[oldgranpa]

CorBon .32 didn't expand either....   http://usrange.org/smf/index.php?topic=292.0

I don't have any 32's, none, sold/traded all I had. So no more tests with that from me.

Get a 380.

og

[mr surveyor]

I have the P3AT for my pocket.