NAA Guardian Review: It’s Time To Revisit This .380 Pocket Pistol
When putting together my NAA Guardian review, it occurred to me that lots of good guns get overlooked because they aren’t “this year’s model.” Many people jump on the publicity bandwagon and go along for the ride with the latest whiz-bang pistol when choosing an everyday carry gun for self-defense.
But there are lots of guns in the “oldie, but goodie” category that should be considered. North American Arms is perhaps best known for its sturdy little stainless steel mini revolvers. But the company has been making a solid semi-auto pocket pistol – the Guardian – since 1997 — and the .380 Guardian model will turn 20 next year. It’s time to take a look at it again.
What Is The NAA Guardian?
The Guardian is a hammer-fired semi-auto pistol with a fixed barrel. It uses direct-blowback operation. It’s a double-action-only (DAO) pistol. The long, smooth trigger – I measured it at 9 ½ pounds — cocks the hammer and lets it fall with each pull. It’s very like a double-action revolver.
Naturally you’re going to practice strict trigger discipline with any pistol. But the long pull on the Guardian is a little more reassuring. Clothing caught in the trigger guard isn’t likely to cause a discharge. Some pistols with super-light triggers with a short amount of travel would be more worrisome in that regard.
The hammer is flush with the slide and together with the miniscule sights and minimal controls, the Guardian is pretty much snag-free. That’s what you want in a pistol that you’ll most likely tuck in a pocket.
The Guardian features stainless steel construction. It has textured black rubber grips that provides for a good hold. The pistol comes with two six-round magazines. One has a finger extension floor plate. You still have to curl your pinky finger under the pistol when holding it, but that extension still helps to lock in that grip.
NAA Guardian Features Simple Controls
There’s not a lot to figure out with this pistol. There’s a magazine release button on one side and a takedown button on the other. There is no slide stop; the slide does not lock open after firing the last shot. In a pistol I’m more likely to use in a backup role, that’s not a big factor for me.
Field-stripped the pistol is easy and I like that. Hold down the button on the right side, move the slide back and up until it disengages from the frame and then move it forward and off.
Guardian Is More Pleasant To Shoot
Many shooters wanting a .380 pocket pistol will look toward the polymer-frame lightweights such as the Ruger LCP and the Keltec P3AT. While they are certainly easy to carry, I know from experience they’re rather snappy to shoot for guns that shoot the normally mild .380 ACP. The Guardian, at 20.4 ounces, is twice as heavy, but that helps in dealing with the recoil. It more fun to shoot and that encourages longer training sessions.
DeSantis Pocket-Tuck For The Guardian
Don’t get the idea for a minute that carrying the Guardian is like toting a brick.
Twenty ounces is still pretty light for a carry gun. I use the excellent DeSantis Gunhide Pocket-Tuk holster.
It’s leather, with a reinforced top that aids in reholstering.
It features a polymer clip for inside-the-waistband carry, but the clip is easily removed to turn the rig into a pocket holster.
Reliable Pistol With Good Accuracy Potential
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I’m not going to tell you that the NAA Guardian has target-grade accuracy. But after a few rounds fired to become familiar with the pistol, I was getting regular head shot hits on a silhouette target firing standing, unsupported at 12 yards. That’s mission accomplished for a pocket pistol’s primary, up-close purpose.
The ammo I tried included: Winchester (white box); Winchester Silvertips; Federal Punch; DoubleTap and Colt. The pistol was completely reliable with all of it.
Guardians For Other Cartridges Too
I normally carry handguns chambered for more powerful cartridges. I’m anxious to try some of the new Federal Hydra-Shok Deep in the .380 Guardian. That ammo is supposed to be able to exceed the FBI protocols for penetration.
Guardian pistols are available too in .25 ACP, .32 ACP and two bottleneck proprietary rounds: the .25 NAA (necked down .32) and .32 NAA (necked down .380). There’s also a .380 model with an internal lock mechanism.
Useful For Special Purposes
Small pistols always have their useful roles: when traveling light, when required dress codes make larger pistols difficult to conceal, when you want to carry a backup, when you want something in your pocket when you answer the doorbell at home. Those looking for a well-built, American-made pocket pistol that’s reliable with a wide variety of ammo would do well to consider the NAA Guardian. For more information, go to www.NorthAmericanArms.com.
Key Features: NAA Guardian
Type: Semi-automatic pistol; double-action only
Cartridge: .380 Auto (tested). Also available in .32 NAA., 32 ACP, .25 NAA
Capacity: 6+1
Barrel: 2.5 inches
Overall Length: 4.81 inches
Height: 3.69 inches
Width: .94 inch
Weight: 20.4 ounces
Finish: Stainless steel
Sights: Fixed blade front, groove rear
Grips: Hard rubber
MSRP: $456
Steven Paul Barlow is a retired sergeant/station commander and former firearms instructor with the New York State Police. He is an avid hunter, fisherman, and enthusiast with all things related to firearms, knives, and survival. He has been writing on outdoor topics for more than 35 years. His collections of outdoor humor stories are available at BriarHill Books.
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