My friends always make fun of me carrying the Pug. But when I ask them to show me what they are carrying the come up with nothing in their POCKETS. A Pug I your pocket is better than your .45 at Home!
I retired two years ago, after a 36 yr. career in law enforcement. There isn't room enough here to list all of the off duty/backup guns I went through in that time period. But about eight years ago I settled on "the one", The PUG. As a retired police you can probably imagine that there are a few folks out there who still harbor a certain amount of ill will toward me personally, so when I go outside to empty the garbage, or move the front lawn sprinkler, you can rest assured that the PUG is right there in my front pocket. My "normal" EDC is a Glock 43, but realistically, I probably carry my PUG about 80% of the time because it's just so damn "carryable"! I LOVE the PUG, having bet my life on it during the last eight years of my career! I'm going to be reviewing mine on my Channel as soon as it's safe to go out in the hills again and shoot...we currently have THE largest forest fire in the nation raging here called The Garner Complex. Thanks for the video, sootch, it's great!
If everybody is done ranting, here’s what I think. I’ve owned one for several years. I shoot it for practice whenever I go to the range. Accuracy is acceptable for its purpose. I can usually hit a 6 inch group at 15-20 feet and I’m not a very good shot. 5 shots and effectively no reload. I carry mine in a remora holster that covers the trigger and hammer. I don’t mess with the safety notches. Good gun.
Shaz arad Barry that used to be on iraqvet8888 channel always said he seen a 22 derringer kill a man with his own eyes. No doubt it could get you out of a pinch if it came to that I’d like to get one just to carry every day just be handy there’s been several times I could have used this over the 9mm I was carrying. 9mm isn’t always the best snake medicine lol
J. Rob. Yea I have some actually but on every occasion that the opportunity presented itself I only had my every day carry ammo in the gun which is 124 grain Speer gold dot +p. And plus that’s just an excuse I made up to buy another gun lol
Just a few points: * the Pug can wear any of NAA's magnum grips. They have a wide variety of them on their web page * Paul Harrell used his regular NAA revolver to shoot Speer Gold Dot mags into one if his "meat targets". The barrel is only 1/8 of an inch longer than the Pugs, so the results should be similar. The rounds were surprisingly effective. * why such a small defensive firearm? Because a lot of people just can't carry anything larger and still conceal it. Its a Pug or other NAA mini or nothing. * the Pugs grip is actually quite comfortable and easy to hold. It makes the Pug into a usable firearm. * yes, it is pricey. One doesn't buy firearms by the pound. As the Pug is a firearm you can carry every day, it is a much better buy than something that you can carry every once in a while. * the Pug is not a good "snake" gun. The barrel is too short, and the shot spreads out all over the place. You'd have to be within a couple of feet for it to be effective. * you can get a 22lr cylinder for your Pug, but you will have to send it in to NAA so that the timing can be properly set. * the safety slot works well, but you need to keep the Pug in a holster. Otherwise it can tumble in your pocket, causing the hammer to be pulled back enough to move the hammer out if the safety slot. * The Pug has a "big" brother, the Black Widow. It has a two inch barrel and nice 3 dot sights. Other than that, it is just like a Pug. It is still easy to conceal, but it is far easier to shoot. The extra inch of barrel length adds to increased velocity, and the sights help to make it more accurate. I like it much better. But, if you want maximum concealability, buy a Pug. Or a 22lr. They are even smaller, but they are also a lot harder to shoot.
I carry a .22WMR Pug in my watch pocket when I need to look presentable in nice raw jeans and a fitted shirt. With the new short barrel specific Gold Dot (and other) loads for the caliber, I feel like it's a hell of a lot better than the alternative (my pocket knife) when it's all I can fit. Normally, I carry a Kimber K6S appendix inside the waistband with jeans or a S&W 642 in a pocket holster with shorts, both always loaded with Gold Dot .38+P. I never feel unprotected, even with the pug.
MTR made a nice little pocket holster for my Pug. Hornady Critical Defense rounds are what I carry in it. I have carried it so much that it has a good bit of wear on the cylinder, but still works like a champ. Well made mini revolver.
My edc is a 638 j frame with a speed strip and a pug as the backup. The j frame gets carried appendix and the pug in the front pocket. 4 season carry even with shorts, t-shirt, and flops in the summer. Love my setup and have no intention of ever changing. It's a system that just works. I don't have to dress around it. It's almost 100% reliable. If I run the j frame dry I'd probably just grab the pug as a New York reload. When I'm just standing around my hands are in my pocket which means my hand is already on the pug. I don't even have to reach for a draw.
I own this bugger and it's cool. Best thing about it is it's WMR so it barks like a big dog even though it's a just a pug and the muzzle flash is crazy too. You'll scare the punks off and most likely will one while you do it. Don't underestimate it.
I have one and it's pretty much the perfect carry gun. The grip is "not too big not too small" and the sights are usable. Very shootable for a tiny gun, .22 Mag has plenty of punch.
I've used a Pug as my last ditch pistol for almost 10 years now. My primary is a Performance Center Shield in .45acp, my back up is a Sig P238 Equinox in .380acp. Don't let ANYONE tell you different: NO ONE is going to stand there and let you pump 5 rounds of .22 magnum into them. I love the little gun, when even my P238 is too heavy, I just toss the Pug into one of my pockets and I'm good to go.
I own a 22 Magnum Ranger II. That's a top-break revolver with a star ejector. I'm a novice shooter and I can shoot a pattern a little over 2" at 10 feet or so. Shooting God Dot ammo which is designed for a 2 inch barrel, this little gun is a killer.
Looks like an improvement over the standard for CC. My wife couldn't carry her S&W J frame at work, due to the uniforms the staff wore, it printed too easily. So I picked her up the standard a few years back in .22LR/.22Mag. At 10 yards, she has no problem keeping all 5 shots in a 5" circle. Adapting an ankle holster to carry this little bugger in only took a few minutes with a sewing awl. Now, she prefers carrying it to her J frame, because of the size. I'll have to check with NAA to see if the "Pug" grips will fit on the standard, as her only complaint is with the rosewood grips when her arthritis is acting up. Yes, I wish she'd rely on the .38 more, but I'd rather she carry the NAA than nothing at all. You're right Sootch, they are well designed and American made Guns, and not just a novelty item. I would take the NAA any day over the Lifecard single shots.
i have studied the naa line up, and i think the best equation/solution to the revolvers is as follows: start with the naa ranger II (the model with the break-top design) in .22 mag caliber. spent round ejection will be easier than any other naa model. get the rubberized over-sized grips. then, purchase at least 2 or more revision cv speedloaders...only 5 total rounds? nah. but that is my set-up, and my little opinion.
I used to rely on my wrestling skills and my CCW as my backup. Until I got into a 20min wrestling match with my 21yr old 6’2” 220lb son. Now I rely on my CCW with no plans to wrestle now that I’m 50..
I'm 50 and I go exercise with my 17 year old son who is 5'11 I'm 5'10" and he is just only now able to keep up with me and even best me on the running part. But I always beat him on pushups and weight lifting
If you get shot with a large caliber it goes right through, but you hear all the time someone getting shot in the extremities with a .22 and having it bounce and hit a lung, exit the neck etc..
When I got my Black Widow a few years back, it was because of the grip. Good to see the Pug with some updates since then! I love the widow, but the Pug looks like a good option too.
I've got a 1 5/8" 22LR with the folding grip. Clips on the pocket or waist band. Carry it daily when I'm around the house or walking the dog. Carry larger options while out and about but the little NAA's have a nitch.
I really been meaning to get one of these. Not everybody wants to be all tactikool and have the need or want to carry a full size handgun. I often just where jeans and a t shirt and it gets HOT here in Louisiana, I dont want no gun on my side rubbing on me. This gun gives me something I will actually carry and not just leave in my car
I had a rabid skunk find its way into my attached garage in the middle of the night. I used my naa .22 magnum to take care of the skunk. That skunk caused thousands of dollars of damage to my home. It sprayed my furnace and it and all my duct work had to be replaced.
I have one with the folding pistol grip witch gives it more controlablity and fits perfectly in the front pocket. I use Hornady critical duty ammo and at 15 feet it punches a pretty big hole through a 2x4. It would definitely make you leak. Good video.
Very interesting! At first I thought of it as a novelty gun and then by the end of the video, I was thinking that it could be a really good back up. Great review Sootch. It really made me think about my carry options.
I have a few NAA revolvers. My favorite is the 22short mounted in a western style belt buckle. I think they would sell a ton of them if they started making them again. My concealed carry is the 22 mag with a fold out grip. It is perfect if you are wearing shorts because it can be hidden so easily. Great work NAA.
I got the holster/handle for my 22 mag revolver, made it much better/ more manageable to shoot. Covers up the trigger, so safer to throw in shirt/pants pocket. Thanks Sootch for great review. Awesome to have a gun loving daughter.
This thing does what it was designed to do, go bang and leave a hole at close range. Just by looking at it will tell you it is not a sniper rifle, so don't expect it to be a long range weapon. It fits in your pocket and is built to be reliable with excellent quality. You can add oversize grips, making it easier to hold without adding much bulk to it. If I have my pants on, this Pug is in my pocket and no one else knows it's there. That's what makes this a great sidearm for me.
One of my favorite pint size guns. Bought a 22LR with a folding grip and got hooked. That was twenty years ago. Now I got a bunch of them. Plus they are just fun to shoot.
The sights and heavier barrel make all the difference. I have a .22 Mag/.22 LR convertible I bought around 1993 with the tiny front sight and shallow rifling in an thin barrel comparatively and it's realistically a belly gun. I wouldn't rely on it's accuracy beyond about 7 ft max. So the newer models are a big imporovement.
I had the old .22 mag, with rosewood grips....grip was a euphemism. It didn’t have the new tritium sights, just a groove...first shot ok...second up in the trees. I added bulldog grips ( similar to the widow) and a laser sight on the top....as you thumb the hammer, you pull the laser switch on....dot your target...don’t plan on a double tap. Let me know how the silencer works out on this....oh, sorry..suppressor.
Awesome video my friend! I've had the 22lr for a couple years now and I absolutely love it!! My whole family enjoys it. They are cool little guns. Very well built. The magnum will be next
Mine goes in my cowboy boot I take it everywhere it is my back up gun it is very loud and has lots of muzzle flash at night very well built reliable little gun.
I took mine to the range and the ladies sent me home with 500 rounds of 22 mag. Only got 5 shots off for the afternoon (one demo). The gun is still in my pocket tho.Great gun, Great vid! 😎
I have 6 NAA Revolvers. Have the BlackWidow, the Sidewinder, the original Mini, the Ranger II, and the Color Case Hardened Mini. I also have the Pug, which is my go to all the time carry! Love it! Also have waiting at my LGS, a Wasp, but my wife purchased it for me and as she can no longer leave the house, I cannot pick it up due to the Straw Purchase laws! Probably have to return it for a refund and hopefully be able to repurchase it for myself! Don’t know what will happen It’s already paid for! Love all my NAA Revolvers! Yup...I’m a certified Fanboy! Retired LEO with over 36 years of service. Have bigger calibers, but don’t feel underarmed with a couple of my NAAs! As an add on..I finally got to my LGS and picked up my Wasp. Put real Stag Grips on it! So now 7 Mini Revolvers in all! Cheers, Unkei
I’ve carried the Black Widow for years and for what it is, it’s great. It’s essentially a snub nose revolver with its 2” barrel, I got both cylinders with it and I’ve shot every brand of 22 shorts, 22lr and of course 22 mags. I most always carry it with 22 mags (Aguila 22 win mag) these 40 grain bullets do very well and for 22lr the Blazer is hard to beat I agree the grip helps tremendously and of course practice…I fire mine daily in my garage, just be safe cause with this little gun shot placement is everything
I've used the Black Widow with the folding grip for years. Not for defense against humans, but when hunting and trapping there are times where a .22 pistol for a coup degrace is very useful. If I lived someplace where poisonous snakes were an issue, it would be with me in the woods with snake shot, and with decent ammunition it will shoot "minute of squirrel", so it will take a woodchuck or even a fox or racoon. A J-frame sized revolver might be "better" option in many ways, but with the folding grip it is no bulkier than a big pen, so these do have a potential as a "kit gun". And for people who are mocking it, if you've never fired one, you should. I used to get a good giggle out of these when I saw them, but that changed the first time I fired one. THey are tricky, but not any tricker than a Remington-style derringer and those have been around for over a century. I'm pretty sure none of us want be in front of either one of those. In my opinion it's a better option than a derringer, being more accurate and with 150% more ammo.
I think I’m going to buy the sidewinder 22lr. These things are more novelty to me, but I can see myself putting snake shot in one and carry my g19 as primary while in the woods. Plinking with this small of a gun adds its challenges and makes it fun.
Sarah, great addition to your channel. It's always good to see women getting more involved in the shooting sports, and self defense. As a NRA certified instructor, we are seeing more & more women getting their Concealed Carry Licence. Another good thing is, that when I need just one more gun, my wife is more understanding why I do LOL.
Thanks Brother! She's always loved shooting and now she started fulltime this week. It's a God Send.... I needed the help big time. I appreciate you training shooters and doing CCW classes. We need all hands on deck.
Awesome Video Sootch Thanks for a Review now I need one for a backup love the videos bought my first handgun on your recommendation Smith and Wesson SD9VE Long Live The Republic
I was racking my brain for a long time about whether or not to purchase one. However, the one thing that has kept me from acquiring one is that it's only a SA revolver. If I'm in an up-close confrontation wherein my life is in grave danger, I'd much rather pull the trigger after each round is fired instead of pulling the hammer first to get to the next round.
This is why i carry LCP II 380. If the 22 had been in production at the time i would have considered it. I would have no concern carrying a 22 regardless of the hype
CZ 75 compact strong side carry, with double magazine pouch at 9o'clock. Pug in front right pocket in a holster that keeps dirt and lint out of pistol and keeps pug in one place for easy access. Thinking about adding a snub nose .38 special in an ankle rig......but don't want my friends to think I'm paranoid.
I carry carry one of these with hornady personal defense rounds as a backup to my SA XDS 45. I removed the rubber grip and added the folding grip. I like it because I can always carry it no mater my attire. With the folded grip it doesn’t print.
I have a NAA Mini in .22 Magnum with 1 5/8 barrel. Two observations. First, I bought the Black Widow grip (a bit larger than even the Pub grip.) Second, the safety notch doesn't always work. I found many times the hammer had slipped out of the notch and was resting against a live round. Therefore, I carry the weapon with the hammer down on an empty cylinder. To date, I have not had a problem with the hammer slipping out of the cylinder notch. I don't mind having only four rounds as it is a deep carry backup.
My black widow has the same cylinder lock. I pull the lock down and rotate the latch 180 degrees. Then the pin will pull out and go in easily. I love my blackwood as a backup gun or a primary gun when I am in minimal clothes like shorts and a tee shirt.
P S. The .22 short locked up at the top. Duck changed the design later. As I remember the gun had 27 pcs. Springs, pins, etc. All hand polished by two 60 year old gals using a 36 inch round turn table. With 3 M. Paper. Package in a jewelers case.
Great little revolvers. My NAA revolver has both .22LR and .22mag cylinders. This Pug Magnum with tritium sights looks very appealing! I'm wanting one. Great review.
Good one! I’m zeroing in on the PUG as my deep concealment/backup gun. I’ve shot the original 22LR NAA MIni revolver, and I was impressed. But the better grip and better sights, for not much more size and $ make a lot of sense to me as a minimalist firearm. A hell of a lot better than a sharp stick. 👍
I own all three of these American arm and I carry the short in my pocket all the time when traveling I carry the pug also and it’s in the door, and the long rifle in the rear of my suv have bigger guns but at close range who needs them
I bought one over a year ago. I liked the stainless for pocket carry so sweating wasn't hurting the finish. 20' out seemed a little too far so I eventually switched to a 380 for pocket carry. The pocket holster they sell has 5 extra rounds on it and worked well. I was disappointed that they didn't have the belt buckle option on this model.
Everyone says .22 is not optimal but for most bad situations most people don’t want to kill they just want to stop the immediate threat and deter the attacker and if used correctly the.22 is probably the best candidate in my opinion.
...got a Pug a while ago...this video instrumental in showing me to use the cylinder safety notches...pistols shoots well...not fun to shoot, but great as a hideout....
I carry the .22lr daily, this seems a bit bulky but the ballistics are good. The sights look as if they could snag pulling from the pocket and the corners of the barrel could use rounding. Otherwise, NAA makes high quality little revolvers and this looks like a good one.
