It's disappointing to report that we have not yet overcome the problems we've been facing with the reliability of our 17 caliber minirevolvers. The issue is that, when fired, the brass tends to deform and the case backs its way out of the cylinder, such that brass interferes with the smooth rotation of the cylinder. We've spoken at length with the ammo manufacturers, reamer designers, gunsmiths and other revolver manufacturers (who report suffering the same problem, but who still put the product in the field nonetheless). Until we determine that we've found a 'fix', these guns won't leave the factory.

     I read with interest the recent thread on our message board entitled "Mini-Revolver = No Value in Police Work" about the use of NAA firearms by law enforcement. I can refer to hundreds of anecdotal instances when I've been advised by LEOs of their use of Mini-Revolvers and Guardians which they personally purchased and carry, notwithstanding their official departmental policy. Additionally, I can refer to dozens of agencies which have purchased NAA firearms for departmental issue (one of the first, and largest, orders came from the MA Highway Patrol; ironically, MA is the only state in the union where (new) NAA products are unavailable to the citizenry in general).

     In addition to admissions regarding carry, I regularly receive reports about NAA firearms actually being used by LEOs (as well as civilians) for personal protection. I offer the following as an example which I received only last night:

Dear Mr. Sandy

In the firs place excuse my bad english. I actualy am brazilian.

Well, i am the police cheaf of my local town, here in Brazil. And on saturday, (26/february), at obout 2 o'cock in the morning, i recived an anonimous call, dinouncing where a 23 year old kid, wich had executed 8 pepole, and his gang (another 2 bandits) where hiding out.

Because of the lake of reforces, i got my bullet proof jacket, my Glock 22, and my N.A.A. mini-revolver (.22 LR), and went by my self.

After obout 10 minutes of intensive shoot-out, my .40 S&W bullets ran out. So one of them went and got me at gun point. He said that they were going to execute me. While 2 of them where looking in my car for guns, the oder one was beeting me up, until one of them found a unloaded F.A.L., rifle in the trunck of my car, and yeled to cal the oder one (that was beeting me) for a look. When he looked oround, I grabed my mini-revolver, wich was hiden in my under pants, and punched 2 shots in him. As he fell to the ground, i grabed his Ingram (sub-machinegun). After being shot once in the shoulder by a .38 that one of them had, I shot the 2 remaning bandits.

Concusion: There are less 3 bandits in the world, and the most important, I OWE MY LIFE TO AN N.A.A., .22 LR, MINI-REVOLVER.

(name withheld by NAA)

     Furthermore, I have seen at least one story about the actual use of NAA firearms saving the life of the author in every firearms magazine title I have ever read.

     By the way, there has never been an NAA-related email sent by anyone to me which failed to get an answer of some sort.

     Now I'm off my Soapbox.