NAA’s Latest Breaking News

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North American Arms is pleased to announce that today (04/26) it became an employee-owned company.  After a 30-year run as president/owner of this manufacturer of “Convenient, Reliable, Effective” mini-revolvers and small semiautomatic pistols, Sandy Chisholm has sold the company to an Employee Stock Ownership Trust which, over the course of the next “several” years, will annually distribute equity ownership pieces of the company to the employees of NAA, at no cost to the employees.  This is intended to be a retirement and motivational vehicle.

 

Chisholm explained that he chose this means of exit for several reasons.  First was his interest in sharing the success of his small business with the employees who were responsible for building it.  “As many people know, I’ve been a very remote owner since I purchased the business in 1992.  I have lived in both suburban Philadelphia and now Naples FL, which is some distance from the factory’s location in Provo, UT.  While I’ve made literally 100s of trips over the years to visit the facility and my employees, I’ve always depended heavily on those at the factory to operate the business.  Apart from financial support and enthusiastic encouragement, my contributions have been very modest”.

 

Chisholm also acknowledged his interest in maintaining the business’s independence and stability in the Provo community.  “Yes, I’ve had several unsolicited “expressions of interest” from other manufacturers in the firearms industry.  NAA dominates its small niche for concealed carry firearms and enjoys an over-sized brand and reputation for quality and customer service that would burnish any other manufacturer’s reputation.  Unfortunately, that would almost certainly lead to a relocation of this business and the loss of jobs for all those who I want to protect and reward”, he added.  “This route assures that stability”.

 

I believe I am leaving NAA with an exceptional management and leadership team that will provide for continued growth and success.  Mike Griffin as President and CEO and the capabilities of the rest of the team allows me to be very comfortable and excited with this decision.

 

In addition to the promise of a substantial retirement benefit, this arrangement also incentivizes all the employees to “act like owners”, as they will be the direct beneficiaries of any quality and productivity improvements they may be motivated to deliver.  “While bittersweet in some respects, I couldn’t be more pleased with the promise of this transition, both for my appreciated and valued employees, as well as for our customers”.

 

Chisholm hastens to add that he will remain active on the boards of NAA and of the two industry associations, NSSF and SAAMI, and that you can expect to see him manning the NAA booth at trade shows for several years to come.  “I’m not done with this industry yet”, he concludes.

March Soapbox – Some Answers to your Questions

Posted on Posted in News, Sandy's Soapbox, Soapbox Archive – 2019

Related to http://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=19696.0

Breaktop barrel lengths: I believe we’re still on track to begin delivery of the 2.5” models in early April and will then work on the 4” models.

I believe that the polished/blued and case hardened guns are the highlight of our product line and are an extraordinary value, considering the additional time and effort required for their manufacture.  Because we use different materials for these (carbon steel), I don’t expect to offer these finishes on other models.

I’ll admit that I don’t have much enthusiasm for the challenge coin idea.

The Guardian accessories and custom shop options are on the website https://northamericanarms.com/accessories/custom-shop/.  I don’t anticipate any new additions.

Our coating vendor is Richter Precision http://www.richterprecision.com/.  Both coatings are done by Physical Vapor Deposition and while they are very durable (the vendor quotes Micro-Harness > 80 Rc), they canbe scarred.  As for all firearms, they should be handled “thoughtfully”.

 

Something super secret to raise your eyebrows?  Not from me!

 

-Sandy

Apparel Available – October 2018

Posted on Posted in News, Sandy's Soapbox, Soapbox Archive - 2018

Here at North American Arms, we are very pleased to announce that we will now have NAA apparel for sell in our online store. We have had countless requests to add apparel to our collection, and we have answered that call! We have t-shirts, sporting some of our personal favorite mini-revolvers, hats, pins, polos, denim shirts, patches, trinkets, you name it! You can find all merchandise here.

And just for our Soapbox readers, we want to offer you, our most loyal customers, for the entire month of October, 10% off your order from our apparel store. Use coupon code APPAREL10 at checkout.

That is our story, and we are sticking to it!

  • Your NAA Team

P.S. And if you were looking for an XL and 2XL, don’t worry. We have them up on the site now.

 

November Soapbox – At Last

Posted on Posted in Announcements, News, Sandy's Soapbox, Soapbox Archive - 2017

With the arrival of the of Ranger II, so begins a new era for North American Arms.  Many of you will have seen a couple of posted video clips of its presentation (See video here.)

at the recent firearms wholesalers show (NASGW).  While the early reviews have been very positive, it’s the opinions of you, the ultimate customer, which will determine the success (or lack of) of this product.

The response to our Early Bird offer was similarly very positive.  While we are very happy with the orders we’ve received, the offer was oversubscribed and I’m sorry that we won’t be able to fill all the orders we received.  I’m told that everyone should be notified of their particular outcome before the end of this week and that we plan to begin slowly shipping product by the middle of the month.

I expect that by this time next month there should be a few dozen Ranger IIs in the field and I expect that most who have one will share their impressions and experiences in short order.  My fingers are crossed.  Hope you like it; let us know. – Sandy [email protected]

September 2017 – Update on the Ranger II

Posted on Posted in Announcements, Current Soapbox, News, Sandy's Soapbox, Soapbox Archive - 2017

Our preparation for the launch of this product reminds me of the joke whose punchline is “Stand back, Eve, I have no idea how big this thing’s going to get!”

Our anecdotal experience over the past couple of years at trade shows and the like (including the recent NRA-produced CarryGuard Expo in Milwaukee) suggests to me that there is some familiarity with our efforts  to reintroduce this product.  I’ve seen/heard of a great sense of anticipation (at least amongst our friends in our Message Board community).  Resale prices for Ranger I would suggest that the demand will be strong.  Only time will tell how the product is received and whether or not it will have legs beyond the initial surge.  Assuming we can meet our admittedly premium price point (<$500), I believe this could become the flagship of our product line.

As earlier indicated, we will offer an Early Bird purchase opportunity for Friends of the Factory only, which will be defined as registered members of our Message Board community; simply becoming aware of the program and indicating your interest (on a specific sales order page we will create on our website) will not secure you a place in the line, which will be roughly ordered according to the number of posts you’ve made on our MB.  I expect that the ordering window will be open for 30 days.  While we have not yet determined the size of the allocation for the EB window, I expect it will approximate a couple/few hundred pieces.

During the EB program, output will be divided between EB participants and our best distributor partners.  I expect the early production rate will be maddeningly slow and the time for us to fulfill accepted EB orders could stretch several months.  When we receive all of the info we will require, including payment info. and the FFL of the receiving dealer, you will receive a confirmation of acceptance.  All accepted orders will receive a Ranger II.  As more details become available, we will share them.

To confirm: the Ranger II will be fitted with a magnum cylinder.  A second cylinder chambered in LR will be available for the EB and thereafter.  I expect that virtually all grips designed for the magnum frame will fit this model.  Different barrel lengths will be offered (including a 4” model for our friends in CA) but only the short barrel will be available for the EB.

-Sandy Chisholm

July 2017 – Addendum…

Posted on Posted in Announcements, Current Soapbox, News, Sandy's Soapbox, Soapbox Archive - 2017

Earlier this month, I promised to reveal the current state of the development of the Ranger II.

Please find attached two recent photographs of one of several (almost identical) current prototypes.

During the development process, we explored a great variety of manufacturing techniques, including investment casting which is the process we use for all of our other models.  Ultimately, we have determined that the frame of this gun will be created from a steel billet, the gun’s outline achieved by wire EDM, after which we execute our machining “magic”.  This is an expensive process but gives us the maximum ability to control the very critical dimensions and tight tolerances that this gun requires.

I believe the overall design of this piece is largely complete.  Similarly, I’m convinced that the development of the Ranger II is such that we’ve committed to design and manufacture CNC fixtures and create production tooling which will enable to move this project in-house and to prepare for ordinary production.

While NAA has been and continues to be, solely responsible for the design and engineering of this product, much of the manufacturing of the prototypes for this project has been done by several third parties.  While they’re each good at their tasks (prototype machining, tool design and the programming of production-capable machine programs), the give-and-take between engineering and development has been retarded/interrupted as discussions regarding dimensions, tolerance stack-ups, and the tweaks that need to be made could not be effected quickly.  We are now in the process of bringing all of these elements in-house and expect that the further tweaks to both engineering and machining, which will doubtless still be necessary for ordinary production, can be affected immediately.

Pricing and delivery dates have yet to be fixed, but I remain hopeful that “under $500 and before Christmas” are still achievable goals.  More news will be shared at the point that it becomes available.  That’s my story…

May 2017 – Back From “15 Acres of Guns & Gear”

Posted on Posted in News, Sandy's Soapbox, Soapbox Archive - 2017

We’ve recently returned from the NRA Show in Atlanta where we had the opportunity to show our stuff and visit with friends, old and new.  This is the only “retail” show we attend (as compared to SHOT, a “trade” show) and the feedback we get is both important and valued.  Fortunately, most of it is positive but there’s enough otherwise to remind us that there’s always more we can do (even if some of it seems somewhat “unreasonable” – Why don’t you chamber the Pug in .45ACP?).

Anyway, would you believe me if I told you the nobody asked about the break-top/Ranger II?  Didn’t think so.  I apologize for appearing rude with tardy posts of this Soapbox.  I appreciate your patience and hope to be able to discuss our efforts/progress on this front in more depth next month.