Sandy’s Soapbox

So, another SHOT Show has concluded and, notwithstanding the continued softness in the market, this one was “almost” bigger and “nearly“ better than ever before, approx. 700,000 sq.ft. of display space and 60,000 in attendance. Curiously, the Show will expend next year beyond the confines of the Sands Convention Center to include floor space at the MGM Grand, and then to include still more space at Caesar’s the following year. The logistics for managing the foot traffic are still not clear to me, but we don’t intend to budge from the location we’ve enjoyed for the past several years.

You’ll read that there was very little “new” introduced by NAA. A 2.5” barrel Ranger II (set for production in April, with a 4” model before year’s end, I hope), a truly black (coated) Black Widow http://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=19005.0 , a “rainbow” mini for TALO http://naaminis.com/smf/index.php?topic=17974.msg170765#msg170765 come to mind. While not innovating very much, we continue to try to “do things” better and make better guns. While sometimes the progress seems glacial, I feel we’re making progress none the same.

I’ve noted some recent remarks on our Message Board regarding main spring tension. It’s very annoying that we (and you) continue to suffer from inconsistent heat treating of different batches of springs which is typically the culprit here. We would rather they be too stiff than too light, which typically results in misfires. We’ll be happy to send a replacement spring if yours is problematic.

I send loads of thanks to my team that travelled to Vegas to present NAA at the recent Show. While it can be lots of fun, it certainly is lots of work and frequently entails the risk of post-Show illness: “crud”, flu, cold and other assorted ailments which go hand-in-hand with large crowds, close spaces and lots of personal contact. As usual, I’m suffering as I’ve learned is much of my team. My apologies for their discomfort and my great thanks to them for another job well done.

– Sandy

Happy New Year!

-Sandy

It troubles me to share with you my very strong belief that the relatively brief respite from the threat of additional “gun control” legislation we’ve all enjoyed will soon come to a very abrupt end – probably early in the new year when the new congress begins its work.

Notwithstanding that the Republicans still control the Senate and the Presidency, the flip of the House of Representatives to Democratic control will be very problematic indeed. It doesn’t take much prescience to imagine what some of the first anti-gun initiatives are likely to be: those that have been discussed (and, in some cases/jurisdictions already enacted): magazine capacity restrictions, “assault weapons” bans and universal background checks.

It’s the House where most legislation begins and, with the ability to set the legislative agenda that their majority position entitles them, Ms. Pelosi and her crew are assuredly smacking their lips over what they doubtless see as such an easy target and certain success.  While there are certainly some pro-gun Ds, I think they are, in most instances, offset by anti-gun Rs, and so the bills will likely pass and then be forwarded to the Senate.  Can the Senate simply ignore these bills?  I don’t think so.  Do the necessary number of members (50) have the political will to fend-off these efforts? Again, I don’t think so.  And if this legislation is presented to the President for his signature, does he have the will to veto the bill(s)?  Again, I don’t think so. The outcry against any effort to oppose these “common-sense” measures “to do something” would be deafening, I believe.

The good news, if there is any, is that such threatening activity will probably give a sharp boost to the firearms industry that has been in the doldrums for the past two years. I wish this forecasted recovery didn’t come at such a high price.

I hope time proves me wrong but, again, I don’t think so.

Please enjoy the attached video highlighting several operations in the manufacture of mini-revolvers.

Hey everyone!!  Lucky me, I was chosen to do this month’s Soapbox. As many of you know, I have been with the company for a long time and am currently the Sales Manager.  I wanted to take this opportunity to talk about my time with the company.

As of this month, I have officially been with the company for 10 years!! When I found out about the job opening, I had no idea that I was applying for a position at a gun manufacturer… Hell I didn’t even know what they did! I started out as the receptionist and had no idea how much I would love this place! After a year of being the receptionist, I was promoted into the repair department, handling everything that was sent in for custom work and repairs, gradually becoming the Customer Service Manager.  I thoroughly enjoyed running our customer service, we have some amazing customers!! 9 years later, I was offered the Sales Manager position.

I never thought I would be here for 10 years! But this company has become my family. During the last 10 years, I’ve had some ups and downs both personally and professionally. I had a baby, who is now 5 years old and I had the luxury of being able to bring him to work with me for the first 6 months!  I’ve been through some tough relationships and am now happily married to the man of my dreams. Sandy and everyone at NAA has been more than supportive through all my trials and errors. NAA has been the career of a lifetime. I’ve gotten to travel all over the country, which has allowed me to meet so many customers and NAA fans. I’ve built some amazing relationships with customers, relationships that I will cherish for a lifetime.

I believe in our product and I believe in the company. I have always strived to do the best that I can and to be what I would want/expect from any other company, and I hope I’ve done so and beyond.

Well… That’s my story and I’m sticking to it! Thank you all for taking the time to read my Soapbox and thank you all for the love and support of NAA! Without all of you, we wouldn’t be here.

Your Sales & Customer Service Manager,

Jessica Jarvis

I read with keen interest and some amusement two different threads on our Message Board which were created last month relating to the above captioned subjects.

As some of you may know, I read virtually all the posts in the NAA Products section every day.  I feel I need to hear what you’re thinking and saying and to react to it when/where appropriate.  The NAA community input is of great importance to me and helps inform many of my decisions.

Anyway, I am interested in the subject of niche markets; NAA’s existence is based on addressing and serving a niche market, one which we value and do everything in our power to satisfactorily serve.  If you want a gun like a Rugar LCR, Kel-Tec P-38T, SCCY, etc. etc. or a similarly compact 9mm, there are a bazillion choices, many/most of which compete largely on $.  Other than doing a modest business in small caliber semi-auto pistols, which we started because Seecamp was so negligent in serving their market, We Are Mini-Revolvers(BTW, some people continue to prefer an all-steel pistol, weight notwithstanding).

Since the departure of Freedom Arms from the mini-revolver market almost 20 years ago, it’s been ours alone, although some ill-advised attempts have been made to take a piece of our pie.  [For the record, FA was formed afterNorth American Arms.  Dick Casull (RIP) started FA with Wayne Baker after he left NAA.  FA continues to manufacture extraordinary single action revolvers, the foundation of which was based on the eponymous 454 Casull cartridge.]

It’s been our practice to do everything possible to deserve our privileged position by making quality products, supported by 2^nd-to-none customer service.  We are appreciative of the (generally) good reputation we enjoy and are committed to do everything in our power to secure and enhance it.

On this Independence Day, I’m proud to be an American, running a “Made in America” country.

– Sandy Chisholm

See y’all next month!