Drop Test per Massachusetts SB2276

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc.
3114 Scarboro Road
Street, Maryland 21154-1822
Telephone: (410) 838-6550
Facsimilie: (410) 838-2802

23 November 1998
(HPWLI 7735-01)

North American Arms, Inc.
2150 South 950 East
Provo, Utah 84606

Attention: Mr. Ken Friel

Dear Mr. Friel:

H.P. White laboratory, Inc. recently conducted Drop Testing of five North American Arms, Inc. Caliber .22 WMR Single Actio Revolver, Model NAA-22M using procedures specified in Section 19 of Massachusetts Senate Bill Number 2276. These handguns were received directly from North American Arms, Inc. on 30 October 1998 and 9 November 1998 via United Parcel Service.

The Massachusetts requirements are for each of five new handguns to be dropped onto “…a solid slab of concrete…” from a height of 1 meter from six positions, while in a ready-to-fire condition. SB2276 is not clear about whether the 1 meter drop height is to be measured from the gun’s center of grvity, or from its lowest point. We took the more demanding approach and used the lowest point. further, the fifth position specified is “…on either side…”. We interpreted that to mean “…on both sides…”. Finally, it is virutally impossible to assure a direct impact “…on the exposed hammer…” when the gun is allowed to free-fall from 1 meter. Therefore, we placed the guns muzzle down on the concrete slab and droped a solid steel cylinder, equal in weight to the fully loaded gun, from a height of 1 meter so that it impacted directly on the hammer. We consider this to be a somewhat more severe test than that outlined in SB2276, and it is repeatable.

Prior to Drop Testing, each gun was function fired with commercial ammunition. For each drop, the guns were fully loaded with live ammunition, except for the round in firing position. That one was an empty primed case. After testing the primed cases were fired in the test guns. Before each drop, the hammer was placed in the “full cock” position. Results are presented in Table I.

TABLE I. RESULTS (NAA-22M SINGLE ACTION REVOLVER)
(Massachusetts SB2276, Paragraph 19 Requirements)

As indicated by the information in Table I, the five NAA-22M revolvers submitted for testing MET THE REQUIREMENTS of Massachusetts SB2276, Paragraph 19.

Thank you for the opportunity to conduct these tests. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, or if we may be of any further service, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Very truly yours,

H.P. WHITE LABORATORY, INC.

Lester W. Roane

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc.
HPWLI Job No. 7342-01
(Sheet 2 of 3)
DATA RECORD

Date: 17 March 1997

-SAAMI Drop Test-
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.05-1990
(Pistols and Revolvers)

Gun Description: North American Arms, Inc. .22 Magnum

Procedure, Exposed Hammer Drop Test – Conduct either Procedure A or B. All six “drops” of either procedure are to be conducted using a single sample of the model of gun being evaluated. A second sample may be used to conduct the second (light or heavy configuration) series of six “drops”.

A. Drop with full magazine (cylinder), primed case under the hammer in the “safe carrying” condition from a height of 3 feet (measured from gun’s hammer spur) with the muzzle up to cause the hammer spur or exposed striker to be the initial point of impact with a mild steel block weighing a minimum of 50 pounds.

B. Mount gun in the condition described in A (muzzle down bearing on a mild steel block weighing a minimum of 50 pounds) and drop a mild steel weight equal to the weight of the lightest and heaviest configurations of the gun.

REMARKS– (a) Weight Fully Loaded – .45 pounds.

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc.
HPWLI Job No. 7342-01
(Sheet 3 of 3)
DATA RECORD

Date: 17 March 1997

-SAAMI Drop Test-
ANSI/SAAMI Z299.05-1990
(Pistols and Revolvers)

Gun Description: North American Arms, Inc. .22 Magnum

Procedure, Jar-Off Test – Drop with a full magazine, chambered primed case, hammer cocked, safety in “fire” position from a height of 1 foot (measured from lowest feature of gun) onto a concrete surface with a 1 inch thick rubber mat (85 Durometer, Shore A). The gun will be caught after its initial impact so that it strikes the mat only once. Testing of guns with variable trigger pull will be conducted with the trigger pull set at the minimum recommended by manufacturer (Note: This test does not apply to guns with a design trigger pull of less than 3 pounds.) The complete test MAY be conducted using a different gun for each drop of the test. The complete set of drops are to be conducted with the gun at its lightest and heaviest configurations, ie, catalogued accessories and fully loaded. Prior to the initial drop fo this test, each gun will successfully fire 10 cartridges from the same lot of ammunition to be used in the drop testing. Subsequent to each drop which does not result in a discharge, the gun will be re-cocked (if necessary) and fired to demonstrate the suitability of the test cartridge’s priming system.

REMARKS– (a) Weight Fully Loaded – .45 pounds.

Drop Test per Massachusetts SB2276

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc.
3114 Scarboro Road
Street, Maryland 21154-1822
Telephone: (410) 838-6550
Facsimilie: (410) 838-2802

15 January 1999
(HPWLI 7781-01)

North American Arms, Inc.
600 West Germantown Pike, Suite 400
Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania 19462-1046

Attention: Sandy Chisholm

Dear Mr. Chishom:

You recently requested Drop Testing of five North American Arms, Inc. Caliber .32 ACP Guardian Pistols using procedures specified in Section 19 of Massachusetts Senate Bill Number 2276. The handguns were received directly from North American Arms, Inc. on 11 January 1999 via United Parcel Service.

The Massachusetts requirements are for each of five new handguns to be dropped onto “…a solid slab of concrete…” from a height of 1 meter from six positions, while in a ready-to-fire condition. SB2276 is not clear about whether the 1 meter drop height is to be measured from the gun’s center of gravity, or from its lowest point. We took the more demanding approach and used the lowest point. Further, the fifth position specified is “…on either side…”. We interpreted that to mean “…on both sides…”. Finally, it is virutally impossible to assure a direct impact “…on the exposed hammer…” when the gun is allowed to free-fall from 1 meter. Therefore, we placed the guns muzzle down on the concrete slab and dropped a solid steel cylinder, equal in weight to the fully loaded gun, from a height of 1 meter so that it impacted directly on the hammer. We consider this to be a somewhat more severe test than that outlined in SB2276, and it is repeatable.

Prior to Drop Testing, each gun was function fired with commercial ammunition. For each drop, the guns were fully loaded with live ammunition, except for the round in the chamber. That one was an empty primed case. After testing the primed cases were fired in the test guns. The Guardian Pistol is a double action once (DAO) firearm, so the hammer is “down” at all times and cannot be placed int a “full cock” postition.

TABLE I. RESULTS (NAA-CALIBER .32 ACP GUARDIAN PISTOL)
(Massachusetts SB2276, Paragraph 19 Requirements)

As indicated by the information in Table I, the five North American Arms Caliber .32 ACP Guardian Pistols submitted for testing MET THE REQUIREMENTS of Massachusetts SB2276, Paragraph 19.

Thank you for the opportunity to conduct these tests. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, or if we may be of any further service, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Very truly yours,

H.P. WHITE LABORATORY, INC.

Lester W. Roane

H.P. White Laboratory, Inc.
3114 Scarboro Road
Street, Maryland 21154-1822
Telephone: (410) 838-6550
Facsimilie: (410) 838-2802

5 November 1997
(HPWLI 7342-02A)

North American Arms, Inc.
2150 S. 950 E.
Provo, Utah 84606

Attention: Mr. Ken Friel

Dear Mr. Friel:

Your letters of 22 October and 28 October 1997 requested Safety and Performance Testing of two Caliber .32 ACP Guardian pistols (Serial Number AA5037 and AA5041) received on 23 October 1997 via United Parcel Service. Both pistols appeared to be in new condition.

Prior to testing, each pistol was loaded with serveral magazines of Winchester 60.0 grain Silvertip Hollow Point ammunition (Lot Number 73SE70) and fired to confirm proper functioning. They fired without incident. Both pistols are double action only (DAO), with spurless hammers which rest below the rear surface of the slide. The barrels are approximately 2-1/4″ long. The magazines hold six rounds. The magazine follower from Serial Number AA5041 caught on the magazine body and prevented loading of more than three rounds. The magazine was disassembled, and the malfunction was repaired. All testing was conducted on an indoor range at ambient conditions.

Pistol Serial Number AA5041 was tested using procedures specified in ANSI / SAAMI Z299.5-1990, VOLUNTARY INDUSTRY PERFORMANCE STANDARDS -CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION OF NEW FIREARMS DIESIGNS UNDER CONDITIONS OF ABUSIVE MISHANDLING FOR THE USE OF COMMERCIAL MANUFACTURERS. Because the pistol is of DAO operation, and it has no external safety, the “safe carrying position” (Drop Test, Paragraph 5.0) is the same as the “maximum readiness” condition (Jar-Off Test, Paragraph 7.0). Table I presents a summary of information on the attached data records.

TABLE I. SUMMARY OF RESULTS
(.32 Guardian Pistol)

Based on the data presented in Table I and the attached data records, the North American Arms, Inc. .32 ACP Guardian Pistol, Serial Number AA5041, submitted for testing SATISFIED the requirements of ANSI/SAAMI Z299.5-1990.

Pistol, Serial Number AA5037 was loaded and fired with a single round of high pressure definitive proof ammunition complying with requirements of ANSI/SAAMI Z299.3. Peak chamber pressure was apporximately 23,200 CUP. There was no discernible damage and the pistol continued to function well. Because the hammer is spurless and rests below the slide, an Exposed Hammer Test (Z299.5, Paragraph 6.0) was not conducted. However, a primed cartridge case was loaded in the chamber and the rear of the hammer was repeatedly struck directly with a hammer, using a drift punch. There was no firing.

Pistol, Serial Number AA5041 was fired by hand from a rest by an experienced technician to obtain velocity (at 10′ ) and dispersion (at 21′ ) data. (Because of its small size, we were not able to satisfactorily mount the pistol in a fixed rest.) Five 5-shot groups were recorded, along with a single 5-shot group of the same ammunition fired from a fixed 4″ SAAMI test barrel for reference. Table II presents a summary of information on the attached data records.

Thank you for the opportunity to conduct these tests. The test pistols will be retained in our armory pending your disposition instructions. If we may be of any further service, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Very truly yours,

H.P. WHITE LABORATORY, INC.

Lester W. Roane

Are NAA minis ‘junk’ guns? 
Independent Testing of NAA firearms

With the possible exception of so-called ‘assault weapons, no class of firearms is more vilified by both politicians and the popular press as small, concealable handguns such as the sort manufactured by North American Arms. These weapons, popularly and derisively known as ‘Saturday Night Specials’ or ‘junk’ guns, are those which do not ‘pass’ the ATF Import Factoring Criteria, which is intended to evaluate handguns according to their suitability for ‘sporting use’. This evaluation places a heavy scoring bias against guns of small frame size and small caliber and wholly discounts the value of a handgun as a concealable personal protection weapon.

Several states, including CA and MA, either have or are considering prohibiting the manufacture and distribution of these handguns. These laws often make exceptions for firearms which meet extraordinary standards, which include independent and certifiable testing to indicate the likelihood of accidental discharge, reliability in functioning, representations regarding accuracy, and the inclusion of safety locking devices upon the original sale of the product.

North American Arms is pleased to publish the results of a series of comprehensive and expensive tests conducted primarily by H.P. White Laboratory of Street, MD. These results suggest to us that NAA products meet or exceed all of the testing criteria commonly identified in the various states’ regulations.

The following are the results of independent testing performed on a NAA .22 Magnum. The NAA .22 Magnum is mechanically identical to all of our Mini-Revovlers.

H.P.White Laboratory, Inc. conducted the tests, and is acknowledged as the leading privately owned laboratory engaged in small arms and ammunition research, development and testing.