.25 NAA

The .25 NAA was introduced by North American Arms company for their smaller (height: 1/4" less; length: 1/3" less) and lighter (by approx. 25%) .32 ACP Guardian model. It is a new design based on .32 ACP, but it is a rimless case necked down to accept .251" diameter (.25 ACP) bullets and case is longer than a standard .32 ACP.

History and design

The cartridge was originally conceived and prototyped by gunwriter J.B. Wood and called the 25/32 JBW. North American Arms and Cor-Bon Ammunition then further developed the cartridge and the NAA Guardian .25 NAA pistol combination for production in consultation with Ed Sanow. The finalized cartridge and pistol were introduced at the 2004 SHOT Show.

It followed the successful introduction of two other commercial bottleneck handgun cartridges, the .357 SIG in 1994 (which necked a .40 S&W case down to accept .355 cal. bullets); and the .400 Corbon in 1996 (which necked a .45 ACP case down to accept .40 cal. bullets).

Performance

According to NAA's website, the .25 NAA's 35 gr bullet travels faster (1200 f.p.s.) and hits harder (20% more energy on average) than larger, .32 ACP caliber bullets.

.32 NAA

The .32 NAA is a cartridge/firearm 'system' designed and developed by the partnership of North American Arms and Corbon Ammunition. The cartridge is a .380 ACP case necked-down to hold a .32 caliber bullet with the goal of improved ballistic performance over the .32 ACP.

History and Design

Bottleneck handgun cartridge designs experienced early success and have had continuing development since at least the 7.65×25mm Borchardt or earlier, which led to the development of the 7.63×25mm Mauser (also known as the .30 Mauser), followed by the 7.62×25mm Tokarev. The benefits of bottleneck designs include smooth feeding and chambering and simple, robust headspacing.

The .32 NAA uses the .312" diameter bullet of the .32 S&W, .32 S&W Long, .32 H&R Magnum, and .327 Federal Magnum, and .32 ACP.

The .32 NAA is the most recent of a line of commercial bottleneck handgun cartridges. Renewed western interest in bottleneck handgun cartridges began with the .357 SIG in 1994 (necking a .40 S&W case down to a .355 bullet); followed by the .400 Corbon in 1996 (necking a .45 ACP case down to hold a .40 cal. bullet); and then the .25 NAA in 1999 (necking a .32 ACP case down to hold a .25 caliber bullet).