January, 2001

The .380 Guardian Inaugural Edition

Based on a suggestion offered by several 'regulars' to this site, I'm pleased to announce that NAA will offer a limited number of early production .380 Guardians to them and other regulars following this simple notice. We appreciate, and would like to recognize, their (your) interest in our business and this eagerly awaited new product. This program will give our 'special' customers both early availability of a 'hot' ­ we hope ­ new product, as well as a 'first-edition-type' serial number (see details, below). This 'sneak peak' sales program is rather simple, as follows.

NAA will accept prepaid orders for one pistol per individual. Price to the retail customer will be $379. This is MSD(ealer)P, vs. $449 MSRP (please note my earlier Soapbox about NAA's general pricing policies/practices). This 'order', presented in any reasonable facsimile to the factory (i.e. there are no special forms to fill out), must be accompanied by a check, money order, credit card info., etc. This offer is limited to the first 100 orders. Guns will be distributed in the sequence in which orders are received; however, we will reserve places on the distribution list based on e-mail or telephone reservations (payment must be received within 10 days or you lose your spot in the cue).

Additionally, your order must be accompanied by an originally signed FFL from the dealer to whom we will ship the pistol and who will complete the lawful transfer. In exchange for his cooperation, we will include a $30 check made payable to the dealer in the shipment with the firearm. We will also offer him the opportunity to purchase (also prepaid at MSDP $379) one Guardian .380 for his own inventory.

We commit to ship these pistols on or before March 15th, or we will compensate you for your patience with 'some' consideration (e.g. extra magazine, gift certificate, etc.).

These guns will be serialized 'BCXXXX'; "B" is for our 2nd pistol (.32 ACP = 1st = "A"), "C" represents 'machined by Kahr' (our third - and current - machining vendor for the .32), and the numeric sequence will begin at '0000' (why Ken started the .32s at '5000' is still a mystery to me!). Expect the factory to retain the first 20 or so.

As always, questions can be answered at the factory 800-821-5783, or by me personally at 610-940-1668

Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R-UT) checks out the latest edition of the North American Arms catalog. He mentioned that he regularly carries two of the firm's firearm products after receiving death threats several years ago. ASSC's 1996 Congressional Leader of the Year Award was presented to Sen. Hatch "in appreciation of his leadership and commitment in defense of our heritage, our industry and our life"


Photo & caption by Robert M. Hausman - used with permission.