February, 2003

Message Board

I am pleased to announce that we have completed our transition to a new webhosting service. In addition to simply transferring data files and page formats to another server, the transition has included the adoption of new e-commerce and Message Board software.

While I havenít had much experience with (NAA) on-line purchasing, I am an active participant on our message board. The new format appears to offer some distinct advantages over the old, and as we become more familiar with any new opportunities which it presents, such as segregating discussion areas or enhancing search capabilities, weíll introduce them to our audience. I appreciate your patience during the changeover, and solicit your feedback, much of which youíve already shared with us, as we move forward.

Disappointingly, we have been unable to recover useable data from the last board. You helped us accumulate a treasure trove of experiences, information, entertainment which will be difficult to replace, but which we ask you to help us try.

Ron Graham's Custom Leather

We are happy to announce that we have established a new relationship with Holstermaker Ron Graham. Over the past few years, we have seen on our Message Board the raves about his products, as well as some remarks about his deliveries. As a customer myself, and having had an opportunity to review a dozen additional samples, I can attest to his materials and craftsmanship. Weíre pleased to have made a stocking commitment which will allow Ron some better planning, cash flow, scheduling, etc. and which we hope our/his customers will appreciate.

Integrated Locking System

As weíd earlier mentioned, weíve begun incorporation of the Integrated Locking System (ILS) into some of our production of Guardian pistols, specifically those destined for the California market (Iím happy to report that both the 32ACP and 380ACP versions of this pistol have qualified and been listed as ënot unsafeí for sale in this market, as well as the 22M and 22LLR versions of our minirevolvers). The ILS is a Taurus-designed system which attaches internally/unobtrusively to the frame of the pistol and which, when actuated (by a 90 degree turn of a specially-sized hex key) rotates a lever which interferes with the free travel of the hammer. The accompanying illustration may be helpful to your understanding (ILS Animation - 11MB). A similar system will soon be available on the minirevolvers (whereby the locking device is located in the base of the hammer, with the lever rotating into the frame).

At this stage, we will offer these pistols in both ëwith ILSí and ëwithoutí models. We expect this feature to add $50 (MSRP) to the cost of this pistol. Additionally, we will be happy to retrofit this feature into existing inventory at a cost of $75 (which includes return overnight shipping). As this requires outside services, we will batch process all returned pistols on (or about) the first of each month, with an expected turnaround of 10 days (or less); please consider this schedule when you return your pistol to us. Please feel welcome to call the factory at 800-821-5783 for answers to any additional questions about the operation or availability of the ILS.

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.