North American Arms Guardian Instructions Manual

							WARNING!
Read and fully understand this manual before removing this firearm
from its package. This firearm, like many revolvers and autoloading pistols,
is designed without any external manual safety or internal magazine disconnect.
THIS PISTOL WILL FIRE IF THE TRIGGER IS PULLED!It should
alwaysbe considered loaded and ready to fire unless and until the magazine
has been removed and the chamber has been checked to verify that the firearm is
unloaded. Be sure to read and fully understand all safety instructions shown
in this manual before you remove this firearm from its package, load, unload,
fire or do anything else with this firearm!
NORTHAMERICANARMS, INC.
GUARDIAN
Owner ’s & Instruction Manual
®  
						

							1Assembled View
Warning Statement:
Discharging firearms in poorly venti-
lated areas, cleaning firearms, or handling
ammunition may result in exposure to
lead and other substances known to the
state of California, which may cause or
contribute to the causation of birth
defects, reproductive harm, and other
serious physical injury.  Have adequate
ventilation at all times.  Wash hands
thoroughly after exposure.
Statement of Non Liability:
WARNING!  This pistol is a danger-
ous weapon and is surrendered by North
American Arms, Inc.  (NAA) with the
understanding that the purchaser
assumes the risk and all liability resulting
from unsafe handling or any action that
constitutes a violation of any applicable
laws or regulations.  NAA will not be
liable for personal injury or loss ofproperty or life resulting from the use of this
pistol under any circumstances, including
intentional, reckless, negligent or accidental
discharge.
Further, NAA will not be liable for any
alterations to the pistol or any parts thereof.
NAA will not condone nor authorize any
alterations or changes whatsoever to be made
after the pistol has left the factory.  If your
NAA pistol is in need of service or
adjustment, follow the instructions in this
manual for returning your pistol to the
factory for repair.
Please be certain that you have carefully
read and fully understand the warnings,
safety information and safe handling
procedures in this manual before removing
the gun from its package.  Be sure you
understand the functions of this pistol before
loading and firing it.  Exercise safe handling
of 
this pistol at all times.  
						

							INTRODUCTION
Caution:
Prior to loading and firing,
carefully read and understand this
instruction manual.  It gives basic
advice on the proper handling and
functioning of the NAA Guardian.
Failure to observe the safety
instructions contained in this man-
ual can result in property damage,
serious personal injury or death.
Congratulations on your
purchase of North American Arms’
double-action-only (DAO) pocket
pistol, the Guardian!  This 6+1
semi-automatic pistol (with a sim-
ple blowback-operated action) has
been designed to be a “Convenient,
Reliable, Effective” personal protec-
tion weapon.  We have manufac-
tured it from the finest available
high-strength heat-treated steels, to
standards unsurpassed in the
firearms industry, with a level of
quality assurance and workman-
ship to guarantee
you a lifetime of shooting enjoyment.
The Guardianis a personal pro-
tection handgun.  It is not designed
to be of target-grade accuracy, not
of hunting lethality.  It is, instead,
designed to be a defensive weapon
comprising what we believe is the
optimal combination of portability
- due to its minimal physical char-
acteristics such as size and weight -
and deterrence
.
The Guardianis, first and fore-
most, a handgun and, as such, is a
potentially violent and lethal
weapon.  While not to be feared by
the handler, it is to be regarded and
treated with an extraordinary
degree of respect and attentive,
thoughtful handling.  The over-
whelming majority of handgun
accidents are directly related to
ignorant &/or negligent mishan-
dling or misuse.  The Guardianis a
gun and, handled improperly, can
cause death or serious damage to
person and property.  Under ordi-
nary circumstances, a detonated
cartridge is very loud, and an
expelled cartridge could cause eye
injury; you are advised to wear
both hearing and eye protection
when firing the NAAGuardianor
any other firearm.
The following pages contain
several instructional passages 
about
the operation and maintenance
of
this firearm.  These instructions
contain numerous important
advisories about the proper and
safe handling of this, or any other,
firearm as well as warnings about
the possible consequences of
ignoring these instructions.
Until you acknowledge having
read all these instructions and
having understood all these safety
warnings, you should not touch,
load or fire this weapon.
2 
						

							Additional information is avail-
able from sources such as your
dealer where you purchased this
firearm, a local law enforcement
office, educational organizations
such as the National Rifle
Association, or the manufacturer,
NAA, who can be contacted toll-
free at (800) 821-5783.  This manual
should accompany the gun in the
event of a transfer of ownership:
additional copies are available free,
upon request to the factory.
Important Safety Information
Caution:
Your safety and the safety of
your family and others depend on
your safe and mature adoption,
development and consistent
employment of Safe Firearms
Handling Practices.
If you are unfamiliar with
firearms, seek further advice
through safe handling courses run
by your local gun clubs, approved
instructor, or similar qualified
organizations.  If you have any
questions about this firearm or
where you can seek proper
firearms safety training, call North
American Arms toll-free at 1-800-
821-5783.
While we can’t attempt to be
all-inclusive, the following general
firearms handling practices must
be followed:• ”Always keep the muzzle pointed in
a safe direction.  This is the most basic
safety rule.”
• “Treat every gun as though it’s
always loaded.”  Personally and
positively assure yourself of the safe
condition of any firearm whenever you
handle one.
• “Never touch the trigger or place
your finger inside the trigger guard,
until you’re prepared to fire the gun.”
• “Never point the muzzle at anything
you are unwilling to kill, maim or
destroy.”
• “Be sure of your target, and what’s
behind it.”  Always be sure your back-
stop is adequate to stop and contain
bullets before shooting so you do not
hit anything outside the target area.
•”Never shoot at a hard surface, such
as a rock or a liquid surface.  A bullet
may ricochet and strike you or some-
one else.”
• “Never leave a firearm unattended,
whether loaded or unloaded.  Always
put a responsible and competent adult
in charge of your firearm to maintain
safety and reduce the likelihood of
accidents.”
• “Always be sure the barrel is clear of
obstructions before shooting.”
3 
						

							Instructions For Use
Ammunition:
The NAA.32 ACP Guardianis
designed to utilize any commer-
cially manufactured .32 ACP
ammunition.
The NAA.380 ACP Guardianis
designed to utilize any commer-
cially manufactured .380 ACP
ammunition.
Warning:
Never use ammunition where
the pressure levels exceed industry
standards.  Never use nonstandard
or reloaded ammunition.
(Parts’ identification are found on page 10).
Loading the Magazine
With your finger outside of the
trigger guard and pointing the muzzle
in a safe direction,depress the maga-
zine release button.  Load the
magazine by pressing the rear (rim)
of the 
cartridge downward on the
forward
portion of the magazine
follower and, maintaining down-
ward pressure, then sliding the
cartridge rearward, fully under the
lips of the magazine until the
cartridge is against the rear wall of
the magazine.  Repeat this process,
placing the next round atop the
previous one until the magazine
contains up to six cartridges.  Do
not attempt to load more than six
cartridges.
Loading the Pistol
Check to ensure that the pistol is
not already loaded, or contains any
other obstruction in the barrel or
chamber. With the magazine removed,
your finger outside of the trigger
guard and pointing the muzzle in a
safe direction, pull the slide back 1/2”
until you can look into the chamber
and verify that the chamber is empty;
allow the slide to return forward.
Eject a round, if one exists, by pulling
the slide sharply rearward to the limit
of its travel.
Important Caution:
The Guardiandoes nothave a
magazine interconnect to prevent it
4   
						

							from being fired when the magazine is
removed; with a round in the chamber
and a firm pull on the trigger, a bullet
willbe discharged, even without the
magazine being inserted.Warning:
It is possible that a live round may
remain in the chamber when the maga-
zine has been removed or inserted.
Any round in the chamber will be
discharged upon pulling the trigger
regardless of whether the magazine
is inserted or removed.  Therefore,
never leave the pistol unattended, even
if the magazine is removed, and exer-
cise extreme caution after removing the
magazine.  You must personally verify
that the chamber is empty before field-
stripping the firearm for cleaning or
any other reason.  Never place your
finger on or near the trigger when
operating the slide.
The NAA Guardian has no
external manual safety lever and
no grip safety.  It is fired like a
double action revolver by firmly
and deliberately pulling the trigger.
Always keep the firearm unloaded
until you are ready to shoot.  When
the firearm is loaded, do not touch
the trigger unless you intend to fire!
When you are ready to fire the
pistol, insert the loaded magazine,
bullets facing forward (toward the
muzzle), firmly and fully into the
magazine well of the pistol until
the magazine catch engages (“clicks”)
and the magazine is locked in
place.  Confirm by applying slight
removal pressure to the exposed
portion of the magazine butt plate.
Unloaded
Loaded
5   
						

							Firing the Pistol
With your finger outside of the
trigger guard and pointing the muzzle
in a safe direction, firmly grasp the
slide at the serrations and pull the
slide rearwards to the limit of its
travel.  Release the slide completely,
enabling the slide to spring forward
sharply; this strips a round from
the magazine and seats it in the
chamber of the barrel, making the
pistol ready to fire (the chambered
round will be visible through the
viewing port between the barrel
and the top of the slide).  The gun
can now be fired by pulling the
trigger.  Grip the pistol firmly in
anticipation of its recoil.
The Guardianis double-action-
only, and contains no external,
manual safeties.This means that the
trigger pull will be deliberately
firm and uniform for each round
fired.  Subsequent to a firm trigger
pull, a bullet is discharged, the
spent case ejected, and a fresh round
chambered (to the extent one is
available in the magazine).  Note:
Dry firing can cause breakage of the
firing pin.  This may result in an
unintentional discharge, or prohibit an
intended discharge.  To safely practice
trigger pull, insert a spent (fired)
case or a commercially available
snap-cap into the chamber to
cushion the impact of the firing
pin.
Unloading the Pistol
While keeping your finger outside of
the trigger guard, and pointing the
muzzle in a safe direction, depress the
magazine release and remove the
magazine.  Visually check to ensure
that no round remains in the
chamber.  (See instructions for
“Loading the Pistol”)  Firmly grasp
the slide at the serrations and
briskly pull the slide rearwards to
the limit of its travel to eject any
6   
						

							round or spent cartridge, in the
event that one still remains in the
chamber.
Unloading the Magazine
Unfired bullets can be removed
from the magazine by gently
applying force to the rim (rear) of
the cartridge with your finger;
gently move the cartridge forward
until it springs free from the
retaining lips of the magazine.Field Stripping
Disassembly
Check to ensure that the pistol is
not already loaded.  (See instructions
for “Unloading the Pistol”)  With the
magazine removed, your finger outside
of the trigger guard and pointing the
muzzle in a safe direction, pull the
slide back 1/8” until you can look into
the chamber and verify that it is empty;
allow the slide to return forward.
Eject
a round, if one is present, by sharply
pulling the slide rearward to the limit
of its travel.
For normal cleaning, the
Guardianneed only be disassem-
bled into the following main
components:
Frame
Slide
Magazine
Recoil Spring Assembly
Do not disassemble the pistol
beyond those components, as
doing so could create an unsafe
condition and affect your pistol’s
warranty.
7    
						

							Depress and hold the spring-
loaded slide release button, located
above the right-side grip assembly
beneath the serrations at the rear of
the slide.  Retract the slide to clear
the extractor from the chamber,
and lift the slide up 1” at the rear
to clear the barrel.  Move the slide
forward along the length of the
barrel and remove it from the
frame assembly (at which point the
recoil spring assembly will fall
clear from the frame).
Reassembly
(Notice: The small coiled end of larger
recoil spring - marked red - should face
toward bridge on slide or muzzle end
of pistol when being installed.)
Insert the smaller diameter inner
recoil spring into the larger outer
recoil spring, then insert the guide
rod into the small end of the outer
recoil spring.  Insert the complete
spring assembly into the grooved,
recessed chamber beneath the
barrel, spring guide rod forward.
Position the slide atop the frame,
with the forward bridge of the
slide positioned in the channel
beneath the barrel, capturing the
recoil slide assembly behind it.
Move the slide towards the rear
and pull the trigger slightly,
clearing the top of the hammer
from beneath the firing pin retainer.
Depress the slide release button
and simultaneously apply down-
ward pressure on the slide, releasing
the button after the slide has seated.
Retract the slide forcefully to
ensure positive seating lockup.
(See photos on next page)
8    
						

							Cleaning
It is important that your firearm
be kept clean and properly oiled to
help ensure safe, reliable functioning.
Accumulation of dirt and powder
fouling in the breech and chamber
areas may affect the functioning of
the pistol, causing it to misfeed or
misfire.  The Guardianshould be
cleaned at regular intervals, depend-
ing on the frequency of use.  Premium
solventsshould be applied with
brushes and patches to all areas
exposed to the action of primer and
powder residues, including the bolt
face, breech, chamber, extractor,
bore and adjacent areas.  Gun oil or
other similar lubricants should be
applied lightly to all moving parts,
including the firing pin and areas
of the slide subject to friction.
Warranty & Service
Like the rest of the North American
Arms’ family of finely-crafted hand-
guns, the Guardianis conditionally
warranted against defects in materials,workmanship and mechanical functionfor the life of the product.  NAA will
repair or replace (at its option) any
inoperative Guardianfirearm returned
prepaid to the factory.  If you have any
questions about your NAAGuardian,please call NAA toll-free at 1-800-821-5783.
Technical Specifications (Standard / Metric)
Caliber:  32 ACP/ 7.65 Browning
Magazine Capacity: 6
Length: 4.36 inches / 110.74 mm
Height:  3.23 inches / 82.04 mm
Width:  .850 inches / 21.59 mm
Weight: (Empty)  13.5 oz. / .385 kg.
(Loaded)  14.8 oz. / .420 kg.
Barrel Length: 2.185 inch / 55.5 mmSights:  Low profile fixed.Rifling: 1 in 15 inch / RH, 6 Groove
Trigger Pull:  10 lbs. average
Caliber:  380 ACP/ 9mm Kurz
Magazine Capacity: 6
Length: 4.75 inches / 120.65 mm
Height:  3.53 inches / 89.66 mm
Width:  .930 inches / 23.62 mm
Weight: (Empty)  18.72 oz. / .530 kg.
(Loaded)  20.80 oz. / .590 kg.
Barrel Length: 2.49 inch / 63.12 mmSights:  Low profile fixed.Rifling: 1 in 15 inch / RH, 6 Groove
Trigger Pull:  10 lbs. average
Caliber:  32NAA
Magazine Capacity: 6
Length: 4.75 inches / 120.65 mm
Height:  3.53 inches / 89.66 mm
Width:  .930 inches / 23.62 mm
Weight: (Empty)  18.72 oz. / .530 kg.
(Loaded)  20.80 oz. / .590 kg.
Barrel Length: 2.49 inch / 63.12 mmSights:  Low profile fixed.Rifling: 1 in 15 inch / RH, 6 Groove
Trigger Pull:  10 lbs. average
9