North American Arms .22 Mini-Revolver

[whiterabbit05]

Anyone have experience or information about these mini-revolvers? Reliability, etc.

http://www.naaminis.com/lrifle.html
http://www.naaminis.com/bwmm.html

The small size seems ideal for a backup gun.

And with the holster grip installed, it can be very easily carried in the pocket.

http://www.naaminis.com/pix/bw_hgt.jpg
http://www.naaminis.com/pix/lr.jpg

[Carne Frio]

I have one with 22mag and 22lr cylinders. It
is well made and reliable. For me, it is a range
toy and only carry 38spl or larger for self defense.:D

[Irish]

Anyone have experience or information about these mini-revolvers? Reliability, etc.

The small size seems ideal for a backup gun.

And with the holster grip installed, it can be very easily carried in the pocket.

There are much better options out there. If in fact size was a huge factor look at the Kel-Tec P3-AT or a S&W J frame. This "gun" will not be recommended to you by anyone on this forum with any type of knowledge. [/THREAD]

[BillSWPA]

I bought a .22 lr. mini revolver in the mid 1990's, when the only thing available in a true pocket gun above .22 or .25 caliber was the Seecamp .32, which had a 3 year wait at the time. Numerous friends reported varying reliability with small semiautos, and some of the .22's and .25's weren't that small. I had briefly owned a .25 that I sold after watching two FMJ bullets penetrate my wooden target frame about 3/16", and then drop to the ground essentially undamaged.

I noticed that some who I respected carried these little .22's in their pocket. So, I bought one.

It is very hard to get a good grip on the factory birds head grips. At 15-20 feet, I had to aim at the waist to achieve upper chest hits, because recoil would significantly affect point of aim. Other than that, I was very happy with the gun, which I figured would probably be used at closer distances. Although practical accuracy is limited by the grips, intrinsic accuracy is very impressive. With larger grips, it does shoot to point of aim at reasonable distances. Reliability is excellent. The gun can be carried with the hammer fully lowered in a cylinder notch between chambers, providing complete safety and a reasonably fast first shot.

The currently available "boot grips" provide a much better grip, and much more accuracy, for only a very small penalty in size.

The gun has not been carried much since I bought my Kel-Tec P-32 several years ago. However, it has occasionally been carried as a backup gun in a legal but otherwise nonpermissive environment. It would also make a good "onion field" gun, or deep concealment gun for someone who had a reason to fear kidnapping. I can also see it for a lady who is limited to purse carry of a larger weapon due to clothing constraints.

Take a look at the incident described here:

http://www.naaminis.com/sandy030105.html

[whiterabbit05]

If I were getting a pocket gun today, my options would be either a Keltec PF9, Ruger LCP, or Walther PPS.

The size of this thing just intrigued me and got me curious.

[John_Wayne777]

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/jwayne_777/IMGP0872.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/jwayne_777/IMGP0874.jpg

Less than 3 yards, slowfire.....and that's the group I produced with the NAA.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/jwayne_777/IMGP0873.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/jwayne_777/IMGP0875.jpg

Colt Junior at 5 yards.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/jwayne_777/IMGP0871.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y16/jwayne_777/IMGP0882.jpg

Ruger LCP with CT grips at 15.

The NAA had to go back to the factory because something on the internals broke and locked the gun up. Returned working well and has worked since. It's damn near impossible to hit anything with one beyond a few feet. It's also a .22 being fired through a barrel that is hopelessly short. It's a neat little revolver from a collector standpoint, but from a practical application standpoint it barely qualifies as a real firearm. I mean, you could shoot your eye out...but for stopping bad guys it's probably only slightly better than yo mamma jokes.

The new breed of .380 handguns like the LCP make the NAA revolver moot, as they are light, easy to carry, slim, and come in a caliber that might actually hurt somebody who is trying to kill you.

[colt191145lover]

I carried one as a backup for my backup:p Mine was the .22 mag version and I loaded it with FMJ ammo due to lack of penitration with anything eles and only ever regarded it as a VERY close range face gun... but as others have already stated there are better options out there in better calibers YMMV.

[citizensoldier16]

My father carries one in .22 mag and calls it his "nose gun". IE, stick it up the bad guy's nose and pull the trigger! :D

It's impossible to hit anything at more than about 7 yards with it but for up-close-and-personal SD, its not a bad option.

[CyberM4]

I've had one for years in 22 Mag. For what it's made for it will do the job.

[Huntindoc]

I have one in 22mag with the 22lr cylinder as well. I frequently carry it as a 3rd backup. I also carry it in a waterproof pouch while wadefishing on the Texas coast. It stays perfectly in my shirt pocket and being stainless steel in a waterproof pouch I have had no rust issues. So far I have only killed a few snakes and possums with it but it does what it is made for within about 10 feet. Much better than a sharp stick. Ok, Ok, much better than a SHORT, FLIMSY sharp stick.

PS.
I did buy the boot grips which work much better than the original bird head grip.

[BillSWPA]

When shooting the mini-revolvers, I find it best to look straight down the top strap for elevation, and to line up the front sight and firing pin for windage. When using this method with factory oversize grips (which make the gun at least as large as many small semiautos), I have been able to shoot approximately 3" groups at 20 feet using a 2-hand hold.

If you are target shooting using a smaller grip, like the birds head or boot grips, you can hold the gun in your strong hand, with your index finger around the grip, and work the hammer and trigger with your weak hand.

For self-defense, a 1 hand grip is likely for this little pistol, as the other hand may well be occupied doing other things. Your hand may come up high enough to partially obscure the top strap and hinder an ideal sight picture. In this case, I use what is basically a "shoulder point" hold, looking at the front sight as best I can. Accuracy at 20 feet using the boot grip is not stellar but certainly much better than minute of mugger.

[fjc]

I have one - it's a beautiful little piece, and a hoot to shoot. I'd only carry it as an absolute last-ditch weapon. I think the proper tactic for its use would be to cause someone to duck while you ran.

http://www.condron.com/pics/naa/naa_6411.jpg