{"id":42775,"date":"2015-09-19T14:51:54","date_gmt":"2015-09-19T18:51:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=42775"},"modified":"2015-09-19T14:51:54","modified_gmt":"2023-08-19T01:14:11","slug":"the-naa-mini-revolver-defensive-gun-or-novelty","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/the-naa-mini-revolver-defensive-gun-or-novelty\/","title":{"rendered":"The NAA Mini Revolver: Defensive Gun or Novelty?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\"When<\/a>

When North American Arms says “mini,” they mean it. The gun isn’t much bigger than its ammo.<\/p><\/div>\n

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Read more at NAA: <\/strong>https:\/\/northamericanarms.com\/firearms\/magnums\/mag.html<\/a><\/p>\n

Buy one on GunsAmerica: <\/strong>https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/NAA Mini Revolver<\/a><\/p>\n

The NAA Mini Revolver is many things. Cute, well crafted, and small. In fact, North American Arms\u2019 Mini Revolver series are the smallest handguns produced today. The guns are beloved by some and hated by others. Some believe the NAA mini revolver is a practical weapon for serious self-defense work. Others see shortcomings and relegate the NAA Mini Revolver to the novelty drawer. Both camps have legitimate points to make, but which side ultimately wins out?<\/p>\n

\"Can<\/a>

Can a gun this big be an effective self defense tool?<\/p><\/div>\n

The Mini\u2019s Mission Statement<\/h2>\n

North American Arms has been manufacturing the NAA Mini Revolver since 1990 and these dandy little guns are touted as being Convenient, Reliable, and Effective.<\/em> These tiny five shot single action revolvers chambered in 22 Short, 22 LR, and 22 Magnum are the kind of guns you can have with you at all times, and in situations where a larger gun is just out of the question. This series has become so popular that there are now variations on the theme (like top break and swing out cylinder versions, and even target models). And there are a multitude of accessories for these little five shot guns.<\/p>\n

Design and Features<\/h2>\n

The base model NAA Mini Revolver is made of stainless steel and features bird\u2019s head style wooden grips. Despite being all steel, the guns weigh in the neighborhood of 4 ounces unloaded. The base model guns will either have a 1 1\/8 inch or 1 5\/8 inch barrel with a fixed half-moon front sight milled above the barrel. The rear sight is a simple notch.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/a>

This version’s cylinder must be removed in order to load the gun.<\/p><\/div>\n

The revolver is a single action.\u00a0 Cock the hammer and squeeze the spur trigger to discharge the weapon. The cylinder holds five rounds of ammunition and is released by pushing a detent on the cylinder pin and pulling it out. The cylinder can then be removed for loading and unloading. Pulling the hammer back to the half-cock position allows for easy re-installation of the cylinder. Half-cock only, though.<\/p>\n

The revolver has no passive safeties but the gun can be carried with all five chambers loaded. Once the loaded cylinder has been installed, simply put your finger on the trigger and pull the hammer back slightly so you can index the cylinder to one of the machined catches. This allows you to drop the hammer in between the chambers.<\/p>\n

As previously mentioned the guns are chambered in either 22 Short, 22 LR, or 22 Magnum. And this alone may be the ultimate determination of effectiveness. .22 caliber rounds are lethal, though they may not stop threats immediately. The magnum, though, adds some punch.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The pin can be used to push out shells, too.<\/p><\/div>\n

What Do The Detractors Say?<\/h2>\n

The guns are, without question, convenient. The revolver design is reliable. With certain loads and good shot placement, the gun can prove effective.\u00a0 Still, there are others would beg to differ. Here are the primary complaints of the Mini Revolver detractors:<\/p>\n