North American Arms Mini Revolvers

North American Arms, of Provo, Utah, produces some of the smallest defensive handguns on the market as part of their series of unique Mini Revolvers. Their smallest model, the .22 Short, weighs in at 4 ounces, while the heavy weight of the group, the Mini Master, tips the scales at a whopping 10.7 ounces.

Although they have been quite successful with the models they have on hand, North American Arms continues to find new and creative ways to expand their Mini Revolver line up. New variations have been introduced in the last few months.

The new Ranger is an interesting take on the Mini Revolver concept. Unlike the standard models, in which the cylinder is removed from the frame for loading, the Ranger features a break-top action. While I had the Ranger on hand, I was able to conduct some range tests with Speer's new 40 grain .22 Mag. Gold Dot Personal protection load. Firing 5-shot groups at 7 yards, the Ranger 1 5/8-inch barrel averaged 2.95-inch groups. Impressive for a revolver that's the size of a man's wallet.

Specs:
Manufacturer: North American Arms
Caliber: .22 Mag.
Capacity: 5
Frame: 17-4 pH stainless steel
Barrel Length: 1 5/8"
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist
Overall Length: 5 1/8"
Overall Height: 2 7/8"Width:7/8"
Weight: 7.2 oz
Suggested Retail Price: $499
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual, and case lock

As the action of the Ranger is opened, the extractor star pushes the spent cases out, then drops back into place. With the chamber openings pointed straight up, it’s easy to drop in the next set of rounds to be fired. These revolvers are part of a limited run, so if you want one, now's the time to call.

The new Wasp is a handsome addition to the .22 Mag. line. This revolver sports a vented barrel rib, bead front sight, skeletonized hammer and an engraved cylinder and cylinder pin. The Wasp is topped off with the addition of black enameling and a pebbled Hogue rubber grip. These features give the revolver a sleek custom look, but for only a few dollars more than the standard models.

Specs:
Manufacturer: North American Arms 
Caliber: .22 Mag. 
Capacity: 5 
Frame: 17-4 pH stainless steel 
Barrel Length: 1 1/8" or 1 5/8" 
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist 
Overall Length: 4 5/8" or 5 1/8" 
Overall Height: 2 7/8" 
Width: 7/8" 
Weight: 5.9 oz. or 7.2 oz. unloaded 
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual, and case lock 
Suggested Retail Price: $240 - $282

Another version of the .22 Mag. introduced this year is one with a ported barrel. Test firing the ported revolver with a variety of ammunition demonstrated that, though the kick of the .22 Mag. is already mild, the ports do produce a distinct reduction in felt recoil.

Specs:
Manufacturer: North American Arms
Caliber: .22 Mag.
Capacity: 5
Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel
Barrel Length: 1 1/8" or 1 5/8"
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist
Overall Length: 4 5/8" or 5 1/8"
Overall Height: 2 7/8"
Width: 7/8"
Weight: 5.9 oz. or 7.2 oz. unloaded
Suggested Retail Price: $214 - $282
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual and case lock

At a mere 4 ounces, the .22 Short Mini Revolvers are the smallest and lightest of the North American Arms line. Although it is an exercise in extreme miniaturization, the .22 Short is still rugged and reliable. While it's not always as easy to find as its big brother, the .22 Long Rifle, .22 Short ammunition is available from a multitude of companies you trust, like Winchester, CCI and Remington.

Specs:
Manufacturer: North American Arms
Caliber: .22 Short
Capacity: 5
Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel
Barrel Length: 1 1/8"
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist
Overall Length: 3 5/8"
Overall Height: 2 3/8"
Width: 13/16"
Weight: 4 oz. unloaded
Suggested Retail Price: $199
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual, and case lock

Between the ultra-compact .22 Short and the larger frames of the .22 Mag., lie the .22 Long Rifle. This model offers the cost savings and ready access that .22 Long Rifle ammunition offers along with the trim profile and grip frame of the .22 Short models. The low level of recoil makes this revolver both fun and affordable to shoot.

Specs:
Manufacturer: North American Arms
Caliber: .22 Long Rifle
Capacity: 5
Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel
Barrel Length: 1 1/8" or 1 5/8"
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist
Overall Length: 4" or 4 1/2"
Overall Height: 2 3/8"
Width: 13/16"
Weight: 4.5 oz. or 4.6 oz. unloaded
Suggested Retail Price: $199
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual and case lock

Old timers know all about kit guns. These are small, light .22s that can easily fit in a tackle box for dispatching snakes, self-defense or for casual plinking. The 3-inch barrel version of the Earl has the double benefit of being just the right size for use as a kit gun, and a terrific retro blackpowder revolver design.

Specs:
Manufacturer: North American Arms
Caliber: .22 Mag.
Capacity: 5
Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel
Barrel Length: 3” or 4"
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist
Overall Length: 6 3/4" or 7 3/4"
Overall Height: 3 1/8"
Width: 7/8"
Weight: 8.3 or 8.6 oz. unloaded
Suggested Retail Price: $289
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual, and case lock

The Earl demonstrates how well the North American Arms Mini Revolvers work as snake guns. When loaded with .22 Long Rifle or .22 Mag. shot shells, snakes in the grass or rats in the hay can be quickly dispatched. As the target in the photo demonstrates, the Minis are up to the task.

If you are looking for the defensive features you are used to in full-size handguns, then the Pug is for you. Fitted with a heavy 1-inch barrel, XS white or night sights, and a one-piece Hogue grip, this revolver is easy to get a hold of, aim quickly and fire. The Pug’s design gives it terrific balance and the shorter barrel gives it a more compact profile for concealed carry.

Specs:
Caliber: .22 Mag.
Capacity: 5
Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel
Barrel Length: 1"
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist
Sights: XS Sights, White Dot or Tritium
Overall Length: 4 1/2"
Overall Height: 2 3/4"
Width: 7/8"
Weight: 6.4 oz. unloaded
Suggested Retail Price: $299 - $319
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual and case lock

While other companies are busily trimming down their handguns for the concealed-carry market, North American Arms took an opportunity to stretch out their platform to build the Mini Master target revolver. The full-size sights, hand-filling grip and heavy 4-inch barrel give the Mini Master the shooting characteristics of a full-size .22 caliber revolver, but with a feathery light weight of just 10.7 ounces. This combination of features make the Mini Master ideal for use as a trail gun, a small game hunter or for quality time spent punching holes in targets at the range. The Mini Master is available with fixed or adjustable sights.

Specs:
Manufacturer: North American Arms
Caliber: .22 Mag.
Capacity: 5
Material: 17-4 pH stainless steel
Barrel Length: 4"
Rifling: 1:12" RH Twist
Overall Length: 7 7/8"
Overall Height: 3 5/8"
Width: 7/8"
Weight: 10.7 oz. unloaded
Suggested Retail Price: $284 - $314
Accessories: Hard case, instruction manual and case lock

North American Arms provides a variety of grips, holsters and unique carry systems. Options include (from the top right): an oversized laminated Rosewood grip and basket weave belt holster; white simulated pearl grip and an inside-the-waistband holster; a folding holster grip with belt clip, a belt buckle and aluminum grip combo; simulated stag horn grip and an ankle cuff holster; Hogue rubber grip and a Kydex holster with neck chain; laser engraved Rosewood Boot Grip and a leather pocket holster with an ammunition pouch.