Readyrod
Member
I was reading Chuck Hawks and he seems to like the North American Arms mini revolver. I checked the site and looked at them. Does anybody own one of these or has anyone fired one. Are they worth it. They look awfully small.
North American Arms mini revolver
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Wolfeye
Member
I shot one briefly. It was their .22 lr model, and it had a surprising kick. Some of my fingers also got powder on them. I thought that particular model was more of a novelty item than anything else.
I've thought about picking up their Mini Master, though. It looks like an ideal little kit gun to toss into a survival kit or tacklebox.
I've thought about picking up their Mini Master, though. It looks like an ideal little kit gun to toss into a survival kit or tacklebox.
Readyrod
Member
oops. Sorry for the post. When I searched I used the full name and came up with nothing. When I used NAA in the search I got all the info I needed.
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Actually, they are fairly accurate little guns, but difficult to shoot accurately. There is a major difference in the sentiment. People find them hard to shoot well because of the tiny birds head grip (which is just about right for a 7 year old, FYI), rudimentary sights, extremely short sight radius, and heavy trigger. All of these facets lead to the gun being difficult to shoot well if you are going for bullseye marksmanship.
Even if some were corrected, it still would not be a bullseye gun, but it is fairly accurate. I actually put a red dot scope (Aimpoint Micro T-1) on my NAA mini revolver with a 1/1/8" barrel and was able to hit a human IPSC silhouette at 50 yards more than 50% of the time.
Here is the thread where I discussed adding the optic and the initial testing at 7 yards.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=387345&highlight=naa+mini+micro
At 15 feet, you can point shoot it and hit a silhouette very quickly.
As for the short barrel, depending on the ammo from with mine, we got velocities of between 570 and 640 fps using 40 gr. ammo
http://www.naaminis.com/pix/lr.jpg
You can get more velocity out of it with 29 gr. ammo...
http://www.naaminis.com/lrvelnew.html
With all that said, these are not what I would consider good primary self defense guns. They are excellent hideout guns, guns that are good to induce a person to "get off me."
Even with their low velocity, they have proven suprisingly lethal. However, I would not count on one for making a quick biological stop.
For what the gun is designed, short range, it is very good. They are well made guns.
And no, the Aimpoint did not stay on mine. That was for fun only. The Aimpoint is now on a Marlin 1895 .45-70 and the NAA Mini Revolver is in a holster in my back pocket.
Even if some were corrected, it still would not be a bullseye gun, but it is fairly accurate. I actually put a red dot scope (Aimpoint Micro T-1) on my NAA mini revolver with a 1/1/8" barrel and was able to hit a human IPSC silhouette at 50 yards more than 50% of the time.
Here is the thread where I discussed adding the optic and the initial testing at 7 yards.
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=387345&highlight=naa+mini+micro
At 15 feet, you can point shoot it and hit a silhouette very quickly.
It is a single action only revolver. You never holster or carry a SAO revolver in the cocked position. So, a trigger guard is not needed. The hammer rests between cartridges in special notches in the cylinder. So there is no real chance of it going off if dropped or the trigger is depressed.
As for the short barrel, depending on the ammo from with mine, we got velocities of between 570 and 640 fps using 40 gr. ammo
http://www.naaminis.com/pix/lr.jpg
You can get more velocity out of it with 29 gr. ammo...
http://www.naaminis.com/lrvelnew.html
With all that said, these are not what I would consider good primary self defense guns. They are excellent hideout guns, guns that are good to induce a person to "get off me."
Even with their low velocity, they have proven suprisingly lethal. However, I would not count on one for making a quick biological stop.
For what the gun is designed, short range, it is very good. They are well made guns.
And no, the Aimpoint did not stay on mine. That was for fun only. The Aimpoint is now on a Marlin 1895 .45-70 and the NAA Mini Revolver is in a holster in my back pocket.
Big Daddy Grim
Member
No thanks all stick to my carry gun
cloudcroft
Member
NAA Mini-Revolvers are a study in extremes (they are only 50% "well-made" if you will): The machining of the OUTSIDE of the gun is quite impressive, but the INSIDES look like they were sloppily "machined" with a sharp rock. Also, the internal parts are fragile, the hammer spring is way too brittle, so the guns are not up to being used much...so forget it holding up for lots of practice. I had two (one in .22magnum and one in .22LR) and one of them (the .22magnum) broke...twice.
For those reasons (related to durability/reliability), do not carry it for self-defense.
Yes, I agree with DNS: They are more accurate than most people can shoot, so if someone can't hit anything with one, it's his/her fault, not the gun's (but that's true of just about any small pocket-pistol).
-- John D.
For those reasons (related to durability/reliability), do not carry it for self-defense.
Yes, I agree with DNS: They are more accurate than most people can shoot, so if someone can't hit anything with one, it's his/her fault, not the gun's (but that's true of just about any small pocket-pistol).
-- John D.
weisse52
Member
Well, I have to agree with most of the positive comments and question most of the negative.
Had one with dual cylinders and carried it for some time and shot it a bunch. Never had a problem with it performance.
While I cannot remember the quote exactly, it goes along about like:
"A man has to know his limitations"
I would never tell anyone it was a bullseye gun, but at SD ranges it was more than accurate enough to get the job done. It was really a fun gun to shoot, and as I have said before, sometimes you have a gun because it is just fun.
Had one with dual cylinders and carried it for some time and shot it a bunch. Never had a problem with it performance.
While I cannot remember the quote exactly, it goes along about like:
"A man has to know his limitations"
I would never tell anyone it was a bullseye gun, but at SD ranges it was more than accurate enough to get the job done. It was really a fun gun to shoot, and as I have said before, sometimes you have a gun because it is just fun.
theotherwaldo
Member
Fun to play with and challenging to shoot well, but almost any conventional revolver would be a better tool for its intended use.
pingpong
Member
Maybe a minimaster in 22 mag. I have the 22 short model and a minimaster in 17hmr, and the little revolvers are not exactly quick to cock and shoot. Fun to shoot(the minimaster has a bigger grip) but not made for self defense unless you have it cocked and under the table during a poker game. Aces and Eights!
Double Naught Spy
Sus Venator
Who else makes an ultra small revolver that allows for such concealability?
charliewood
Member
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I had the NAA .22 with the extra .22 magnum barrel and was pleased with it. from a distance, if i had taken the time,i could do what amounted to head shots at 20 yds. all day long. but close up is what it was made for i'd say. the down side on that is the single action taking extra time to cock and the rate of fire being low as well as the grip being small.with this being said, it was very good at providing me with a gun in places or times i could not otherwise carry one hidden enough, or as a "backup" . i used mine as a church gun. better than nothing and nothing is what i would have had otherwise. as far as being powerfull enough, at the close ranges it would be used,a shot to the head or neck area would in all likely hood ,be a "showstopper" . the kel tek in 9mm provides "cover" in most situations when i need a gun but cant hide very well a bigger one. the kel tek is the best little cheapest gun i've ever owned! if i had the $$$ i'd buy the company
dogrunner
Member
Carried mine as the ultimate deep cover 'back up' for way over twenty years as a LEO.
I am aware of nothing commonly available that offers the depth of concealment the NAA mini's do. As far as effectiveness goes, well, I killed a downed buck with mine with one behind the ear shot..............they do have utility, they do work well, and once you learn to shoot them they're surprisingly accurate.
Obviously the naysayers hereon never read Wambaugh's "The Onion Fields".
Still pack mine today and regard it as an 'eyeball' gun.....from that distance it'd discourage any attack.
I am aware of nothing commonly available that offers the depth of concealment the NAA mini's do. As far as effectiveness goes, well, I killed a downed buck with mine with one behind the ear shot..............they do have utility, they do work well, and once you learn to shoot them they're surprisingly accurate.
Obviously the naysayers hereon never read Wambaugh's "The Onion Fields".
Still pack mine today and regard it as an 'eyeball' gun.....from that distance it'd discourage any attack.
oldFred
Member
Because of the one inch barrel, they are VERY LOUD and JUMP out of your hand.
We have a 22lr, sold the magnum cause it was too much to hold onto, EVERYONE that shot the magnum dropped it.
We have a 22lr, sold the magnum cause it was too much to hold onto, EVERYONE that shot the magnum dropped it.
Carl Levitian
member
[Carried mine as the ultimate deep cover 'back up' for way over twenty years as a LEO.
I am aware of nothing commonly available that offers the depth of concealment the NAA mini's do. As far as effectiveness goes, well, I killed a downed buck with mine with one behind the ear shot..............they do have utility, they do work well, and once you learn to shoot them they're surprisingly accurate.
Obviously the naysayers hereon never read Wambaugh's "The Onion Fields".
Still pack mine today and regard it as an 'eyeball' gun.....from that distance it'd discourage any attack. ]
Friggin aye!!!!
There's nothing else on the market that offers the ease of deep concealment, and small package. If Ian Campbell or Carl Hettinger had one on them on the ride out to Bakersfield, they'd still be alive.
I know of two incidents local here in Maryland where the NAA revolver killed someone in the act, so to speak. One was a shooting in the parking lot of a 7-11, where one gang member shot another rival gang member at close range, and he used a .22LR NAA. The shot gang member died right on the scene. Another was an elderly lady who shot an intruder in her barn who was assaulting her. She was making the morning rounds of her horse farm, and a man was hiding in the barn when she walked in and jumper her. She had a NAA in her jacket pocket, and shot him three times. He staggered off and died about 50 yards from the barn.
They will work.
I am aware of nothing commonly available that offers the depth of concealment the NAA mini's do. As far as effectiveness goes, well, I killed a downed buck with mine with one behind the ear shot..............they do have utility, they do work well, and once you learn to shoot them they're surprisingly accurate.
Obviously the naysayers hereon never read Wambaugh's "The Onion Fields".
Still pack mine today and regard it as an 'eyeball' gun.....from that distance it'd discourage any attack. ]
Friggin aye!!!!
There's nothing else on the market that offers the ease of deep concealment, and small package. If Ian Campbell or Carl Hettinger had one on them on the ride out to Bakersfield, they'd still be alive.
I know of two incidents local here in Maryland where the NAA revolver killed someone in the act, so to speak. One was a shooting in the parking lot of a 7-11, where one gang member shot another rival gang member at close range, and he used a .22LR NAA. The shot gang member died right on the scene. Another was an elderly lady who shot an intruder in her barn who was assaulting her. She was making the morning rounds of her horse farm, and a man was hiding in the barn when she walked in and jumper her. She had a NAA in her jacket pocket, and shot him three times. He staggered off and died about 50 yards from the barn.
They will work.
mgkdrgn
Member
I have an NAA Black Widow in 22 Magnum. It's my daily carry.
Mine shoots great, natural point, puts the rounds where I point it, very good grips.
Mine shoots great, natural point, puts the rounds where I point it, very good grips.
I have to laugh when I hear people post about how the NAA mini is not accurate. The whole concept of the gun is, for up close. It was never sold as a target revolver or a match shooter. If that is what you are looking for, get another gun. . I would rather have a NAA 22 Mag than nothing, and at 7 yards, I can keep all 5 shots on my target.
Like people have posted many times, it is not the best choice, but better than nothing.
Like people have posted many times, it is not the best choice, but better than nothing.
LightningJoe
Member
Carry one of these minis if you're a secret agent and have to wear a bathing suit a lot because you do most of your secret agent work at resort locations with bikini models. Other than that, it's a toy that's theoretically capable of inflicting mortal injuries. Not a bad thing, but not for serious business.
Well, well I guess someone forgot to tell my NAA Black Widow, purchased NIB back in 1993, that it was destined to break after a few rounds.
I have put 5,000+ rounds down range thru # BW121xx over the past sixteen years with no issues. The only maintenance has been regular cleaning. It is definitely a keeper and my always BUG to whatever I may be carrying for a Primary. Mine is a .22 Mag/.22LR Convertible model. I also own two NAA Mini Masters (4" versions of the BW), one in .22 Mag/.22LR and the other in .17HMR. Both have been shot alot and have a perfect track record so far.
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