North American Arms Mini Revolver: A Compact Powerhouse

Maintaining Rule #1. When most folks see the North American Arms Mini Revolver for the first time, the typical reaction is a smile followed by asking if the gun is even real. Next, they question its effectiveness in self-defense situations, followed by a state of shock upon discovering this little pocket Hercules is one of the most popular handguns on the market.

The rationale is simple– it maintains the #1 rule in a gunfight, which is to have a gun. After all, the best gun in the world is the one that will be with you when needed. The North American Arms Mini Revolver maintains rule #1 much more effectively than just about any other firearm available today.

When the moment of truth arrives, the fact remains that even the most powerful pistol will do you no good sitting at home in your gun safe. While many handguns are either too big or too heavy to carry, the Mini Revolver is the basic go-anywhere gun that easily drops into any vest, shorts, pants, shirt, or jacket pocket.

For those who contend that a .22 caliber handgun possesses insufficient stopping power to instantly incapacitate a drug-crazed killer, you’ll be hard-pressed to find anyone who will disagree with that statement. Then again, few concealed carry handguns possess that ability, and the never-ending “1- -shot stop” myths and “stopping power” debates continue to rage on.

At the exact opposite end of the spectrum, proponents of a .22 self-defense handgun are quick to point out that this projectile tumbles and zig-zags when it hits soft tissue and is therefore more legitimate than most are willing to acknowledge. In reality, the answer lies somewhere in between as shot placement and training will be the ultimate determining factor in any sidearm’s ability to save one’s life. There can be little doubt, that when given the choice, any rational shooter will likely opt for a high-capacity .45 caliber pistol in a deadly encounter.

But what happens if carrying such a handgun is simply not an option? For many legally armed citizens in this country, size constraints play a huge role in choosing a firearm and carrying a concealed handgun. Even a sub-compact may not be feasible in your day-to-day life, and the ability to effectively hide a handgun presents many challenges– where the North American Arms Mini Revolver indeed provides real-world solutions.

Founded in 1972 and headquartered in Provo, Utah, North American Arms is well known for producing high-quality micro-sized handguns. The Mini Revolver design was developed by Freedom Arms, one of the world’s premier and most respected firearms manufacturers. Freedom Arms later sold this design to North American Arms in 1990.

The precision fit and mechanical operation of the Mini Revolver is often favorably compared to fine Swiss clockwork. It’s a mechanical micro jewel through and through, which delivers reliable performance when and where you need it.

The North American Arms Mini Revolver is a .22 Magnum single-action revolver reminiscent of the guns of the old west, only in miniature. Just like the cowboy action “six-shooters” of the day, you’ll be required to cock the hammer back each time to fire this pint-sized “five-shooter”.

It has a barrel length of 1-1/8″ and weighs in at a feathery 5.9 ounces. The gun is constructed of highly corrosion-resistant and extremely durable 17-4 pH stainless steel. This is one of the most discreet, up close and personal handguns available anywhere. The package includes a folding holster grip that also includes a clip that serves as an IWB holster.

In addition to comfortably slipping inside any pocket, it is the perfect backpack, hiking, or camping handgun when weight, gear, and space are at a premium. More importantly, the revolver is easy to use and safe to carry. The hammer need not rest on an empty chamber. Using the safety notches on the cylinder, the hammer rides safely and securely in between the rimmed cartridges without the risk of unintentional discharge.

For service or repair, the gun is backed by a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty policy. Overall, the North American Arms Mini Revolver may technically carry the firearms industry classification of a “mouse gun”, but it is THE quintessential mouse gun engineered to reliably save your life in an emergency.