By: Cary Kieffer
Today I want to discuss the pro’s and con’s of the North American Arms NAA 22 lr single action revolver with the 1 1/8 inch barrel. Initial impressions is this tiny little thing is well made. Its beautifully machined and a “cute” little thing. I always get “ooh’s and ahh’s” about it whenever it comes out at the range. Everybody wants to try it.
If you’ve got a scared first timer this gun with the Aquila 22 rounds with no powder in them will get anybody to take that first step. This NAA 22lr is about as intimidating as a litter of kittens. Like I said though it looks great and it should for 200$. She holds 5 rounds of ammo and there is no such thing as a rapid reload with this girl. The pin comes out and the cylinder comes out and you use the pin to push out the cases that don’t fall out. Then refill cylinder and line everything back up for the pin going back in. Finally cock and shoot. So not the world’s speediest process. Still a neat little gun I think.
A gun like this has only a limited number of uses, collectors who get one of them all, a novelty to get out for fun at the range and self defense use would probably be the 3 biggest ones. Maybe a pocket gun for trappers or deep sea fisherman?? That’s possible I suppose. I just want to approach this from the self defense side.
The pro’s: Its got to be the smallest pistol I have ever seen, a toddler could conceal one of these. It will fit anywhere from your pocket to your shoe, bra for the ladies, around your neck and there’s even a belt buckle you can snap it into. The 22 round is being improved all the time just like everything else. Now with 30 and 40 grain projectiles doing well into the 1200 fps range, the 22 while not my first choice, is a deadly little round. I don’t want to get shot with one. The pistol works perfectly and always goes bang. So there are no reliability issues I have seen with my 2. (ones a magnum and will get a separate review. So I am not saying it’s useless for defense, just, how should I say this? There are better choices only slightly larger in size. I often drop mine in my pocket in addition to a larger pistol. At an arms reach this thing should swing the odds of you winning the fist fight afterwards in your favor.
The con’s: Due to the size of my hands the 22lr and its minuscule grip simply cannot be fired accurately past 5 feet away. 5 feet, that’s all I get. My hands are to large, they swallow the gun and I can’t even see the sight. You might do better with smaller hands. The reload is painfully slow if you have to do one, that may not really be an issue but IF you do rest assured it’s not going to happen quickly. I have a bad feeling if you draw down on somebody that they won’t take your little pocket rocket seriously, of course that would be there undoing but still it just doesn’t command respect like even a small 32 or 380 would. Also think about this, I have talked in other posts about bringing enough gun. Example: Your in a bank line when 2 or 3 thugs come in, say 2, 1 has a .38 and the other a hi-cap 9mm. Do you REALLY want to try and engage multiple armed targets with the little girl? I don’t, I ONLY would if I were just sure their going to kill you anyway. If you think you can get out of that with everybody in one piece by co-operating then I say do it. Just let it go and be happy you didn’t have to try. That’s a decision only you can make if that nightmare ever occurs but I would try like hell NOT to engage. So to reiterate, bring enough gun. I think this pistol is best described as a backup to a backup or a last chance effort. The only time I roll with just this on me is at the beach. It’s stainless and by that corrosion resistant and it fits in that tiny, before thought useless, pocket in your swim trunks. That’s the only time for me. Incidentally there’s always a larger more useful gun in the dashboard compartment of my boat. So it’s at least nearby.
Summary: Do I like my NAA 22lr?? You bet! It’s fun and if nothing else a good conversation piece. Is it very well made and 100% reliable?? Yes again it sure is. Is it all that useful?? Well that depends on your size of hands and needs, to me, no not really. For the size you can always just carry a KELTEC 32 auto, slightly more gun and you have a 380. I can’t pick your best gun for you, I can only tell you what I have seen with this one. So hopefully this helped you make an informed decision.
Thanks for reading and happy shooting.
By: Cary Kieffer
Cary Kieffer
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I have one that was a gift from a Deputy with both cylinders and I like it,of course Ive got small hands.Im hitting the target at 20 ft;and never use the sights on a pistol,I point and squeeze,I use the gun as an extension of my finger.I am getting more accurate shots with the 22L than the 22 Mag. I was using Remington 22 JHP,and Winchester JHP in the 22 Mag. Like you say its easy,easy to conceal,and the only other pistol I have is a 38 as Ive always been a long barrel man but do carry this gun every day in 22 mag.even though its not as accurate as the 22L that will change as soon as I can find a store that has better 22L in stock,or maybe not as I will be trying a different brand of 22 Mag. ammo as well.I like the little gun and its the cause of me finally getting my CHP,If one has large hands as you do I wouldnt use it as my go to gun for defense,not meaning to brag,but I think it will work for me,I hope it will anyways.Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the comments, I have given both of mine away as gifts as well and need to get 2 more. NeXT time I intend to get the “pug” model in 22 mag and just like last time the standard 1 1/8th 22lr. When I still owned them I loved the Hornady critical defense 45 grain for 22 mag…and the fastest stuff I could find in 22lr. Which was Aguila super maximum, although plenty of cci stingers through that thing as well. It’s a “belly gun” and I can’t see the sights anyway so I just went with speed.
Yeah you got some big hands for sure and the Pug might be a little better,on the NAA website they have flip out grips that suppose to make it easier for folks with the Mini revolver.I know whoever you gave yours to,you sure made their day.
I watched a review of 22L ammo that was pretty pro,he showed I think it was ten brands trying to get over the hump that would make the 22L a “Take down gun” which is 10″ I believe in the eyes of the FBI,he used B-Gel and with each brand he would use another new block of the Gel. he fired 10 rounds in each.The winning ammo was the CCI mini mag Troy Landry 36 grain 22L JHP special edition,which I dont like the copper jacket because of fouling,but its better than no jacket.The brass jacket in my opinion is best but at 1260 fps and 127 foot lbs.all 10 rounds went past the required depth,but the cost is between $25.00 and $30.00 for a box of 300 is kinda high to me.CCI also has the Landry in 40 grain 22 WMR but Ive never seen anything on it except adds,they zip along at 1875 fps and 312 ft. lbs.they are jacketed in brass but it should be gold at $55.00 a box for 200 rnds,if they had 50 rnd. boxs and they might then I could afford them,but otherwise I will have to wait til the price goes down.But right now I cant find any except non jacketed,which I wont shoot unless thats all I can get,I have no clue as to why theres been a run on all lower cal. ammo in my area,if people would buy a box or so and leave some for someone else,but people have no consideration for their fellow man and until I can find good jacketed ammo in stock I guess I will just be thankful for the ammo I have stored back,which aint much of it,and it aint that great.Sorry for such a long comment.