But is that really so?

Der-rin-ger - n. A short-barreled pistol, most commonly of a large bore, and small enough to be carried in a pocket. Essentially, the NAA revolvers are a special type of derringer. Instead of only one or two shots, they will fire five. There are three sizes available: .22 Short, .22 Long Rifle, and .22 Magnum. While this caliber can certainly inflict a fatal wound, the odds of a one-shot stop in an adrenalin-charged encounter are lower than for calibers starting at .32 auto and going up. Much. Lower.

But, but, but... isn't such a gun better than nothing? Hmmm. Well, hell, a butter knife is better than nothing. These guns would be most effective at very close range. Shoved up a nostril, pressed against the chest at the heart. (But do you really want to get that close in a confrontation?)

Personal Observations About This Gun

The first NAA mini-revolver I ever saw was the diminutive 22 short model. It looked like a toy, hardly capable of stopping anyone or anything. The only thing that gave it any credibility was its owner, a man I respected, a former NYPD detective. This did not, however, convince me it was a credible defensive gun.

Make no mistake, this is a well-built precision firearm. It can be "gussied-up" with simple engraving, seen on the left. Or it can be bejeweled and offered for sale at $98,000 as shown on the right on the cover of a European magazine. (Whether or not it was sold at that price is unknown.)

Of the several models available, the use of such a gun as a personal defense sidearm probably needs to meet several criteria.

A - .22 Magnum only (else muzzle velocity is too low)
B - barrel length in excess of 1 1/8" (else accuracy is too low)
C - oversized grips/folding handle holster (else recoil is a problem)
D - this should not be the only gun one owns.

NAA's four basic mini-revolvers

Images not precisely to same scale.

STANDARD REVOLVER
.22LR 1 1/8" barrel, 36 GR JHP CCI Mini Mag

.22LR 1 5/8" barrel 36 GR JHP CCI Mini Mag

MAGNUM REVOLVER
.22 Mag 1 1/8" barrel, 30 gr HP CCI Maxi Mag +V

.22 Mag 1 5/8" barrel, 30 gr HP CCI Maxi Mag +V

BLACK WIDOW REVOLVER, 2" barrel
.22 LR, 36 GR JHP CCI Mini Mag

.22 Mag, 30 GR HP CCI Maxi Mag +V

MINI-MAX REVOLVER, 4" barrel
.22 LR, 36 GR JHP CCI Mini Mag

.22 Mag, 30 GR HP CCI Maxi Mag +V

Complete ballistic tables found in Table of Contents at www.naaminis.com/naatoc.html. Scroll below the graphics.

For the Magnum models...
The NAA locking folding holster grip which allows carry on a belt or in a pocket. The clip (not seen) is reversible and, properly placed, prevents any problems with the heavy magnum recoil. Clip on the left side works best on left for right-handed firing.

 A similar grip in pink which shows the clip. There are times and circumstances that sometimes force us to make choices or compromises in what we do and how we do it. Using this finely manufactured tiny pistol is not unlike venturing out on the Interstate in an underpowered car with a 4 cylinder engine. It will get us where we're going but has its limitations, not the least of which is power. (Joining into traffic already moving at 55+ mph is a challenge.) Its use will make us aspire to have something with more umph.

The NAA .22 Magnum version of this firearm is as loud as a .38 Special. But its ability to stop an assailant is certainly not the same. Bullets of this caliber can certainly kill, seriously injure, but only if they hit right on the mark. The NAA revolver's low accuracy coupled with "the mud, the blood and the beer" will prevent you from firing as accurately as you may at the shooting range. It simply is not a gun to choose casually or to use under all conditions.

 For all of its tiny size and concealability, there are other choices if you must have maximum concealability. For example the KelTec P32 is almost the same size (as are other .32 autos). The P32 has capacities of 7+1 or 10+1 (depending on magazine) and is flat enough to be concealable in most pockets or purses. As stated above, the NAA .22 should not be one's only firearm. Choice and use of that gun merits serious consideration as an alternative.

 Do I own one of these revolvers? Yes. But I also maintain several other options for the home, the car, for licensed concealed carry.

The image above is a quickly fashioned Kydex pocket carrying rig which completely conceals the shape of the folding holster grip, protects the hammer and also prevents the pistol from flopping around in the pocket. Quick on the draw? Not really. But it's not the only limitation of (rarely) carrying this lightweight, tiny .22 Magnum revolver.

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