North American Arms 22 Mag Mini Revolver – Proven Silver and Black Grip

Description

The North American Arms 22 Mag Mini is the 1.625 inch barrel version of the smallest five shot revolver in regular production, and this run wears a grey Cerakote finish over stainless with silver and black grips. Manufacturer part number is NAA-22M-SG-SBG and the UPC is 744253011279. It holds five rounds of 22 WMR, measures 5.13 inches end to end and weighs 6.5 ounces empty. MAG5 Firearms stocks it as a pocket and backup gun, and the notes below are written to help you decide whether that is the job you actually need filled.

Why the North American Arms 22 Mag Mini Exists

There is a narrow but real category of carry where nothing else works: a tucked dress shirt, running shorts, a scrub pocket, a boat bag. The North American Arms 22 Mag Mini fits that gap. The whole revolver is about the length of a credit card and a little thicker than a marker pen, so it rides in places a subcompact pistol simply cannot. This is not a gun you buy instead of a defensive pistol. It is the one you carry when the defensive pistol has to stay home.

Mechanically this NAA 22M mini revolver is as simple as firearms get. Stainless steel frame, stainless cylinder, single action lockwork with an exposed hammer, and no lever or crane to swing the cylinder out. Loading means pulling the cylinder pin from the frame, lifting the cylinder free, charging five chambers by hand and reassembling. Unloading uses that same pin as an ejector rod. Nothing here goes out of adjustment, but nothing here is fast either.

The finish and grips are what separate this run from the plain stainless catalog model. A grey cerakote revolver hides better against dark clothing than a bright stainless one, and the ceramic coating gives the frame a harder, more corrosion resistant surface for pocket carry where sweat is constant. The silver and black grips are a laminate panel set rather than plain wood, and they fill the birdshead profile just enough to help the thumb reach the hammer spur.

Every North American Arms 22 Mag Mini in this run carries the same coating and grip pairing.

Shooting a 22 Magnum Mini Revolver Honestly

A 22 magnum mini revolver is not pleasant to shoot in volume and nobody should pretend otherwise. The 1.62 inch barrel wastes most of the powder charge, so muzzle blast is sharp, flash is bright in low light, and real velocity lands far below the figures printed for rifle length barrels. Hearing protection matters more here than with a full size handgun, even outdoors. Twenty rounds is a normal practice session and that is fine, because this gun is carried far more than it is fired.

Accuracy is adequate for the mission and no further. The half moon rear notch and small front blade line up well enough to keep five rounds on a paper plate at seven yards once you learn the grip. Past ten yards the North American Arms 22 Mag Mini becomes a hoping proposition. Because it is single action only, every shot requires thumbing the hammer back, and the small grip shifts in the hand while you do it, so deliberate practice matters.

Carry the North American Arms 22 Mag Mini correctly. There is no transfer bar and no hammer block. The cylinder carries safety notches between the chambers and the hammer must sit in one of those notches whenever the gun is loaded with five rounds. Set the notch, check it, and use a pocket holster so nothing can snag or rotate the hammer. Rimfire ignition is less consistent than centerfire, so run a full box of your chosen carry load through it before trusting it.

Specifications

• Manufacturer part number: NAA-22M-SG-SBG
• UPC: 744253011279
• Caliber: 22 WMR (22 Magnum)
• Capacity: 5 rounds
• Barrel length: 1.62 in
• Overall length: 5.13 in
• Height: 2.81 in
• Width: 1.06 in
• Weight: 6.5 oz
• Action: Single action only
• Finish: Grey Cerakote over stainless
• Grips: Silver and black laminate birdshead
• Sights: Half moon rear notch, fixed front blade
• Model series: Mini Revolver, 22M

Choosing Between This and the Other Minis

If you want the same frame in 22 LR, or a dual cylinder conversion that shoots both, North American Arms builds those as well, and the conversion models make practice ammunition far cheaper. If you want a slightly larger revolver with a swing out cylinder, a longer sight radius and much easier reloading, look at the North American Arms Sidewinder instead. The North American Arms 22 Mag Mini is the right answer only when size beats every other consideration.

Holster support is broad for this frame, including pocket, ankle and boot rigs, and the birdshead grip shape is shared across the Mini-Revolver line so most accessories interchange. Full factory specifications and the current model list are published by North American Arms, and it is worth checking them before ordering grips or holsters made for a different barrel length.

Resale value holds up on North American Arms 22 Mag Mini revolvers. These are built in modest numbers, particular finish and grip combinations come and go, and clean used examples rarely sell at a steep discount. Weigh that against the honest limitations: five rounds, a slow reload, rimfire priming and sights that are a suggestion rather than a system.

MAG5 Firearms is a family owned FFL dealer in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. This North American Arms 22 Mag Mini ships to the licensed dealer of your choice, and local buyers can complete the transfer with us in person. Pair it with Armscor 22 WMR 40 grain JHP, or browse the rest of our revolvers. Call 610-943-0010 with any questions.