North American Arms Mini-Rev .22 LR 1 1/8in Mini-Revolver

About this product

What is the North American Arms Mini-Rev .22 LR 1 1/8in Mini-Revolver? It's an ultra-compact single-action revolver designed for deep concealment and straightforward emergency-level carry, built with a stainless steel frame and a stubby 1.125-inch barrel chambered for .22 LR. The platform represents a specific category of self-defense tool defined by minimal footprint, not range performance. As a 30-year armorer, I classify this as a Category II backup: a mechanically simple device with strict operational parameters that, when understood, fulfills its role with predictable reliability.

What is the North American Arms Mini-Rev used for?

The Mini-Rev's sole operational purpose is contact-distance emergency backup in a package that can be carried anywhere, with an unloaded weight of just 4.2 ounces making it viable for year-round pocket carry where a larger platform won't fit. This is not a target pistol or duty firearm; its 1.125-inch barrel and fixed sights limit effective engagement to about 5 yards under ideal conditions. Functionally, it's a tool for compliance officers, security professionals, or civilians in highly restrictive environments who require a last-resort option that disappears in a pocket holster.

How does the North American Arms Mini-Rev compare to a Beretta 21A Bobcat?

Choosing between the NAA Mini-Rev and a Beretta 21A Bobcat hinges on carry depth and reliability preference—the revolver is 0.3 inches shorter in overall length and eliminates rimfire ammunition rim-lock jams inherent to pocket .22 LR autoloaders. The 21A delivers an 8+1 capacity advantage via tip-up barrel loading and can be slightly faster to reload with practice, but the Mini-Rev's five-shot swing-out cylinder offers more definitive malfunction clearance (simply pull the trigger again) in a high-stress scenario. The revolver is objectively better for sustained pocket lint exposure and absolute mechanical surety, while the Bobcat wins on capacity and potential reload speed.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The stainless steel frame and cylinder provide a loaded weight of 4.9 ounces, with an unloaded weight of 4.2 ounces—barely more than a box of .22 LR cartridges. The revolver measures 4.75 inches in overall length, with a cylinder width of 1.2 inches and a grip height of 2.8 inches, allowing complete concealment in a wallet-style holster. At these dimensions, you're trading ballistic performance for portability: muzzle velocity from the 1.125-inch barrel will be 30-40% lower than from a standard 4-inch .22 LR pistol barrel, severely limiting projectile expansion and tissue penetration potential.

Who is this NOT for?

This revolver categorically fails for shooters seeking a primary defensive handgun, a range plinker, or a tool for new shooter training due to its tiny sights, heavy single-action trigger, and marginal ballistic capability. Anyone expecting to qualify with this on a standard B-27 target beyond 7 yards will be frustrated by its inherent shootability limits. I would also steer away hunters, competitors, and anyone without the discipline to maintain a strict maintenance schedule—the mini-cylinder mechanism must be kept perfectly clean of powder residue to avoid timing issues after 200-300 rounds.

What's in the box?

Straight from NAA, you receive the revolver, a single plastic five-round speed strip, and the factory manual outlining the specific loading and unloading procedure for the swing-out cylinder. It ships with a plastic lock and a simple cardboard box. Notably, a holster is not included, which is a critical omission considering the revolver's specific carry requirements; budgeting an additional $25-40 for a purpose-made pocket holster like a DeSantis Nemesis is essential for safe, snag-free carry. Compared to the included accessories with something like our Stevens 334 Rifle, the presentation is purely functional.

Is the North American Arms Mini-Rev worth it at $264.99?

At $264.99, its worth is 100% predicated on your need for the deepest possible concealment with a mechanically reliable, non-semi-auto platform. As a price-per-ounce comparison, this is one of the most expensive steel handguns on the market, but its value lies in niche application, not material cost. For shooters operating under extreme wardrobe constraints or those whose profession requires a secondary tool that literally cannot print, this is the correct solution, albeit a specialist one. For anyone else, a micro-compact like a Ruger LCP Max offers exponentially greater capacity and shootability for similar size and price.