Les Jones

Guns > NAA .32 Mini-Revolver Officially in the Works

There's been a long-standing rumor in the gun world that North American Arms was developing a .32 version of the .22 Mini, one of the world's smallest revolvers. Now North American Arms has officially announced that a .32 mini-revolver based on a new design is in development.

It is a single-action configuration, like the minis, but will sport a full trigger guard.

It is a break-top design.

With a barrel of 1 5/8", overall length is approx. 5 1/4"; different barrel lengths will doubtless be available. As a point of reference, this is approx. the same length as a 22WMR mini (with the same size barrel).

Overall height is approx. 3 5/8" allowing for at least a three finger grip. As a point of reference, this is approx. ¾" higher than a 22WMR mini.

The width of the piece is slightly greater than 1 1/8". This dimension is driven entirely by the geometry of a 5-shot configuration and the material properties of 17-4ph stainless steel. Otherwise, the frame width is approx. ½", which will be increased by the girth of the grips, likely to the 1 1/8" dimension (above).

At this point, we're unable to determine the weight of the piece. Both the designer and those few who have monitored its progress describe it as "very innovative"; as such, we may find opportunities to use exotic (titanium) materials to reduce the weight of certain components.

Release may come as early as summer of ought six. They're withholding pictures and even sketches until the design is complete.

I bought a NAA .22 Magnum Black Widow a few years ago, thinking it would be so small that I could carry it when another gun would be too big. What I found is that with my usual carry method a snub-nosed .38 will go just about anywhere the Black Widow will. Since the .38 is more powerful, more accurate, and easier to shoot I seldom use the NAA. I still like it enough to keep it, but if I ever get a tempting trade offer it's gone.

A .32 mini would be just slightly more concealable than a .38, but would suffer from being single action only, less powerful, and with fewer choices for ammunition. I'd guess most people who want a very small gun for CCW would be better off with a .38 or a .380.