NAA Mini Revolvers: Hogleg, 1.13" and the Deep-Carry Question

Palm-sized, five shots, single-action. The minis are a design curiosity with real users and real limits, and both deserve plain language.

Why anyone buys one

The normal question about a handgun is how well it does its job. The question with a mini-revolver is different: how small can a handgun get and still be a handgun? North American Arms has been answering that for a long time. The result is a revolver that fits in a pocket, a hand or a wallet-sized holster, shoots a cartridge many people already know and rewards patience.

We have not handled any of the guns in this guide, and nothing here is a performance claim. What follows is a map: what the lineup looks like, what the design implies and what questions to ask.

The three models we link

For weights, dimensions, sights and grips, use North American Arms' own specification sheet. Variants include cylinder configurations, grip styles and finishes, and the retailer listings do not tell the whole story.

What the design means

Everything about a mini-revolver follows from its size.

• Single-action only. You cock the hammer for each shot. There is no double-action pull.
• Five chambers. The cylinder is small, and so is the reload.
• Tiny sights. On the 1.13 and 1.63-inch guns, the sights are minimal. This is a close-range gun by nature.
• Small grip. The grip is designed for a few fingers. It is a different handling experience from a normal handgun.
• Light bullets. The cartridge is small. Recoil is gentle, but blast and flash are not.

None of this is a flaw, but it is a character. If you want a normal shooting experience, a mini-revolver is not it. If you want to explore a tiny, mechanical, charming handgun, it is.

The Hogleg

The Hogleg is the member of the family that looks like it escaped from a western. It carries a 6-inch barrel on a mini-frame, which gives you a longer sight radius and a more stable hold. The retail listing shows a stainless finish and wood grips.

It is the easiest of the three to shoot, and for that reason it is the one most likely to be bought for plinking and fun. A longer barrel also makes better use of the cartridge, though we do not have measured numbers to share.

Pick the Hogleg if:

• You want the novelty of a mini-revolver with a shootable sight radius.
• You will mostly shoot at close range for fun.
• You like the look.

The 1.13-inch and 1.63-inch minis

These are the deep-carry options. The names tell the story: tiny barrels, tiny frames and a size that fits in places a conventional handgun cannot. The 1.13-inch is the smallest we link, and the 1.63-inch has a slightly longer barrel.

Pick one of these if:

• You collect novelty guns or like mechanical oddities.
• You value extreme small size above shootability.
• You will read the manual, learn the design and accept its limits.

The safety-notch question

The mini-revolvers are single-action designs with a safety approach that differs from a modern double-action. The hammer can rest in a position that is not on a live primer, and NAA's instructions explain which position to use and how many chambers to load for carry.

We are not going to paraphrase the operating procedure for you. Get the manual for the exact model, read it twice and practice with the gun empty. If you are used to modern revolvers, this is not a gun to treat casually, and carrying it loaded in a pocket without understanding its mechanism is a mistake. Our single-action loading guide explains the general principle that traditional single-actions need a specific routine.

.22 Magnum, not .22 LR

All three guns we link are chambered for .22 Magnum (also called .22 WMR). That is a different cartridge from the common .22 LR, and the two are not interchangeable in every gun. Some NAA models ship with a second cylinder for .22 LR. Our .22 LR vs .22 WMR revolver article explains the differences, and the network's .22 WMR vs .22 LR piece goes deeper on the cartridges. For a list of guns in the cartridge, see the network's guns chambered in .22 Magnum.

Fire only what the cylinder in your gun is marked for.

Realistic expectations

Pocket-sized revolvers invite optimistic stories. Here are more grounded ones:

1. Sight alignment is hard. The tiny sights make precision difficult. Expect to practice at very close range.
2. Handling is slow. Cocking, aiming and reloading take more effort than with a conventional gun.
3. Noise and flash are sizable. A short-barreled magnum cartridge is loud and bright. Wear hearing and eye protection.
4. Cleaning matters. Small guns are unforgiving of dirt, and rimfire leaves residue. Take the cleaning routine seriously.
5. Ammunition varies. Try different brands and note what runs in your gun.

The deep-carry question

Some buyers look at a mini-revolver as a backup or deep-concealment gun. That is a personal decision with practical limits. A very small single-action in a modest cartridge is not equivalent to a conventional compact handgun in capability, speed or ease of use, and you should understand that before relying on one. If you plan to carry for protection, compare it honestly with other options in our carry snub guide, train with whatever you choose, and learn your local laws on carrying.

For a more traditional rimfire plinker, our case for a .22 revolver and the Barkeep review cover other approaches.

Who should buy which

1. Want the most shootable: the Hogleg.
2. Want the smallest: the 1.13-inch.
3. Want something in between: the 1.63-inch.
4. Want a serious defensive or trainer gun: none of the above.

Verdict

NAA's mini-revolvers are a distinctive corner of the handgun world: tiny, mechanical and a little eccentric. They suit collectors, plinkers and people who love small things, and they require patience, attention and a willingness to read the manual. If you go in with realistic expectations, they are a pleasure. If you go in expecting a miniature version of a normal handgun, they will teach you otherwise.

Editorial note: This is an independent editorial overview built from manufacturer specifications and publicly available information. We have not performed hands-on testing of the products discussed, and nothing here is a performance guarantee. Verify specifications, compatibility and legality for your own situation.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links to Ammunition Depot. We may earn a commission if you buy through them, at no extra cost to you. Our editorial choices are not influenced by commissions. Check current price, stock and specifications directly with the retailer.