Col. Jeff Cooper is sometimes credited with saying that the “number one rule of a gun fight is to have a gun.” That can be taken to mean multiple things. In a literal sense, not having a gun in a gun fight is only a shooting. Practically speaking, it is sometimes taken to mean that you must be armed in order to effectively respond to a deadly threat and a firearm that you will always have on you, even if it is not ideal, is better than taking the chance of leaving a more capable firearm at home. But it is also true that the guns that are easiest to carry are also the hardest to deploy. Take the North American Arms Mini Revolver as an example. It is a five-shooter stainless steel handgun that can fit into the coin pocket of a pair of jeans and many folks carry them as a backup to a larger handgun. Various Minis functioned as my Rule 1 Gun, particularly while participating in activities that precluded carrying anything larger. The Mini is handy to have, but not so handy to shoot because of its small grip, short barrel, and lack of useable sights. But the new NAA Rule 1 Gun, produced in collaboration with Lipsey’s Distributors and Hamre Forged Grips, is seeking to change the calculus.
Quirks and Features
The North American Arms Mini Revolver has been a staple for decades as both a novelty and a legitimate tool. But its greatest strength is also its greatest detriment. It sacrifices everything for its small footprint. Its abbreviated 1 1/8 or 1 5/8 inch barrel reduces the power of the ammunition and the frame is too small for rapid reloading mechanisms. The small birds head grip is also a challenge to grip with more than one finger and leverage the hammer and trigger at the same time. There is also a front sight and no rear sight.
The NAA No. 1 Gun is based on the NAA Bugout II, which addresses its share of these issues with the base model. It comes with a more bulbous grip, a slab-sided two-inch barrel, a rear notch rear sight and a dovetailed XS tritium big dot front sight. Like the original, the revolver is loaded by removing the cylinder. However the cylinder pin features a new detent that locks directly into the frame.
All these features transfer over to the NAA No. 1, but the standout feature of the model is the new Hamre Forged Mini Hook grip. The grip comes in two halves made of black SLS with sedate texturing throughout. The grip fits over the existing birds head grip frame and is secured by a single brass bolt. There are also three small tapped brass holes on both panels for a black oxide stainless steel pocket clip that can be worn on either side and secured by three 2-56 thread screws.
When installed, the Mini Hook elongates the reach from the palm of the hand to the trigger finger and cocking thumb. This places the hammer and trigger in the right place for normal human hands for easy manipulation. The top of the grip is recessed for the travel of the hammer so the hand can be placed higher on the revolver. In theory, this helps with recoil mitigation and allows for the grip to afford a three-finger hold without being onerously tall like other wood and rubber grip options that might print too much. The pocket clip is to allow the user to stow the revolver in a pocket as one would a pocket knife, with the same outer profile as a pocket knife. NAA has long sold a folding grip with a pocket clip, but these folded over the revolver and took too long to deploy. The Mini Hook is ready to go on the draw and the NAA’s single action mechanism makes it safe to carry without a holster in the pocket, while the clip keeps it oriented for a more consistent draw.
NAA No. 1 Gun Quick Specs:
- Caliber: .22 WMR
- Capacity: 5
- Barrel Length: 1.5 inches
- Overall Length: 5.2 inches
- Width: .84 inch
- Weight: 8.2 ounces loaded
- Construction: 17-4 Stainless Steel
- Action: Single Action Hammer Fired
- Safety: Inter-chamber Notches
Shooting and Carrying the NAA Rule 1 Gun
In many ways, the NAA Rule 1 Gun loads and shoots similarly to other models in the lineup like the standard Mini and Pug. The revolver is loaded by removing the cylinder and unloaded by doing the same and using the cylinder pin to knock the empty brass out so the cylinder can be reloaded again. But the process is streamlined and safer than on other models.
Size show in comparison to Beretta
Like the Bugout, the cylinder pin on the Rule 1 is retained by a spring-loaded lever that locks into the frame and is further from the muzzle than other models. Pressing the serrated lever unlocks the cylinder pin from the frame and allows you to slide it out with your hands staying clear of the muzzle. A touch to the hammer allows the cylinder to come out.
Rule 1 Reload Lip
The Rule 1 Gun holds five rounds of .22 Magnum ammo. With all five rounds in the cylinder, replace it by drawing the hammer back slightly, rolling the cylinder in place, and replacing the cylinder pin. The hammer will be under a live round, so to make the Rule 1 Gun safe for carry, press on the trigger and draw the hammer back slightly at the same time and roll the cylinder until the hammer is over one of the safety notches. Let the hammer down slowly. You are now safe to carry.
Thanks to the Hamre Forged Mini Hook grip, the Rule 1 Gun handles completely differently from a standard Mini. The thick backstrap sets the hand up for optimal trigger placement with the thumb well disposed to thumb cocking the hammer without shifting your grip. In addition, the length of the grip affords a two-finger hold. It is easy to get all five rounds off and on target in a hurry, particularly with one hand. If you prefer a two handed grip, the Rule 1 is even faster and there is just enough gun in the right place to effectuate rapid cocking and shooting. With standard NAA Minis, I had to develop a certain muscle memory as to how to grip the tiny rosewood grip and get a decent hold that would allow me to get to the trigger and hammer, but the distances were too short and my fingers too long. Not so with the Rule 1.
Shooting the Rule 1. The grip makes a good feel in the hand.
The Rule 1 Gun may be in .22 Magnum and have a short barrel, but it still gets the lead out. I found this particular revolver likes light 30 grain loads like the Hornady V-Max better than heavier 40 grain pills. It gets them out of the muzzle at over 1,200 feet per second and I could reliably place them in a four inch pattern at seven yards. Accuracy might well be a bit better if it was not for the XS front sight, which lends itself well to being picked up in your vision in a hurry, rather than giving a crisp sight picture for target work. The Rule 1 Gun is snappy, and I found it easier to let the revolver jump and cock the hammer on the rebound, rather than fight to keep the revolver level. But the grip ensured that my grip was never broken and the actual felt recoil in the hand was very mild.
Adding the 5 shot .22mag shells
Carrying the NAA Rule 1 Gun is even easier than shooting it, but that is the case with all NAAs. The belt clip can be mounted on either side of the grip to allow for a left-handed or right-handed draw. Pocket carry seems to be the most popular method of carrying NAAs, though I am not a fan. But in a pants pocket, the Rule 1 Gun’s grip and clip show just enough for the casual observer to believe it is an pocket knife. In my own comings and goings, I prefer to advertise nothing at all and carry the revolver in the waistband. Much of the pistol disappears below the waistline and it is presented with the thumb and ring finger grasping for the grip and drawing. While I would not put the Rule 1 Gun in a quick draw contest against a compact handgun in a conventional IWB holster, this arrangement is superior to pocket carry in every way and the small revolver, its thin cylinder, and eight-ounce weight, ensures that it will never print and will always be secure in pants and shorts that lack a belt. You might call it the Rule 1 Gun, but for me it was the gun for gym shorts and pajamas. For a company that rarely bats 1000 with their products in terms of useability, the Rule 1 Gun is a home run.