north american arms' pocket dragons

North American Arms minis look gorgeous in blue! That's a hint btw.

​I actually have a deep fascination for small, pretty mechanical things, whether it’s a tool, the innards of a clock, a wind-up toy or a small cc engine. Speaking of which I have a friend who taught himself engine repair by simply buying a cheap (Chinese) 49cc motorcycle engine, sticking it on his workbench surrounded by a semi-circle of cereal bowls (much to his wife’s chagrin) and pulling it all part. Every bolt, cog, gasket, spring and bracket was categorized into the bowls plus he kept a map of every part he removed and it’s proper replacement position. He called it his $300 university. He now makes $50 an hour repairing bikes out of his 2-car garage. Anyway, back on track, the North American Arms mini’s fall prominently under my “mechanical brilliance in miniature” radar. These baby pocket dragons are beguiling in their scale and sheen and were it not for their ability to spit ordnance they’d be equally popular as mantle ornaments. And oh how I’d love to see each model available in blued and/or color case hardened, but we must learn to be thankful for what we get (I suppose). Now the topic of practicality is always raised around these revolver gems, and my answer is always the same: “if you don’t get it, they’re not for you.” Those who get it don’t ask, they just buy. And cherish, and possibly even collect and perhaps even obsess…lining them up in their safe on a cushioned blue velvet pad taking pride of place amongst their other mouseguns. The petite profiles of NAA revolvers belie the fire spitting venom with which they discharge each round (especially the 22MAGs), yes, just like a diminutive dragon. For EDC, the warm pleasure received by carrying something so minute yet perfectly formed, hidden deep in a pocket, with such potent self-protection potential (albeit at point-blank range) is akin to having a hidden superpower. Superman himself walks around like a normal person until someone’s distress necessitates a quick callbox strip, then he’s off to save the day. For us mere mortals the NAA mini offers the same undergarment discretion; there’s no weight, no pocket bulge, no “damn, I’m carrying a gun” self-consciousness or fear of bending over lest your blocky polymer behemoth pop out and startle the good citizens of Homeville. Furthermore - and let’s be absolutely realistic here - for most of us good citizens who choose to EDC, there is about as much likelihood of requiring to use that weapon as winning the Powerball. We may carry for peace of mind, but it’s statistically moot (in 2017 anyhow, who knows what the future doth hold). Be that as it may, I knew a foreign service officer for whom a 22LR NAA revolver was daily carry: he wore it pushed onto a bore brush hanging around his neck beneath his shirt, and for him it was great comfort where discretion was everything and his safety was frequently at risk. The NAA minis are as a fine example of American ingenuity and craftsmanship as you’ll find in any precision industry and what I like is that Sandy Chisholm is perpetually evolving his line with ever-improved form and functionality. What I resent is that it’s all too easy to make them your hobby and just keep buying the little suckers! https://northamericanarms.com
​GOM