North American Arms occupies an unusual corner of the firearms market. The company offers tiny revolvers in several chamberings, barrel lengths, finishes, grip styles, and special editions. That variety gives them obvious collectible appeal. Yet owners can also load, carry, and fire them.
I had been curious about NAA Mini-Revolvers for years, but this was my first real experience with one. I am not even sure I had handled one in a gun store before this review.
For my introduction to the brand, I wanted the complete experience. That meant reviewing one of the NAA belt buckle revolvers. The Zorro package pairs a tiny .22 LR revolver with an ornate buckle, black finish, and simulated red pearl grips.
It could have been almost any NAA model, though. The basic questions would have remained the same. Is it reliable? Can I shoot it accurately? Is something this small practical to carry? Is it a defensive firearm, a collectible novelty, or both?
After carrying it, handling the buckle, changing the grips, and firing a few hundred rounds over a couple of months, I have some answers.
About the NAA Zorro Belt Buckle Revolver
NAA builds the Zorro as one of many Mini-Revolver variations. This version uses a five-shot, single-action design and fires .22 LR ammunition.
Its black Cerakote finish contrasts with the simulated red pearl grips. An ornate black and chrome belt buckle holds the revolver and gives the package its Western appearance.
| Model | NAA-22LR-BC-BBO Zorro |
|---|---|
| Caliber | .22 Long Rifle |
| Capacity | 5 rounds |
| Action | Single action |
| Barrel length | 1.13 inches |
| Overall length | 4 inches |
| Height | 2.38 inches |
| Width | 0.88 inch |
| Revolver weight | 4.6 ounces |
| Finish | Black Cerakote |
| Factory grips | Simulated red pearl |
| Sight | Half-moon front sight |
The package also includes a zippered soft case. It holds the buckled revolver securely and protects the finish during storage. The case is about the size of an old CD wallet, for readers who remember those.
First Impressions of an NAA Mini-Revolver
My first reaction involved plenty of giggling. Well, internal giggling. I tried to maintain my serious side while picking it up from my FFL.
The Zorro reminded me of something that might have hung from a keychain in the 1980s. It looks almost comically small when you first see it in person.
That reaction needs some common sense to balance it. This is still a firearm. Treat it with the same care as any other gun.
Even so, you cannot handle one without appreciating the novelty. The proportions look almost unreal. The hammer, trigger, grip, and cylinder look like NAA scaled down a conventional revolver.
NAA built and finished it well for the price. Nothing felt crude, unfinished, or fragile.
The simulated pearl grips suit the Zorro, although I found them slicker than I would prefer. The buckle also felt thicker than I expected.
In hindsight, the product photos show its considerable depth. I had simply imagined a thinner casting before seeing it in person.
How the NAA Belt Buckle Works
This tiny revolver fits securely inside the buckle. The upper section covers the hammer. A small rotating retaining bar covers the trigger and prevents the gun from coming out.
You can remove the revolver while the buckle remains fastened. However, the process takes practice if you want to do it smoothly without drawing attention.
First, pull the retaining bar away from the buckle. Then rotate it downward until it clears the trigger. Cutouts in the back let you push the revolver forward and out.
The process works, but it requires deliberate manipulation. This is not a quick-draw holster.
Discretion also presents a challenge. Your hands will appear to fumble with your belt just above your crotch during the entire process. That may cause some alarm before anyone notices the tiny revolver.
I had no concerns about retention. The covered hammer and rotating bar held the revolver firmly. It never felt loose or likely to fall out during normal use.
Check current state and local laws before wearing a firearm in a visible belt buckle. Your jurisdiction may classify the setup as open or concealed carry.
Loading the NAA Mini-Revolver
Loading the NAA takes more time than loading most modern handguns.
First, place the hammer at half-cock. This lets the cylinder rotate.
Next, grasp the knurled cylinder pin and press the release button on its end. Push the pin inward slightly, then pull it from the frame. After removing the pin, roll out the cylinder and load five rounds.
Carefully place the loaded cylinder back into the frame. The pin will not pass through unless everything lines up correctly. Once the cylinder sits in place, reinsert the cylinder pin and seat it fully.
A little practice makes the process easier. It never makes it fast. You are not inserting a fresh magazine or swinging out a conventional revolver cylinder.
Unloading and Reloading
The empty cases dropped free during testing. I did not experience stuck brass or extraction problems.
Still, a reload requires several steps. Remove the cylinder pin, take out the cylinder, clear the empty cases, load five fresh rounds, and reassemble the revolver.
If you have to reload this during a gunfight, make sure your will is current, and your life insurance is paid up.
It is not a fast process.
Trigger and Controls
The Zorro uses a single-action design, so you must cock the hammer before every shot. My middle finger wrapped around the grip, and my ring finger supported the butt. I kept my trigger finger clear until I finished cocking the hammer.
The trigger feels heavy, but not excessively so. I would describe it as weighted for safety. That makes sense on a firearm this small, especially when the trigger barely accommodates a fingertip.
I could not position my trigger gauge properly, so I do not have a reliable pull-weight measurement.
Despite the size, I could operate the hammer without much trouble. Every control worked correctly throughout the review.
Shooting an NAA Mini-Revolver
Once you load the cylinder and cock the hammer, firing the Zorro is straightforward. Aim with the tiny front sight, press the equally tiny trigger, and hope the round lands somewhere near the intended target.
The short sight radius and tiny grip make consistent accuracy difficult. You can aim the revolver, but it does not reward sloppy technique. The sights offer a rough suggestion of where the bullet might go.
Although .22 LR has little recoil, Newton’s Third Law of Motion still gets a vote. The Zorro weighs very little and offers very little grip. Each shot creates more movement than someone might expect from the cartridge.
The recoil does not hurt. However, the revolver moves enough to remind you that even a small projectile produces an equal reaction. My Athlon chronograph measured 64 to 94 foot-pounds of energy at the muzzle.
NAA Belt Buckle Revolver Accuracy
During an early range outing, we placed a watermelon at about 15 feet. The watermelon appeared largely unconcerned with our attempts to engage it.
We used CCI SV and Mini-Mag hollow points. Big spender, right? The ammunition was not the problem. The two loads produced velocities ranging from the mid-800s to just over 1,000 fps. The bullets whizzed over and around the watermelon.
More practice and a grip change improved our results. During the final outing, I could reliably hit a one-gallon paint can at about 12 feet.
That may sound underwhelming, but it reflects the intended role of a firearm this small. NAA did not design the Mini-Revolver for precision shooting or defensive use at meaningful distances.
The best description I can offer is that it provides more than enough accuracy for shots across a poker table.
Beyond that distance, the tiny sights, short barrel, limited grip, and shooter movement make reliable hits increasingly optimistic.
Reliability With Bulk .22 LR Ammunition
Most of the ammunition came from ordinary bulk .22 LR boxes. I used CCI Mini-Mag hollow points for the unsuccessful watermelon engagement.
The revolver fired every time.
I experienced no light primer strikes, failures to fire, cylinder problems, or other mechanical malfunctions. The cylinder pin stayed secure, and the action continued to work correctly.
The only recurring failure involved hitting the intended target. The user, tiny sights, and slick grip deserve the blame, not the revolver or ammunition.
We fired a few hundred rounds during this review. Considering how slowly the revolver loads, that felt like a surprising amount of ammunition.
I am also confident that dozens of those rounds eventually found their way to the targets.
NAA Rubber Pebbled Grip Upgrade
The simulated pearl grips look right on the Zorro. They match the Western presentation and contrast nicely with the black finish.
They are also fairly slick.
Utah summer heat made that more obvious. Sweaty hands, a tiny revolver, and smooth grips do not make an ideal combination.
North American Arms also provided a set of Long Rifle Rubber Pebbled Grips. Their textured rubber surface gave me much more traction than the factory grips.
I noticed the improvement right away. The rubber grips made it easier to maintain a consistent hold. They also reduced some movement during firing.
They worked properly with the belt buckle too. The revolver still fit securely, and the retaining bar continued to clear and cover the trigger as intended.
The factory grips win on appearance. The rubber grips win on function. Fortunately, a small screwdriver and a few minutes can take it from practical display to tactical weapon.
Durability After a Few Hundred Rounds
I found no durability concerns during the review.
Nothing came loose. The cylinder pin stayed secure, the grips remained in place, and the action continued to work correctly.
I also noticed no meaningful finish wear except at the end of the cylinder pin. That makes sense because I pushed it in many times during loading and reloading.
When I carried the Zorro in a pocket, I tried to keep that pocket empty. Keys, coins, knives, and other objects could scratch the finish.
The NAA may look like a novelty, but NAA built and finished it like a functional firearm.
Pocket Carry With an NAA Mini-Revolver
As mentioned, I carried the Zorro in my pocket during the review period. I carried it unloaded because I already had my normal EDC handgun with me.
I wanted to find out whether something this small was physically practical to carry.
More often than not, I would reach into my pocket at the end of the day and feel surprised to find a small handgun still there. That discovery usually led to a sigh and the same explanation to my wife:
“Yes, honey, that actually is a small gun in my pocket.”
The Zorro was easy to forget about. It felt light and unobtrusive. It also created no recognizable firearm profile through my clothing.
I usually placed it hammer-down with the barrel pointed outward, away from my body. Since I carried it unloaded, I chose that position for comfort and orientation. It generally stayed there until I removed it.
Do not take this as a recommendation to carry a loose, loaded firearm in a pocket. Anyone considering loaded carry should follow the NAA owner’s manual, understand the safety-notch system, use an appropriate carry method, and follow all applicable laws.
Wearing the NAA Belt Buckle
I did not wear the complete buckle and revolver combination in public.
First, I do not own an appropriate belt. I do not mean that from a fashion sense. None of my belts accepts a separate buckle. After seeing the buckle in person, I realized that detail did not matter.
Second, I do not think I could get away with wearing it where I live. My house sits about a mile from our local rodeo grounds. I have not thrown a leg over a horse in more than 20 years, and a cowboy-sized buckle would not look right on me.
The buckle is thick, ornate, and designed to attract attention. Once someone looks closely, the tiny revolver is easy to identify.
You can remove the gun without unfastening the belt, but the process takes several steps. Move the retaining bar away from the trigger, rotate it down, and push the revolver through the back of the buckle.
That makes the buckle an effective display piece and conversation starter. It makes less sense as a rapid-access defensive holster.
For me, the buckle completed the NAA Mini-Revolver experience. It is unusual, functional, and entertaining, even if it is not the most practical way to carry a gun.
Cleaning and Lubrication
After a few hundred rounds, the revolver still looked fairly clean. It needed little more than a quick wipe-down.
Most owners probably will not fire a high round count during a typical range session. Normal cleaning should remain minimal.
Lubrication matters more.
I kept the cylinder pin, hammer, trigger mechanism, and other moving parts properly lubricated. A needle-style oil applicator works best on a firearm this small.
The narrow tip places a tiny amount of lubricant exactly where you need it. That works better than covering the entire revolver with excess oil.
Is an NAA Mini-Revolver Good for Self-Defense?
I am not interested in reopening the endless debate over the effectiveness of .22 LR for defense.
A gun is still a gun, and seeing one may stop some people. Getting shot with a .22 LR is also still getting shot.
The Zorro proved completely reliable during my testing. Any firearm that goes bang every time is better than no firearm at all.
However, the limitations are obvious. The sights are tiny. The grip is minimal. Practical accuracy stops at very short distances. Capacity is five rounds, and reloading takes a long time.
The belt buckle adds more steps before you can use the revolver.
In my view, an NAA Mini-Revolver makes more sense as a backup than as a primary defensive weapon.
Anyone shopping strictly for a defensive handgun can probably spend the money more effectively. Larger handguns are easier to aim and control. They also reload faster and work better at longer distances.
That does not make the NAA ineffective. Its small size simply brings tradeoffs.
Collectible Appeal
The wide range of NAA Mini-Revolver variations gives them obvious collectible appeal.
North American Arms offers different chamberings, barrel lengths, finishes, grip materials, and special editions. Some models look plain and practical. Others lean heavily into presentation.
The Zorro clearly falls into the second category.
The black finish, red grips, ornate buckle, and soft case create a complete package. This is the kind of firearm that gets passed around the room whenever friends visit.
I would show it to every one of my friends, whether they like guns or not. The size alone makes people curious. The fact that it functions as a real revolver makes it even more interesting. That combination of affordable ammunition, mechanical variety, and pure fun is part of why rimfire firearms continue to appeal to so many shooters.
Is the NAA Belt Buckle Revolver Worth the Money?
Value depends on why someone wants it.
For defensive use, it probably will not rank as anyone’s first choice. Buyers can find larger and more capable handguns in the same general price range (MSRP $355.00 at time of publication).
As a collectible firearm, the NAA belt buckle revolver offers excellent value.
NAA built it well. It proved reliable, looks distinctive, and starts conversations immediately. The buckle and zippered case also make it feel like a complete collectible package.
Most importantly, it does more than sit on a shelf. You can carry it, fire it, and enjoy it at the range.
NAA Belt Buckle Revolver FAQ
Can you remove the revolver while the belt remains fastened?
Yes. Pull the retaining bar away from the buckle and rotate it downward until it clears the trigger. The cutouts in the back then let you push the revolver forward and out.
Does the revolver fit securely in the buckle?
Yes. The upper part of the buckle covers the hammer. The rotating retaining bar covers the trigger and prevents the revolver from rotating upward and coming out.
Do NAA rubber grips fit the belt buckle?
Yes. The Long Rifle Rubber Pebbled Grips worked properly with the Zorro buckle. The revolver stayed secure, and the retaining mechanism continued to work normally.
How accurate is an NAA Mini-Revolver?
With some practice and the rubber grips, I could reliably hit a one-gallon paint can at about 12 feet. These revolvers work best at very close distances, not as precision handguns.
How do you load an NAA Mini-Revolver?
Place the hammer at half-cock. Press the release button on the cylinder pin and remove the pin. Then roll the cylinder out of the frame and load five rounds. Replace the cylinder and fully seat the cylinder pin.
Can an NAA Mini-Revolver safely carry five rounds?
NAA Mini-Revolvers use safety notches between the chambers. When you place the hammer in a safety notch, it rests between the cartridge rims instead of on a live round. Read the owner’s manual and practice with an unloaded revolver before attempting loaded carry.
Is an NAA Mini-Revolver reliable?
The Zorro fired a few hundred rounds of mostly bulk .22 LR without light strikes, failures to fire, or mechanical problems.
Is an NAA Mini-Revolver good for self-defense?
It is reliable and better than no firearm at all. However, the tiny sights, limited grip, five-round capacity, short practical range, and slow reload make it better for backup use than primary defensive use.
Is the NAA belt buckle revolver only a novelty?
No. It offers novelty and collectible appeal, but it also functions as a real revolver. The Zorro fired reliably throughout testing and showed no durability problems.
Final Thoughts on NAA Mini-Revolvers
The Zorro provided the complete NAA experience I wanted.
It was tiny, unusual, entertaining, and much better made than its novelty appearance might suggest. The ornate belt buckle added collectible appeal, while the revolver proved completely functional.
The Zorro loads slowly. The buckle does not provide quick access. The revolver also becomes difficult to shoot accurately beyond very short distances. Those limits make it a poor choice as a primary defensive handgun.
However, the broader NAA Mini-Revolver concept makes sense once you spend time with one. These revolvers are easy to carry and mechanically simple. NAA also offers enough variations to attract collectors.
The Zorro went bang every time, handled a few hundred rounds without anything coming loose, and generated more smiles and conversation than most firearms I review.
That combination makes it both a real firearm and a successful novelty. It may offer practical value as a backup. As a collectible, it offers excellent value.
Visit North American Arms for current Zorro details, pricing, and availability.
As always, I’d like to thank North American Arms for providing the Zorro belt buckle revolver and rubber grips for my testing and evaluation.