Ahoy, sailor! The Second Mate is here to see you safely to home port. [NAA] Say you want a backup gun. A really small backup gun. And you want to fire .22LR ammunition, reliably. That means you need a revolver, like the ones that North American Arms has been selling for decades. They’ve just added the new Second Mate to their lineup, with Cerakote and a high-polish finish, with aesthetic and practical benefits as a result. Revolver round-up @ TFB:Wheelgun Wednesday: Lightweight Versus Full-Weight Revolvers Wheelgun Wednesday: Revolvers In Bike Culture The Rimfire Report: Henry’s Golden Boy Revolver Manurhin MR73 Revolvers Return to the U.S. Market The basic load-outNorth American Arms’ revolvers are very well-known for their ability to offer self-defense in a micro package. Not everyone wants to stake their life on a rimfire round, but sometimes you’ve got no other choice. I remember reading about one undercover narcotics cop who hauled an NAA revolver to beachside meet-ups hidden away in a soft drink cup, because that’s all they could bring for a SHTF scenario. Other owners will tell you similar stories. There’s no smaller, more discreet firepower available. Cerakote finish will help keep rust and corrosion at bay! [NAA] But what if you want something that’s a little more blinged-up, whether it’s to resist corrosion or simply to look good when you’ve decided to un-conceal your concealed carry weapon? That’s what the Second Mate is all about, according to NAA’s write-up:Second Mate” is NAA’s answer to those looking for luxury in their collection. The NAA-22LR-NBC-HP features a high polish & navy blue Cerakote frame finish and simulated white pearl grip. This compact .22LR revolver is built for those who want style without compromising on performance. Its lightweight, ultra-concealable design makes it ideal for pocket carry, backup protection, or everyday carry. Like all North American Arms revolvers, this collector’s piece is hand built and timed in the United States, offering dependability that you can count on.Built with North American Arms’ renowned craftsmanship, the Second Mate offers a single-action operation, durable stainless steel construction, and easy handling in a discreet package. Whether you’re looking for a dependable personal defense option or a standout addition to your collection, this mini revolver is ready to perform. A short barrel keeps the package small and easy to conceal. [NAA] It comes with simulated white pearl grips, which might not have been to General Patton’s liking but are certainly popular for other users. You can add a Folding Holster Grip in navy blue as well, if you want to make the revolver easier to access when it’s in your pocket. That grip will set you back $43, while the Second Mate itself is currently priced at a $340 MSRP. An incredibly small hide-out piece. [NAA] Carrying this for self-defenseIs the Second Mate something you can trust your life on? Helpfully, NAA actually publishes ballistics tables on their website to help you make that decision for yourself. Checking on the tables here will give you figures for several common CCI rimfire rounds, fired from a 1.125-inch barrel, standard length for many NAA revolvers (including the Second Mate). Admittedly, those bullet velocities are measured at a mere 8-foot distance, but most users would never plan to shoot these miniature handguns at distances longer than that anyway. With CCI Mini Mags or Stingers, the high-velocity measurements are over 700 fps at that range, and the low-velocity measurements are just under. Whether that is enough for you, or it isn’t, is a choice that only you can make. You can build a better backupRemember that these revolvers have been on the market forever, too—not the Second Mate model, but other guns on this design, and the aftermarket has made accessories like laser-sight grips for them in the past. So, even if the form factor of these little revolvers is limiting, there are ways to improve on that. Single-action only, and slow to reload, too. [NAA] Some shooters might prefer the .22 Magnum version of the NAA miniature revolvers, and sooner or later, it seems likely they’ll make a revolver similar to this one chambered in the more powerful cartridge. NAA is constantly changing their lineup, making small improvements and offering new models with a slight change-up on their formula. It’s only a matter of time before there’s a more powerful version of this model, too, which may be preferable to anyone carrying this piece for real-world self-defense scenarios.See NAA’s official specs for this new handgun below, and see more details on this and their other offerings on their website here. Caliber:.22 Long RifleCapacity:5Length:4″Height:2.38″Width:0.88″Weight:4.6 oz.Barrel Length:1.13″Sights:Half-moon SightAction:Single ActionGrips:Simulated White Pearl If this post has you ready to hit the range, head over to gunranges.com - a free directory to help you find shooting ranges near you, wherever you are in the United States.