Before you Buy - North American Arms Sentinel 22WMR

Concealment tends to be pretty high on the list of qualities in a concealed-carry firearm. The idea of the pocket pistol goes back hundreds of years and even though the piece we’re talking bout today is a brand-new firearm, it’s more or less supposed to be used in the same way that the first pocket single-shot pistols and revolvers were meant to. Today we’re talking about the new North American Arms Sentinel. Based on another NAA Mini-Revolver, the PUG, the NAA Sentinel is a 5-shot, swing-out style miniature revolver chambered for 22 WMR meant for deep concealment in virtually any type of clothing. Today we’ll take a look at it and see what it has to offer for the modern concealed carrier.

Specifications and Key Features

Billed as a “Tactical Mini-Revolver” the NAA Sentinel is extremely small at just a touch under 5 inches long, under 3 inches tall, and weighing mere ounces despite being made from extremely durable 17-4 stainless steel. The main draw to the sentinel and the only feature that separates it from the PUG is the swing-out cylinder. The PUG and other mini revolvers commonly take advantage of cylinders that need to be removed for reloading. This new swing-out design allows users to more easily reload the gun and get back to shooting, instead of spending a bunch of time reassembling the firearm with a loaded cylinder.

“Introducing The Sentinel: Your newest EDC.

For years, the PUG has been a fan favorite for its look and concealability, while the Sidewinder has been popular for its ease of reload. Now, we have the solution for all parties involved: The Sentinel. With a tactical profile and an accessible cylinder pin, this little legend is destined to live in your pocket.

At just 4.9″ long x 2.8″ tall, and featuring a 1.425″ barrel length, this powerhouse packs a punch in a small package. Crafted from 17-4 stainless steel for durability and reliability, it boasts a 5-shot capacity chambered in 22 WMR, ensuring you’re always prepared. Equipped with XS sights for precision targeting, and textured rubber grips for a secure hold, The Sentinel offers confidence in every shot. Its swing-out cylinder feature adds convenience to reloading, while its sleek design mirrors a perfect blend of the PUG and Sidewinder. Choose between dot-style or Tritium front sights to customize your shooting experience. Don’t compromise on safety or performance – make The Sentinel your trusted companion for any situation.“ – NAA Website

• 22 Magnum Sentinel – 1.425″ Barrel
• Caliber: .22 Magnum
• Material: 17-4 Stainless Steel
• 5-Shot Capacity
• Drift Adjustable XS White Dot Sight and XS Front Sight.
• Slip-on Rubber Pebble Grip
• MSRP: $399.00

The Sentinel is small like most rimfire cartridges but is chambered in the much more potent 22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire). In stark opposition to 22LR, 22WMR is much more powerful with its wider and taller case and moves its 40-grain jacketed bullets a much higher velocities for better terminal effect. Add to this a truly pocket-sized revolver, and you have a package that can be concealed in a swimsuit pocket, that packs 5 rounds of very hot rimfire ammo.

One of these revolvers would be perfect for the belly band carry method. Belly Band Holsters, like the one from Falco Holsters, are great for concealing firearms underneath clothing without the need for a belt or even a custom-fitted holster for NAA - the Sentinel will be almost unnoticeable inside of a belly band, or even in a jacket pocket.

Range Performance Of NAA Sentinel

The NAA Sentinel is not an easy gun to shoot. The combination of a tiny nub of a trigger combined with its hefty 5-pound pull weight means it's difficult to hold the tiny sights on target while getting a clean break on the trigger right when you want it. It’s doable with practice but suffice it to say this is not an easy revolver to learn how to use - thankfully the recoil is extremely manageable, especially with regular 22LR standard velocity or subsonic ammo. If you’re just looking for a fun plinking experience you also have the option of using 6mm flobert or 22 shorts in this revolver.

While it is tough to maintain a good sight picture and handle this gun, enough practice will get you fist-sized groups in fairly quick succession at 5 yards or so - not bad for a pocket revolver. Once again the single biggest benefit to this style of revolver is its concealability which could prove to be useful in nonpermissive environments, or in situations where your clothing is not large enough to conceal a bigger firearm.

There is fun to be had with shooting such a small revolver. If you ever get bored of shooting your regular 9mm pistols, take one of these tiny little 5-shot revolvers out for a spin and see how accurate you can be at the same distances you’d normally shoot your normal daily carry pistol at - you’ll be surprised at the results!

Pros:

• Maximum Concealability: The NAA Sentinel is so small it can fit in virtually any pocket or space easily without being noticed.
• Swing-Out Cylinder: This is a huge advantage for revolvers of this class - now reloading is much easier making practice at the range more manageable and enjoyable.
• Durable Construction: 17-4 Stainless Steel is a tough material and is used intelligently in the design of the very small Sentinel revolver
• Single Action Revolver Safe: Single action revolvers are extremely safe to carry, especially with modern improvements like transfer bar safeties
• Good Sights: The sights on the Sentinel are great for the size of the revolver, are adjustable, and come from a reputable company with a proven track record for making good sights

Cons:

• Hard To Shoot:  A consequence of having such a small revolver is that this gun is really hard to shoot accurately with a meaningful amount of speed.
• Anemic Ammo: 22 WMR can be quite potent, but will rely on better shot placement to be as effective as centerfire pistol cartridges.
• Expensive: For its limited use case and capabilities, the $399 asking price might be a bit too much for most people seeking a daily carry gun.

Conclusion

I don’t think the NAA Sentinel should be considered a primary carry gun. Even with the increased lethality that 22 WMR gives you over 22LR, the tiny 40-grain bullet can only do so much even with an increased velocity, most of which is being bled off because of the Sentinel's tiny sub-2-inch barrel. However, with how small and concealable the NAA Sentinel is, I think you could make a strong case for this being a good backup gun to have on you in addition to your regular carry gun, as well as a deep concealment firearm for situations where clothing might limit your carry options to all but the smallest of pocket pistols.

Author: Luke Cuenco