Full Review: North American Arms Ranger II
Last updated: May 25, 2026 · Originally published: March 15, 2021
A long time ago, fellow Top Shot competitor Keith Gibson made a good point when we were on the subject of carry guns. He said that his next purchase was going to be something stupid small so that he would have absolutely no reason not to have something on him at all times. Fast forward a few years and his words echoed in my head as I asked the innocent-looking twenty-something-year-old girl in the North American Arms booth if they made a gun that I could hide in the crack of my ass. To no surprise they did (although I didn’t check the fit) and I had the opportunity to put a few rounds through most of the lineup. The tiny single-action revolvers were fun to shoot, really fun to shoot. So fun to shoot that my only gripe was the lengthy reloading process. Well, I guess NAA gets that a lot and its answer comes in the Ranger II.
The Ranger II features the compact size that NAA is associated with, but is a snap to reload. Basically, if you plant one of these, a Webley revolver will grow. In other words, by cracking it open at the top strap, all five cases are simultaneously ejected out. You have the option of keeping the initial .22 Magnum cylinder or for a little extra you can add the .22 LR cylinder. It’s almost a no-brainer to get the conversion cylinder, as .22LR is about 1/3 of the price of .22 Magnum so it’ll pay for itself over time. .22LR is also much easier to shoot out of the Ranger II, given that it doesn’t even weigh half a pound.
For my range day, I brought it out with a mixed bag of .22 LR ammo to get a feel for the gun as well as some of my coveted Aguila 40-grain ammo. I carried the gun on my hip using the DeSantis Lil’ Shot holster that is set up for cross-draw carry. This configuration gives you the option to carry the NAA as a backup gun in the event something happens to your strong side gun, or you just can’t reach it due to your position. Those who scoff at .22s for defensive purposes are greatly missing their value. It may not be the best primary caliber, but it sits at the top of the list for emergency pieces in my book.
At the range, we placed simple paper targets at no more than 5 yards away. Here I spent some time getting to know the loading and unloading system as well as what was involved in changing cylinders – nothing. Seriously, just pull one out and put the other in its place. After about 50 shots of .22 LR, I conducted some group testing with the Aguila .22 Magnum and was impressed at how consistent a barrel that was barely an inch and a half could be. Every group was inside of 2 inches and my best was tighter than 1 inch. I will note that the non-adjustable sights hit a few inches high and right but that is not enough to miss a man-sized target at typical defensive distances. That’s pretty easy to live with when you consider that it’s not a target pistol; it’s a lead injection system. This notion is further driven home by the stiff trigger pull that I experienced. Again, not a bad thing for a defensive pistol as it ensures it only goes bang when you MEAN it.
The North American Arms Ranger II makes a great ‘round the house type pistol and I’ve been known for carrying it in my sweatpants while I sit on the couch ruining whatever New Year’s Resolution I might have dreamt up. Holster-less carry is a relatively safe option with this gun, as it is equipped with five safety notches in the cylinder. Simply keep the hammer rested in one and all five cartridges are out of harm’s way should the gun ever take a dive, like say when you are recovering a stray Cheeto from under the couch. Being that the trigger only releases the hammer and can’t cock it (single-action defined) nothing will happen if you snag the bang switch either. All in all the Ranger II is a great addition for anybody looking to fill a gap in their defensive pistol needs. Hey, it’s fun to shoot too!
For more information visit northamericanarms.com
Please check the owner’s manual for the pistol as mine says that the Aguila ammo is specifically listed as not safe to fire with these guns.
Bought a NAA in 2014 and the manual says “No PMC Ammo, either 22lr or 22wmr”.
Nothing mentioned on Aquila…
When was your manual published ?
Sorry, I stand corrected, it was the PMC ammo that was listed as not safe. Thanks, Larry Hatcher
A .22? Up your ass indeed. Why not just carry a pocketful of rocks to throw at a mugger? It worked for James Garner in Support Your Local Sheriff.
Wow, what a snotty response! Are you 12 years old?
BTW, there IS a case of a bear being killed by a .22 rimfire.
But if you prefer to throw stones, go do it somewhere else, ok?
Better check ballistics. From what I’ve heard 22 wmr has the equivalent a 9mm impact at close range.
But he has to be right Big Al! He saw it in a James Garner movie! 🤣
May have spent to much time watching Tv. hate to be on the receiving end of my Hornady 45 FTW.
Have killed up to a coyote with that round.
Hmmm, as I recall a .22 had enough of a punch to kill Bobby Kennedy…….. I carry a NAA in
.22 Short as a last resort back-up to my back-up. It’s held in place by a safety pin silver-soldered to a .22 bore brush and placed just below the collar line of my shirt. In a life or death situation, rolling around unarmed in the dirt, I would hope to be able to put it to a temple, under the chin or in an eye and pull my bacon out of the fire. But then again, based on your comment, you’re the expert……
Justice Dept. statistics show that more people are killed by .22 than any other caliber.
Every time I read a comment about weak .22, I just want to tell the speaker to go stand in front of one and make that brag. more humans have been killed by.22 than all other calibers combined.
I own the NAA revolver that has two cylinders (22LR and 22Mag) I like it, would appreciate the development of a viable green dot laser that fits this revolver.
Viridian sights. Not sure the colors but they do make a laser sight.
Is the laser any smaller than the gun?
I’m not sure that the idea of quick (relatively) reloads for a last ditch get off me gun is needed or tactically sound, but I still want one 😉
Full disclosure – I have a NAA mini revolver – fun little critter to shoot, pita to reload but it still fits a certain niche.
It’s not so much as the caliber your carrying as is ……where the projectile “enters!
I’m sure the above “smart mouth” (rock thrower) if attacked by a thug coming out of a convenient store, wouldn’t mind if I pulled my 22 Caliber and released a stinger round…… CENTER MASS of said thug!!!
Just to end the threat.
I have a hell of a time hitting a target dead on 5 yards away with this ranger. Any thoughts? No, it’s is not the shooter (me). I had others try too. What version is the Ranger that the cylinder comes right off when you pull the cylinder pin to open it up? This was given to me so I have not dug real deep into this pistol.
For years and like many others I was attracted to the NAA derringer-sized SA revolvers.. Periodically I’d try one with the original birdshead grips – couldn’t hit anything and with just one finger on the grip the gun moved all over the place simulating heavier recoil. The larger grips available that made shooting easier all seemed to defeat the original purpose of an ultimate hideout gun. Then about twenty years ago I came across one at a gun show with the NAA Boot Grip. Only slightly larger than the birdshead it made all the difference for me.
I’ve frequently carried it stuffed into a soft eyeglass case in a shirt pocket with a small lens cloth covering the top. That doesn’t permit competition-worthy presentation times but I it in certain situations. Several LEO’s have admitted imagining they might have missed it in a quick frisk when they allowed themselves to be distracted. Ever since NAA announced the top-breaks I’ve been intrigued by them but the price is so much higher it’s not worth it for my purposes. Before purchasing mine I carried a borrowed one in .22 Short, the absolute smallest one. Mine is .22 LR. While the WMR is more effective (at least on paper), that tiny barrel lets out so much flash and noise that the terminal ballistics can’t be much different. As others have said, bullet placement is the more important factor. But if you’re loading shotshells, e.g., for snakes, the .22 Magnum makes more of a difference compared to the Long Rifle.