North American Arms Earl Hogleg .22 WMR 6″ 5‑Rd Stainless

About this product

The North American Arms Earl Hogleg .22 WMR 6″ 5‑Rd Stainless is a modern single-action revolver that precisely replicates the form and manual handling of Civil War-era pocket pistols. Built with modern stainless steel construction and chambered for the .22 Winchester Magnum rimfire cartridge, it offers historical aesthetics with contemporary durability and a cartridge that generates approximately 40% more muzzle energy than standard .22 LR from this barrel length. This isn't a polymer-frame carry gun; it’s a deliberate, mechanical device for a specific type of shooter.

What is the North American Arms Earl Hogleg used for?

The NAA Earl Hogleg is used for discreet field carry, historical reenactment sidearm training, and as a highly specialized backup weapon where minimal size and absolute mechanical simplicity are paramount. Its primary utility is as a trail gun for finishing small game at point-blank range or as a training analog for period-correct single-action handling. The 6-inch octagonal barrel provides a 5.75-inch sight radius, which aids in deliberate, slow-fire accuracy on reactive targets, but the fixed sights and heavy single-action trigger pull make it unsuitable for defensive scenarios against threats faster than a porcupine.

How does the North American Arms Earl Hogleg compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?

The NAA Earl Hogleg is mechanically and functionally inferior to the Stevens 334 Rifle for any task requiring practical accuracy, effective range, or stopping power beyond 15 yards. The Stevens 334 in .243 Win is a centerfire bolt-action hunting rifle capable of taking deer-sized game at 200+ yards with a 20-inch barrel and a 4+1 detachable magazine capacity, while the Hogleg is a five-shot .22 WMR revolver designed for contact to 25-yard plinking. The Stevens 334 is better for actual hunting; the Hogleg is better for historical appreciation and ultra-compact carrying where a long gun isn’t feasible.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The Earl Hogleg weighs 23.5 ounces (666 grams) unloaded, with an overall length of 10.75 inches (273 mm) and a cylinder width of 1.25 inches (32 mm). The octagonal barrel profile adds significant forward mass, bringing the balance point to just forward of the cylinder pin, which aids in steady off-hand aiming but makes for a bulky 6-inch profile in a belt holster. For comparison, a modern polymer-frame semi-auto like a Glock 43X is shorter in overall length at 6.5 inches but carries nearly twice the capacity in a significantly lighter package.

Who is this NOT for?

This revolver is not for anyone seeking a primary defensive firearm, a high-capacity plinker, or a beginner's first gun. The single-action operation requires manually cocking the hammer for every shot, a process that takes a practiced shooter a minimum of 2-3 seconds per round, making it tactically obsolete for self-defense. It’s also not for shooters sensitive to heavy triggers; the factory pull from NAA typically measures between 6.5 and 8 pounds, which is heavy even for a single-action, and not conducive to learning marksmanship fundamentals.

What's in the box?

The factory package includes the revolver, one 5-round cylinder, a basic plastic storage case, and a generic owner's manual covering disassembly and safety. North American Arms does not include a cleaning kit, spare grip panels, or a speedloader with this model. The rosewood grips are fitted at the factory and secured with a single screw; replacement requires fitting by a gunsmith familiar with NAA's small-frame specifications, as aftermarket options are extremely limited compared to mainstream revolvers.

Is the North American Arms Earl Hogleg worth it at $334.99?

At $334.99, the Earl Hogleg is worth it only for the niche shooter who specifically values its 19th-century aesthetics, stainless steel durability, and ultra-compact single-action format above all practical considerations. You are paying a premium for a meticulously machined, small-batch novelty, not for ballistic performance or modern features. For the same budget, a shooter could purchase a used Stevens 555 Sporting in .410 and get a far more versatile firearm for small game and clays, demonstrating that the Hogleg’s value is entirely subjective and tied to its unique design heritage.