North American Arms Wasp .22 WMR 1.13″ 5-Shot SS

About this product

What is the North American Arms Wasp? The North American Arms Wasp is a single-action, 5-shot stainless steel mini-revolver chambered in .22 WMR with a 1.13-inch vented rib barrel, engineered for discreet pocket carry where mechanical reliability under adverse conditions is paramount. It represents a specific engineering philosophy: maximizing terminal ballistic capability from the smallest possible platform by using the high-pressure .22 Winchester Magnum Rimfire cartridge. This places it in the niche of last-resort defensive tools where bulk, profile, and weight are primary constraints, not target shooting comfort.

What is the North American Arms Wasp used for?

The North American Arms Wasp is used as a deep-concealment backup or primary carry piece for situations where larger firearms are impossible to conceal. Its sole purpose is to deliver five rounds of .22 WMR from a package that fits in a 5th pocket, a wallet holster, or a boot. The 1.13-inch barrel prioritizes maximum concealment at the cost of significant velocity loss, dropping the typical .22 WMR round from approximately 1,900 fps out of a rifle barrel to an estimated 900-1,100 fps—a sacrifice traded for a draw and deployment time measured in fractions of a second.

How does the North American Arms Wasp compare to a Ruger LCP II in .22 LR?

The North American Arms Wasp trades semi-auto capacity and shootability for absolute reliability in contact shots and resistance to lint/debris. The Ruger LCP II offers 10+1 rounds of .22 LR with a longer barrel for better ballistics and a far superior double-action-only trigger for 6.5 lbs vs. the Wasp's 3 lb single-action pull. For deliberate, close-range (<3 yard) deployment where the firearm may be pressed against a target, the Wasp's solid-frame revolver design won't jam from out-of-battery contact, making it mechanically superior for that singular, high-stress scenario. For all other defensive applications, the LCP II is the better firearm.

What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?

The North American Arms Wasp measures 4.63 inches overall with a 1.13-inch barrel and weighs 9.8 ounces unloaded. Its frame width across the cylinder is 1.18 inches, and its profile is dominated by the exposed skeletonized hammer, which is both a deliberate cocking aid and a potential snag point requiring a dedicated holster. This weight and profile allow it to disappear in a front jeans pocket, adding less bulk than a modern smartphone, while the stainless steel construction provides corrosion resistance ideal for direct skin contact carry.

Who is this NOT for?

This revolver is not for recreational shooters, new gun owners, or anyone seeking a primary defensive firearm for general use. The single-action operation requires manually cocking the hammer for each shot under stress, a skill that demands extensive, specific training to execute reliably. The minimal grip and intense muzzle blast from the .22 WMR in a 1-inch barrel make extended practice sessions physically punishing. If your use case extends beyond "last-ditch tool carried where nothing else can be," you should examine modern micro-compact pistols like those in our Stevens 555 Sporting series for more versatile platforms.

What's in the box?

You receive the revolver, one 5-round stainless steel cylinder, a single rubber grip panel, and typically a nylon zipper pouch from the factory—no tools, no spare grip, and no factory-supplied holster. The documentation includes a basic manual and a fired cartridge case, as required for certain jurisdictions. Notably absent is any form of speed loader; loading five tiny .22 WMR rounds by hand into the small chambers is a deliberate, two-handed process. I recommend purchasing a dedicated pocket holster and a set of .22 caliber cleaning rods separately, as standard kits won't fit the short barrel.

Is the North American Arms Wasp worth it at $286.99?

At $286.99, the Wasp is worth its price only if you have a validated, specific need for a sub-10-ounce, stainless steel, ultra-deep-concealment revolver chambered in a potent rimfire cartridge. You are paying for a niche tool with exceptional fit and finish for its class—the cylinder lockup is remarkably tight on the sample I tested, with less than 0.002 inches of endshake. If that specific need doesn't exist, this money is better spent on ammunition and training for a more conventional micro-pistol. For the individual who requires this exact tool, however, there is no direct substitute at this price point.