4" Mini Master or 4" sidewinder

gokyo · January-08-17 20:01

I really like the swing out cylinder on the sidewinder. However the sights seem really horrible on the sidewinder. If I where to get a sidewinder I add mini master/black widow grips.

The primary purpose is for plinking and come with me for a walk in the woods pistol.

For either I would get both cylinders. I owned a Black widow and I found that the 22wmr was a little more accurate.

Thank you for your input and suggestions.

tocsn40 · January-08-17 21:01

I never intended to target shot with my mini although some do. From the beging I have thought of the minis I Cary to be get off me guns.

gokyo · January-08-17 22:01

Get off my guns?

I am not sure what you mean by that turn of phrase.

lefty dude · January-08-17 22:01

I assume he means, the last resort piece. Close in counter with an over powering Perp.

Scott Free · January-08-17 22:01

A "get off me gun" is a gun intended to be used at contact distances. Such as...a bad guy is on you. The gun (BANG!) is used to get him off you. His answer didn't address your concerns, though, as you asked about using it as a woods gun. As for me, I am plenty happy with my Black Widow as a plicking and woods gun. I would think a Mini Master would be even better for your purposes. I really don't mind the reloading procedures though. I think better sights trumps easy reloads. Obviously, not all will agree on this.

grayelky · January-09-17 01:01

Of your 2 choices, I would pick the MiniMaster. Better sights, better grip for plinking. You did not specify, but the dual cylinder option would be my choice. I don't care a lot for the SW, as the cylinder is not easy to open. Maybe I just have not spent enough time with it to get the hang of it. You didn't ask, but I prefer my 3" Earl for my plinking. It just works for me. I don't have a MM, but it is on my list. Once I get to shoot one, maybe I'll change my mind, maybe I won't.

Uncle_Lee · January-09-17 05:01

For plinking I would go with the Mini Master.
Good sights. After you get them adjusted and are used to them.
Heavy (

) barrel. It just looks better than a Sidewinder. Like between a beautiful Python and any skinny barreled Colt.
Way better grips for plinking than the Sidewinder.
The only con I can think of is if you are shooting out in the woods, you would have to be careful not to drop your cylinder pin in the leaves during reload.

Yes, Yes, get the dual cylinder model. You will be mad at your self if you don't.

OV-1D · January-09-17 05:01

Hands down the Mini Master . Yup ..... Myself I consider the Sidewinder more of a novelty rather than an improvement , you still have to hand load , no speed loader, the Sidewinder and lacks the quick interchangeability of cylinders , simply saying it needs modification .

boone123 · January-09-17 06:01

I side with the people that say go with the Mini Master. An Earl might be worth a look at also. In a place like a woods a dab of paint on the front sight might be in order, like maybe white, I have both a Mini Master and a Earl. and if I had to choose one it would be the Earl because its so slim and I like the looks. Just me..

seaotter · January-09-17 06:01

If you do a google search for "truth about guns NAA sidewinder" you will find an article about the 4 inch sidewinder that is a very detailed review. Having said that, I think that the Black Widow is the best all-around mini. the mini master would be my second choice. The Earl looks good, but I have trouble with the sights.

gokyo · January-09-17 16:01

If I where to go with the sidewinder I would get both cylinders and swap out the grips for mini master grips.

Django2442 · January-10-17 07:01

I think you need to ask yourself how much shooting do you intend to do and where is it you shoot?, I shoot on my property and I shoot whatever firearm I'm carrying usually 1-2 times a week, so these days it's mostly my 1.5" Sidewinder. My wife has a Pug and I've seen her fumble a cylinder or two in the wet fall leaves and the snow, Sidewinder eliminates any of those slight inconveniences. When I first purchased the Sidewinder I thought to myself was the extra cash worth it?, as it was stiff opening and closing requiring some finesse and was not very fast or efficient, but after some breaking in it opens and closes as smooth as any other revolver and as for loading, speed strips are the Sidewinders best friend and makes the swing-out cylinder worth it, trying to load a cartridge one or two at a time with your fingers is a PITA. I'm not sure how fast the cylinder swap is as my wife only has one cylinder, but after 10 rounds you are back to loading both cylinders, speed strips $8 bucks for 2 -10 rounds strips, couple of sets makes shooting sessions easy, fun and no fumbling. The sights are what they are they work I painted my front sight red and that helps, but it point shoots accurately, the sights I use when I want to shoot bullseyes. That said a mini master will probably be in my future at some point, as for the Sidewinder I'm extremely happy with its form and function after some breaking in, I don't think you can go wrong with either just depends on what your individual needs are, and what you want out of the firearm.

Canoeal · January-10-17 10:01

For what I wanted I picked the BW. That being said I already have a 4" barrel in a bigger gun. Of the two I would go for the better (fixed ) sights in the MM.