Sidewinder or Ranger II?

jarrod13 · August-01-17 10:08

I'd like to get one of these for my everyday carry, especially for the faster reload feature. Those who have had one or both (original Ranger obviously), which do you recommend and why? Yes I know the Ranger II will be a little different, but I'm mainly talking about the cylinder popping out to the side vs breaking in half.

OV-1D · August-01-17 15:08

Welcome aboard and the Ranger would be much better for reload besides it will accept speed loaders also .

joe45pe · August-01-17 16:08

Hi, new to the Forum and new to NAA. Love these little firearms. Does anyone know when the Ranger will become available? Thanks!

grayelky · August-01-17 22:08

I hate to agree with OV, but, he is correct!

Uncle_Lee · August-02-17 03:08

I vote the Ranger II.
Looks is what I base my answer on.

Gog · August-02-17 04:08

I originally bought the Sidewinder because I thought it would be easier to reload. Not! The cylinder doesn't swing out enough (like a regular revolver). My Black Widow is easier to reload to me.
I love the concept of the Ranger II and will probably get one.

Ruger · August-02-17 05:08

Quote from: Gog on August-02-17 04:08
I originally bought the Sidewinder because I thought it would be easier to reload. Not! The cylinder doesn't swing out enough (like a regular revolver). . . . . . . . . . . .

I agree, the cylinder does not swing out enough for a 5 rnd speed loader, but I removed a small bit of frame to allow the crane to swing down slightly more. This allows for all of the cases to be ejected, rather than hitting the gas shielding, and allows for a strip loader to be used more easily.

Uncle_Lee · August-02-17 12:08

Quote from: Ruger1628 on August-02-17 05:08
Quote from: Gog on August-02-17 04:08
I originally bought the Sidewinder because I thought it would be easier to reload. Not! The cylinder doesn't swing out enough (like a regular revolver). . . . . . . . . . . .

I agree, the cylinder does not swing out enough for a 5 rnd speed loader, but I removed a small bit of frame to allow the crane to swing down slightly more. This allows for all of the cases to be ejected, rather than hitting the gas shielding, and allows for a strip loader to be used more easily.

That is what I done to the one that I was carrying.

bleak_window · August-04-17 04:08

The answer is....neither. You aren't going to reload in a gunfight. If you are worried about 5 shots not being enough, carry a 2nd mini.

Arts09 · August-13-17 04:08

I eventually want them both. Focused on the Ranger II for now. Waiting for that early bird email!

e l iverson · August-13-17 14:08

Could you post a pic of where you removed material from the frame to allow the cylinder more travel.

tocsn40 · August-22-17 12:08

Quote from: e l iverson on August-13-17 14:08
Could you post a pic of where you removed material from the frame to allow the cylinder more travel.

Sorry I don't have photo. But I did the removing. If you open the sidewinder up and let it rest open the gram will stop it. Think of that spot that it rest on. Noe take the screw out of the crab and remove it from the frame. Now remember the spot the frame rested on that's the spot to file. Real small file and not to much filing test fit often as to not go to much. Do this at your own risk I am not responsible for anything that happens

JRobyn · August-23-17 13:08

Mine opens *just* enough from the factory to be able to eject shells. As in they scrape against the blast shield on the way out unless the cylinder is turned exactly right so that the point of interference with the blast shield is in between shells. You can see on mine that there is a single spot on the crane (slightly polished) that hits the frame when it's fully open. Rather than alter the frame in any way, I will someday remove just the tiniest amount of material at this polished spot on the crane. Just a tiny amount removed here will give me 0.015" to 0.020" more clearance between the cylinder and blast shield. No idea why NAA couldn't have done this in the first place during final fit/finish. Maybe because it's not really a big deal. It would be way more of a deal if I COULDN'T remove all the shells.

Bj · August-23-17 14:08

Myself, I wouldn't be modifying anything, although it may not be hurting anything.

Bj · August-23-17 14:08

Is the filing mentioned above for both 22 lr and 22 mag, just curious?

Bj · August-23-17 14:08

Is the difficulty ejecting spent shells for both 22 lr and 22 mag? Is the Shiney spot from ejecting only for 22 mag?

Uncle_Lee · August-24-17 03:08

Quote from: Bj4995012 on August-23-17 14:08
Is the filing mentioned above for both 22 lr and 22 mag, just curious?

Both.

JRobyn · August-24-17 10:08

Quote from: Bj4995012 on August-23-17 14:08
Is the difficulty ejecting spent shells for both 22 lr and 22 mag? Is the Shiney spot from ejecting only for 22 mag?

Depicted is the .22WMR cylinder and crane. I'm guessing that my .22LR cylinder/crane fits just ever so slightly different, but I rarely use it. It has a tiny shiney spot in the same place.

Ranger Pete · August-24-17 10:08

I am just so excited to have the option of a Ranger, I missed it the first time and have kicked myself since.

Lemon · August-25-17 06:08

JRobyn I have heard others make the same comment about removing a small amount of metal from the crane. Before you do that look at how close the cylinder is to the bottom of the frame. You can see in your picture it is almost touching as it is now without any metal removed from the crane. I can apply just a small amount of pressure to my cylinder, when opened, and spin the cylinder and it will rub the frame. Point is that yes, it will open more but since it pivots on the screw it will just drop down and rub the frame. I do not see were it will make the cylinder move "outward" away from the frame. I am just trying to help before you remove metal and do not get the result you are after.

JRobyn · August-25-17 09:08

VERY good point!

Ruger · August-27-17 11:08

After reading a number of threads concerning this, I decided to post a few pictures indicating how I made the Sidewinder cylinder swing out a touch more to allow the extractor to push out all of the cartridges. I would say that it would still not let a 5-cartridge speed loader work to well, but it makes me feel like the firearm is working as it should.

I never described removing any material that would lower the crane so the cylinder would rub against the frame. The only material removed is located at the very bottom of the frame slot to allow the crane to swing out slightly lower. I did this with a small set of files and a lot of patience. Nothing changed the orientation of the pivot of the crane to the frame.

Pictures always help. I am not recommending anyone do this. If you must "fix" the issue, see your local gunsmith; he has the right tools, approach, and could use the business.

Warthog · August-27-17 17:08

Looks like a winner Ruger!

tocsn40 · August-27-17 19:08

Quote from: Ruger1628 on August-27-17 11:08
After reading a number of threads concerning this, I decided to post a few pictures indicating how I made the Sidewinder cylinder swing out a touch more to allow the extractor to push out all of the cartridges. I would say that it would still not let a 5-cartridge speed loader work to well, but it makes me feel like the firearm is working as it should.

I never described removing any material that would lower the crane so the cylinder would rub against the frame. The only material removed is located at the very bottom of the frame slot to allow the crane to swing out slightly lower. I did this with a small set of files and a lot of patience. Nothing changed the orientation of the pivot of the crane to the frame.

Pictures always help. I am not recommending anyone do this. If you must "fix" the issue, see your local gunsmith; he has the right tools, approach, and could use the business.

This is just what I did
I to am not telling anyone they should do this. It worked for me

Canoeal · August-27-17 20:08

In response to the original question; neither. I do not have cash laying around like some of you seem to. I did the best research (you can check the questions I asked in old posts) I could and bought what I thought was the best combination of features the first time, a Black Widow. I like it ; it is in my pocket everywhere except church. If I were to by another gun it would simply be a second BW. I cannot afford to make a safe full of collector queens.
Don't get me wrong I love my NAA BW, but it is a working man's gun.
I love the post on this site and there is a lot of good info and stuff to look at. I hope you all don't take this the wrong way as I enjoy the forum a lot.

Ruger · August-28-17 04:08

Canoeal - All are MORE THAN WELCOME. Expressing opinion is the basis of our society; without opinion and debate, how can we move forward. So glad to have you on the site and looking forward to your future comments/opinions. Unlike SOME forums, free speech is always welcome; even when we disagree.

RogueTS1 · August-28-17 12:08

HANG HIM....................TAR AND FEATHER HIM AND RUN HIM OUT OF TOWN ON A RAIL...........................

Uncle_Lee · August-28-17 13:08

Quote from: Ruger1628 on August-28-17 04:08
Canoeal - All are MORE THAN WELCOME. Expressing opinion is the basis of our society; without opinion and debate, how can we move forward. So glad to have you on the site and looking forward to your future comments/opinions. Unlike SOME forums, free speech is always welcome; even when we disagree.

I can't understand what the kufufull is about.
Canoeal stay here I also like your comments/opinions.

Speech I don't mind.
I just can't stand some attitudes.
Those attitudes, I ignore.... That is what the ignore is for..

OV-1D · August-28-17 14:08

Quote from: RogueTS1 on August-28-17 12:08
HANG HIM....................TAR AND FEATHER HIM AND RUN HIM OUT OF TOWN ON A RAIL...........................

Always wondered do they use hot tar or cold tar ? Inquiring minds ......well you know .

Canoeal I certainly hope your not that thin skinned because thoughts and or opinions have been a whole lot stronger over the years on here .

Canoeal · August-28-17 20:08

No, not all all... Just my opinion that I am not buying a gun collection, rather I bought the one I thought was best the first time, and it does exactly what i wanted it to. I do makes the experimental modification from time to time. The reality is that none of these is better than the one in your (or my) pocket. Faster reload is a joke, if the problem has not been resolved in the first five rounds, there will be no re-load...

Uncle_Lee · August-28-17 20:08

I don't plan on a reload no matter what gun I carry.
That is why when I carry my 9mm, I carry two of them. No spare magazines. (and a mini or two)

JRobyn · August-29-17 08:08

Whether one removes a bit of material from the crane or the frame would make no difference. The swing radius remains exactly the same, as does the point where the swing "out" (or "down") becomes enough for the cylinder to begin contacting the frame. My only point is that material removal from the crane is easier and less "permanent". The contact point on the crane can be accessed without even removing the cylinder/crane. And way easier if one simply removes the pivot screw/crane.
Material removal down in the bottom of the frame crane slot is much trickier. If you go too far, a crane is easier and cheaper to replace than a serial-numbered frame.

Warthog · August-29-17 10:08

Quote from: OV-1D on August-28-17 14:08
Always wondered do they use hot tar or cold tar ? Inquiring minds ......well you know .

HOT TAR is used when tarring and feathering. It must really hurt, going on and coming off. OUCH! $:-\$

OV-1D · August-29-17 14:08

Doesn't sound pleasant alrighty , thanks .

Canoeal · August-29-17 20:08

Quote from: Canoeal on August-28-17 20:08
No, not all all... Just my opinion that I am not buying a gun collection, rather I bought the one I thought was best the first time, and it does exactly what i wanted it to. I do makes the experimental modification from time to time. The reality is that none of these is better than the one in your (or my) pocket. Faster reload is a joke, if the problem has not been resolved in the first five rounds, there will be no re-load...

That being said, I too carry extra ammo. Two of my holsters (including one from Rick) carry five rounds, and I have both a 5 and er...9 round pouches. I am just not sure in the moment they will be much good...but we can always hope...