Sidewinder or Ranger II?

[Ruger]

. . . . . . . .  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.

I don't disagree with you, but if anyone is afraid that they may go "too far", they should not be gun-smithing.  The correct tools, approach, experience, and patience must be in place before any attempt to modify a firearm. "Oops" is never acceptable in such a situation.

[bbgun]

I have and shoot both.  I far prefer the Ranger to the Sidewinder.  The Sidewinder is difficult to roll the cylinder out.  It sticks and is just hard to maneuver.  You don't know if it goes back in all the way.  The Ranger is head and shoulders above it.

[Ruger]

. . . . . . . . .  I far prefer the Ranger to the Sidewinder. . . . . . . . . . . .  The Ranger is head and shoulders above it.

I love to read that!

[ephraim]

I have and shoot both.  I far prefer the Ranger to the Sidewinder.  The Sidewinder is difficult to roll the cylinder out.  It sticks and is just hard to maneuver.  You don't know if it goes back in all the way.  The Ranger is head and shoulders above it.

Hmm! Interesting. I have an EB Sidewinder and it has none of the problems you mention. Mine rolls out slick, never sticks and is easy to maneuver. It has no problem going back all the way.No problem with ejecting rounds either.  Maybe I just got a good one. A lot of folks seem to not like the looks, butI think it is a great design, and like the looks fine. Even the crane sticking down mount.  I also ordered an EB ranger, and consider the Sidewinder a much better carry piece. That's why manufacturers changed from the breaktop to the swing out cylinder. Plus it is a stronger, improved design. That being said, they Ranger is nice to look at. I plan on ordering one of the new ones, but not to carry. I carry a 380 with laser.
Folks talk about speed loading, but with some of the removable cylinders(which I don't like to fiddle with} it is a mute point.
I have been shooting since about 9 years old, which was 68 years ago. The first revolver I shot was my Daddy's 38 breaktop S & W. which I still have. One of my most prized guns.
Anyway, thats my opinion.

[bbgun]

I have 2 of the EB sidewinders and both of them are the same: hard to roll out, hard to roll back in.  They were like that when I got them and still are.  The Rangers are both smooth as silk.  I hope the new Ranger IIs are as good as the old ones.

[Uncle_Lee]

I have 7 Sidewinders.
All were hard to open and close.
I worked on the front latch on the one I carry and now it opens and closes pretty good.

[jarrod13]

What do y'all mean when you say it's hard to roll out and in? Is it just stiff and maybe a little oil would help?

[Uncle_Lee]

Oil didn't help. Did that first.
The little stud up front on the barrel has a little channel (?) in it to run the spring loaded pin in the cylinder pin back in place.
The angle on that cut was not enough to push the pin back in.
The tolerances in the crane area were too tight and rough. 

[Ruger]

My LGS had an issue with the cylinder also, but it was because he had never seen one before mine arrived, so as he attempted to force things together, I insisted that I could show him how it was to be done.  No, I had not had one in my hands as of yet either, but I thought it would make me feel better if I was the one to "gently" negotiate the operation rather than the shaky hand old counter guy.  And, yeah, the lead for the cylinder rod pin was not ideal, but it was manageable with a little tenderness.  After a little while, some oil, and some poishishing, the little guy works just fine.  It was never intended to be slammed back into the frame anyway.

[ikoiko]

I used a little sand paper on a chopstick, and some polishing compound on a dremmel wheel to smooth it out.

[ephraim]

My LGS had an issue with the cylinder also, but it was because he had never seen one before mine arrived, so as he attempted to force things together, I insisted that I could show him how it was to be done.  No, I had not had one in my hands as of yet either, but I thought it would make me feel better if I was the one to "gently" negotiate the operation rather than the shaky hand old counter guy.  And, yeah, the lead for the cylinder rod pin was not ideal, but it was manageable with a little tenderness.  After a little while, some oil, and some poishishing, the little guy works just fine.  It was never intended to be slammed back into the frame anyway.

exactly !! smooth as silk and you don't have to do modifications.

[OV-1D]

My LGS had an issue with the cylinder also, but it was because he had never seen one before mine arrived, so as he attempted to force things together, I insisted that I could show him how it was to be done.  No, I had not had one in my hands as of yet either, but I thought it would make me feel better if I was the one to "gently" negotiate the operation rather than the shaky hand old counter guy.  And, yeah, the lead for the cylinder rod pin was not ideal, but it was manageable with a little tenderness.  After a little while, some oil, and some poishishing, the little guy works just fine.  It was never intended to be slammed back into the frame anyway.

  I had a problem with a new FFL so-called gunsmith once myself . Ordered a Freedom Arms mini over the auction site but when it came to this JERK here he was using plyers on the cylinder pin to pull it out not knowing first it had to be pushed slightly in and rotated 180 degrees . Needless to say he buggered the end up so I told him he just bought it an stick it where the sun doesn't shine . He most certainly did , buy it that is . Most FFL. guys these days are clueless about operation except pulling a trigger . Dang I was pissed it was a great piece for a excellent price .

[Stuffgeek]

I want a ranger ii like everyone else but the sidewinder has been a welcome addition to my collection

[smokeless joe]

Well I own neither and have not shot either one but looking at pics I would have to say that the Sidewinder doesn't appeal to me but the Ranger II has a look that I do find appealing and given the chance I will own one. Will it replace my Pug for edc, only time will tell.

[scottm]

Pertaining to the conversation about reloading your gun in a conflict.  I hope to NEVER EVER fire my Sidewinder unless I am at the firing range. Firing a weapon is the ULTIMATE last resort, you must feel that your life is in danger. That being said, you should have hit something or scared people away after firing 5 bullets, your gun going off 5 times made a lot of loud noises, you are NOT in a gun battle in the 1800's wild west, instead of continuing loading you gun - - just walk away from the conflict. I also carry bullets in a pouch for the unlikely event of needing more than 5 bullets.

[David Culp]

I have the sidewinder and want the ranger two

[autofull]

fer me, as long as i had 22lr and 22mag cylinders i would take either one, oh i have the sidewinder with two cylinders. silly me, im prejudiced i guess. have both fer the pugs i carry also. i like em in any caliber.  my two.  kevin.

[AZRanger]

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

Is there a "speed loader" for a ranger size cylinder?

If there is...I want one!

[redhawk4]

One reason to carry a reload or spare gun IMO is that it would be easy to fire all 5 shots from a mini at an assailant assuming you are firing  to stop the threat, however depending on who you shoot, there is a very good chance they could have "friends and family" who are not going to agree with what you did regardless of the actual circumstances and so before the Police arrive you may have need to defend yourself further, or at least keep people at bay, by having a loaded weapon - just a thought.

I believe there are speedloaders available that will work with the Ranger, if anyone knows who makes them I'd appreciate a heads up. It seems a speedloader for the Ranger II would be pretty compact to carry compared to the larger caliber revolvers where the speedloaders are very bulky and hard to disguise, even when belt carried.

I stopped by an LGS today and they had the Gold Dot short barrel self defense ammo on the shelf so I grabbed a box for the Ranger II. It certainly seems to have a ballistic advantage and less flash than the run of the mill rifle products from what I've read about it.

[Warthog]

DS Speed makes speed loaders for the NAAs.

[MtGoat]

DS Speed makes speed loaders for the NAAs.

Here are a couple of photos of his fine product.

Note the tool to unload the standard mini's and the set-up box to reload the speed loaders.
This is really for range use but still a very cool idea to keep you shooting more.
Or in my case I might get to shoot if I can keep my kids in loaded guns shooting 

Pat

[Don73]

Thanks for the heads up and link on speed loaders.

[redhawk4]

+1 Thanks for the links too.

[Doc Holliday]

I have a Sidewinder and like it, but have heard the cylinder is a bit of trouble for some to latch and unlatch. Personally, I do it as advised with one thumb on cylinder and one on crane...works perfectly. I look forward to the Ranger II for the breaktop action. However, I agree with on of the other posters.....fast reloading with an NAA Revolver of any design, in a SD situation is really not feasible. Carry two!
Cheers,
Unkei

[Warthog]

The Speed loaders work for the minis you remove the cylinder but not for the Sidewinder.  Even if you do the mod to make the cylinder open up far enough to make the rounds easier to eject, the grip still gets in the way of the speed loader.  At least it does for me.  I would say that you could mod the grips but for me, that would make them too small for me to hold and shoot well.

The Ranger II though, with the was it opens, should make the speed loader work and work well.  It might need to have the cylinder chambers polished up so they rounds slip out easy even when dirty, but the rounds should go into the cylinder with the speed loader with easy. 

It will take a little practice to do this in a self defense, high stress situation, but hopefully I will have time to do this as well.

[jennflip]

 
Tarring and feathering is best left to the professionals!!!!!
      Signed:  The Tar and Feather Committee
   

[Warthog]

    

I must have missed something, what does the above post from jennflip mean?

[smokeless joe]

Tarring and feathering is best left to the professionals!!!!!
      Signed:  The Tar and Feather Committee
   

[Don73]

I like to carry at least enough ammo for one reload.

[glenn]

You guys are always worried about more rounds for a tactical situation (there ... I used THE WORD ).
(You guys REALLY read too many modern gun books.)
Me ... I don't EVER  figger I'll need extra rounds for a fire fight ...  I just like having a few sets of rounds along for the fun of it.

[Ruger]

Let's hope the speed loader boys stock up. I think there's going to be a run on them.

[ds10speed]

Let's hope the speed loader boys stock up. I think there's going to be a run on them.

You mean speed loader "BOY", it's a one boy operation. If the ones I have in stock start disappearing, I'll make more.

[Warthog]

I do my part to make them disappear, just ordered three more of various types.

[Ruger]

. . . You mean speed loader "BOY", it's a one boy operation. If the ones I have in stock start disappearing, I'll make more.

If there is a market, there will be more.  It is the Capitalist way.

[Don73]

Make it and they will come!