Hello/ 2.5" Sidewinder

grizzly · January-16-18 17:01

Hello all, I'm a long time lurker and finally decided to join. I just bought a 2.5" Sidewinder on Sunday. Today I ordered a crossdraw holster for it from Rick. I thought about getting the 1.5" Sidewinder but ultimately decided on the 2.5" barrel since I also have a Pug. Anyways I figured I'd say hello and see how everyone likes their 2.5" Sidewinders and Sidewinders in general.

seaotter · January-17-18 07:01

Pictures!

RangerJim · January-17-18 07:01

Welcome, grizzly! Great choice on both accounts. I love my Pug--carry it every day. And I like the fact that you chose the 2.5" sidewinder. Not only does the extra barrel length allow for better accuracy--but I personally think it has more elegant look than the 1.5". I suspect you will enjoy it very much. Good luck ... and again ... WELCOME!

grizzly · January-17-18 08:01

Thanks for the welcome! I'm not great with posting pictures so don't hold your breath lol. I had a Talo Buntline .22 Mag with the 2.5 inch barrel but sold it several years ago. I've always liked the look of the 2.5 inch guns. I haven't shot it yet but so far I like the bead sight more than I liked the blade.

franco22 · January-17-18 10:01

Welcome Grizzly. I have both the 1.5 and the 2.5 inch Sidewinders. I just got my 2.5 inch model and have only shot it once to test for reliability. I have been carrying the smaller Sidewinder in a coat pocket this winter or in the front pocket of my sweats around the house. So far I am very happy with both models.

Uncle_Lee · January-17-18 14:01

Howdy Grizzly,
Yup, time to come out of the shadows and join in the fun.
Keep trying on the pictures. You can make it.
"Without pictures, it didn't happen."

Texduk3 · January-17-18 15:01

welcome to the tiny gun place

Dinadan · January-17-18 21:01

Grizzly - I have both the Sidewinders and I am very pleased with both of mine. Did you get the conversion or the magnum? I have the conversion model and so far I have only shot LR and shorts out of my 2.5" model. It has replaced my original Sidewinder as my everyday carry Mini.

grizzly · January-17-18 22:01

Dinidan I got the magnum. There was a 1.5" and a 4" conversion model at the gun show that I went to but there was only one 2.5" and it wasn't a conversion. I was tempted to go with one of the others but I really wanted the 2.5" barrel and I prefer .22 mag to .22 lr anyway.

RangerJim · January-18-18 04:01

Quote from: grizzly on January-17-18 22:01
Dinidan I got the magnum. There was a 1.5" and a 4" conversion model at the gun show that I went to but there was only one 2.5" and it wasn't a conversion. I was tempted to go with one of the others but I really wanted the 2.5" barrel and I prefer .22 mag to .22 lr anyway.

Good move. You can always send yours back to NAA to get the conversion cylinder. And it's cheap ... something like $40.

grizzly · January-18-18 09:01

Hopefully this works. Supposed to be a picture of my 2.5" Sidewinder.

MR_22 · January-19-18 00:01

Quote from: grizzly on January-18-18 09:01
Hopefully this works. Supposed to be a picture of my 2.5" Sidewinder.

It appears to be what it's supposed to be.

So I guess that worked! That's a nice looker. Great barrel length for that gun.

Uncle_Lee · January-19-18 05:01

Ahhhh
A picture.
I knew you could do it.
Thanks for sharing.

Gog · January-19-18 05:01

Very nice indeed!

usmcxd · January-19-18 12:01

Saweet!!!

linux_author · January-19-18 14:01

congrats on the sidewinder! i agonized over the short or 2.5" barrel, and in the end went for the shorter version...

my sidewinder is pretty accurate (for what it is) with both the magnum and .22LR cylinders - i am very happy with it, and it fits nicely in a boot 'n belt holster (never on my belt, but in my pocket):

willie
on the sunny and warm Gulf of Mexico

Oddball · January-19-18 17:01

My 2.5" Sidewinder was my second NAA purchase after the wasp I bought. I like being able to load without basically disassembling the gun.
Having an inch longer barrel seems to help with accuracy. It also seems to prevent keyholing which is something my Wasp with its 1 5/8 barrel would occasionally do with some ammo.
I replaced the rosewood grips with Mini-master grips. The Sidewinder would twist in my hand after every shot. I loved the looks of the rosewood grips, the new grips make it kind of ugly but I bought this for primary defense when discrete carry was absolutely mandatory.

grizzly · January-19-18 19:01

Thanks! I like those carved boot grips. I almost ordered a pair but ended up ordering the black/silver birdshead grips instead, that way it should match my Bond Arms with black ash grips. I don't know why but I have a thing for black grips on stainless guns. If I get them tomorrow I'll try to get them on and get another picture up with the new grips.

grizzly · January-20-18 17:01

I got the silver and black grips for my sidewinder today so I figured I should post a new picture.

franco22 · January-23-18 07:01

Looks good. I like the grips.

motter · January-23-18 14:01

Enjoy your sidewinder, 2.5 inches fit the bill for me, with 22LR I'm doing well, with 22mag I need more range time. I did have to do a little polish work on mine here and there but now happy with the sidewinder.

45flint · January-23-18 18:01

With all the talk of the Ranger, I think the Sidewinder can get lost in present discussion. I have the original Ranger and a Sidewinder and I actually like the Sidewinder better as a everyday gun. I think the closed frame makes for a better gun, though maybe not as interesting. The roll out cylinder more natural cause most revolvers do this. Longer barrel perfect.

seaotter · January-26-18 06:01

I have to agree with you: I would definitely prefer the sidewinder to the Ranger. The top break mechanism is really cool to look at, but it seems needlessly complicated and inherently weaker than the roll out cylinder. It will be interesting to see how the Ranger will hold up to a steady diet of Gold Dot and Hornady rounds.