Ranger II or Sidewinder?

ilex · May-04-23 16:05

Greetings everyone! Thinking about getting a Sidewinder or Ranger II. Any thoughts on which one is better?
Thanks!

OV-1D · May-04-23 17:05

No doubt the Ranger 2 . No comparison is my belief .

The Sidewinder lacks easy loading I think everyone will agree .

RogueTS1 · May-05-23 09:05

Quote from: OV-1D on May-04-23 17:05
No doubt the Ranger 2 . No comparison is my belief . The Sidewinder lacks easy loading I think everyone will agree .

Yes, to the above. Ranger II is much easier to load.

Rick_Jorgenson · May-05-23 23:05

My vote is "Go with the Ranger II"

I have both models in all 3 barrel lengths. A favorite in my EDC rotation is the 4" Ranger in a Pancake Holster. I'll rarely bother to load the Sidewinder to carry them.

They are mostly used for photos with Holsters

heyjoe · May-06-23 09:05

Its faster to swap barrels on a convertible than it is to reload either the ranger or the sidewinder

linux_author · May-06-23 13:05

had both... i stuck with the Sidewinder... the Ranger II never worked correctly, so sold on... i continue to use my Sidewinder 22LR/22wmr

ilex · May-07-23 10:05

All good points. I've read posts that swear by the Ranger II and others that say it doesn't work properly or other issues. What are the problems with the Ranger II specifically? I've also read of problems with the Sidewinder.

Rick_Jorgenson · May-07-23 10:05

Quote from: heyjoe on May-06-23 09:05
Its faster to swap barrels on a convertible than it is to reload either the ranger or the sidewinder

I can reload with the Ranger pretty quick with DS-10 Speed's (Dave's) Speed Loaders!

https://desertgunleather.com/collections/naa-accessories/products/naa-speed-loader

The clumsy side of my brain tells me "could" reload with a second cylinder quickly but... would fumble and turn the cylinder upside down first! lol!

RogueTS1 · May-08-23 10:05

If one carries an extra loaded cylinder, it is much quicker to reload a Mini by simply swapping the cylinders (Pale Rider Reload) than it is to reload a Ranger without a speed loader. With a small amount of practice one can become very efficient with a cylinder swap.

Uncle_Lee · May-08-23 13:05

Two more totally beautiful pictures of Rick's Creations for my keeping.
Got a diet Pepsi right now.
Helps it go down also.

Rick_Jorgenson · May-09-23 08:05

Quote from: uncle_lee on May-08-23 13:05
Two more totally beautiful pictures of Rick's Creations for my keeping.
Got a diet Pepsi right now.
Helps it go down also.

Thank you Uncle_Lee!

So these photos "work" with Pepsi too?

Good to know!

bearcatter · May-09-23 16:05

Just don't try them with Bud Light ..

coppertop · May-19-23 17:05

Curious. What's a Ranger II running these days?
I've tried to find one locally for a long time but have yet to run across one or any store that can find one, let alone give me a price.

Rick_Jorgenson · May-19-23 20:05

Quote from: coppertop on May-19-23 17:05
Curious. What's a Ranger II running these days?
I've tried to find one locally for a long time but have yet to run across one or any store that can find one, let alone give me a price.

There are quite a few on Gun Broker right now. I just put a bid on one (you forced me to go look!)

lol!

They can be had for bout $550.00 to $600.00 depending on what you want, barrel length and shipping

Armybrat · May-20-23 16:05

I am partial to the Ranger II?..

top dog · May-21-23 06:05

iLEX,

A friend of mine recently had the same "problem" of making that choice. I told him that if he could afford it,buy both as sooner or later he will have both of them.

Rick,
Gosh the more I see of the holsters and gear that you make,I conclude that your stuff is on the top shelf of the neat locker. Just plain superb!!!

Top Dog

Rick_Jorgenson · May-22-23 11:05

Quote from: top dog on May-21-23 06:05
iLEX,

A friend of mine recently had the same "problem" of making that choice. I told him that if he could afford it,buy both as sooner or later he will have both of them.

Rick,
Gosh the more I see of the holsters and gear that you make,I conclude that your stuff is on the top shelf of the neat locker. Just plain superb!!!
Top Dog

I agree, Buy both!

Thank you Top Dog!

Surculus · May-24-23 18:05

Quote from: RogueTS1 on May-08-23 10:05
If one carries an extra loaded cylinder, it is much quicker to reload a Mini by simply swapping the cylinders (Pale Rider Reload) than it is to reload a Ranger without a speed loader. With a small amount of practice one can become very efficient with a cylinder swap.

With any of these, if you need to do a speed reload, you're doing it wrong: they're hideout guns, not duty pistols! If you end up in a firefight with one of these, you use it to take the nearest BG's gun away from *him,* & then use *that*...

Canoeal · May-24-23 20:05

Quote from: Surculus on May-24-23 18:05
Quote from: RogueTS1 on May-08-23 10:05
If one carries an extra loaded cylinder, it is much quicker to reload a Mini by simply swapping the cylinders (Pale Rider Reload) than it is to reload a Ranger without a speed loader. With a small amount of practice one can become very efficient with a cylinder swap.

With any of these, if you need to do a speed reload, you're doing it wrong: they're hideout guns, not duty pistols! If you end up in a firefight with one of these, you use it to take the nearest BG's gun away from *him,* & then use *that*...

Exaxctly, these are not gunfight guns, they are "Get off me" guns. Trying, or expecting this to be a reloadable gun, will get you killed.

TruthTellers · May-30-23 00:05

I agree with the last two posts, reloading any of the NAA revolvers is a rather impractical thought, so saving a few seconds with the Ranger over the Sidewinder isn't enough IMO to justify the extra cost. I consider any NAA revolver to be a "Five, done and run" gun, however if the opportunity came to reload and fleeing still wasn't an option, then fiddling with the frame, cylinder, pin, and ammo becomes a complicated and slow process. The Sidewinder at least keeps everything connected. You will have to pull empties out, but there's less fiddling under stress and you don't have to load all five, two ends of a speed strip gets me to 4 rounds in the cylinder and that's better than none.

RogueTS1 · May-30-23 09:05

The SW is a bear to get open sometimes. Under stress ---------> very likely. The Ranger is much, much faster to empty and reload.

OV-1D · May-30-23 10:05

I agree they are a pain to do quickly , there should have been much more thought into making of the Sidewinder from the beginnings .Any revolver that does not accept a speed loader is a waste except for a collector piece . Ranger all the way on all counts of performance .

Food for thought if having a hard time positioning the cylinder rod on the Sidewinder the knarred tip unscrews . When I first received mine I was getting real pissed the rod just would not release very easy kept wanting not to collapse short enough for it to come out of close position . Finally playing with it enough I found the tip was slightly unscrewed from the shaft keeping it from opening properly . A little Lock-tight on the threads worked wonders . Now it opens freely and effortlessly ,snaps right back in and out of space as it should . I did send them drawings on how to make the cylinder tilt out so one can use a speed loaded if desired , pretty simple shaving here and there makes it a more desirable piece for what it is. I never shoot most of my pieces seeing I collect so I left mine be until maybe someday I'll change it . But remember any changes kills the warranty .

motter · May-31-23 18:05

Bought a Sidewinder from between the time when the Ranger 1 was no longer being made and before the Ranger 2 was in production. Sure I'd like to try a Ranger 2 but the Sidewinder does what it is supposed to do. I've the 2.5 inch barrel and I put boot grips on it. 22mag & 22lr. If you can handle both before you buy that would be ideal. I only ever saw one Sidewinder in a shop and I've never seen a Ranger in a shop. I did order new online and had it shipped to a local FFL. While some might say the cylinder release on the Sidewinder is a little tricky, I'd say it's more of a use and familiarity issue. Use the tool enough times and you'll have it working smoothly for you.

Ozark75 · June-01-23 11:06

I didnt like the ranger at all. I had a 2.5 and 4 inch barrel. The shells would stick and the whole cylinder would get pulled of instead of just ejecting the shells when opened. Hated it.

Rimfire · June-02-23 18:06

Quote from: Ozark75 on June-01-23 11:06
I didnt like the ranger at all. I had a 2.5 and 4 inch barrel. The shells would stick and the whole cylinder would get pulled of instead of just ejecting the shells when opened. Hated it.

I?ve heard this same complaint from several Ranger owners. Is there a fix for it?

OV-1D · June-03-23 06:06

Quote from: Ozark75 on June-01-23 11:06
I didnt like the ranger at all. I had a 2.5 and 4 inch barrel. The shells would stick and the whole cylinder would get pulled of instead of just ejecting the shells when opened. Hated it.

Steel casings are generally a problem along with the maxi powdered loads of both long rifle and magnums . The brass casings seem to have better results seeing they are self lubricating metal also .

Polish the cylinder walls with Scotchbrite also , use some jewelers rouge with the Scotchbrite if you think its really tight .

5_shooter · June-03-23 10:06

I don't understand the thinking of reloading a mini fast. If all you're carrying is one mini, and you need to reload, you're already screwed. Minis are small enough you can have one in each pocket. Drop the empty one and pull another.

bearcatter · June-03-23 10:06

A New York Reload...

coppertop · June-14-23 11:06

I ended up going with the Sidewinder. Was looking for a Ranger II and stumbled upon a Sidewinder about an hour from the house for $350. The Ranger II was out of stock but priced at $550.

Both have always interested me and I've been a fan of break-top revolvers since the H&R .22 revolver that I had as a teenager. I figured I would eventually get both but the price difference was a bit of a surprise. I'll pick up the Sidewinder in the next day or two and then start saving for the Ranger II.

Oh... I also agree with the comments that the NAA revolvers aren't intended for situations where you need to reload with any level of speed. I'm good enough with my NAA to drop someone to their knees or make them think twice. Then I run like the wind to my truck and my 12 gauge.

Part of the attraction with the Sidewinder and Ranger II is the ease of reloading. These guns aren't range guns where you run a few hundred rounds through them, but I do like to take mine to the range from time to time and shoot a couple dozen rounds through them for good measure. Just never liked the cumbersome nature of reloading the original NAA minis.

Rick_Jorgenson · June-15-23 01:06

Thats a good price for the Sidewinder!

Now you need to think about how you want to carry it! lol!

Uncle_Lee · June-15-23 05:06

Sip, sip, Ahhhh
Another beautiful coffee aid..

RogueTS1 · June-15-23 09:06

Should partake of the usual Forum Advice on such matters ................. Buy both and do not worry about the quandary.

Uncle_Lee · June-16-23 05:06

Quote from: RogueTS1 on June-15-23 09:06
Should partake of the usual Forum Advice on such matters ................. Buy both and do not worry about the quandary.

bbgun · June-16-23 15:06

I have both and both are hard to operate. The Ranger I is the best and the regular old original is second best. The Ranger II and the Sidewinder are both rough.

coppertop · June-19-23 19:06

Quote from: RogueTS1 on June-15-23 09:06
Should partake of the usual Forum Advice on such matters ................. Buy both and do not worry about the quandary.

Well crap. I don't need to read the forum advice as often as I do. At least the buy both part.

The local gun store that I picked up the Sidewinder from sent me an email saying they had a Ranger II in stock at their warehouse.
Price was right and I placed the order. Should be available by the end of the week.

Already placed an order for another pocket holster from Rick.