Range Report Sidewinder

[oldguy]

Just finished cleaning my Sidewinder after first session at my local indoor range.

5 yards 22 LR no problem keeping all rounds on 8.5" x 11.5" target. Best 5 shot grouping 6".
5 yards 22 mag no problem keeping all rounds on 8.5" x 11.5" target. Best grouping ...well I kept them on the target hard to call them grouped (first time I fired .22 WMR).

7 yards 22 LR 8 of 10 on the 8.5" x 11.5" target. The flyers just off the paper.
7 yards 22 LR 7 of 10 on the 8.5" x 11.5" target. The flyers off the paper by 4" to 10".

My impression of the fire arm is very favorable. Recoil was not too bad with WMR and a peasure with LR. I feel with more practise center of mass hits at 7 yards would be no problem. The sidewinder is performing as advertised, with user improved skill and practise it will be a good option for self-defense.

Reloading and cylinder changes was found to be awkward. Practise should help but I found the WMR cylinder stiff and difficult open and close. The LR cylinder was tight but much easier to open and close and remove, the WMR resisted on every action. Once seated both cylinders rotated and rounds fired smoothly. I actually like the single action trigger. Ejecting spent cartridges from the LR cylinder was smooth and reloading the cylinder was fe; the WMR cylinder was not so much. The ejector was stiff and once moved the spent cartridges often jammed against the gun frame. Practise and oiling may help.

Over all well pleased with the revolver, a small ding on the front of the barrel does not seem to effect the performance. See photo.

Now looking for a pocket holster.

[RogueTS1]

After production slows a bit I would give NAA a call to see about having them recrown the barrel. Glad to see you like your new mini.

[OV-1D]

Thanks oldguy seems like others on here are magic men when it comes to loading and unloading . First honest opinion I've heard since we received them .  Welcome aboard by the way you MIGHT enjoy the forum if you can get past the adolescence . Good report , good shooting for a first timer .

[PJ Garrison]

I'd imagine that your ejection difficulties with the .22 magnum rounds are due to their higher pressure expanding the cases to a greater deal than the .22 lr cases.  .22 magum cases are also longer, so you've got greater surface contact between brass and chamber.  This also results in greater friction.

[oldguy]

Thanks for interest all.

Roguets1- I will keep that I mind- thanks for the suggestion. I did email support at NAA. No answer yet but they are most likely very busy.

OV-1D- Thanks for the kind words. Sure seems like a good group of people on the board. I most say the Sidewinder is abit smaller than the 105 I use to pull the lanyard on decades ago.

PJ Garrison- That is a good point, I expect the MAG pressures would not help. However,the Cylinder/ejection Pin sticks even when cylinder is removed from frame. I am hoping cleaning and use will make the action smoother.

[Wolfar]

I don't claim to be any kind of JEDI shooter but does the Sidewinder shoot that bad that you can hit center mass at 7 yards? 

I can consistently hit the head at 30 feet with my Black Widow...

[45flint]

Old guy curious did you oil the cylinder mechanics beforehand?

[oldguy]

45Flint- I did oil and clean cylinder before going to range, could be I didn't wipe it down enough; but ejector pin will still stick open and resists action. May just need use to smooth out.

Wolfar, great shooting. I doubt if I am pushing the limits of the Sidewinder. Too soon to blame the equipment. Let's tighten the nut behind the wheel first.

The sidewinder still feels strange in the hand. The grip and shooting position is totally different from my pre-model 10 S&W 38 or my .357 Colt Trooper.

I hope to be more effective with the Sidewinder after practise, practise. Old eyes and olds hands have too effect performance.

[gofishr]

Oldguy...
Thanks for the Info. .I still have not made it to the range to test mine yet..

[Wolfar]

Fair enough,

I have already put at least 300 rounds through my Black Widow and it does have a 2" barrel and comes with nice grips as well. It feels right at home in my hand shooting. Took me about 10 shots to get the feel of it. Then I just started hitting what I aimed at.

[heyjoe]

i would recommend eezox for cleaning and lubricating the sidewinder. it has worked very well in all of my handguns.

i would call NAA customer service instead of sending email.

[oldguy]

Heyjoe;

Thanks for hint, I will checkout eezox. I have just been using Hoppe's #9 and Winchester Gun Oil. Time zones makes calling NAA an issue, Jessica Boyd at NAA replied that my email has been forwarded to a tech for reply. I expect to hear something shortly.