Sidewinder Photos

[Sandy]

For your amusement, I'm happy to post a few pictures of a prototype of the Sidewinder that we'll be showing at next week's NRA Show and Product Expo.  You can find them at http://www.northamericanarms.com/Sidewinder">www.NorthAmericanArms.com/Sidewinder.  Before you go there, I invite you to read the following.  I want to share some additional information about where we are and where we're going with this product.

   

   Perhaps the first thing you'll notice from the pictures is the added thickness to the bottomstrap.  One of the engineering idiosyncrasies of this design is that the pivot point for the crane had to be located at a point below what was available on the standard frame for the cylinder to cleanly clear the pocket, hence the offset.  While some of the contouring may change before we commit to a production model, that general feature will not.  

   

   Another cosmetic change that we will make prior to production is that the radius on the front end of the barrel and the slight offset of the rib above the barrel will mimic the design of our existing models.  Similarly, so will the size (diameter) and knurled texture of the cylinder pin.

   

   I'm hopeful that the overall barrel length of the initial model will be somewhat shorter than that of the prototype(s).  It is easy to make the length larger and I'm certain we'll offer this model with several barrel length choices.

   

   What's not clear from these photos is that a screw entering the frame from the frontstrap secures the cylinder crane.  As the cylinder will be permanently fixed to the crane, the entire assembly will need to be replaced if/when the user wants to install an LR cylinder, which we will offer.  I don't expect we'll offer this model on the LR frame.

   

   Some of you will notice that this model sports a pair of cylinder shields attached to each side of the frame.  And some will notice the notches cut into the side of the left-side shield.  The different width of these two notches corresponds to similar-sized notches on the cylinder; the narrow notch is the Safety Slot, while the larger notch is a window onto the rim of the cartridge.  If/when the notches on the cylinder align with those on the shield (which is NOT the condition illustrated in the photo), then the safety slot is immediately underneath the hammer.  This should be a helpful indicator when users attempts to set the hammer in the safety slot for safe carry.  My clumsy description of the process notwithstanding, I assure you that the use of this new feature is infinitely more intuitive once you have a piece in hand.

   

   I'm very confident that, unlike the dearly-departed Ranger, this model will be part of our stable for a long time, and that we will be able to offer it at a price less than the Ranger.   In terms of availability, when one considers the fact that we are already running our manufacturing facility at full-steam+++, coupled with the early demand that most new models generate, we expect that this piece will be difficult to acquire for "several" months.  We apologize in advance to those customers who may become frustrated.  You may want to take advantage of an Early Bird purchase opportunity, which I expect we'll announce in a couple of months.

   

   I hope this sneak peak helps scratch some of your itch.  Remember, you saw/heard it here first.

[heyjoe]

thanks for the photos. looks good. im in.

[louiethelump]

the link does not work for me and goes to the home page only.  pasted, clicked on, typed in,,,,no matter, it does not go to any pics.

   

   What am I doing wrong?

[heyjoe]

try this one Louie

   

   http://northamericanarms.com/sidewinder">http://northamericanarms.com/sidewinder

[louiethelump]

thank you Joe.  THAT one works..........

   

   I am happy to see I was wrong on the extractor.  It looks better than I expected and I AM IN!

   

   Saving those nickels................

[jupiter7]

Yep, star extractor, I'm in. Thanks Sandy!

[RogueTS1]

Louie; click on the link then once there type in Sidewinder and click go. It took me right to the pictures then.

   

   It looks pretty good except that the cylinder swings out in the wrong direction.......... unless you are a lefty.

[RogueTS1]

Sandy; the cylinder is swinging out in the wrong direction.... unless you are a lefty.

[shadowofleaves]

Thanks Heyjoe. I wasn't able to view the pics either until you re-posted the link. I like it. However, I am wondering why the cylinder swings out on the right side instead of the left? It would seem that particular configuation may pose a small problem for a right-handed shooter who is used to handling and loading S&W/Colt/Ruger revolvers. It's still cool though. I would recommend slightly rounding the front corners on the crane's frame protrusion (they look kinda sharp) and adding a set of XS sights like the Pug (or at least a set of fixed BW sights) and it would be good to go!  I might have to buy a couple of these when they become available.

[Dinadan]

Thanks, Sandy.  

   

   An interesting firearm certainly. I am going to make a guess that  

   this is the smallest swingout cylinder revolver ever made. Am I right  

   about that? Certainly I need one or more. One thing that leaps out  

   at me immediately is that the retaining pin needs a shroud on the left side

   instead of the gap that is there now.

[smokin_joe]

Thanks Sandy!  Can't wait to get one.

[shadowofleaves]

Dinadan - sorry sir. It would appear that those honors go to this one:

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6exY346Gto">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S6exY346Gto

[m82a1pa]

That's nice.  I'm in for one!

[bleak_window]

That's really impressive!  Great looking design that has all the features of a modern "hand ejector".  I might have to be an early bird and pick up one of those beauties.

[admin]

I'm sure glad Sandy posted those, I took those pics earlier today and really wanted to post them on here, but preferred to stay on Sandy's good side

[heyjoe]

good idea!

[gokyo]

Yeah i really like the way that looks.  i do hope the knurling changes.  

   

   I still wish i knew what the barrel length was going to be.  

   

   Does that look like it is 2" to you all or more like 1 5/8"

   

   Thanks for the picture.  

   

   I am gonna get in line for one for sure.  

   

   the real question is do i sell my BW?

[whitehorse]

The Ekol Arda flare gun release also pushes in but it is not shrouded and would allow more sculpturing and a shorter barrel option. . . .  

   .

   

[tranquilo]

Very nice - I'm in for one or two!  (Maybe NAA

   would consider manufacturing five shot speed

   loaders for the Sidewinder.)

[nakagawa]

Would love to see a full barrel lug without the cutout for the ejector rod. However, It looks pretty nice looking to me so far! .22 mag speed strips may help with this. I am impressed no doubt, but I still feel like I would break the thing. So far so good.

   

   I think the swing out design along the lines of the PUG or BW would look so awesome...

[glenn]

I think I just peed a little !  Sure hope I can get one early with personalized ser #.

   Thanks Sandy !

   

   ~Glenn

[CavScout]

Great to finally see what's in the works. I'm also anxiously waiting for Sandy's invite to Early Bird. Ideally one each 22mag and 22LR to save swapping cylinders.

   

   I'm guessing the cylinder swings out to the right for the same reason the current NAA cylinders go in&out the right side... to accommodate engagement with the cylinder bolt.

   

   If'n I had my druthers... I would carry the profile of the forward underlug back through the rear underlug.

   

   

   looking at the front of the frame, I would contour the profile of the frame as an offset of the barrel profile... say 1/32" larger.

   

   For that new lower crane carrying lug, I would give it a convex radius looking like a nice smile from the front.

   

   I would also be game for a 22LR version on the same Mag frame, just a shortened cylinder/frame window.

   

   One question I do have... will it have a usable sight picture?

[jupiter7]

Side note:

   

   Cylinder swings to the correct side. Single action loading gate is on the right side also. Bring to half cock with right thumb, pop cylinder with left thumb, operate ejector with forefinger. All in all, a very familiar action for those who shoot single actions much.

[45flint]

Wow Sandy over delivered!!   ejector and LR option.   Just hard for me to see how they can make this that much cheaper than the Ranger has a lot lof complexity.  I am in.

[mainstreet]

To Sandy: Thank you for the photos! Looks like a winner! Kind of like seeing a newborn baby. It has all it's fingers and toes! Can't wait for it get out of the hospital and go home with me.

[45flint]

Here is hoping the LR is in the early bird.  Also fascinating to me what different grips will look like on this gun give its very different profile. Given the square front a more square boot may tie in rather than the birds head?

[Uncle_Lee]

Beautiful!!!!

   Beautiful!!!!

   Beautiful!!!!

   

   

   I'll take two with LR conversions.

   That is if I am still alive when they finally come out.

   I hate seeing something that I want and knowing that there is a chance of being dead before it hits the market.

   

   The KSG is out now but the price is too stupid.

   

   Selling price on the Rangers is going down. Been watching those.

   

   Also I want to live long enough to see obama out of the office of our President.

   I want that more than ANYTHING!!!!!!!

[chopprs]

I will take two. I wonder why it swings out to the right instead of the left though, I am sure there is a good answer for this.

   

   I also noticed that this on is number three. What do the other two look like?

   

   I am also curious to know why the recoil shield is notched one the right? Is that for the cylinder pin?

[flowder]

Very nice indeed. Would prefer a non fluted cylinder though.

[45flint]

You are right non fluted works with his frame better, good eye.

[Uncle_Lee]

I would say "yes" the notch on the right is for the cylinder pin. It pushes the pin back in.

[45flint]

Also would look good with the top mounted laser.   square profile match.   Non fluted cylinder and a boot type grip.

[bbgun]

I think the swing out to the right is great. I'm right-handed and that makes it easier to reload! Put me down for three!

[flowder]

Sell an acessory grip that that transforms the "birdhead" into a flat...LOL.

[millsriver]

I am in for one. Congratulations to Sandy and the NAA team. This one is a "keeper". I am really amazed that a conversion cylinder will be offered. Hopefully the 1 5/8" barrel will also be an option.