Sandy and the Sidewinder

[1943]

i want to personally thank Sandy for taking the time to explain all the changes to me and my Buddy at the show today.  He explained the changes they are working on for the new gun.  He was very gracious in answing our questions.  I think he has a winner here and the new changes will make it even better(at least in some peoples minds)  Thanks  Sandy for your time.  1943

[heyjoe]

could you maybe fill us in on what some of those changes are that they are working on?

[harkamsu]

That's such a tease of a post. Inquiring minds would like to know what you asked and what Sandy explained, unless Sandy asked you not to mention anything just yet.

[chopprs]

......mild.....small changes, like a change to... .32ACP?

[45flint]

Plus he didn't take pictures.  !!!!!

[limapapa40]

We didn't take pictures because Sandy had already posted them. It feels good in the hand. He told us it may have a shorter barrel and there are other refinements they are working on. He gave us no further info. It is and will be a .22 magnum. It will be very easy to place the hammer on the safety notch. Other than the price that has already been given, that's all folks.

[chopprs]

I think they will make some small refinements to the front of the frame. Perhaps a subtle rounding would make quite  adifference in aesthetics.

   I sure would like to see a Mini-Master/Back Widow version! I would be all over that!!!

[harkamsu]

Any kind of hint as when to expect early bird?

[chopprs]

From what we have been told we will know when they will be available to us sometime this summer.  

   I think Sandy is not one to make a lot of mistakes and not the same ones twice so he will be far more careful this time then when the Break Top came out.  

   I also think that he has a more realistic design this time and we will see a surge in interest for this model more prevelant than the Break Top escapade. The price point seems to be more realistic as well so they will have many sold long before we are offered them. Be prepared to be offered large sums for them initially but after some time I would not be surprised if the entire line follows this design and the current design goes away.......perhaps saving novelties like the Short.

   A smaller production base provides a larger profit and we have seen the current design played to  the most extent of realistic imagination.

   To keep all of the current models and expand the Sidewinder, a far more realistic and more easily sold design would be a nightmare for a production line.

   In my opinion the recently circulated long barreled models will be very vauable in years to come as they are few and far between and likely the first to go.

[harkamsu]

Slightly off topic then. So what really is early bird then? Am I correct to assume that early bird allows us to get a chance to order these before the general public, and thus have them delivered earlier? I'm gonna guess that pricing is the same, just that we get first dibs so to speak. I just kind of assumed that's what early bird meant, but I guess now might be as good a time as any to ask for clarification.

   

   A Black Widow version would be my favorite but, for now this is perfect. I imagine if the line up does shift towards cylinder cranes, that the Black Widow will follow suit in time.

[chopprs]

You are correct in your assumtion. The "Early Bird" program is a convenience allowed by Sandy that introduces new models here on the forum to forum members before they are introduced to the general public. In the past he has limited us to two per person so as not to sway the introductory market price I am sure but a welcomed courtesy as I am sure will be agreed by all here!

[harkamsu]

I cannot wait. These things look like such quality pieces, feats of engineering really considering how small they are.

[Kevin]

NAA is working at full capacity to turn out current models, so I don't think they will stopping production on them any time soon. If the Sidewinder is successful, I imagine NAA will feel confident in investing in expanding their production capabilities. Barring significant setbacks, they will know if the Sidewinder is financially successful by the end of next year, and if the Obama gang is going to whale on gun control during his second term. We all know how just his nomination affected the gun market in 2008 and NAA will want to take that into consideration before ramping up production.

[pogo]

Chopprs sez: From what we have been told we will know when they will be available to us sometime this summer.

   I think Sandy is not one to make a lot of mistakes and not the same ones twice so he will be far more careful this time then when the Break Top came out.

   I also think that he has a more realistic design this time and we will see a surge in interest for this model more prevelant than the Break Top escapade. The price point seems to be more realistic as well so they will have many sold long before we are offered them. Be prepared to be offered large sums for them initially but after some time I would not be surprised if the entire line follows this design and the current design goes away.......perhaps saving novelties like the Short.

   A smaller production base provides a larger profit and we have seen the current design played to the most extent of realistic imagination.

     

   

   And, "You are correct in your assumtion. The "Early Bird" program is a convenience allowed by Sandy that introduces new models here on the forum to forum members before they are introduced to the general public. In the past he has limited us to two per person so as not to sway the introductory market price I am sure but a welcomed courtesy as I am sure will be agreed by all here! :-)"

   

   You ARE a paragon of prose there, bub. Once again, I salute you.

   

   "A smaller production base provides a larger profit and we have seen the current design played to the most extent of realistic imagination."

   

   Dang! That's pithy stuff! Do you mind if I borrow it?

[45flint]

Choppers:   Very interesting thoughts.  I really don't disagree with your conclusion but I think demand will take it there not planning.   At the planned price point I do think there will be a gravitation to the sidewinder given its more "normal" loading scheme.  That will drive production away from the other models there will not be as much demand.  A company will produce what it has orders for.   I also think you are right about the long barrels fading.   I really don't think the sidewinder would look that great with a long barrel as say a Earl.  And certainly their "historic heritage" look on some models suffer with the new design.  That may save them.   The design lines I think are problematic here.   But we will see how it finally comes out.    Steve

[Uncle_Lee]

OK,

   1943, Did you find out anything about the LR conversion cylinder (& crane)?

   

   

   ••••

[1943]

Nope.  Almost everything he told us was about changing the aesthteics of the frame, rounding off and dehorning some of the "sharp edges", changing the cylinder release pin to "and this is what we got from that" was to a nurled type instead of the one on the prototype.  He also told us the price point was at this time going to be $349.00 and we got from him the Early bird orders might be in June.  He also told us they might possibly be working on a little different design for the under barrel laser mount.  He said eventually the Sidewinder could be possibly released in multiple barrel lengths.  Mostly it was just a good time of conversation with Sandy.  1943

[flowder]

We got the J-Frame for about this price so, it is in the "proper" pricepoint range. JMHO.

[heyjoe]

thanks for the information 1943.

[whitehorse]

1943,  

   

   what is a "nurled type cylinder release pin" ?  

   

   Does anyone know  how a nurled type cylinder release pin looks and would you please describe it ?

[harkamsu]

It's knurled, and it will look like what's already available on a lot of the NAA minirevolvers.

   http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zOhUldPcfnQ/TGzChFcQ4UI/AAAAAAAABBU/k7E1_ON1Okg/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg">http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_zOhUldPcfnQ/TGzChFcQ4UI/AAAAAAAABBU/k7E1_ON1Okg/s1600/IMG_0263.jpg" alt="" />

   

   Here's a close up of knurling.

   http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Knurling_closeup.jpg/170px-Knurling_closeup.jpg">http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bf/Knurling_closeup.jpg/170px-Knurling_closeup.jpg" alt="" />

[whitehorse]

Harkamsu,  

   

   wonder if the new cylinder pin will have several features :  

   

   cylinder release & extractor rod

[CavScout]

Whitehorse,

   

   From previously described, pull the ejector rod towards the muzzle to release the cylinder then push the ejector rod to the rear for ejection/extraction.

   

   ejection: completely remove case from chamber.

   

   extraction: partially lift case out of chamber for removal by hand.