Question on the 2.5" Sidewinder for the powers above.

[Uncle_Lee]

I see that there is a few 2.5" Sidewinders starting to show up in the pipeline.
How long until you all start shipping them with the Long Rifle cylinder??
I have mine on order and am waiting...
I have already ordered the boot grips and made room in the shoebox.


Bad timing !!!
Bringing out the 2.5" Sidewinder and the Ranger II at the same time....
I have an understanding wife but 4 in such a short period of time ??



.32 acp mini...........

[grayelky]

Soon as I see the 2 1/2" conversion in stock somewhere, I'll let you know.

[Uncle_Lee]

Thanks a lot..
I'll be here watching.

[zburkett]

Uncle Leer, when it comes to telling your wife about new guns, remember, sometimes the best thing to say is to shut up.

[Uncle_Lee]

Uncle Leer, when it comes to telling your wife about new guns, remember, sometimes the best thing to say is to shut up.

In the 37 years that we have been married I have bought over 300 guns.
There are some that I have had for 20 years that she don't know I have.
The way things are today she knows all of them that I get. - She hauls my old butt to the dealer to pick up what I buy.

I have opted out of the 2.5" Sidewinders until a couple of months after I get my Ranger II's.
There will be peace in the valley for me that way.

[zburkett]

I wish I didn't understand what you are saying so well.

[heyjoe]

I wish I didn't understand what you are saying so well.

haha.....every married man understands

[westerly1965]

I wish I didn't understand what you are saying so well.

haha.....every married man understands

LOL So True!

[Dinadan]

I have opted out of the 2.5" Sidewinders until a couple of months after I get my Ranger II's.

I guess I will take whichever I can get in a conversion first. I know what you mean about four guns, four expensive guns, in a short time. My wife would not object, but my bank account would rebel!

[grayelky]

Davidsons has the 4" conversion in stock now. They list the 2 1/2" conversion, but do not show it in stock. If your LGS buys from them, order on line and it will ship to him, usually in just a couple of days.

https://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?pg=list&mfg=North%20American%20Arms&cat=All&type=All&mdl=Sidewinder&cal=All

[Uncle_Lee]

Well the Ranger II is not coming out until about May so when I got the notice from Gallery of Guns that the NAA-SWC-250 is in stock, I ordered me a pair of those.......


Have you noticed that since the Ranger II has peeked out from under the covers no one is mentioning the 2.5" Sidewinder??

[Uncle_Lee]

Davidsons has the 4" conversion in stock now. They list the 2 1/2" conversion, but do not show it in stock. If your LGS buys from them, order on line and it will ship to him, usually in just a couple of days.

https://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/default.aspx?pg=list&mfg=North%20American%20Arms&cat=All&type=All&mdl=Sidewinder&cal=All

Thanks but I already have a pair of the 4" ones....
I checked on the link above and set up a "notify me when these come in".
They came in and Davidsons notified me......

[theysayimnotme]

Bad timing !!!
Bringing out the 2.5" Sidewinder and the Ranger II at the same time....
I have an understanding wife but 4 in such a short period of time ??
.32 acp mini...........

You mean you pay for your guns? Everyone knows they breed in the gun safe.

[Uncle_Lee]

Bad timing !!!
Bringing out the 2.5" Sidewinder and the Ranger II at the same time....
I have an understanding wife but 4 in such a short period of time ??
.32 acp mini...........

You mean you pay for your guns? Everyone knows they breed in the gun safe.

I don't have a safe.
Just a shoebox.

[OV-1D]

Bad timing !!!
Bringing out the 2.5" Sidewinder and the Ranger II at the same time....
I have an understanding wife but 4 in such a short period of time ??
.32 acp mini...........

You mean you pay for your guns? Everyone knows they breed in the gun safe.

I don't have a safe.
Just a shoebox.

  Funny Unc I have yet to see a 10' by 20' shoebox . Send pictures please.

[Uncle_Lee]

It is a tote but I call it my shoebox....

[grayelky]

Anyone still looking for a 2 1/2" SW conversion, Gallery of Guns has them in stock:

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=NAA-SWC-250&&mfg=North%20American%20Arms&cat=All&type=All&mdl=Sidewinder&cal=All

[Uncle_Lee]

Anyone still looking for a 2 1/2" SW conversion, Gallery of Guns has them in stock:

http://www.galleryofguns.com/genie/Default.aspx?item=NAA-SWC-250&&mfg=North%20American%20Arms&cat=All&type=All&mdl=Sidewinder&cal=All

According to my dealer mine are on the way.
From where?
I don't know.
Gallery of Guns is still at 18 in stock.
Maybe they don't update their add very often???

[Surculus]

Have you noticed that since the Ranger II has peeked out from under the covers no one is mentioning the 2.5" Sidewinder??

I've noticed. Can't say I'm surprised: that squared off bottom front edge of the Sidewinder for the cylinder arbor is... shall we say, "less than photogenic?" And top-break revolvers are just cooler, always have been. Just not as strong as a solid-frame swing out cylinder [for what should be obvious reasons.] In something with as low bolt-thrust [cylinder thrust?] as the Minis using modern materials, a top-break should be plenty strong enough to last for generations. Firing bucket loads of 255gr 45 Colt bullets out of a case-hardened wrought iron BP classic Schofield? Yeah, they tend(ed) to beat themselves into an early demise...

Looking forward to the Ranger II in a barrel-length that will allow me to purchase it here in the PRK.


Still kicking myself for not getting an H&R 999 when they were still cheap & readily available new...

[lefty dude]

I think the Sidewinder is a nice piece, but I also am saving my Gold for the Ranger II.
When the gallery of Guns has them listed, I will a Ranger II shipped to my favorite LGS.

I was lucky enough to find a Hi-Standard Double Nine Sentinel Deluxe 6" barrel, made in 1965 new in the Box unfired this past Spring. The best part $ 175.00 private party sale.

With CCI SV 22LR's it is my most accurate 22LR Revolver, shooting in the single action mode.

[Kentucky Kevin]

not as strong as a solid-frame swing out cylinder [for what should be obvious reasons.] In something with as low bolt-thrust [cylinder thrust?] as the Minis using modern materials, a top-break should be plenty strong enough to last for generations. Firing bucket loads of 255gr 45 Colt bullets out of a case-hardened wrought iron BP classic Schofield? Yeah, they tend(ed) to beat themselves into an early demise...

You seem to have some knowledge & information that I would appreciate, would you please speak on the two guns as to  faster/easier/stronger & durability, please. I asked for this info in another thread, hoping that some who have shot the ranger & the sidewinder would speak from experience. I'm going to get one for Christmas/EarlyBird(May). Don't need, but I sold a bunch of guns & might treat myself to another mini

[theysayimnotme]

Still kicking myself for not getting an H&R 999 when they were still cheap & readily available new...

You didn't miss much. I had one & from the looks of it I had great expectations. What I didn't take into account was the Rube Goldberg trigger. No practical way to improve it that I could find. Big disappointment.

[grayelky]

uncle_lee-
The link is showing their actual inventory.
Kentucky Kevin-
While I have not shot one of the  BTs, I will offer my $.02 worth:
Faster: if you are referring to firing rate, I strongly suspect it would be a draw between the 2. They are basically the same mechanism (I think!), so that would be the same for both. If you are referring to reloading rate, to me, the SW is a little finicky to open, and get closed properly, taking a little longer than the BT. This could possibly just be the operator, but, I have opened/closed a SW far more than I have the BTs, and the BT is still much faster to operate.
Stronger/Durable: they are both robust for caliber, and of high grade SS, so durable is not in question. The SW is the same closed frame as the other minis, using the same trigger, sear, etc, that is of proven design. Many have been fired thousands of rounds with no issues. The BT likely uses the same internal components with a different frame and locking mechanism. I strongly suspect as many existing components as possible will be used, due in part to proven reliability. These parameters do not seem to be enough of a difference to make a decision.

For my $.02 worth, I would suggest you base your decision on what the mini would be used for. Personally, I prefer to carry a basic 1 5/8 barrel 22 mag (a Wasp). It is slightly less bulky than the SW or the original BT, thus it carries better, for me, than either of them. For plinking, I prefer my 3" barrel Earl. It points better, and the extra barrel length and weight lets it settle down. The sight radius is a bonus. For reloading, it has a slight disadvantage when compare to the  SW or BT, due to removing the cylinder. For just shooting, hiking or "woods wondering", I think the 4" barreled Mini Master would be King, but, I have never fired one.

After all this, what would be better for you? Actually, that would be easy. Since you have sold a BUNCH of guns, buy several, maybe 5 or 6! Don't make a decision on a single gun! A 1 5/8 mini for carrying, a 3" Earl for plinking, a 4" Mini Master for woods wondering, a BT when they become available because they are different, a 2 1/2" SW, 'cause you ain't got one, a Wasp, 'cause they are unique, as is the Pug, a.... well, I suspect you are catching on!👍😀😎😱😃🤑