Just picked up my sidewinder 22 Magnum and I'm very disappointed

Glocking26 · January-05-16 17:01

When you open the cylinder it does not all the way to 90 degrees so you can not eject the empty cartridges. When you push the ejector rod in the empty cartridge is hitting the blast shield. This gun is BRAND NEW never fired. How could someone let a gun like this leave the factory? If it was test fired with 5 rounds someone would have noticed it. Shame on NAA!
Also I see you don't include a holster with your guns anymore and cheapened and the plastic case. Also the instruction page that used to be a booklet was a half printed piece of paper I couldn't even read it.I've bought many guns from them over 20 years but none in the passed 5 years and they were little works of art. Doesn't anyone take pride in what they produce anymore.....guess not it's all about make um as fast as you can and push um out the door. It's a dam shame. Sorry for the rant I just had to vent.
Mike

Spirit Hawk · January-05-16 20:01

I can relate in little bit. I got a mini long rifle for Christmas. It is beautiful. I bought it from gallery of guns. It came in a lock box and was more than I expected.
Only... I got to shoot it a few time before the sight came lose? I pushed it back in, shot it a couple more times and it practically fell off the barrel? So I called customer service. I explained my issues and they said they use a press to put the sight back in.
They were super nice and offered to pay for the shipping to have it repaired and were very apologetic.. More than I was expecting. I was able to ship it Fedex. Best customer service I have had from a gun manufacturer. I only wish I didn't have to wait but good things come to those who wait.
I don't think this happens very often. I sent it over the weekend "overnight" I'll post an update when I get it back.
Again just call customer service. Even if you bought it used they'll probably fix it for you.

Uncle_Lee · January-05-16 21:01

"When you open the cylinder it does not all the way to 90 degrees so you can not eject the empty cartridges. When you push the ejector rod in the empty cartridge is hitting the blast shield. This gun is BRAND NEW never fired. How could someone let a gun like this leave the factory? If it was test fired with 5 rounds someone would have noticed it"

That is the way they all are.

Welcome.....

grayelky · January-05-16 22:01

Sorry you are unhappy. My first NAA was in 1977, and I did not have a holster included. My next one was about 8 or 9 years ago, and, no holster. Don't know what deal you found with a free holster, but it was either a distributor special or perhaps a TALO gun. I know NAA has not included holsters as a matter of routine for the past 8, and likely, 9 years.

I have never fired a SW, so I will bow to uncle_lee's superior knowledge on that subject. I guess all I can really offer, is, I hope the rant helped. While you are chilling out, hang around, read some of the other threads. You may learn something new, or, be able to answer someone's question. Either way, hang in there.

Uncle_Lee · January-06-16 03:01

Oh, by the way, (test fired 5 rounds?) I have bought a few minis of various models and every one of them look like they have been fired at least 100 or more rounds. Black around the end of the chambers on the cylinder and barrel coated in soot. Can't even see any of the shallow rifling.

NAAForrest · January-06-16 10:01

Dude, you have to orient the cylinder so the rounds won't hit the blast shield when you eject. Basically turn the cylinder until the blast shield is in between two rounds.

ephraim · January-06-16 13:01

Quote from: NAAForrest on January-06-16 10:01
Dude, you have to orient the cylinder so the rounds won't hit the blast shield when you eject. Basically turn the cylinder until the blast shield is in between two rounds.

Good suggestion. However, I have an EB SW and the cylinder rotates more than 90 degrees and will eject shells without having to position it. My SW is the best quality of any NAA I have owned, including a Ranger. Maybe you just got one that slipped thru. They will make it right. To each his own, but I am just a big fan of the SW. My favorite of the mini's

scbuxton · January-06-16 17:01

Quote from: Glocking26 on January-05-16 17:01
How could someone let a gun like this leave the factory? If it was test fired with 5 rounds someone would have noticed it. Shame on NAA!

Yup, shame, shame, shame. You better sell that junk quick and go play with the little glock in your pants.

theysayimnotme · January-06-16 18:01

Quote from: Spirit Hawk on January-05-16 20:01
I can relate in little bit. I got a mini long rifle for Christmas. It is beautiful. I bought it from gallery of guns. It came in a lock box and was more than I expected.
Only... I got to shoot it a few time before the sight came lose? I pushed it back in, shot it a couple more times and it practically fell off the barrel? So I called customer service. I explained my issues and they said they use a press to put the sight back in.
They were super nice and offered to pay for the shipping to have it repaired and were very apologetic.. More than I was expecting. I was able to ship it Fedex. Best customer service I have had from a gun manufacturer. I only wish I didn't have to wait but good things come to those who wait.
I don't think this happens very often. I sent it over the weekend "overnight" I'll post an update when I get it back.
Again just call customer service. Even if you bought it used they'll probably fix it for you.

Are you sure it was made by NAA & not Freedom Arms?

Spirit Hawk · January-06-16 19:01

It's a North American Arms mini lr. revolver 1/8 for sure. Bought through Gallery of Guns. Mine also looked like it had been shot. There was powder in the barrel too.
++ probably from testing is was I expect. Who knows? There was no note saying that it was test fired.
It wasn't till I shot it that the sight came lose and practically fell off the gun. It's being repaired though.
I recommend sending in that SideWinder for some fixin.
One reason I bought a NAA was the great customer reviews for the customer service.

Spirit Hawk · January-06-16 19:01

It might be just the cylinder that needs adjusted. You say you bought a new one. Where did you get it?
Mine came with the metal lock box with the NAA brand.

Dinadan · January-06-16 20:01

QuoteWhen you open the cylinder it does not all the way to 90 degrees so you can not eject the empty cartridges. When you push the ejector rod in the empty cartridge is hitting the blast shield.

Glocking - my Sidewinder is the same way. NAAForrest is correct in suggesting that you should orient the cylinder so the boast shield is between two rounds. That is what I do. If you have a conversion, LR rounds will clear the blast shield in any position: mine will, anyway.

QuoteI got to shoot it a few time before the sight came lose? I pushed it back in, shot it a couple more times and it practically fell off the barrel? So I called customer service. I explained my issues and they said they use a press to put the sight back in.

Spirit Hawk - I do not recall reading about that problem with NAA Minis. Was your Mini made by NAA or someone else?

Uncle_Lee · January-07-16 04:01

Quote from: theysayimnotme on January-06-16 18:01
Quote from: Spirit Hawk on January-05-16 20:01
I can relate in little bit. I got a mini long rifle for Christmas. It is beautiful. I bought it from gallery of guns. It came in a lock box and was more than I expected.
Only... I got to shoot it a few time before the sight came lose? I pushed it back in, shot it a couple more times and it practically fell off the barrel? So I called customer service. I explained my issues and they said they use a press to put the sight back in.
They were super nice and offered to pay for the shipping to have it repaired and were very apologetic.. More than I was expecting. I was able to ship it Fedex. Best customer service I have had from a gun manufacturer. I only wish I didn't have to wait but good things come to those who wait.
I don't think this happens very often. I sent it over the weekend "overnight" I'll post an update when I get it back.
Again just call customer service. Even if you bought it used they'll probably fix it for you.

Are you sure it was made by NAA & not Freedom Arms?

Couldn't have been Freedom Arms...............
They use glue on the front sight.
They are not pressed into the barrel.

45flint · January-07-16 13:01

Picture is worth a thousand words. Mine was a Earlybird, but it was excellent quality. Excuse the lint I carry it all the time. The grips can get in your way.

Dinadan · January-07-16 15:01

Flint - Maybe I am wrong, but that looks like the LR cylinder. On mine the LR rounds clear the blast shield but the mags do not unless properly oriented. I cannot say that it has ever bothered me the way it does the original poster. I just accepted it as a reasonable trade off to get the swing out cylinder.

45flint · January-07-16 15:01

Quote from: Dinadan on January-07-16 15:01
Flint - Maybe I am wrong, but that looks like the LR cylinder. On mine the LR rounds clear the blast shield but the mags do not unless properly oriented. I cannot say that it has ever bothered me the way it does the original poster. I just accepted it as a reasonable trade off to get the swing out cylinder.

Oh well!

scbuxton · January-08-16 05:01

Hey flint, those are good looking grips on your sidewinder. What have you got there?

JohnnyD · January-08-16 07:01

I was a 30 year IBM computer tech and I have so much trouble using this forum.Using reply here was the only way I could write a post.I am told my id does not exist although I am logged in and then I am told to log in ect.I cannot find my profile.I couldnot even find a place to type for help.
Here is what I want to tell everyone here on this forum.I took my 22lr/22mag with the portholes/really neat design to a machinist because the hammer was not seating into the cylinder safety notches.I could rotate the cylinder to the next bullet with little effort.The machinist told me he never saw such poor machining as the hammer does not hardly go into the cylinder notches.The angle of the hammer is not even close to the cylinder notches.The hammer actually rest on the back of the cylinder not even in the notches.Get a bright light and magnifying glass and you can see the hammer does not rest in the notches.The hammer rest on the back of the cylinder,That is the only thing holding the cylinder from moving.If I rotate the cylinder with very light pressure the cylinder goes to the next bullet hole.I would not feel safe with this.If you notice the hammer does not seat or go all the way into its resting place on the frame.This can even be seen on the NAA web site video instructing on how to seat the hammer into the safety notches.Put the hammer into a empty bullet hole and see how the hammer goes all the way down to rest on the frame.Then put the hammer on the safety notch on the cylinder and see how he hammer does not go into the notch but rest on the back of the cylinder never ever entering the cylinder notch.I cannot believe that NAA has not seen this huge mistake on an otherwise excellent mini revolver.Thank You for reading this.Other opinions are welcomed.

45flint · January-08-16 10:01

Quote from: scbuxton on January-08-16 05:01
Hey flint, those are good looking grips on your sidewinder. What have you got there?

Made them from Moose antler. I have made a lot of grips out of more expensive material but I like these cause moose is more tactile and the bark covers the hole surface.

Blackbeard1718 · January-08-16 11:01

Quote from: Glocking26 on January-05-16 17:01
When you open the cylinder it does not all the way to 90 degrees so you can not eject the empty cartridges. When you push the ejector rod in the empty cartridge is hitting the blast shield. This gun is BRAND NEW never fired. How could someone let a gun like this leave the factory? If it was test fired with 5 rounds someone would have noticed it. Shame on NAA!
Also I see you don't include a holster with your guns anymore and cheapened and the plastic case. Also the instruction page that used to be a booklet was a half printed piece of paper I couldn't even read it.I've bought many guns from them over 20 years but none in the passed 5 years and they were little works of art. Doesn't anyone take pride in what they produce anymore.....guess not it's all about make um as fast as you can and push um out the door. It's a dam shame. Sorry for the rant I just had to vent.
Mike

Glock26!

Where did you buy your Sidewinder from? Sometimes, a Gun Shop, sells Used Guns, that haven't been Fired. Once they're "OWNED" by someone, they're now "USED", regardless of whether it's been Fired or not. However, when Selling them, some Shop Dealers don't advertise it as "USED", unless asked, but only as, NEVER FIRED! Is yours just the Sidewinder Magnum Model, or is it the Combo Package, with the Dual Cylinder's, 22LR/22MAG?

My wife got hers a couple of months ago, the Combo Package, and it came with a Metal Lock Box inside of a White Cardboard Box Cover. Also, I just picked up my 3 NAA Pistols on Wed afternoon, a Mini-Master Combo, Black Widow Combo, and PUG Combo. All three, came in the same packaging as my wife's SideWinder, Metal Lock Box with a White Cardboard Cover. I'm "WONDERING", if maybe, only the Combo Packages come in the Metal Lock Box, and all Single Cylinder's come in a Plastic Box?

Regarding the Manual, have you looked under the Foam Padding in your Box (If there is Foam Padding...)? That's where I found the 8-Page Owner's Manual, Registration Card, NRA Booklet, and NAA Accessories Booklet, for all Four Guns. The SideWinder Box, had an Addendum Insert Page, that Highlighted certain Operations of the SideWinder. There was also a small piece of paper in each one, about the size of a Business Card (May be the one you're describing above...), that said to look under the Foam Packaging for the Manual. All of that, should have been in your Box if it were New.

When I shot my wife's SideWinder with the 22LR Cylinder, the Casings Ejected at the same time, when I popped the Casing Ejector Bar. However, when I switched to the Magnum Cylinder, I had to roll the Cylinder a bit, to get it to clear the Blast Shield, as others have already stated above. Not a problem, and not a Defect.

Hopefully, you're having FUN with your SideWinder, and have found your Manuals. If you still feel that your pistol isn't RIGHT, Contact NAA for Repair/Review. They'll take care of you.

BTW, I've got a Glock 17, 19, 26 & 43. GREAT GUNS!!! My 26 is my EDC when I'm Driving my Car, and my 43 is my EDC when I'm Riding my Bike. They fit GREAT in my Cargo Pockets.

Best of Luck!

Cheers!

BB

Texduk3 · January-09-16 13:01

how do you like your G-43?
Got mine in Nov.
Very nice piece

Blackbeard1718 · January-09-16 13:01

Quote from: Texduk3 on January-09-16 13:01
how do you like your G-43?
Got mine in Nov.
Very nice piece

It's Great! Nice and Compact with the Single Stack Mag, and with the Pachmayer Rubber Grip, it fits my hands just right. I added the Pearce Mag Extender with the +1, for the pinkie finger. It has a bit of kick, being smaller than its Bigger Brothers, so More Grip is Better Control!

Cheers!

BB

Texduk3 · January-09-16 14:01

Nice,
Been gett'n some pretty small groups 3 " at 7 yds.
using Blazer Copper 115gr
got it from my wife as a 60th B-Day present
Now cant get it out of her hands!!

Bang!

pdc · January-09-16 20:01

Hello everybody! Just registered on the forum. Lots of great info here. I just had to chime in on the topic. I received my SideWinder 22 MAG last week. Got it from Gallery of Guns. It came in a super nice powder coated steel lock box with the NAA logo and with a good owners manual and other papers. All this was inside a white box as another poster has said. The cylinder only rotates to 80 degrees which makes it a little finicky about ejecting spent cartridges. However, from what I have read somewhere, that is the way it should be. Not a problem for me. The ejector only comes out about 1/4", just enough to ease the removal of the spent brass. I think it is a fine piece of master craftsmanship.

jennflip · January-28-16 16:01

Just picked up my sidewinder 4 in.--
Haven't fired it yet---was a little surprised at the "roughness" on the rear side of the cylinder on both cylinders--anyone elses SW have that------the rear of the cylinders on my BW are slick metal....
Thanks

Ruger · February-05-16 05:02

After reading about the issue of not being able to eject the 22mag casings, I remembered that my Sidewinder also had to be rotated to a certain spot to allow the casings to miss the shield. I found this to be the case on both of my Sidewinders. Inspection of both units revealed identical machining inside the crane slot, but noticed that the crane stop could be altered if a small amount of material was removed from the bottom of the slot to allow the cylinder to rotate down a little bit more. I removed ~1/32" of the bottom with a small square needle file carefully and with lots of reinstall trials to be sure not to remove too much. Both cylinders now swing to the 90° position allowing the casings to be ejected without carefully positioning the cylinder and the modification is undetectable.

I am very pleased with the outcome, but would advise no one to work on their firearms unless they have the proper know-how, tools, and background to do so. Any local gunsmith could perform this small mod for you if you feel the need.

Now bring on the Ranger II !