{"id":66756,"date":"2016-12-05T11:52:14","date_gmt":"2016-12-05T16:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/blog\/?p=66756"},"modified":"2016-12-05T11:52:14","modified_gmt":"2023-08-20T13:22:57","slug":"6-7-ounce-ccw-magnum-five-shot-sidewinder-full-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/6-7-ounce-ccw-magnum-five-shot-sidewinder-full-review\/","title":{"rendered":"A 6.7-Ounce CCW Magnum? The Five-Shot Sidewinder\u2014Full Review."},"content":{"rendered":"
\"the<\/a>

the NAA Sidewinder delivers five shots of .22 Magnum in an ultra-compact and ultra-light package.<\/p><\/div>\n

To learn more, visit https:\/\/northamericanarms.com\/product-category\/firearms\/sidewinder\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

To purchase on GunsAmerica, visit https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/Search.aspx?T=NAA%20sidewinder<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What do you do when you need a gun but \u201ccan\u2019t\u201d carry one? You know, when the bulk and size of a CCW firearm is just not practical for your situation? No solution? Then you clearly have not considered North American Arms<\/a> and its line of radically downsized revolvers that weigh mere ounces. These things are truly tiny.<\/p>\n

\"What<\/a>

What the Sidewinder brings to the table is a swing-out cylinder, as compared to standard NAAs that require you to remove the cylinder to reload.<\/p><\/div>\n

North American Arms was founded by Sandy Chisholm in the early seventies and quickly established a reputation for producing the \u201cworld\u2019s smallest\u201d revolver. Their first mini-revolver was chambered in .22 Short and was only 3 3\/5\u201d long, 2 3\/8\u201d high and weighed in at a mere 4 ounces. The little revolvers became a cult hit with both the civilian and law enforcement market.\u00a0 While some don\u2019t take them seriously, the little revolvers have earned a legitimate place in the self-defense market.\u00a0 As someone once said, \u201cit is a gun you can carry when you can\u2019t carry a gun.\u201d<\/p>\n

The popularity of the mini revolvers has only grown over the years. According to the company\u2019s website, they currently offer ten different models in more than sixteen configurations. Models are available in a variety of barrel lengths and a variety of calibers to include .22 Short, .22 Long Rifle, and .22 Magnum. The 1860 Series includes \u201cThe Earl\u201d, \u201cThe Hogleg\u201d, and \u201cThe Sheriff.\u201d These models are patterned after the 1800\u2019s-era percussion revolvers and feature a faux loading lever that secures the cylinder pin and an octagon barrel.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Sidewinder in .22 Magnum gives you a peppy little defender with small enough dimensions and light enough weight to ensure that you can always have it on you.<\/p><\/div>\n

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit the company\u2019s production facility in Provo, Utah and spend some time with Ken Friel. Ken is a true gentleman and is always on my \u201cmust visit\u201d list when I attend SHOT Show. Ken told me of a narcotics agent who did a buy on a Florida beach wearing only a speedo. Given the abbreviated wardrobe, the agent hid a NAA mini-revolver in a drink cup! That is creative police work. During my thirty-five plus years in law enforcement, I have known many officers who carried an NAA as a last ditch insurance policy.<\/p>\n

The size of the NAA revolver, and its reliability, is a testament to the engineering, design, and quality of NAA\u2019s manufacturing process. However, the one common complaint with the original Mini-Revolvers was the process of loading, unloading, and reloading. The only way to access the cylinder is to remove the cylinder pin and then remove the cylinder from the pistol. This must be accomplished any time there is a need to load, unload, or reload. The process is not difficult, but it is tedious and time-consuming. NAA set out to solve that problem and, in the process, created a really slick little pistol.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The author tested the variant of the Sidewinder that comes with a .22 Magnum and a .22 LR cylinder systems. Note the Tuff Products QuickStrip ammo carrier.<\/p><\/div>\n

SPECS<\/strong><\/h2>\n