North American Arms Sidewinder 22 WMR Revolver – Reliable 1.5 in. Swing-Out Stainless Wood

Description

The North American Arms Sidewinder 22 WMR is the 1.5 inch, magnum-only Sidewinder (model NAA-SW). It is a stainless five-shot pocket revolver whose cylinder swings out for loading, so you never have to pull the cylinder from the frame.

North American Arms Sidewinder 22 WMR Overview

Distributor data for UPC 744253002533 lists a 1.5 inch barrel, about 5 inches overall, stainless steel, wood grips and fixed sights. It is the plainest and usually least expensive Sidewinder, and its short length makes it a candidate for deep concealment where a larger handgun will not fit.

Swing-Out Loading

The Sidewinder 22 WMR keeps NAA’s single-action trigger but replaces the remove-the-cylinder routine with a swing-out cylinder: release the cylinder and it pivots out to the side of the frame, so you can load and unload without taking parts off the gun. It is still a single-action revolver, so the hammer must be cocked for every shot, and reloading is one cartridge at a time. NAA publishes dedicated Sidewinder cylinder instructions; read them before your first range trip.

Short Barrel Realities

A 1.5 inch barrel loses much of 22 Magnum’s velocity and throws a bright flash, but it keeps the gun tiny. Practical accuracy is at arm’s length to a few yards. The swing-out cylinder makes it faster to check that it is loaded or unloaded than older minis, which is a genuine safety advantage.

Ammunition

The Sidewinder 22 WMR is chambered only for 22 WMR (22 Magnum). Never fire 22 LR, 22 Short or 22 WRF in it. Magnum rimfire costs more per round than 22 LR and supply can be uneven, so buy a few boxes of the load you trust and test it in your revolver. Short barrels give up a lot of the velocity printed on the box, and loads designed for short barrels tend to expand more reliably than rifle-oriented ammunition.

Living With a Sidewinder

Be realistic about what a tiny rimfire revolver does well. The Sidewinder 22 WMR is loud for its size, flash is heavy in low light, and sights are minimal, so practical accuracy is measured in a few yards for most shooters. Rimfire ignition is less certain than centerfire, which is one more reason to test your carry ammunition. Use a proper holster that covers the trigger area; loose in a pocket is not acceptable.

Why the Plain Sidewinder

Choose this version if you want five shots of 22 WMR in the smallest Sidewinder and have no use for a 22 LR cylinder. The convertible SWC adds that cylinder; the 2.5 inch SW-250 adds a bit of velocity and sight radius.

State Laws and Ownership

Pennsylvania buyers complete a standard handgun transfer with a PICS check at the receiving dealer, and carrying concealed outside your home or vehicle generally requires a License to Carry Firearms. Some states keep approved-handgun rosters (California and Massachusetts are the best-known examples) and may not allow the NAA Sidewinder 22 WMR; New York, New Jersey and several cities add permit steps of their own. Check your state and local rules before ordering, because we cannot transfer a handgun into a jurisdiction that prohibits it.

Specifications

• Manufacturer: North American Arms (Provo, Utah)
• Model: NAA-SW
• UPC: 744253002533
• Caliber: 22 WMR (22 Magnum)
• Capacity: 5 rounds
• Action: Single action, swing-out cylinder
• Barrel: 1.5 in.
• Overall length: about 5 in.
• Sights: fixed
• Grips: wood
• Finish: stainless steel

Before You Buy

Federal law requires handgun buyers to be at least 21 years old when purchasing from a licensed dealer, and this NAA Sidewinder 22 WMR ships only to a valid FFL, where you will complete ATF Form 4473 and a background check before pickup. Inspect the revolver at transfer, read North American Arms’ owner’s manual before loading it, and confirm local carry rules before you put it in a pocket.

Who It Is For

The North American Arms Sidewinder 22 WMR is a great fit for pocket-carry fans who want NAA’s swing-out convenience in the smallest, simplest package.

Buy the North American Arms Sidewinder 22 WMR at MAG5 Firearms

MAG5 Firearms is a family-owned FFL in Collegeville, Pennsylvania. Order the North American Arms Sidewinder 22 WMR online and ship it to your local FFL dealer, or browse our full selection of firearms for more revolvers. For factory details, visit North American Arms.