North American Arms Sidewinder – Superb 2.5 in. 22 Magnum Revolver

Description

The North American Arms Sidewinder solves the one real complaint people have about mini revolvers: reloading. Instead of pulling the cylinder pin and pushing rounds out one at a time, the Sidewinder’s cylinder swings out to the side like a full-size revolver, and a star extractor ejects all five empties at once.

This is the conversion version, which ships with both a .22 Magnum cylinder and a .22 Long Rifle cylinder. Rosewood bird’s head grips and a 2.5-inch stainless barrel round out a revolver that is small enough to pocket but far quicker to run than the classic mini.

North American Arms Sidewinder Cylinder and Reloading

The swing-out cylinder is the whole point. On a standard NAA mini, an empty gun takes the better part of a minute to reload under stress. The Sidewinder brings that down to seconds, and the star extractor means you are never picking at stuck cases with a fingernail.

Swapping between the magnum and Long Rifle cylinders is equally simple, and because both cylinders index on the same crane, the change takes no tools. That gives you an inexpensive practice gun and a defensive gun in one package.

Size, Sights and Action

The Sidewinder measures six inches long, 2.88 inches tall and just over an inch wide, at 7.7 ounces. It is larger than the one-inch mini revolvers but still smaller than nearly any semi-automatic pocket pistol, and the extra length buys real velocity from the 2.5-inch barrel.

Sights are a stainless post front paired with a notch in the top strap. The action is single action, so the hammer is cocked for each shot, and the safety cylinder notches let you carry all five chambers loaded with the hammer resting safely between rounds.

Specifications

• Model: Sidewinder, 2.5 in. conversion
• Manufacturer part number: NAA-SWC-250
• Caliber: .22 WMR with .22 LR conversion cylinder included
• Capacity: 5 rounds
• Barrel length: 2.5 in.
• Overall length: 6 in.
• Height: 2.88 in.
• Width: 1.06 in.
• Weight: 7.7 oz.
• Cylinder: swing-out with star extractor
• Action: single action
• Sights: stainless post front
• Frame, barrel and cylinder: stainless steel
• Grips: rosewood bird’s head
• UPC: 744253002700

Ammunition Notes

A 2.5-inch barrel gets considerably more out of .22 Magnum than the one-inch minis do, which widens your useful load selection. Standard 40 grain jacketed hollow points perform reasonably here rather than needing a short-barrel-specific design, though those still work well.

The included Long Rifle cylinder makes range time cheap. Since the trigger, sights and grip are identical between cylinders, practice with inexpensive .22 LR transfers directly to the magnum you actually carry.

Carry and Holster Options

At six inches long the Sidewinder still pockets easily in a jacket or a cargo pocket, and NAA sells pocket holsters cut specifically for it. A pocket holster matters here: it keeps the hammer spur covered and the grip oriented the same way every time you reach for it.

It also works well as an ankle gun or a glovebox revolver. Stainless construction means humidity and sweat do not turn it into a rust problem the way a blued carbon steel gun would in the same role.

Why Buyers Choose It

NAA builds these in Provo, Utah, and the machining quality shows in the lockup and the finish. The Sidewinder in particular is a small-production item, and owners tend to hang onto them, so used examples are scarce and hold value.

The bird’s head grip is more than cosmetic. Its shape rolls the revolver into the web of the hand under recoil and keeps the gun from shifting, which matters more on a light frame than on a heavy one.

Who Should Buy It

This revolver suits the pocket carrier who wants mini-revolver concealment without mini-revolver reloading, the trail walker who wants a light .22 for pests and snakes, and the collector who appreciates an unusual and well-made American design.

Learn more from North American Arms, or browse the rest of our firearms selection.

Every firearm we list ships to your chosen FFL and is transferred there after a background check.