Cylinders are quickly changed by removing one machine screw in the frame, pulling out the cylinder with attached yoke, inserting the new cylinder/yoke and replacing the machine screw. Both cylinders are visually identical, and neither one is marked with the cartridge it chambers, but the .22 Mag. cartridges would fit in only one of the cylinders because the case diameter is 15/1000ths of an inch larger than that of the .22 LR.
The Sidewinder is a tiny revolver—so small, in fact, that you can almost conceal it within the palm of your hand. It measures 4.75” L x 2.9” H x 1.1” wide, and weighs less than seven ounces with the .22 Mag. cylinder installed.
It is loaded by pulling the hammer back to the half-cock position, pulling forward on a the extractor rod collar and pushing the cylinder out to the right. Pushing aft on the extractor rod unseats the empty cases by about 1/4”, and depending upon how much they expanded during firing, the empties may fall free or have to be picked out by hand. The cylinder is closed by pushing it into the frame and rotating it until the cylinder lock pin engages one of the cylinder slots. The revolver is fired by pulling the hammer all the way to the rear (full cock) and pulling the small, serrated trigger. There is no trigger guard and the only safety is the half-cock position. The hammer can be lowered back to the half-cock position by pulling it all the way to the rear and holding it there while pulling the trigger to release the sear. After riding the hammer forward slightly with your thumb, release the trigger and the hammer stops in the half-cock position.
The Sidewinder comes standard with round-butt, hardwood grips, but a variety of other grip styles and shapes are offered optionally, including flat-butt hardwood, 1-piece rubber, 2-piece rubber and 2-piece stag. NAA also offers a variety of leather and synthetic holsters, including their polymer “Holster Grip” that covers the trigger when closed, and pivots rearward to expose the trigger and serve as an oversize grip.
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