I have a Huntsman - excellent little rifle. But if I were to buy again, now that the Sidekick is available, I would go with the Sidekick in SS/Nickel/Synthetic stock and I would choose the available 24" barrel. No sense going through an FFL to get the Huntsman (unless you really want a shotgun barrel later). They are pretty much the same gun and all reports I've read on the Sidekick have been very good (save one complaint about the stock bolt in a wood stocked version). The 24" barrel would seem to me to be better balanced and I'm doubtful you would realize much gain from the extra 2" of the 26 except for carrying extra weight and maybe more forward balance - if that appeals to you.