Yesterday, the hammer broke on my SS Sidekick. I called Cabelas to get a copy of the invoice, which is packed away from my recent move, and it seems they want to handle the warranty for me. I hope it isrepaired and not replaced. I have over 80 rounds through it now and am well on my way to breaking it in. And just when I have the sightswhere I want them to be [:'(]. Oh well.

Happy Hunting, Phil

Sorry to hear of your misfortune with the rifle. Could you be more specific as to the hammer broke? Do you mean it actually broke in two or it broke out of place? I have been following your posts of the Sidekick as well as others. I have been impressed with the claims of the accuracy you and others are getting with the rifle. I had plans of getting one for a nephew as a gift. Any more information you have would be appreciated. Also what are your over all impressions with ease of cleaning, maintance, and accuracy of the rifle?

thanks in advance. You opinion is well respected....

cayugad,

I think the hammer broke in the pivot. It clanked when it was dry fired as I was getting a view of my new, elevated front sight. I am not able to remove the hammer, though I have tried to wiggle it loose. All of the inner workings of the sidekick are not easily accessible, requiring the removal of pins. NEF does not recommend anyone to disassemble one, but to return the weapon for service. I haven't checked yet, but I am hoping to be able remove the butt stock so that I flow hot soapy water through it occasionly just to ensure powder crud doesn't build up to much inside. All of the inner parts are Chrome or Nickel Alloys, I think, which have corrosion resistance. When my supply of pyrodex is gone. Only ascorbic acid based powders will go in this rifle.

This is what I can tell you after more than 80 rounds. If one is shooting Pyrodex or Black Powder, the blowback will get around the outside of the BP. It's not getting through the threads, on which, I have been putting anti seize compound. But if I shoot more than 5 rounds without removing the BP, the BP will be lodged in from outside. Spray alittle soapy water and some time to soften, and I can get the BP out in the field with no problems even after 15+ rounds. One should construct a good handle for the removable tool whichs fit tightly into handle hole. I used a phillips screw driver as a handlymy first day out and it scratched the reciever slightly.

As the number of rounds a primer carrier has served increases, one may find that primers get only slight dented and doesn't fire. On one carrier, it happened sooner than I anticipated, 10 rounds or so, but I found if I didn't push primers completely into the carrier, the primers continued to fire. I would advise to take new un-used carriers to the field, rather than chance a misfire while hunting.


As I have said before, this rifle shoots good groups at 50 yards,which span in the 1" to 1.25" range. This also under windy conditions. I am hoping and have confidence that the sidekickhas the potential to shoot sub-MOA spreads(clover leafs) at 50 yards in good range conditions with the open sights I have mounted. I do credit part of this rifle's precision to the modifications I have made to its sighting system.

I have unfettered views of the target and great edges to center all parts of the sights and target. My rear sight is amodified Pedersoli globe sight. I had toreduce the size ofits dove-tail to fit the ramp of the sidekick's rear sight. For the range, I use the post insert. The bead rests on and centers easily on the post. I use the top of the bead as the point of aim. So I have clear unfettered views of the target and can precisely repeat the point of aim each shot. The Globe sight lifts the rear sight enough that I had to purchase a taller front sight so that I could drop all my inserts in and use them.

I think I covered most things, but if you have a particular question, I'll do my best to answer it.

Happy Hunting, Phil

Here is a how my sights work. I did this in Paint because I don't have a digital camera or scanner. If there is interest. I can get my brother to do some photography.

Happy Hunting, Phil

excellent review.. it sounds like a minor fix. Depending on how well my nephew does this year in school, will determine if he is surprised with a reward.

I sure hope he does well in school and you gain a shooting and hunting partner . Like my hawken, his new sidekick will likely be his favorite rifle. A gifted gun adds so much to the experience of hunting. I have a very strong emotional attachment to the guns my Dad gave me. They are the only ones I will never part with, except to pass on to my family.

Happy Hunting, Phil

Very few problems I've read of with a Sidekick or Huntsman but the inability to easily clean inside that action has bugged me from the start. My Huntsman has been totally reliable to this point however. Themost commonreported problem seems to be breaking the factory ramrod or having a rifle that won't lock properly after a few shots. One guy removed his buttstock on a wood stocked model and then could not get it to tighten up again - apparently some interior wood was giving way. I think this is the first report of metal failure of any kind that I've read.

I do like that sight arrangement Phil (but I use a scope, my sights are removed). Hey Phil, when you send it in, ask them to install a more streamlined hammer and if they can't do that to go ahead and notch the new hammer so you can use if for pulling nails.You know, just asubtle hint or two about hammer design.

Busta has one of the .25ACP plugs for his Huntsman and it apparently works very well in sealing most of the blowback. Been considering one but wish the same was available for regular 209 primers. The whole notion of the brass conversions adds quite a number of otherwiseunnecessary steps to loading and caring for your equipment.

Hey UC,

I'll be sure to inquire about the "new improved" streamlined hammer with the claw notch. And, I promise I won't fire my beloved Sidekick dry again . A hammer, after all, is only good for so manyfalls. I've already shot my Sidekick twice as many times as I have fired my 7 Mag. I've owned that 7 Mag for over 25 years and have taken over 20 deer with it. Formost people with a centerfire rifle, I have already shot a lifetime of rounds through my Sidekick.

The Huntsmansounds like avery good gun. I've been meaning to ask you,does theHuntsman come with the 5/8" BP or 7/8" BP? Also I want to ask whether you think the barrel is beefy enough to bore to .54 or .58 cal.?

Cayugad might consider the Huntsman as well. While it requires a background check,I like the fact that I could get a 45-70 barrel for it for under $100. I may get one myself sometime in the future.

Happy Hunting, Phil

I had a Sidekick and after about 50 shots it wouldn't lock-up. Cleaning didn't help, so I sent it back to Bass Pro Shop for a refund.

Mine is an older one and has the 7/8" plug. My guess is the newer ones have the 5/8" as well. I would think the barrel IS beefy enough for either caliber enlargement - but then I won't be the one shooting it.