Trouble with H&R sidekick
- Thread starter RF4guy
- Start date
I have one which had some similar issues. I also replaced the main spring.
Here's what you need to really check. Do you get the issues on the first cylinder at range with a clean gun?
The metal used to make this guns is really sensitive to temperature. The metal expands rapidly with the heat of being fired.
The cylinder typically has pretty tight tolerances, which makes getting the rounds fully seated pretty hard. If a .22 round isn't seated completely, it will not often not go off.
I also have a theory that the expanding metal somehow binds up the action just enough to slow the hammer down a bit.
That all being said, H&R revolvers aren't super high quality. Mine is in pretty nice shape and it's a family heirloom, so I'll always keep it and shoot it occasionally. I have other experiments I want to do once .22 becomes more available. I think shooting .22 Long or .22 Short (instead of .22 Long Rifle) would lessen the pressure and heat and make it more reliable.
So that's my experience. Mine is really accurate, and it's fun to shoot.
Here's what you need to really check. Do you get the issues on the first cylinder at range with a clean gun?
The metal used to make this guns is really sensitive to temperature. The metal expands rapidly with the heat of being fired.
The cylinder typically has pretty tight tolerances, which makes getting the rounds fully seated pretty hard. If a .22 round isn't seated completely, it will not often not go off.
I also have a theory that the expanding metal somehow binds up the action just enough to slow the hammer down a bit.
That all being said, H&R revolvers aren't super high quality. Mine is in pretty nice shape and it's a family heirloom, so I'll always keep it and shoot it occasionally. I have other experiments I want to do once .22 becomes more available. I think shooting .22 Long or .22 Short (instead of .22 Long Rifle) would lessen the pressure and heat and make it more reliable.
So that's my experience. Mine is really accurate, and it's fun to shoot.
g.willikers
New member
Did you replace the main spring because the gun was having this problem, or did it surface after replacing the spring?
bedbugbilly
New member
I had one and never had any issues like that with it. What research I did do when I had mine (a 6" barrel model) I ran across the issue of the plastic part sometimes breaking from age. Is it possible that while replacing that part, you got something reassembled incorrectly?
You might post over on RimfireCentral.com and see what that turns up in response to the problem you're having?
The Sidekick I had I purchased from a LGS - they got it from the widow of a retire LEO. I don't believe he ever shot it very much. I got it for my wife to learn pistol shooting with and as far as SA/DA it worked fine. Before i got as far as using it to teach my wife to shoot, I discovered that it shot low - very low - so low that when sighted on target, you could plow ground with it. I had the barrel checked out, etc. and we never could find out why it was shooting so low - front sight was not extremely tall on mine and even using "Kentucky windage", it shot very low. The LGS was kind enough to take it back and I applied what I paid for it towards a Heritage RR which shoots very accurately. I ended up getting a vintage Ruger Super Bear Cat for my wife (which she loves) and I kept the RR for myself as I have shot SA for years.
I was somewhat disappointed as the Sidekick was a sturdy revolver and I had read a lot of comments by those that had the Sidekick who were very happy with theirs - mine must have been a "lemon" from the get go. I hope you can get your's figured out. Good luck and let us know if you figure it out please.
You might post over on RimfireCentral.com and see what that turns up in response to the problem you're having?
The Sidekick I had I purchased from a LGS - they got it from the widow of a retire LEO. I don't believe he ever shot it very much. I got it for my wife to learn pistol shooting with and as far as SA/DA it worked fine. Before i got as far as using it to teach my wife to shoot, I discovered that it shot low - very low - so low that when sighted on target, you could plow ground with it. I had the barrel checked out, etc. and we never could find out why it was shooting so low - front sight was not extremely tall on mine and even using "Kentucky windage", it shot very low. The LGS was kind enough to take it back and I applied what I paid for it towards a Heritage RR which shoots very accurately. I ended up getting a vintage Ruger Super Bear Cat for my wife (which she loves) and I kept the RR for myself as I have shot SA for years.
I was somewhat disappointed as the Sidekick was a sturdy revolver and I had read a lot of comments by those that had the Sidekick who were very happy with theirs - mine must have been a "lemon" from the get go. I hope you can get your's figured out. Good luck and let us know if you figure it out please.