Western Sidewinder .25 critique

[@JScott-wz2ug]

I bought a Sidewinder .25 from Airguns of AZ. I picked up one spare mag at the same time. I bought it several months ago and it is finally cooling down enough in Phoenix to go outside without bursting into flames LOL. First time loading I noticed the same thing when loading slugs. NSA .249's fit tight in one and fall right out of the other. I didn't want to risk it so I switched to JSB Exact King Heavy pellets and they work fine in both mags. Now this is brand new and the first time out and the problem I'm having is the mag will not index between shots. After each trigger pull I have to assist the mag to index the next pellet. I'm not sure if I should oil this area or maybe it just needs to be broke in. As far as accuracy goes I'm holding amazing groups at 60, 80 and 100 Yds.

[@murphystreeter]

@@JScott-wz2ug the barrel wants to rotate when you fire it. This rotation causes the barrel to get closer to the magazine. Loosen the screws that clamp the barrel, rotate the barrel counter clockwise to get it away from the magazine by about .008 or .010. Then tighten those clamping screws. Don't damage the threads but tighten them up so the barrel won't spin.

[@murphystreeter]

@@JScott-wz2ug make sure your pellets aren't too loose and working forward. I personally would go back to A of A and make them give you a magazine that's within .002 of the one that came with the gun. Watch my other videos. I was in the store over the summer and showed them with their own inventory that the magazines were inconsistent.

[@JScott-wz2ug]

@@murphystreeter Thanks for that. I backed out the barrel about 1/8th of a turn and it's doing better. I will go back to A of A and bring this up. I run a machine shop and I have lots of pin gauges. I will get some measurements this week.

[@murphystreeter]

@@JScott-wz2ug I think you'll find that your spare mags is .004 larger. Keep in mind that the holes are tapered. About a half a thou tighter on exit.

[@JScott-wz2ug]

@@murphystreeter I think you are right. It's about .003-.0035. I bought the sidewinder because the semi and auto feature was cool and I wanted one before the ATF starts looking at these and they decide to add regulation. At the same time I bought a FX Impact M4 from Utah Airguns. I set up both guns on the same day and I have to say the quality and performance of the M4 is 10x what the sidewinder is. I can't believe how nice that gun shoots.

[@AFitchguy07]

I just picked up the Sidewinder. I am noticing some quality issues out of the box that I didn't expect to see at this price point. As an engineer, I understand manufacturing consistently can be a challenge, but the manufacturer should be making it right at no cost to the customer.

[@murphystreeter]

What issues have you seen? Which model did you purchase?

[@AFitchguy07]

@@murphystreeter I have the .30 Sidewinder regular length. The power adjuster under the action in the back is sloppy when rotating. The mechanism used with linear spring force and detents just isn't cutting it for me. If you back out the knob and remove it, there are two balls and a third detent (120 deg apart) that has no ball. This might be the cause or it might be their normal practice--im unsure. The other complaint I have is the selector switch. The switch always gets stuck between SEMI and FULL, and it really isn't even aligned to the words/labels. These aren't massive defects or QC issues, but for this price point, I am disappointed to say the least.

[@senseismash4604]

I have a 2nd hand sidewinder on the way with 2 spare mags. Ill be sure to check asap. Great video thanks for the info

[@murphystreeter]

@@senseismash4604 2nd hand!!!???? How the heck did you locate that!!??

[@senseismash4604]

​@@murphystreeter@murphystreeter I was able to work something out on airgunnation with a gentleman for my highly tuned wingshot 2 shotgun. I saw in your video that you were able to get in touch with someone about buying a longer barrel, who did you talk to about that? Mine is the standard version but would really like the option to turn it into a compact with barrel and bottle for my truck or woods walking. I heard Western Airguns won't sell parts to the end consumer and AoA tells folks to contact Western so ots a death loop. Could you please provide who you spoke to about the barrel swap and pricing? Thanks in advance! You earned a sub

[@senseismash4604]

@@murphystreeter You mentioned in your video getting a barrel for $150ish I would like to purchase a shorter barrel and bottle who do you deal with to purchase your barrel? I have read that Western wont sell parts to the end consumer and most places will make you send the rifle in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Have a great Independence Day

[@murphystreeter]

@@senseismash4604 call the pellet shop for a barrel

[@kaleoariola]

Try getting properly sized slugs. I have a .30 sidewinder compact and the slugs I buy for it are .301 not .300

[@Jesusreyes-in6xi]

Love my LCS

[@Nick-gi6ym]

Hi they do make slug magazines and standard pellet magazines. Sample on my edgun L2 in .35 caliber I can’t use slugs because they fall out. For me in .35 they don’t have a slug magazines yet. They offer in other calibers like 177 / 22 / 25 not .35.

[@murphystreeter]

@@Nick-gi6ym the Western Sidewinder has one magazine. If there were a different size for slugs, they would be obligated to send it with the rifle. There's one and it shouldn't be smaller than .046 or larger than .048. if you have a magazine from edgun for the leshi .35 and slugs are falling out then the magazine in UNSAFE. If a slug gets bound up and the gun blows up or there's damage due to misfeeding, the manufacturer of the magazine is liable. You should force them to supply a working magazine. Of course, the slugs should be from a reputable company, not some home press stuff.

[@Nick-gi6ym]

@@murphystreeter the slug magazine is rifled and the standard pellet magazine is smooth.

[@Nick-gi6ym]

The slug magazine is rifled and the pellet magazine is smooth.

[@Nick-gi6ym]

Question I would like to know you said you went through 500 rds on the sidewinder my question did you have any malfunctions why I’m asking I’m thinking about purchasing the short model sidewinder did you deal with any o rings issues or any other issues. Thanks for your help

[@murphystreeter]

@@Nick-gi6ym ZERO malfunctions. I will tell you.....if you forget to put the magazine in the gun and pull the trigger, your ears are gonna ring.

[@dan-o9621]

Lately I'm seeing people order air guns with barrels shorter than air tank 🤔... - The guns no shorter, not to mention the safety issues? Its assuming everything that leaves the barrel will fly straight. That's the same as assuming you're guns unloaded? I'm just saying, it's only a matter of time before someone is hurt.

[@brucerobson8284]

I just bought one and came to the conclusion that the magazine does not rotate to the next chamber.

[@murphystreeter]

@@brucerobson8284 losen the two bolts that clamp the barrel and loosen the barrel a turn or two. This will allow the magazine to rotate without hitting the barrel.

[@brucerobson8284]

@@murphystreeter thanks for the info.

[@tydengr]

do you thing the pellet will hit the bottle?

[@murphystreeter]

@@tydengr watch the sub 1 video

[@juniorimac]

This was a great video!

[@prestonbinder637]

This was a good review.. good job man..

[@murphystreeter]

@@prestonbinder637 more to come!!!! Watch for an update video this coming week!!! Hint: I'm in Phoenix, AZ

[@Shooter.303]

This kind of issues happened when the company had no quality control department running.

[@trippletraders]

So why is it still happening? Im having very similar issues with a 45 rattler I just got a week ago. It also has a loose power wheel adjuster like someone else mentioned above but with their .30 Absolutely ridiculous and unacceptable for the amount of money we’ve forked over for these. I am impressed with the power though.

[@travelcompass591]

I am sorry about your hassle and about the lack of responsibility from the Western Airguns manufacturer. Frankly that is inappropriate and rude, “they should have been following you to take responsibility for their product”. The PCP air rifles market has grown very fast and become big business worldwide, the manufacturing companies may have grown too fat, not capable of handling their success. People must realize that the medium to high priced PCP rifles cost over twice as much as a firearm, but the difference is huge! A much more expensive PCP has 25% of the speed of firearm bullet of the same caliber, 20% of the penetration… and “with luck” a third of the kill reach, the technology is finicky and requires a compressor, and electricity “which makes it an anti-survival gun”. I am mostly retired with military and CZ line of hunting rifles experience. So I have spent significant time studying the PCP technology, brands and ballistics for a year while waiting to move to a forest next to a National Park this year and build the last house in my life. What I can say is that the compressor-PCP-based rifle business boom has reached its peak, The competition from manufacturers all over the world is getting tougher, and if the companies don’t take their customers seriously they will kill the golden eggs goose. I was planing on buying that rifle in .30 cal for my wife because is a semi-auto and not too heavy; but now I am thinking I should buy some other more responsible brand first, and wait and see what other customers say about Western Air company before buying any of their products.

[@murphystreeter]

@@travelcompass591 we're not done yet brother!!!! There's more to the story suddenly!!!! I'm waiting for the right time to post the new video so stay tuned!!! You aren't going to believe this shit!!

[@murphystreeter]

I was in Arizona a few weeks ago and looked at a .30. exact same issue. The spare mag they showed me for the .30 was .004 too tight. Check my update video.

[@stevenjackson4076]

Amen

[@DigitalCitizen1]

What’s sub 1 moa?

[@murphystreeter]

1 minute of angle (moa) is a 1" group at 100 yards

[@trippletraders]

@@murphystreeterso a sub 1 moa is very accurate then. Nice

[@murphystreeter]

@@trippletraders I am going to recommend that you watch my other videos regarding the Western Sidewinder. There's more to the story

[@mikecarter4412]

Glad I don’t own one anymore

[@scorpionleader1967]

Got it. Don't buy it from Air Guns of Arizona.

[@murphystreeter]

I am not going to say that. I am definitely saying.... regardless of who you're dealing with, do your best to force them into providing acceptable customer service.

[@scorpionleader1967]

@@murphystreeter I will buy as local as I can in Florida, but you having problems with online air guns stores isn't an isolated incident. If they sell it, they need to stand behind the product. Not stand behind you while you assume the position.

[@murphystreeter]

@@scorpionleader1967 I feel like the Pellet Shop is doing a good job. My real concern is more with the product/factory rep.

[@outlastproductions]

Nothing like a end company with a product everyone wants resulting in more productivity and less QC . Absolutely no reason Titanium mags should not be spec'd to absolute perfection 99.9% of the time. Especially at 150$ each. 300 dollar headaches that lasted a month is BS. If they had any class they would have hooked you up with an extra mag on the house. Business practices of the past it seems, customers always wrong these days, and annoying. With that said, I'm about to click "buy now" on my 3600$ shopping cart that includes a sidewinder compact 25! 🤣Yeeehaaolyhell.... fingers crossed

[@murphystreeter]

@@outlastproductions but wait.... there's more!!! Stay tuned!!!! You are not going to believe this shit!!!!