NEF Sidekick questions??

[mibighntr]

I just came across a NEF Sidekick ML with a nickel receiver and a 26" stainless barrel at a local shop.  Is there anyway to tell anything about the ML based on the serial number??  From what I think I have read here, none of the Sidekick receivers will accept a rifle barrel, correct??  It appears to be a full length receiver, not the shortened ones I have seen pics of here??  Will all of the 26" barrels accept 150 grains of pellets??  How is the accuracy of these normally??

Sorry for all the questions, just don't want to buy it and end up with a dud??

THANK YOU!!

Mark

[Busta]

mibighntr,

If it truely is a "SIDEKICK", it will have the shortened receiver that will not accept any other barrels. It could be a SB1 Huntsman, they can accept the same barrels as the SB1 shotguns. They can not accept center fire rifle barrels for safety reasons, as they are not hardened like the SB2 rifle receivers.

The 26" barrels are considered the magnum barrels and can accept 150 grains of Pellets.

These rifles can be as accurate as any of the top-of-the-line rifles out there, even more so IME.

The Sidekick rifles ALL used the "BP" (Black Powder?) prefix, you can not tell the year they were manufactured without calling Customer Service. I just hope that information didn't get lost in the Remington shuffle?

If it is a 26" barreled Huntsman, it should have a "NV or NW" type prefix.

Does the "mi" in your handle stand for Michigan? If you decide to pass this rifle up, could you please give me a PM with it's price and location?

[mibighntr]

THANKS for the info!

It does have the "NV" prefix.  I guess I thought I may get lucky and have it possible to accept a rifle barrel, but not so........

The barrel and the whole gun appears very clean and in great condition.  I was able to get a "break" on the gun for $150 so I thought that was an OK deal??  They are holding it for me right now and I wanted some "expert" opinions on what I could expect accuracy wise to help me make the decision to go buy it??

Do you recommend the 209 conversion plug or the .25ACP PR plug??  It appears to be a 7/8" plug??

Are the special aftermarket ram-rods still available??

Can these triggers be "worked"??

Yes, I do live in Michigan and will gladly let you know if I decide not to pick it up.

Much appreciated!

Mark

[Busta]

The NV prefix would indicate that it is indeed a Huntsman instead of a Sidekick.

I haven't seen one that won't shoot well yet.

The type of powder you plan on shooting would be the determining factor for plug type. If you want to shoot Blackhorn 209, that would only leave you with the MU 209 breech plug. If you are shoting any of the other subs, then either the MU 209 plug or the .25 ACP breech plug will work fine. You would need a priming tool and a punch for the latter.

Ben Hubbard was still delivering rods around a month ago.

Triggers can be reworked by either a Smith or DIY. See FAQ Sticky for information.

[Doug B.]

Before you go jumping to get any work done on the trigger, try it. So happens that my Huntsman has the best trigger of any gun in my case. Came that way straight from the factory. The Huntsman is a sweet little firearm. Have fun!

[mibighntr]

I take it the small rifle primers in the .25ACP plug will not work with Blackhorn 209??

Thanks!

Mark

[Keith Lewis]

I have a Huntsman and both breechplugs as well as the original. I would suggest you get the MU plug and forget all the rest. In fact I bought two just to make sure I was set for life. I also strongly recommend the naval brass ramrod. In addition to being stronger it is also two inches longer when extended than the stock rod which makes loading a lot easier. If you are having trouble deciding here is a little information that might help. I have an Omega, a CVA Optima Elite, a T/C Hawken, a Knight Rolling Block, a Lyman flinter, three Whites of various styles, and the Huntsman. With exception of the White Ultra Mag, this Huntsman is first to go on any serious hunting trips and it is lighter than the Ultra Mag. It is just difficult to not use a White when you have one. I scoped my Huntsman so I sent for the raised comb synthetic stock and a Limbsaver pad. Other than having to extend the rod it is one of the sweetest rifles I have. I almost forgot, the trigger as received is super. I would not even consider messing with it. Most Huntsman/Sidekicks have great triggers as delivered.