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Author Topic: Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..  (Read 1036 times)

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Offline jritter

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« on: January 12, 2005, 03:21:40 PM »
Hello all, I used to visit the H&R forum a couple of years ago, and while googling H&R rifles, I found this site.  Looks great, forums on everything I can imagine.
I currently hunt with a .243 handi, and I love it.  I recently decided to go with a modern muzzleloader as well, and from reading everything here I think the sidekick is the way to go.  
I just purchased a blued, 26".  My question is that the barrel hinge is not nearly as tight as my .243.  I can twist the stock and there is play between the hinge and the barrel.  Kinda feels like those old break open 12 gauge single shots that have been slammed for years, a little loose.  Is this normal?  I am thinking the fit may not be right, and affect the accuracy.
I would appreciate any input, the gun is just out of the box an hour ago.  Thanks.
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Offline MSP Ret

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #1 on: January 12, 2005, 03:29:38 PM »
:D , Welcome aboard jritter, I have several ( :-D ) H&R's but don't have a huntsman. My suggestion is to return it to the store and get another one and check the one you get for a nice snug fit before you leave or (second choisc!!) send it right back to the factory. Returning it to the store and letting them worry about it is the best way to go...Good Luck...<><.... :grin:
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Offline Redhawk1

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2005, 04:18:18 PM »
Another Welcome  :D MSP Ret, gave some good advice. Let the store deal with it and get another one.
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Offline jritter

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2005, 04:31:23 PM »
Thanks, just wanted to confirm my suspicions, my .243 is real tight, and this one is sure different.  I will exchange it tomorrow.  Thanks.
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Offline raynor

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #4 on: January 13, 2005, 12:12:11 PM »
Every Sidekick I've seen is a little loose, not saying you can't find one that's tight. Doesn't hurt the accuracy any though, no headspace problems to worry about and the scope is mounted to the barrel.  

Even the one I have is loose like you describe and it will still shoot ragged holes at 50 yards.


Just my own choice, but I like my Sidekick a little on the loose side.  If you have one that's tight to start, after a few shots it may give you problems locking up. For good true lock-up you'll need to clean off the breech face. The blow back leaves fouling on the breech face and I haven't found a way yet of stopping it.
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Offline MSP Ret

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #5 on: January 13, 2005, 12:54:28 PM »
There you have the word of a much more expierenced Sidekick shooter than I jritter, and a man with an impeccable reputation, you would do well to consider it. Perhaps just choose the tightest of the loose ones you try  :-D ....<><.... :grin:
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Offline jritter

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #6 on: January 13, 2005, 04:03:11 PM »
thanks raynor, I didn't get up to the store today, we had a midday snow storm.  Makes sense that it shouldn't effect accuracy like a centerfire.  And the residue build up seems like it could be a problem with a tight fit.  My only other experience with muzzleloading is my Hawken, which I only use ffg and patched balls, and there is plenty of thick build up.
I think I will try shooting it a bit and see how it does.
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Offline JerryS

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #7 on: January 26, 2005, 04:04:41 AM »
Just received my sidekick after a month on backorder.  Had two problems, one of them minor, broken rear sight.  The other problem was the action would not always latch when closing.  This happened about 50% of the time.  The other 50%, usually when using more force, it would latch with minimal engagement.  This minimal engagement was confirmed by the very short travel needed on the "disengage" button
This is when I found the same play in the hinge that jritter described.  I'm a lefty and I found if I gave clockwise force on the barrel while closing it would latch fully everytime.  If I pretend to be a right-handed shooter it closes everytime (it's a right-handed world!).  I am concerned it may not latch fully and would open up when firing.
I had looked 3 or 4 different sidekicks at Gander Mountain a few months ago and did not encounter the latching problem, although the hinge play could have been there without me noticing.
I'm sending it back for another.  Maybe I am expecting to much for the price.

Jerry
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Offline jdbe

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no twist
« Reply #8 on: January 26, 2005, 03:10:16 PM »
I just put 40 rounds through my new stainless sidekick and there is no twist at all or any play in ti at all.  I had read about this, so it was the first thing that I tested when I got it out of the box - it is tight as a drum.  Is this something that only is seen in the case hardened ones?
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Offline JerryS

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #9 on: January 27, 2005, 11:30:48 AM »
Now that you mention it I do recall the action felt more solid on the 2 stainless sidekicks I held at Gander Mountain .  One was uncomfortably tight.  I just prefer the look and feel of wood.

Could it be that the frame dimensions are the same on both guns and the slop is built in to allow room for the nickel plating on the stainless model?  I'm no gunsmith so maybe someone can comment on my theory.

Any loose stainless models out there?

Like Raynor stated above, it should not affect the accuracy.  I just did not have confidence that my first gun would latch properly every time.  Hopefully the replacement gun will be an improvement.

Jerry
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Offline JerryS

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #10 on: January 31, 2005, 02:28:32 PM »
Just received my replacement sidekick (blued version).  It convinced me the first gun definitely had a problem. The difference is like night and day.  There is virtually no hinge play and the action closes every time.  When closing the action, even slowly, the release lever pops up when closed (this never happened with the original gun).

I am very pleased with the final results, but I recommend purchasing from a retail store, if possible, to permit inspection.  You may get better prices by mail-order but your satisfaction may be compromised.

Jerry
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Offline MSP Ret

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #11 on: January 31, 2005, 02:43:32 PM »
Great advice JerryS, and I am very happy it worked out well for you. Now I hope the others on this thread have had their problems resolved so they are happy also, it should be no other way....<><.... :grin:
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"Giving up your gun to someone else on demand is called surrender. It means that you have given up your ability to protect yourself to a power that is greater than you." - David Yeagley

Offline JRSR126

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Just found GBO, question on new sidekick..
« Reply #12 on: February 02, 2005, 09:53:20 PM »
Good thread. Definitely helped me when I was looking at Sidekicks and Huntsman. I ended up buying my Huntsman from a gun dealer instead of Wal-mart even though I paid $15 more for it. Being able to inspect it and dealing with people who actually hunt with muzzleloaders made it worth it.
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