Huntsman/Sidekick Which is Better?

[Cookiemann]

Thinking on buying a Muzzle Loader.  Which on is the better choice?  I noticed you can get a 24" stainless fitted from the factory.  Does the stainless barrel cleanup easier?  Any advice here is welcome.  Thanks

[Busta]

Cookieman,

The performance of the Huntsman or Sidekick are the same. If you want additional barrels then the Huntsman is the only choice. If you just want another muzzleloader then the Sidekick would be equal to the Huntsman and no FFL paperwork to hassle with. If you want to just add a Stainless barrel to one of your frames then that is cool too.

If you choose the NEF Sidekick, you won't be able to beat this price anywhere that I know of on the 24" Stainless Steel/Synthetic Stock. I have seen the Blued ones go for as much money as these. Also click on the other link for the primer carriers, the price for them is VERY good with other places charging 3 to 4 times as much. The primer carriers are supposed to last 20 shots a piece, but I have shot some over 60 times just to see how long they would last. They were getting pretty washed out by that time but would have still worked.

These have very nice triggers and are very accurate like the NEF Huntsmans, mine included. They are the least fussy muzzleloader I have ever shot and I currrently own 7 (3 Whites, 2 Knights, 1 T/C and the NEF).

If you decide to buy one of these you may want to hurry before the flood gates open and the price goes up. This sites prices fluctuate according to the buying pressure, the more purchases the higher they go. NOW is the time to buy while they are low. Good luck!

http://www.dallastacticalsupply.com/itemdetails.asp?itemid=NESPS050
http://www.dallastacticalsupply.com/itemdetails.asp?itemid=NEM03059

If you want to scope it go to this link and order the scope rail with the hammer spur, top right of page. They get $10 more for per pack for the primer carriers so order them from Dallas Tactical Supply above.

http://www.hr1871.com/store/index.htm

[VA Jim]

I agree with Busta.  Just got my stainless sidekick and 20 primer carriers yesterday.  Took a few days for Dallas Tactical to ship, but no problems at all.  That is a great price.  This is last years model with the 24 inch barrel, but I think I like the balance a little better than the 26 inch on my blued one.  The only reason you would want the 26 would be if you felt you needed the full performance of a 150gr. load.  80 to 100 grains has always worked fine for me.

I have to get to the range soon, since muzzleloader season opens here a week from Sat.

Jim

[slayer]

I have a 2005 Sidekick with the Wood/Blue and 26 inch barrel. It shoots everything I feed it very well and goes off everytime, either with 209 primers, or with my Veriflame installed with either small pistol or small rifle primers. It was a great buy at $159.99 :grin: Jack.

[Cookiemann]

Thanks a lot Busta.  That's good info and I appreciate the help.  I thought I would wait 'till next season for the ML.  But, I think I could make this happen soon enough to get in on this year's ML season.  Just need to scrape up a little more $$$.  
Correct me if I am wrong,  NEF went to a 26" barrel for '05 and that's where the Magnum designation came from on the new Sidekick/Huntsman.
I still have an '04 catalog so I wrote those numbers down to see if Sportsman Whse, Cabelas, or Gander has any left in stock.  Would be great to find one local.  Maybe at a reduced price.  I even sent a email off to CS at the factory to see if they will sell me one direct, since doesn't have to have all the paperwork like a regular rifle/shotgun.  Hey, it was worth a shot.  Thanks again.

[Busta]

Your welcome Cookieman. I have been thinking about ordering a couple of those myself just to put up for future grandkids. Just might do it. The price on those carriers is unbelievable, most places want $10 more per pack. The rifles are priced nice too, although they do recoup a little on the shipping to MI at $16.99 for one rifle, I think it is less per rifle if you buy two or more. They are worth every penny though. :grin:

[Cookiemann]

Well, the Lord answered my prayers.  I made a few phone calls today and found a NIB Huntsman from last years run.  24" Blued, Wood Stocks at Gander Mountain.  He said he would check the whole system and see if one of the stores still had one.  Turns out HIS store had one and he said I could have it for $100, which is just what I have to spend.  What a deal!!
I can hardly wait to pick it up tomorrow.  Thanks for all the advice guys.  I would never have known about the change in the barrel lengths had it not been for this forum.  Thanks again.

Oh yeah, almost forgot to ask,  what happens if you are all loaded up and then don't fire your Huntsman/Sidekick?  Do you have to fire it to unload it?
Yep, here we go, all the ROOKIE QUESTIONS.

[slayer]

You stole it Congrats Jack.

[Busta]

Well, the Lord answered my prayers.  I made a few phone calls today and found a NIB Huntsman from last years run.  24" Blued, Wood Stocks at Gander Mountain.  He said he would check the whole system and see if one of the stores still had one.  Turns out HIS store had one and he said I could have it for $100, which is just what I have to spend.  What a deal!!
I can hardly wait to pick it up tomorrow.  Thanks for all the advice guys.  I would never have known about the change in the barrel lengths had it not been for this forum.  Thanks again.

Oh yeah, almost forgot to ask,  what happens if you are all loaded up and then don't fire your Huntsman/Sidekick?  Do you have to fire it to unload it?
Yep, here we go, all the ROOKIE QUESTIONS.

Well you LUCKY DOG, you did steal that thing. :grin:  Just remember it only comes with 5 primer carriers, plenty to get you started but you will want more down the road.

You don't have to fire it to unload it, there are a few alternatives. You can remove the breech plug and push the load out. You can use a bullet puller (screw device on the end of ramrod) if it is a soft lead bullet/ball. They also make a CO2 discharger that goes on nipples that might work if you can get a seal on the flash hole. Good luck and don't forget the search feature, lots of good information archived.

[Cookiemann]

Well, NOT SO LUCKY DOG!  Turns out, Nick at Gander did not open the box and check it out.  The Huntsman he had had been pirated of the Ram Rod and the Fiber Optic part of the rear sight.  Now they are hunting down another for me and it will likely be a week before I get it.
But, there is some good news from all this...Also, turns out that the $100 price I was quoted is not all that special.  It is the normal clearance price they have on Last Year's 24" Blued and Wood Stock Huntsman.  I was also informed that there are still about 20 of them floating around the Gander Mountain domain.  So, if any of you are in the market for one....here is the H&R Model number   SMO-050.  Good Luck.

Just for kicks...anyone know what it would cost to get a ramrod and a rear sight from the factory.  Maybe I could talk'em way down on the one that is missing parts.  Wha-d-ya-think!

[Busta]

Cookieman,

Does it have the plastic sights or the Williams Fire Sights? My 2003 had the plastic, the rear broke (stripped) and H&R/NEF sent me a new one free. Before my Colorado elk hunt I ordered the Williams Fire Sights ($23.29) and the Williams WGRS Peep Sight ($18.00) and a spare black ramrod ($7.75) plus $5.00 shipping. If you are thinking about putting a peep on you wont beat H&R's price on sights even with the shipping included.

I say you offer them like $75 as is + $7.75 for ramrod, rear sight would probably be free from H&R if it was broken (missing?). Wouldn't hurt to call and ask, they have been known to be very helpful even when they don't have too. If it has plastic sights and you want to use sights get the aluminum Williams Fire sights or the WGRS Peep, the plastic will break with use. Make sure you tell them the 24" ramrod, cause they are only making the 26" barrels now.

Just remember they will have to fix that gun if they want to sell it and the hassle wont be worth a few dollars less from you so start LOW and work up to what you would be comfortable paying. Good Luck!

[Archercraig]

I just bought a H&R sidekick. It will be here tomorrow!! Just Joined the site and I like it.  :gulp:

[Busta]

Welcome Archercraig. You have come to the right place to learn about you new Sidekick, lots of knowledgable people here willing to help out.

[slayer]

Welcome AC!! Did you get the older version or the newer one? Either way, congrats and welcome Jack.

[Cookiemann]

My Huntsman should be in a Gander this week.  They only wanted to come down to $75 for the one that was missing the ramrod and read sight.  I would have ended up paying more to buy and repair it than their sale price on the NIB.  So they found one for me out in PA and its being shipped in.  It is last year's 24".  I am just impatient, but I am getting what I wanted.  Thanks for all the good advice guys.  Keep it coming.