The new Western Airguns Sidewinder PCP combines removable magazine capability with selective-fire (full- and semi-automatic) operation in a ground-breaking new model.
“But whoa!” you say. “Aren’t there other PCPs on the market that offer this too?” Well, the answer is “yes-ISH”. But they don’t combine this functionality with absolutely “bomb proof”, jam-free cycling.
There’s no value in a PCP air rifle offering semi-automatic fire (or full-auto either) if the feed is not 100% reliable with all types of pellets and slugs.
In my experience the Sidewinder does offer that capability and – combined with interchangeable magazines – that makes it unique in the PCP airgun market today.
Oh – and it’s really accurate, too…
That selective fire capability compared with quality, reliability, power and accuracy means that there’s nothing in the market that can really compare with the Sidewinder at the present time. Did I mention that already?
Western Airguns is manufacturing and shipping the Sidewinder right now. Not surprisingly, demand is exceeding supply, but your friends at AoA will happy to help you acquire one immediately in .22 caliber. Twenty-five and thirty caliber models are also coming very soon. Your one can be reserved for a small deposit.
The .22 caliber Western Airguns Sidewinder air rifle I tested produced no less than 160 consistent, regulated shots from a full – 4,350/300 Bar – fill of the standard 580 cc carbon fiber HPA bottle.
For accuracy, the gun shot 25.39 Grain JSB Jumbo Monster Redesigned pellets best at around 899 FPS. This was using the “as set by the factory” power setting on the gun. At this speed, the Sidewinder was producing 45.22 Ft/Lbs of Muzzle Energy.
Given the current level of interest in slug shooting, I also undertook a test using 20.3 Grain Daystate Howler slugs. (These slugs are manufactured by NSA, as many people will know).
The results were outstanding! The USA‐made, TJ hammer forged barrel clearly can deal with slugs too. The 10-shot, 20-Yard group produced with the Howlers was only very slightly larger than that for the Redesigned Monsters…
Of course, the Western Airguns Sidewinder air rifle has that tempting, full auto “fun switch”. So I loaded a magazine full of Howler slugs, grabbed a tight hold on the gun and let go with a full 15-round magazine.
The result was a 15-shot group with a CTC size of around 0.5 Inches at 20 Yards. In my opinion, that’s outstanding accuracy and shows that the Sidewinder is capable of delivering the goods in full auto as well as semi-automatic operation.
I found the trigger to be very usable and with a pull weight of around 1 Lb 8 Oz.
In full auto mode, a quick “dab” of the trigger provides a “2-shot burst” capability. This is easy to do and is quite predictable. The main requirement is to completely release the trigger between “dabs” so that the action will re-set before firing again.
The magazine is a two-part affair, machined from steel. The cover plate is removed, pellets pushed into the magazine chambers and the cover replaced. So loading is very simple. (A .30 cal magazine is shown in the photograph below – I shot one of these, too).
Then the mag snaps into the magazine well and is held in battery using a small knurled knob. There’s a slight learning curve, but once the “knack” is developed, it’s fast and easy to install and remove the magazine.
Due to the level of precision machining required, additional magazines are expensive. Like $149.99 each expensive! However, that’s what allows the Sidewinder to function faultlessly, so it’s a relatively small price to pay…
I found the Sidewinder comfortable to shoot. However, I would definitely like to see an adjustable cheekpiece made available in future. The buttpad works well enough. However I’d also investigate fitting a more ergonomic, aftermarket buttpad if this were my gun.
At a “bare” weight of around 7 Lbs 11 Oz and a length of 35.5 Inches, the Western Airguns Sidewinder air rifle is not too large or heavy.
Because of this, the gun shoulders well and can be shot successfully offhand. The balance is good too.
However bipod support and firing prone or from a bench will be necessary to bring out the full accuracy that it is clearly capable of delivering. In this case, the extra-long lower Picatinny rail will be appreciated, together with the support band that bears up against the shroud, relieving issues of pressure on the 580 cc HPA tank that can occur from rail flexing when bipods are used with some PCPs.
Many will be happy that the Western Airguns Sidewinder air rifle is supplied with a high quality padded case. This provides good protection for the gun in transit and has two external pockets for storing ammo. It also accommodates the gun with a large scope mounted.
It’s pretty clear that the Western Airguns Sidewinder air rifle is something special!
