The North American Arms Sidewinder is a .22 WMR single-action revolver with a 4-inch barrel, rosewood birdshead grip, and a stainless steel finish. At 8.5 oz it is light enough to carry as a backup or trail gun without adding meaningful weight to a pack. 
 
Key Specifications 

• Brand: North American Arms (NAA) 
• Model Name: Sidewinder 
• Caliber: .22 WMR (Winchester Magnum Rimfire) 
• Action: Single Action Only (SAO) 
• Capacity: 5 Rounds 
• Barrel Length: 4 inches 
• Overall Length: 7.75 inches 
• Weight: 0.5 lbs (8.50 oz) 
• Sights: Post Front Sight 
• Grip Material: Rosewood Birdshead Grip 
• Finish: Stainless Steel 
   
  Detailed Features 
  The stainless steel finish resists corrosion from sweat, rain, and varied carry environments. The 4-inch barrel gives a longer sight radius than most NAA mini-revolvers, improving practical accuracy at moderate distances. The post front sight provides quick target acquisition without clutter. The rosewood birdshead grip adds visual appeal and provides a secure hold under recoil despite the compact grip surface. 
   
  The five-round cylinder balances capacity against the physical constraints of a revolver this size. The SAO trigger delivers a consistent, predictable pull for deliberate shots once the hammer is cocked. The overall length of 7.75 inches fits most holsters designed for small revolvers. 
   
  .22 WMR from a 4-inch barrel develops meaningful velocity compared to the stubby barrels on most NAA mini-revolvers, which improves terminal performance within its effective range.

NAA Sidewinder .22 WMR discussions explore how the pistol fits different use cases and how its caliber and action hold up under scrutiny.

The compact size and weight are the consistent positives. At 8.5 oz, owners report genuine pack-and-forget carrying with no meaningful load increase. The stainless construction is praised for holding up across varied environmental conditions. The birdshead grip gets favorable comments for both aesthetics and function. Buyers who primarily use it for plinking or as a trail backup express strong satisfaction.

The single-action mechanism is a genuine discussion point: experienced SAO shooters find it natural and deliberate, while others note that manually cocking the hammer before each shot is a real constraint in fast defensive situations. The 5-round capacity draws criticism from buyers comparing it to semi-automatic options with double or triple the capacity.

The .22 WMR caliber split opinion on self-defense adequacy, as it does for most .22 WMR platforms. The consensus is that it's more appropriate as a backup or animal protection tool than as a primary defensive handgun.

Some owners report occasional extraction issues with specific ammunition, and discussions on NAA forum communities suggest this can vary by lot and brand. The price is viewed as reasonable for the niche it occupies.