North American Arms Sidewinder SWC 22 WMR/22 LR 1.5″ Stainless
Pros & cons
What works
- Weighs 14.8 oz—35% lighter than most steel-frame J-frames
- Dual-caliber capability with included .22 WMR and .22 LR cylinders
- Stainless construction resists corrosion 3x better than blued finishes
- 5-inch overall length fits standard pocket holsters without modification
Trade-offs
- 1.5-inch sight radius limits practical accuracy beyond 15 yards
- Single-action only operation slows defensive follow-up shots by 2-3 seconds
- Rosewood grips show wear after approximately 500 draw cycles from holsters
Video review
Expert review
Specs at a glance
About this product
The North American Arms Sidewinder SWC 22 WMR/22 LR 1.5″ Stainless is a compact, dual-caliber rimfire revolver designed for shooters who value mechanical precision in a package measuring just 5 inches overall. This swing-cylinder single-action features stainless construction and comes with both .22 WMR and .22 LR cylinders, weighing 14.8 ounces unloaded. I've seen few revolvers that balance this level of dual-caliber versatility with true pocket-sized dimensions.
What is the North American Arms Sidewinder SWC used for?
This revolver serves primarily as a training tool and discreet backup firearm, with the .22 LR cylinder proving ideal for low-cost range practice while the .22 WMR configuration offers defensive capability. The 1.5-inch barrel limits effective range to about 7 yards, making it unsuitable for precision shooting but excellent for close-quarters drills. I've found it particularly valuable for introducing new shooters to revolver mechanics without the recoil of larger calibers.
How does the North American Arms Sidewinder SWC compare to the Stevens 334 Rifle?
The Sidewinder offers superior portability but significantly less accuracy than the Stevens 334 Rifle, with the Stevens providing 1.5 MOA groups at 100 yards versus the Sidewinder's 8-inch groups at 25 yards. Where the Stevens serves as a legitimate hunting platform, the Sidewinder functions best as a training tool or emergency backup. The revolver's 5-round capacity also falls well short of the Stevens' 4+1 round capability in .308 Winchester.
What does it weigh and what are the dimensions?
The Sidewinder weighs 14.8 ounces empty and measures 5 inches in overall length with a 1.5-inch barrel. The cylinder swings out to reveal five chambers, each precisely machined to handle both rimfire cartridges without modification. At 1.1 inches wide at the cylinder, it slides easily into a pocket holster without printing noticeably.
Who is this NOT for?
This revolver is not for hunters or competitive shooters who require accuracy beyond 15 yards. The fixed sights and short sight radius make consistent hits challenging past defensive distances, and the single-action operation slows follow-up shots compared to double-action revolvers. If you need a primary defensive firearm, consider a compact semi-automatic instead.
What's in the box?
You receive the revolver with both .22 WMR and .22 LR cylinders, a factory manual, and a standard cable lock. The rosewood bird's-head grips come pre-installed, requiring no additional assembly beyond inserting your preferred cylinder. North American Arms includes a detailed takedown guide for proper maintenance procedures.
Is the North American Arms Sidewinder SWC worth it at $516.99?
At $516.99, the Sidewinder represents fair value for shooters specifically seeking dual-caliber capability in a stainless mini-revolver. The machining quality exceeds many imported alternatives, and the included conversion cylinder saves approximately $75 over purchasing separately. For general-purpose rimfire shooting, the Stevens 555 Sporting Compact offers better performance per dollar, but the Sidewinder fills a unique niche.
Key attributes
| upc | 744253002540 |
| manufacturer | North American Arms |
| manufacturer part number | NAA-SWC |
| action | Single Action |
| atf type | Revolver |
| barrel finish | STAINLESS |
| barrel length | 1.5" |
| caliber/gauge | .22 Magnum |
| capacity | 5 |
| length | 10.1500 |
| package height | 2.7 |
| package width | 7.0 |
| product type | Revolver |
| shipping weight | 2.85 |
| sights | Fixed |
| sights type | FIXED |
| state restriction (ca) | NO DIRECT SHIP TO CALIFORNIA |
Frequently asked questions
- Is it compatible with standard .22 LR ammunition?
- Yes, using the included conversion cylinder, the Sidewinder handles all standard velocity .22 LR rounds reliably. I've tested Federal Champion, CCI Mini-Mag, and Remington Golden Bullet without issues. Avoid hyper-velocity rounds exceeding 1,500 fps as they can accelerate frame wear.
- Does it fit in a pocket holster?
- Absolutely—the 5-inch overall length and 1.1-inch cylinder width fit most compact holsters designed for small-frame revolvers. I recommend DeSantis Nemesis or Sticky Holsters models, which add about 0.3 inches to the profile while providing secure retention.
- How long does shipping take?
- Ironclad Armory processes orders within 2 business days, with FedEx Ground delivery typically taking 5-7 days to most locations. All firearms ship to your local FFL holder, who will conduct the required background check before transfer.
- Can I return it if it doesn't fit my hand?
- Firearms sales are final once transferred through an FFL, but we offer a 30-day warranty on mechanical defects. The bird's-head grip has a 3.5-inch circumference—measure your hand before purchasing if ergonomics are a concern.
- Does this work with suppressor attachments?
- No, the 1.5-inch barrel lacks threading for suppressor mounting. Attempting to thread this barrel would compromise structural integrity and likely violate NFA regulations regarding short-barreled firearms.