By R.K. Campbell | Contributing Editor
A couple of years ago Diamondback Firearms got into the revolver business in a big way with an updated version of the High Standard W 100, or Double Nine.
I found the Diamondback Sidekick a worthy revolver.
Happy to report that Diamondback has recently released a version with short barrel and birdshead grip. This is an easy packing, friendly, and worthwhile revolver. A 25-ounce .22-caliber revolver is a good thing to have for practice training and driving pests aways from the farm or garden. The popular birdshead grip configuration gives the Sidekick a vintage look that doesn’t take away from its modern performance.
The Sidekick is a double action/ single action model with a swing out cylinder that carries nine rounds. Simply pull the trigger for double-action shots or cock the hammer for a single action shot. The revolver is easy to load and unload. Pull the ejector rod forward to release the cylinder, and then tap the ejector rod while holding the barrel upwards and you will eject all spent cartridges simultaneously.
A bit of history is required.
The High Standard Double Nine was a good recreational handgun with quite a following before High Standard went out of business. The Double Nine was produced from 1958 to the mid-1980s and it was styled like a single-action revolver with an ejector rod housing on the right side of the barrel. They seemed to shoot forever with a good cleaning and oiling all the maintenance needed.
So far the Diamondback Sidekick seems much the same. The design is proven. I am glad Diamondback revived the Double Nine design. Cowboy guns such as the Ruger Wrangler and Heritage Rough Rider are great fun but the Sidekick’s swing out cylinder loading is much easier to use. You can burn up ammunition faster!
Everyone needs a good .22 for training youngsters and simple recreation. A novice finds the .22 rimfire inoffensive in recoil and high on fun. As a plinker for inform practice they cannot be beat. An advantage over the self-loader is that the revolver will thrive on .22 short, long, and long rifle standard pressure ammunition that would choke an automatic. CB caps, birdshot loads, the list goes on.
The revolver also accepts the hottest high velocity loads and in this case the Sidekick features a spare .22 Magnum cylinder. A modern marvel of manufacturing, the cylinder is changed out simply by pressing a detent in the frame with a simple punch and removing the cylinder. Yet, the spare cylinder lines up and headspaces as it should. This is an uncommon set up in double action revolvers.
The revolver is finished in dull black Cerakote, and the grips are black checkered. The hammer spur is long and easily manipulated. I find the looks are good considering the revolver lists for just over three hundred dollars and may be found for just less than three hundred dollars at most outlets.
The Sidekick features fixed sights, a notch rear and integral post front sight. The single action trigger is nice, breaking cleanly at 4.2 pounds, but the double action trigger is heavy and less than smooth at 15.75 pounds! To use the double action trigger, I first pressed the trigger, bringing the hammer to almost where it broke against the sear, confirming the sight picture, and then broke the shot. To about five yards, the double action trigger is useful for learning double action triggers, or for letting go at a reptile at a few paces.
However, for shots at ten yards and out the single action option was used. Cylinder rotation was smooth in either double action or single action fire. (Note- the full size Double Nine and modern Sidekick feature a fake ejector rod housing to provide an old west appearance- this was done away with on the three inch barrel Sidekick.)
I believe marksmanship is often best learned by firing at small objects at known and unknown ranges and the first few hundred .22 rimfire cartridges fired in the Sidekick were expended in this manner. Eventually I settled down for bench rest accuracy testing, firing from a solid rest at 50 feet.
An economy revolver with a three-inch barrel and fixed sights isn’t a recipe for target grade accuracy. Just the same, the Sidekick is a decent shooter. It is affordable and reliable and offers a spare cylinder in .22 Magnum. This makes it viable for larger predators and animals.
Accuracy table
Load: .22 LR
Load Velocity Group
CCI 32 grain Stinger 1160 fps 2.0 in
CCI 40 gr. Maxi Mag 1066 fps 1.8 in.
CCI 29 grain .22 Short HP 1035 fps 2.2 in.
.22 Magnum
CCI 40 grain Maxi Mag 1298 fps 1.5 in.
CCI 30 gr. VNT 1544 fps 1.6 in.
I certainly don’t recommend any rimfire for defense use, but it is far superior to a sling shot. In a pinch it will provide peace of mind for the recoil shy. My Sidekick is destined for the most pleasant of duty in casual recreational shooting. diamondbackfirearms.com
Specifications:
Make: Diamondback Firearms
Model: Sidekick
Caliber: .22 LR, .22 Long, .22 Short /.22 Magnum conversion cylinder
Action: Single or Double
Capacity: 9 rounds
Grips: Checkered plastic
Overall Barrel Length: 3.0 inches
Overall Length: 7.8 inches
Frame & Handle Finish: Black Cerakote
Overall Weight: 25 ounces
