N/A Semi-Auto Recommendations

[Deleted member 25487]

Thanks again, everyone. I ended up deciding to hold off for now and wait until I can afford/justify a Sidewinder. $2250 is a lot of cash, but seems worth the wait.
Wallace, I came close to purchasing that one. I'd prefer a .22 though.

Understand, You will be happy with the Sidewinder. Smart decision IMO, I like the fact of the removable magazines on the sidewinder and plenty of power Vs caliber in the Westerns. I bought the .30cal compact version and I’m in the market now for the standard size but in .25 cal soon as I can find one. I do like the Sidewinders

 

[Hapo]

...cry once...

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

I don't know what Evanix Semis go for nowadays but I had an AirSpeed .22 and it was a very nice rifle.

The system they use is very simple and reliable, I would check them out.

 

[MrSam]

So, I decided to purchase the Sidewinder. I have the compact in my cart but am in a bit of a predicament. Do I go with the standard or compact? I'm leaning toward the compact, since I much prefer smaller PCPs. I'd need it to be backyard friendly though.
Also, does the compact come with a threaded 1/2x20 barrel, or would I have to purchase an adapter?

 

[Sawney Bean]

I would wait until you get some advise from someone who has a .22 Sidewinder. What I can tell you as the owner of a full size .30 is that I tried several moderators and modified my shroud and adaptor and I managed to quiet it down considerably more than stock, but it's still on the ragged edge of what would be considered backyard friendly. It's much less noisy than a chainsaw or a line trimmer, but they're still going to hear it from 100 yards away. Maybe the .22 isn't as loud as the .30 however.

In its stock form and with the power cranked up its not backyard friendly at all. It's actually louder than a rimfire shooting subsonics.

I've also got a Huben K1 in .22 and that is much quieter even without a can or modifications.

Any of these hammerless semi-autos seem to be noisier than their bolt action counterparts as a fair amount of the noise comes from the action rather than the muzzle.

 

[Deleted member 25487]

So, I decided to purchase the Sidewinder. I have the compact in my cart but am in a bit of a predicament. Do I go with the standard or compact? I'm leaning toward the compact, since I much prefer smaller PCPs. I'd need it to be backyard friendly though.
Also, does the compact come with a threaded 1/2x20 barrel, or would I have to purchase an adapter?

I guess that depends on your backyard..
Where I shoot, the noise is not so much a problem, but I did add the impulse air 1350 mod to my .30 cal compact. I can also add more sections to the impulse if I needed at any point in the future to get the noise level where I want it.
Yes the compact is threaded 1/2x20. For the standard you will want the adaptor to do 1/2x20
I’m picking up my new standard .22 cal sidewinder in the morning. I’m sure it’s quieter than 30 no matter what as is from the factory over the compact.
pic for the adapter if you want to maintain the shroud on the standard version. You can find these at AOA, The Pellet shop or others that sell the sidewinder. My understanding is that you could remove the shroud and just run without it and put on a 1/2x20 mod. Right to the barrel just like the compact.

 

[MrSam]

I would wait until you get some advise from someone who has a .22 Sidewinder. What I can tell you as the owner of a full size .30 is that I tried several moderators and modified my shroud and adaptor and I managed to quiet it down considerably more than stock, but it's still on the ragged edge of what would be considered backyard friendly. It's much less noisy than a chainsaw or a line trimmer, but they're still going to hear it from 100 yards away. Maybe the .22 isn't as loud as the .30 however.

In its stock form and with the power cranked up its not backyard friendly at all. It's actually louder than a rimfire shooting subsonics.

I've also got a Huben K1 in .22 and that is much quieter even without a can or modifications.

Any of these hammerless semi-autos seem to be noisier than their bolt action counterparts as a fair amount of the noise comes from the action rather than the muzzle.

That's what I was afraid of. I've heard that the compact version has quite the bark to it. I'm planning on running it around 800 FPS, since most of my shooting would be around 10-20 yards. I shot a friend's K1 earlier today, and can say that I'd certainly be comfortable with its noise level.

 

[MrSam]

I guess that depends on your backyard..
Where I shoot, the noise is not so much a problem, but I did add the impulse air 1350 mod to my .30 cal compact. I can also add more sections to the impulse if I needed at any point in the future to get the noise level where I want it.
Yes the standard and compact are threaded 1/2x20. For the standard if you want to still run the shroud they sell an adapter as well.
I’m picking up my new standard .22 cal sidewinder in the morning. I’m sure it’s quieter than 30 no matter what as is from the factory over the compact.
pic for the adapter if you want to maintain the shroud on the standard version. You can find these at AOA, The Pellet shop or others that sell the sidewinder. My understanding is that you could remove the shroud and just run without it and put on a 1/2x20 mod. Right to the barrel just like the compact.

View attachment 446517

Haha, let's just say my backyard isn't exactly airgun friendly. Ah, I see. So there wouldn't be any point in purchasing the adapter for the compact, correct? May I ask why you went with the standard for your .22? I'm torn between that and the compact and don't think I can justify purchasing both at this time!

 

[AlanMcD]

I have both the regular Sidewinder and the Huben K1 in .22 caliber. I can't comment on the relative noise between either the mini and the standard, nor the .30 standard and the .22 standard, but the difference between my two guns in terms of noise is huge.

Have you shot the Sidewinder? It is a fine gun, but is much louder than the Huben even at lower power levels, and the Huben has a much better trigger. Add an LDC on a Huben and there is no comparison . . . the Sidewinder is louder even at lower power levels. If noise level is important, the difference can't be overstated. And as a note, I find the Huben without an LDC is a good bit louder than a Marauder (without an LDC) at equal power; adding the LDC makes them about equal to my ear.

One thing to clear up - although the Sidewinder barrel is threaded, it is not a 1/2-20 thread so common LDCs wont attach directly to it (I think it is 13 x 1mm metric but am not sure) - it is so close, but not the same which is very frustrating. You will need the AoA adapter to replace the factory "moderator" with an aftermarket one, and you will definitely want to replace the factory moderator if you need to get the noise down. I'm running a Huma 40 Standard on mine, but it still is loud, in part because the action is so loud - much louder than the Huben action.

Another thing - while the gun is quieter when I dial down the power, on mine the accuracy degrades as the speed drops. I have heard this from other people as well - don't know why as the ES is tight even down in the 700's, but the accuracy is much worse, and it starts to get worse below about 875 or so and builds from there.

If you do go with the mini, you might want to read this great thread on quieting it down: https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/hushing-the-sidewinder-mini-30.1307559/

 

[Deleted member 25487]

Haha, let's just say my backyard isn't exactly airgun friendly. Ah, I see. So there wouldn't be any point in purchasing the adapter for the compact, correct? May I ask why you went with the standard for your .22? I'm torn between that and the compact and don't think I can justify purchasing both at this time!

Correct no need for the adaptor on the compact.
I went standard on the .22 just for a little more power in .22 cal

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

For me the looks alone would make me go Huben, still cannot warm up to the SuperSoaker style guns.

 

[Sawney Bean]

For me the looks alone would make me go Huben, still cannot warm up to the SuperSoaker style guns.

Not a good photo, but with a wood stock I don’t think it looks too bad.

 

[Nomadic Pirate 66]

Not a good photo, but with a wood stock I don’t think it looks too bad.
View attachment 446605

Yeah, still not my jam but I realize a lot of people like them,...actually like tactical guns even less with wood, that is why I painted the grip on my Huben pistol and several rifles in the past.

 

[orangeokie]

I would go with a Steyr if the initial cost is not prohibitive. Buy once cry once.

Edgun West | Steyr Airguns

EDgun West Store - Leshiy 2 Edgun Fenix Epic Airguns Steyr Airguns Airmaks Airms Airgun Technology

www.edgunwest.com

 

[MrSam]

I have both the regular Sidewinder and the Huben K1 in .22 caliber. I can't comment on the relative noise between either the mini and the standard, nor the .30 standard and the .22 standard, but the difference between my two guns in terms of noise is huge.

Have you shot the Sidewinder? It is a fine gun, but is much louder than the Huben even at lower power levels, and the Huben has a much better trigger. Add an LDC on a Huben and there is no comparison . . . the Sidewinder is louder even at lower power levels. If noise level is important, the difference can't be overstated. And as a note, I find the Huben without an LDC is a good bit louder than a Marauder (without an LDC) at equal power; adding the LDC makes them about equal to my ear.

One thing to clear up - although the Sidewinder barrel is threaded, it is not a 1/2-20 thread so common LDCs wont attach directly to it (I think it is 13 x 1mm metric but am not sure) - it is so close, but not the same which is very frustrating. You will need the AoA adapter to replace the factory "moderator" with an aftermarket one, and you will definitely want to replace the factory moderator if you need to get the noise down. I'm running a Huma 40 Standard on mine, but it still is loud, in part because the action is so loud - much louder than the Huben action.

Another thing - while the gun is quieter when I dial down the power, on mine the accuracy degrades as the speed drops. I have heard this from other people as well - don't know why as the ES is tight even down in the 700's, but the accuracy is much worse, and it starts to get worse below about 875 or so and builds from there.

If you do go with the mini, you might want to read this great thread on quieting it down: https://www.airgunnation.com/threads/hushing-the-sidewinder-mini-30.1307559/

Thanks so much for the write-up, very informative. My biggest concern is certainly the sound. It seems like adding an adapter and different moderator would defeat the purpose of buying a compact version of the standard. My plan was to dial it down to around 800 FPS, but that doesn't sound like it'll help much. I may have to consider the K1 - ugh, so close to making a purchase. I absolutely love the design and size of the Sidewinder compact, those two factors are a big part of the reason I decided on it.

Correct no need for the adaptor on the compact.
I went standard on the .22 just for a little more power in .22 cal

Got it, that makes sense.

I would go with a Steyr if the initial cost is not prohibitive. Buy once cry once.

Edgun West | Steyr Airguns

EDgun West Store - Leshiy 2 Edgun Fenix Epic Airguns Steyr Airguns Airmaks Airms Airgun Technology

www.edgunwest.com

If only I could justify it. At this point, I'm already $1200 over my initial budget

 

[brawler1588]

Not sure where you are at but I agree with the huben crew. I have the huben k1 in .22 and .25 and that would check more of your boxes in my opinion. I shot the sidewinder and it did really well but the huben just does it for me. My .22 at 860fps gets over 100 shots on a 300bar fill. Since that I tuned it down to 19fpe and its mouse accurate. The gk1 is taking the market by storm and is a great option but if you don't want to modify anything I would highly suggest the k1. I will attach a video of mine that is shooting 870fps in a pellet trap with .25 hades with a hugget atom. Any questions or anything you want to chat about feel free to reach out.

 

[CharlieF]

I have a semi auto marauder. Its ugly, smells bad, but it shoots the lights out. They run about $860. 3000 pellets down range with no malfunctions. It satisfied me semi itch without going broke. Have it tuned to 905 fps with CPHPs. Tree rats hate it. Get around 50 shots per fill. Dime sized accuracy at 36 yards with CPHPs. 66 db with stock supressor. Bolt action makes more noise than pellet discharge.

 

[Jammin22]

Huben K-1 all the way. Look for a used one if can't afford new.

 

[RM100GUY]

Steyr Pro X...Yep they are arm and leg expensive...HOWEVER, their preformance and build

quility is difficult to argue with...Note these five 10 shot groups, 2 at 30 yards 3 at 45 yards off the "on gun" bipod. Just another day at the office for this Steyr...Just change the MAGs and pull the trigger.

 

[MrSam]

Thanks everyone! The only reason I held off on the K1 is because my cousin owns one, which I shoot frequently. It's a great shooter, and chances are i'll probably purchase his when he decides to sell it, but for now I'd like something that sub 30". Anyhow, I ended up pulling the trigger and purchasing the SW Compact.