H&R / NEF Sidekicks extinct like Dodo birds? What Now?

[dubious]

I had a notion that one day I would get an NEF sidekick or even better, a Handi Rifle in 45 acp / 7.62 x 39 / and 50 cal BP. Now it looks like all those dreams are for naught. For naught! This would've been my first BP gun.

As I understood it, the Sidekick was the perfect beginner gun: Easy to Clean, Accurate, Nice trigger, American Made, and CHEAP. Plus, call me crazy, but I like the idea of nice wood furniture on my BP Muzzleloader.

What do I do now? I see that Rossi BP Muzzleloader on Buds: http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/803/products_id/80080

It looks very similar to the NEF. I don't hate Taurus. But is it the best option? I don't see any used Sidekicks on gunbroker... and I'm not sure I want a used BP anyway. Seems rust could be a real problem.

Any Suggestions?

 

[arcticap]

MDM Muzzle Loaders

While there's plenty of imported break action muzzle loaders on the market including used H&R's and new Rossi's, if you'd like a USA made H&R clone with even better features, then consider the MDM Buckwacka or Quic Shooter that are made in Vermont. MDM offers plenty of models in a wide price range including stainless steel and with laminated thumbhole stocks.

http://www.mdm-muzzleloaders.com/

Here's a large MDM dealer:

https://www.mainemilitary.com/productcart/pc/viewcategories.asp?idCategory=101&pageStyle=H

Be sure to check out MDM's photo gallery. If you give them a closer look maybe you'll find the right model that will make you a happy camper!

https://emainehosting.secureserverdot.com/MDM-Muzzleloaders/photogallery.html

 

[Pancho]

Articap, Does you MDM have a collapsable ram rod?

 

[Pancho]

I don't know if Rossi was the first to come up with this design but a Rossi was the first I ever saw and that was about 8 years ago. I bought one with the expressed promise from Rossi that they would be making interchangeable barrels available sometime in the future. After a couple of years Rossi must have figured out that selling interchangeable barrels was not that simple. Finally they arrived at the policy that they would sell sets of barrels fitted to a receiver but the only way an owner could buy a different caliber barrel from them, after the fact, was to send Rossi their receiver and the caliber barrel wanted and they would fit one to your receiver.

 

[Pancho]

Dubious(that's a good handle), One thing I've noticed is that if you check there is precious little difference between the NEF,Rossi,and now that I look at it Articap's MDM. What's up with that?

 

[arcticap]

I don't have an MDM, but it's more of a specialty muzzle loader which isn't mass produced nearly as much as the H&R and Rossi.
The H&R dates back to their original Huntsman muzzle loader from about 30 years ago.
The MDM is listed as having an unbreakable ramrod with an extension which isn't collapsible.
The Rossi center fire guns have a lever on the left side of the receiver to engage the hammer safety which the other's don't have.
The MDM has a walnut stock (some do anyway) and a Williams ghost ring type rear sight. MDM doesn't use plastic primer holders like the H&R's, and they're rated for 150 grains of pellets and are made in both .45 and .50 caliber.
While they all look similar there are some subtle differences between each of the models.

 

[kentucky bucky]

MDM Exploded the other day and I doubt if it survives after the smoke clears. There were 2 employees killed in the explosion.

 

[hot357lead]

i drove past there to day and HOLY poo!!! i knew, bp explosions were bad and have heard for years, but now... i have a whole new respect for it/ my bp left the gun cabinet and met the large aluminum gun case in the back of a dark cool closet with no electricity any where near it (im actually debating on switching to pyrodex but i only shoot the old hawkin once or twice a month)...lol better safe than sorry. but i guess seeing it with your own eyes instead of on the local news is alot different... if i didn't know those 2 poor guys where in there i would have taken a few picks but with the clean up and all the people i have a bit too much respect to fiddle around the place, i don't mean to sound ignorant and i have always been cautious with the black stuff, and knew just how dangerous it is but... as i said seeing it in person is a little different than just pictures, and knowing the facts if ya know what i mean