Modernizing the Huntsman/Sidekick

[kody]

  Add -ons :  1. Breech plug capable of using a cartridge case primer-holder of a size and type that was strong enough to modify to take pistol/rifle, large or small primers. This would allow the full range of choice of primer ,powder and bullet weights and types so you could tweak to your heart's content.     2.An extractor for the above barrel.    3. Low profile hammer.        4.Full length ramrod capability.       5.Scope ramp with a peep.       6.Fast-twist .45 cal. barrel option.     7.Glove-friendly sized trigger-guard           8.  Will allow current stock parts interchangability .  Ken   

[kody]

I have seen enlarged trigger-guards on some of the other mfrs. M/Ls and have learned the value of them,so that is  one of my wishes. I heartily endorse the ramrod fix, the hammer lowering with a L/R extender made for it, the use of stainless steel, a variety of stockset types and materials, a good recoil pad and the addition of a.45 cal bbl. with the optimum twist and length for it. Most of all, solve the breech plug problem. Just take the latest aftermarket product and try to improve it!           Ken Lacey

[quickdtoo]

The improved barrel won't be available this year for anyone on the fence. 

Tim

[Busta]

Thanks Tim, that is what I figured, if ever.

[quickdtoo]

Yeah, it's been shelved until 2010. 

Tim

[db22]

I may be the "odd man out," or possibly even "out of line" here, as it seems the old round ball just doesn't get much play anymore, BUT I would LOVE to see some "slow twist" (like 1:66 or so for .50 and .54 RBs) barrels for plain old patched round balls and a breech that would support the use of percussion caps with a slot to accommodate a capper.

As long as I am dreaming, the cream would be a .36 cal. barrel for squirrels and such.

Jeff: You're not alone!  A .54 slow-twist PRB barrel would be terrific.  Swampman had a mighty good suggestion, too -- a 12-gauge smoothbore general-purpose barrel.  Tubes would be nice, but I hunt grouse in Wisconsin, so cylinder bore would do just fine.

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Hi All,

I own an original 45 cal round ball Huntsman purchased back in the early '80s.....am I going to be able to have one of these new hotrod 50 cal, quick twist barrels to my existing rifle??  I do like the RB I've got....would give me the best of both worlds!!

Lobo in West Virginia

[quickdtoo]

H&R will only fit barrels to frames made 1987 and later as stated on the accessory barrel page.

Tim

http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp

[Teacher_of_the_Arcane]

Okay.....

So, hopefully, the new Sidekick will be what I'm looking for!!!

Lobo in West Virginia

[coop2564]

I would like to see them make a more modern forend with rounded edges instead of the sqaured off edges! And of coarse a 209 BP such as Busta suggested!

[Markus]

A little late chiming in here but I'd love to see  a 20ga and .32 cal or a .36. If I didn't already have 2 of them I'd be asking for a 12ga.

[PartsMan]

How about a Huntsman Ultra that can take on the Encore.
I am thinking a total stainless SB2 with a thumb hole laminate
or maybe even ultra varmint stock and forearm. (Yeah a muzzle loader with a bipod!)
Now for a barrel. While everybody else argues over 26" or 28" lets blow them away with a 32" magnum.
A gun you can and would shoot magnum loads out of.

Now for the sidekick name. I would go the other way with it.
One that handles like a Handi (or lever gun for that matter).
A muzzle loader for the modern woods hunter.
A short 20-22" barrel SB1 offered in matte black and camo composite or blued and wood.

A full length tamping rod?
Sure but,
I AM NOT WILLING TO GIVE UP INTERCHANGEABLE BARRELS!

[a4beltfed2000]

calibers in 32 45 50

32 for round balls the rest with a higher twist rate for sabots

25 acp or a primer module that could be used with a ejector for removal like used on the standard handirifle/pardner shotgun for extraction. Laminated stocks, and maybe one with the mannlicher stock set
12 ga muzzleloader barrel with removable chokes.

how about a stock set with a patch box or buttstock storage!

[LHitchcox]

My vote would be for a .36 roundball barrel. The .36 seems to be less finicky about load development than the .32. I also like the fact that the shooter can buy a 5# box of Hornady buckshot in .350 and be set for bullets at a very economical price.

I would also go for a 12 ga. shotgun barrel with jug choke for turkey.

[slayer]

I love my wood/blued 26 inch barrel Sidekick. I wouldn`t change a thing, except the breech plug design. I even like the 209 carriers. I like my guns plain and the Sidekick screams plain!! Also add .32-.45-.50-.54 and .58 choices so we can get the barrels fitted to them. I`d buy a .32-.54 and .58

[lefty41]

Echo what LHitchcox said!
.36, .54. & 12ga

[GLHolmes]

The Huntsman definitely needs a better ramrod.

However, I, for one, love the primer carriers!  It's easy to tell that the gun is ready to fire and they make for great handling when it is freezing temperatures outside and your hands are numb.

[carbinecasey]

Greetings

I would like to see a 12,16,or 20 gauge shotgun barrel for turkey hunting. But since I have one of the older Huntsmans, and brand new pistol grip designed shotgun, black synthetic or camo, 24" barrel with screw-in turkey choke, 209 priming system, drilled and tapped for a scope, with rail included and hammer extension. If it comes out I might just be all over that.

Carbinecasey

[Rustyinfla]

  I'm really late in this fight but something that's missing from the muzzleloading market is a RB barrel in .40 cal. the above poster was right about the .36 being less finicky than the .32 but the .40 is even better yet and it can be used for deer or tree rats here in Fla.

  I'd be another one that would rather have a RB barrel in any caliber for a ML. A .45 RB would be a do all rifle for me. Savage came out with a ML that shoots smokeless powder. I'm not saying I'd want one but from a marketing standpoint I could see where it would have value.

[Lucky Joe]

Many good ideas, at the moment I would like a .36 cal. ML barrel. Probably a slow twist although I do have a mould to make the TC .36 Maxi.