I don’t know what Hi-Standard Double-9s were made of but frames were cast. The cast used in gun frames is not all the same. It runs from low quality zinc to high quality Aluminum & steel. The Hi-St revolvers were plinker grade guns. Hi-St made its rep in auto pistols. Like many American gun companies they wanted a slice of other markets and 1960s was the probably the biggest explosion of gun sales since end of WW2.

 

I picked up a sidekick several months ago. It is built well and fairly accurate IMO. I paid msrp and I got my money’s worth.

 

Hello,
Any more thoughts on the Sidekick? I haven't seen any longer-term reviews so far, but I'm considering getting one. I'd have to order one. None of my local stores seem to have one (or heard of it), and they're going online well above MSRP at the moment.

Mainly just interested in reliability and quality.

Thanks!

 

Buy a Ruger Wrangler instead. Much better made gun.

 

I have one, but i don't like the roly poly cylinder to load and unload.......the Sidekick has a swingout, that is easy..... Empty with a lever quick.

 

I just purchased a Diamondback Sidekick. I wanted a gun for field carry and liked the idea of both .22 L.R. and .22 Magnum. The reviews state the trigger is both good and bad. Double action is terrible. Single action is below 3 pounds and crisp. I had asked my dealer to order one for me with no luck. I ordered mine through Gallery of Guns. Got a good price and my dealer ordered another one after seeing mine. These guns go out of stock quick so if they have them don't hesitate. Holster wise I ordered the Wrangler Triple K Carrylite from Ruger. It covers the trigger and has a thumb break strap

 

I bought a Sidekick about a month ago. I had a Hi-Standard in the 70's-80's, then it was stolen in a burglary. Never able to find another at a reasonable price, till I saw the Sidekick online. I took a chance and ordered it - $300 + transfer fees. It's not the same quality as the Hi-Standard, but shoots good, and is accurate. However, I have had a real problem with the spent brass sticking in the cylinder (.22), and have had to knock them out with a rod/hammer. I have polished the cylinders twice, but have not yet got it fixed. The WMR cylinder works just fine. I've put about 500 rounds through it, but will keep polishing until it works, or try and send it back to Diamondback for review.

 

I just bought one. Have not fired it yet. My first impression is that it is decent quality, but I don't have anything to compare it with. This is my first rimfire revolver. I chose the Diamondback over the Ruger or Heritage because of the swing out cylinder and the fact that it included both 22 LR a 22 WMR, 9 round, cylinders. I will post my impressions after I get it to the range.

 

We were set up across the aisle from DB at the NRA Convention Last Year in Houston TX. I had seen some info on the DB Version of the High Standard Double Nine Revolver. It really peaked my interest !!! I always have people asking if we will ever make the Revolvers again. SO- When they would ask about revolvers in our booth, I would walk them over to DB. The revolver seemed well made and it felt good. I looked it over and shared some engineering info with them that I thought would help their NEW Product. I also brought them a group of parts for them to take to their Engineering Dept folks. They later sent a sample Production Revolver to me and returned the Sample Parts. The Original High Standard Revolvers were made out of Aircraft Grade Aluminum and later Steel. We still offer Repairs and Service on the High Standard CT Revolvers. Our Production in Houston is Limited to the FAMOUS High Standard Target Pistols. My DB Revolver Works Great !!! I keep it in the Test Range and, it gets used several times a week. So far, NO PROBLEMS !!!- Alan Aronstein, President- High Standard Firearms USA, Houston, TX

 

thats a nice writeup on the DB , thank you alan , i have an original hi-standard double nine that im quite fond of so ill probably not look to purchase a DB but if i were inclined to your input would have encouraged me to proceed

 

Picked one up the beginning of this past week. Weather and work didn't afford me time to try it out until this morning. Gun has a nice, substantial feel to it. Fit very well in my hand. Inspected, cleaned, and lubed. Loaded it up with CCI SV's and walked out to the range.Took an empty small size McDonald's cup with me. Found an old hedge apple, put the cup upside down on it, and paced off about 30 feet. Single action only the first nine rounds. First round took the cup off the hedge apple. Very happy. 7 of the next 8 bounced the cup around. Very, very happy. Based on 8 of 9 hitting the cup I'm going to have to blame myself for the miss. Reloaded, replaced cup, and walked back to the firing line. Next 9 double action. 3 out of 9 moved the cup. I'd like to think the other six went through existing holes, but.... I didn't find the double action pull to be excessive. On shots 8 and 9, I finally got the hang of staging the trigger and hit the cup both times. Some might call that cheating a DA, but I got tired of missing the cup. I have an older High Standard Double Nine, of which the Sidekick is mentioned above as being derivative. Accuracy wise the Sidekick is just as precise as the Nine. It certainly hit what I aimed at (at least in SA). I've read other reviews that mentioned ejecting spent shells required much effort, and in some cases, a dowel rod. Experienced none of that. Shells popped right out. Didn't shoot any magnums. Little cold out, 28, and I didn't want to mess with changing the cylinder. Paid under $300.00 for it. Well worth the money. I have several different .22 revolvers, both SA and DA. If you have the means, buy a Smith. If funds are scarce buy the Heritage. For those looking for a bit higher quality, without the much higher price, I would recommend the Sidekick.

 

I have been thinking of buying a sidekick. I have a Ruger Wrangler and I really enjoy it. I really like that the sidekick has the swing out cylinder, is double action, and is a 9 shot.
I was on Diamondbacks website and I see a bunch of Cerakote color variations listed. But when searching the web I can’t find any of the other color options. Maybe the colored options are new for 2023? I hope so because even though I’d be happy with all black, I’d love to buy the “Midnight Bronze” version.

 

High standard used aluminum frames.
Zinc actually is Zamak 5 now a days even Ruger uses Zamak 5 in the Wrangler grip frame.
Heritage, henry, Phoenix etc

 

Just shot 9 rounds of 22LR. The DA trigger pull was much better than when firing the mags. Looks like this gun gets smoother with usage. I had 2 misfires, but was using 20 year old ammo. The Winchester box had 90¢ stamped on the front, so it was pretty old. The rounds all fired 2nd time around. The rounds had more kick than the 22mags. I am not a big gun enthusiast and bought this one to shoot snakes with ratshot. It is a solid investment because of the 2 cylinders which swing out. Could someone tell me their impression of the sights?

 

I bought a new sidekick today took it out of the box pulled back the hammer and the firing pin and spring fell out . Apparently there quality control doesn’t exist

 

has anyone got first hand experience with these , im actually interested in acquiring one but i dont want to waste dollars or time

 

I haven't even seen the new one. I also haven't made it to a gunshop since the start of summer either. I carried an original nickle plated one boondocking for a time. It gave no problem and I usually hit what I was shooting at. I have no Idea how the copy will compare to the original.

 

Just ran first rounds through my sidekick. Agree that the single action is smooth and the break crisp. I find the DA basically unusable. Is there a simple answer to the (800 lb gorilla) trigger pull??

 

i decided not to buy one , i have a fiend that worked there before taurus bought them and his input gave me clarity , i also have an original early HI standard double nine , ove decided thats good enough for my accumulation , more power tpo you if you buy , i think you will like the guns - just not for me anymore

 

I heard changing the cylinders was kinda tricky.