Sideriders

"Siderider" is a slang term for mid-power rifles that have either been purposely built or convert to be full-stock but extremely short barreled firearms. Depending on when they were made, they are either Poppers or Whizzers, with the latter being the more desirable option. They were designed specifically for "riding shotgun" from within vehicles or even for the driver of the vehicle to fire out a door or window. Their extremely short barrel (3-6" generally) makes them only effective against very close targets such as raiders trying to gain access to the vehicle cabin or who are driving/riding immediately alongside. The Siderider has an advantage over a pistol in terms of both power and controllability due to the full rifle stock left on the gun. The wielder can pull the gun tight into the shoulder and brace it against their cheek. A second hand can be used, albeit carefully. The New Pittsburg Arms Company manufactured the original Siderider, though they stopped making the model about 120 PE or so. While the idea of a short, controllable gun for in-vehicle use was not their original idea, they both innovated on the concept and provided the name that became synonymous with the class of firearm. The PAC designed a novel ammunition magazine that used a folding and sliding "gate" that attempted to protect the extra round stored within from the firing of the whizzer mechanism. This door actually served its purpose, and it was almost unheard of for a PAC firearm to experience a firing of its extra stored rounds. The mechanism that folder and slid the door out of the way as the bolt was being run, however, was finicky and was easily fouled causing the operator to have to clear any clogs in the gate hinges such that it would fold out of the way of the returning bolt. When it does work, the couple models the PAC used this mechanism on provided a significant advantage in firepower. Serious fighters, however, stayed clear of these as they were not reliable after 4-5 rounds of firing.