Yes they are! A side-cocker is not one that I have. The last couple of months, I have been thinking hard on one, in .22 as well.My old RWS Diana M48 side-cocker springer .22 has got us a LOT of dinners over the years. Squirrels and cottontails taken cleanly out to 40+ yards. Only downsides are weight (about 8# with scope) and a pretty stout cocking effort. Accuracy is stellar and build quality 1st rate.