They never caught-on, mainly because everyone was into buying inlines with central, often hidden ignitions.
In January 2014, I sold a VGC wood stock CVA sidehammer with 1:28 twist to a pawn shop for $40. In around 2003 or-so, Bass Pro Shop had them on clearance for something like $39.95. It was a terrific shooter of those T/C Mag Express 185gr Hornady XTPs in green sabot / 44-cal.
I have only one sidehammer remaining and I cuss at it every time I look at it. God, I hate full-stock sidehammer MLs, with those two PITA pins. Every time I see a CVA Mountain Rifle in 66-twst, I miserably frown. That one was my 2nd choice at Cabelas new guns counter, when I purchased the Shenandoah longrifle instead.
We all make buying mistakes once in a while...... yada - yada - yada.