Like every good theme based around structures rather than vehicles, the bad guys always need a set of their own. You can see this in numerous LEGO series, though many neglect the bad guy base. It's unfortunate, really, but a good thing LEGO did not neglect it here, because the Bandit's Secret Hide-Out is one of the most visually interesting sets in the Westerners line.

Innovations: Every little trick in the Westerners series seems to be done here in this set, with more to boot. Extensive use of large, molded rock bricks allows for a lot of open space inside the Gold Mine and elsewhere. Yet, the entire set could have just been a small cave. Instead, it has an old office building built on the mountainside, a gun rack mounted nearby, a train-wheeled canon that shoots out of the mine like a mine car, and even a bucket that falls over on unsuspecting people. Add to those collapsing stairs, a hidden card room, a horse carrying supplies, and a few hidden treasure caches. This set definitely goes all out with the details and the playability.

Lack of Inspiration: Honestly, this set lacks no inspiration. The only thing limiting it is its price, which was $39.99 at the time of release. This lower price point made the five—yes, five—preconstructed rock bricks necessary. And the set makes good use of them, but behind the rock is a somewhat awkward cardroom that logically makes no sense; the inside of the mine is far more spacious than a real mine would be; and the "A" shaped rock on the roof is wide open on the backside. Using real bricks could have achieved the same visual quality while addressing these problems, but the price would have probably gone up at least $10. Other small things, such as the rolling gun, are cool but illogical.

What It Got Right: The set got its playability down, which some of the other Westerners sets, specifically Fort LEGORADO, lack in droves. Just see the innovations list above, this set is FUN! Perhaps its best part is that it includes all three bandits, as well as two soldiers. It also comes with three horses and a new baseplate which most LEGO fans wish was more widely available. They also weren't cheap with the shrubgrass bushes, which are everywhere. This set definitely looks good.

Possible Improvements: With increased playability comes a loss somewhere. I've already mentioned the preconstructed rock bricks, but other gimmicky things could also have been better handled. The canon could have been installed and an actual minecar could have been included. The mine itself was a missed opportunity that could have been fun to look into. The new Lord of the Rings horses show just how dated these horses were, and I believe a new go at this series would improve the visual splendor tenfold, which is saying a lot regarding this set. A second baseplate would have been nice, but that's just me. :-)

Minifigure: This set comes with the lot of them. All three bandits are included—Bandit #1 with his mustached scowl under a black bandana and all around black clothes, Bandit #2 with his redneck charms alongside his rotting teeth, and Bandit #3 sporting his tophat and top-class green sports coat. To rival these two come two soldiers from the Fort: the cavalry lieutenant wearing an uncharacteristic white bandana around his neck alongside his saber, and his subordinate soldier with his kepi hat and gold-chrome trumpet. This set leaves nothing to wish for regarding minifigures, though a modern rendition of this series would certainly improve the quality of the figures, with full-body art patterns and double faces.

How it Compares: Bandit's Secret Hide-Out remains one of the best bad guy bases in LEGO's history, sitting right beside Castle-themed palaces and Space-aged fortresses. It's simple and cheap, but that does not make it bad, and LEGO has come up with little to rival it for what it is. If you collect Westerners sets or anticipate collecting them, this set is a must-buy and a fun addition to any Westerners theme.

QUALITY SCORE: 9.5/10

This set is brilliant for starters it has a secret trap an the roof where theres a falling barrel ,also it has a stair case that falls backwards ,then theres the trap where a bit of string is pulled and then a cannon comes rolling out of the mine.it also has a great selection of minifigures and this time (unlike in fort legoredo)the bandits outnumber the blue army people.there are pleanty of weapons in this set there are:9 shotguns, 2 swords,5 pistols and a pick axe.There is a little box where you can place a shotgun a safe where you can put the money from the set or you could put it in a bit of mountain that lifts off so you can place money in there.

Other features are:theres a collapsing barrel,a stick of dinomite,some playing cards (on a flat 1x2 piece),a trumpet, a tripple shotgun machine and a little cabin to play in.the one badish thing about the set is theres a parrot and ive never known a parrot in the wild west but if you have pirates its another parrot to add to your collection. i have no idea what the original price was in english but i dont know if $40 was intirerly worth it ,i guess it would have been £30 in english but the good thing for me was i got it for free off my cousin.I would definately recommend this set to a friend because of how fun it is,also you can rebuild it in many different ways which means endless creation fun .if your a fan of wild west get this set.

This has to be among the greatest sets of all time. It's an abandoned gold mine used as a secret hideout by bandits. It features a lot of amusing traps, like the falling stairs or the barrel rolling from the roof; inside you get a small room with a window and then, behind the grey rocks, a large cave where bandits can store their weapons, play cards or plan the next robbery. There is also a machinegun on the top of the rocks to defend from incoming cavalry soldiers. Minifigures are really nice, you get three bandits (which is great) and two soldiers with their horses. The set also contain plenty of weapons and accessories. The gold mine is so amazing that you can play with it for ages without getting tired...

This set was a favorite of mine when I was younger and when I began reassembling my collection, it leapt to the top of my want list. I picked it up on eBay along with the Sheriff's Lockup with the original box and instructions. The set offers a great balance of soldiers (2) to bandits (all 3). The abandoned gold mine concept was a great idea and the trip wire that releases the cannon is a novel approach. Also, this set came with several of the large rock pieces that have a wide range of uses no matter what theme. The set can be rebuilt into a few equally interesting alternate models and is the perfect hideout for your western troublemakers.

All in all, this is a must have for any western fan and I'm very glad I was able to acquire this set for the second time.

Perfect with other western sets. It has a nice look to it and also a high playability level. There are several collapsible components to this set. The water barrel and staircase can both fall down, presumably as traps to deter any intruders. Also, the gold mine sign on the roof can be tilted upwards to release a barrel. Last but not least is the surprise attack cannon, which is released when the horse trips a string attached to a rock that supports the mine tracks. However, for all the set's splendor, it is not without faults. The inside of the mine is virtually empty, containing only a chair on the top floor and bits of cannon ammo on the bottom.