[Cosmoline]

Anyone shoot these before? I saw one at the store the other day, and it appeared to be in good condition. I know the .38 S&W is rather limited in power, but it might be a nice little backup gun. UNLESS these are lemons. I know little about them. Price is $150

Pass? Grab it?

[Helio]

I'd pass and look for a .38 special revolver, or perhaps a keltec .32/.380. Modern factory loads offer better price/performance...

[Mike Irwin]

It depends.

These were made for nearly 80 years, in various models, and it can be very hard to tell when an individual gun was made.

I've seen far too many of the older guns snap mainsprings like matchsticks.

If you can positively date it as a later model (WW II era and newer), it would probably be an OK choice.

[Cosmoline]

It presses my "weird old gun" buttons, but I think I'm going to hold out for a Speed Six.

[Erich]

Gee, the top-breaks are awful neat, but most old H&Rs I've seen shooting wind up breaking down - unlike Mike, I've never seen one break a mainspring but I've seen more than one hand go awry. One guy just threw his gun in the trash, but Numrich has the parts on a "sometimes" basis (had to buy a hand for my father-in-law's H&R . . . it was his grandfather's and he wants to keep it shootable - tho I think I have him talked into not shooting it anymore). I saw another one mess up something in the trigger, though I don't know what happened with it.

Given that H&Rs are such a pain to work on (voice of experience here, from rebuilding my father-in-law's), I think you were wise to pass.

(One of these days I'm going to find myself a neat Webley Mk VI, though . . . .)

[Old Fuff]

One problem I see here is the price. Usually this kind of revolver sells at around $50.00 to $100.00 unless there is something special about it that might attract a collector. Contrary to what some think the .38 S&W "will do the job," and has been doing so since around 1876. However in you're case I would put the money toward the Ruger, but be aware it is heavy for it's size.

[Erich]

Maybe the $150.00 price includes a box of ammo. :D That'd be about right - .38 S&W has gotten pricey lately!

[Cosmoline]

It's just Alaska inflation. It runs from 10% to 25% on handguns, which are esp. difficult to bring up from the lower 48.

[Hand_Rifle_Guy]

TOO expensive.

Ivers are better, IMHO, and cost the same.

I have a couple. I shoot 'em. They work, are accurate, and are pretty nice, condition wise.

My .38 was $85.

[Drakejake]

I have three HR Sportsmen top-break .22lr and love them. They are lots of fun to shoot because you can eject all the shells automatically at once and then quickly load nine rounds with an HKS speedloader. I have thus far resisted getting the .32 or .38 HR. I prefer blued because the nickel finish tends to come off and make the revolver look terrible.

Drakejake