[Dave McCracken]

The latter part of the 19th Century saw tremendous strides in firearms development. Breechloading arms met many needs and were developed to many price points from bare bones utility guns to fine art that shot.

For every high grade Parker, Fox and LC Smith made, a wagon load of economical single shots went out to wherever a good, reliable shotgun was needed.

While only one shot seems picayune to us of many repeaters, often one shot was enough to protect the chicken house, protect life or get dinner.

Some of these has names like Long Tom, White Powder Wonder, Long Range, etc. Sold for as little as a couple dollars new,often in conjunction with shells sold singly, they did a yeoman job for many of our ancestors.

Most have fallen by the wayside in the 150 years since the end of The Uncivil War. However, Harrington & Richardson, which had started making cheap revolvers, turned a break action single shot shotgun into their bread and butter gun for decades.

It was and is made in all gauges,and in 410,9mm rimfire,and other odd chamberings. The design was hell for stout, and it took real abuse or years of neglect to make one not work.

And somewhere along the line, the little H&R single became a multiple barreled shoulder arm. Rifle barrels made to fit the soft iron action turned out to batter the action excessively, so a stronger rifle action was developed with harder steel. Barrels have been offered from 22LR to 45-70 and the rifle action can be fitted with shotgun barrels to this day. The opposite may not be true.

These turn up in odd places. A friend saw and handled one in Kuwait recently.Others turned up in the news when Mexican rebels in Chiapas got organized in the 1990s.TV news featured peasants toting rusty H&Rs and opposing the government forces.

These also turn up in a lot of our personal memories. The first shotgun I used was a 16 gauge H&R given to my Father by his Grandfather around 1928. It fed the family during the Depression and functioned well until a relative neglected it in the 70s.

There was also a Huntsman muzzle loader, the first in line ML made in the US. It worked well but got traded off when I decided I liked side hammer MLs better.

An H&R rifle in 30-30 was a groundhog assassin with a 4X Leopold on top and served for deer.

And now Son has a 12 gauge NEF he learned to shoot with. It's now at a friend's for his kids to learn on.

BTW, New England Firearms took over the H&R line a couple decades back. They reworked the action from a top lever to a stronger and less expensive push button and have expanded the line of available gauges and calibers.

For a utility grade shotgun, the little single has a lot going for it besides price. Durable as a crowbar, it's rarely we hear of any that need a smith's attention.

The simple MOA means that it's a good trainer and the transfer bar action means it's reasonably drop safe. Its popularity has lots of aftermarket parts bobbing up from plastic stocks to scope mounts to heat shields.

NOTE: Anyone that can run a single fast enough to need a heat shield, please contact me....

As for downsides.,...

Triggers oft are heavier than the weapon itself. Son's NEF is 5 lbs, 9 oz and the trigger's 6 lbs. Working on these is not easy, the maker puts in the action pins with a very large hydraulic press.

Since these run quite light, kick with anything bigger than 28 gauge is hard. While Son's is chambered for 3" magnums, it's doubtful it will ever see any. Light loads for light guns.

And the 16 gauge that started all this for me killed in front and crippled in back. My very first gun related purchase was a slip on pad. The old 1 1/8 oz Western goose loads gave me nosebleeds sometimes.

The solo round is not as much of a drawback as one may think. In large part it encourages care in shooting. Also, many of us know how to shoot, hit the lever or button, let the barrel weight open the action and eject the shell while one slips another in. Practice early in life lasts a long time.

These are unbeatable when it comes to days where we carry much and shoot little.

They are perfect for Fall days when slipping through some hardwoods eyeing the canopy is our activity of choice.

They are good for loaning out, good for borrowing and good for those times when the small children in all of us get out to play.

And, they are the minimal shotgun. Nothing can be take away and still have a shotgun.

That's part of the charm....

[sm]

Dave,

You just made my day.

Thank you sir!

[john1911]

H&R/NEF are great guns.

My first shotgun was a H&R 20 ga.

I currently have than one plus a H&R .223 and a NEF 20 ga slug gun. All shoot great and see much use. Quite possibly the best buys in firearms on the market.

[Dave McCracken]

You're welcome, Steve. The BB gets frequent queries about these and having something easy to find on them makes sense.

John, agreed. A lot of gun for the money...

[PTK]

Funny, really... while packing to move, I realized I only had one single-shot shotgun; a 16ga Stevens. I went out and picked up two NEFs and an old H&R, and will probably return today for the other I saw there.

$100, new, is too inexpensive to pass up for a good shotgun. To think, I'd never have bought any of them if it weren't for people on here saying how useful they are.

It's fortunate that people around here don't know about the amazing utility that can be squeezed from them - used, you can usually buy them for $75. This basically gets you what looks and functions like a new gun. :D

[Dave McCracken]

Let's be pessimistic,PTK, and say that the average NEF/H&R single shot shotgun gets too loose to safely shoot in 20K rounds.

I've no idea what the working life is, that's just a WEG.

Bought for $100, that puts per shot cost at a fraction of a cent.

Of course, some models run higher. The Ultra Slug Hunter is a whizbang for stand hunting in shotgun areas, and may set you back all of $200 plus scope.

Still one can field several singles for the cost of a decent US made repeater and set them up for different missions.

A turkey gun comes to mind. So do slug guns, truck guns, backpack guns, woods runners, snake guns, trap line guns, and even a trap gun, properly stocked and choked.

And more than a few are stored underground in PVC pipes JIC.

[PTK]

I picked up two more today. Two more on order, too. Dedicated 28ga, 410 ga, a few 12s, a rifled 12, and a 16 now.

What would I do without THR? :D

[rantingredneck]

Ah the memories. An H&R .410 sits in one of my safes now. Hasn't been shot in a few years (blasphemy I know). That little shotgun given to a very excited 10 year old RR in 1984 by a doting grandfather has accounted for countless squirrels and rabbits for the family dinner table over the years.

I just might have to take that beauty out and shoot it soon :).

[walking arsenal]

Phantom warrior and I share one of these H&R shotguns. Its a 12ga and the guy that sold it to me said that you could shoot slugs in it.

What he didn't tell me is that if you did the gun would try to squish your face.

[Dave McCracken]

Not all excess is wretched, PTK.

RR, yes you should. Just in memory if nothing else.

WA, if you has asked me I could have told ya.

[walking arsenal]

WA, if you has asked me I could have told ya.

Probably, but that was about five years ago and i wasn't quite as tuned into the infinite source of wisdom that is THR as I am now.

[Dark Tranquility]

I couldn’t agree more with this. I love evil black guns. From full auto MAC10s, to suppressed AR, to a real 40mm M203. But somehow I have a soft spot for these single break shotguns and rifles. I just recently picked up a .223 ultra hunter which I’m getting the barrel threaded for a suppressor, as well as an additional .357 mag barrel I’m having 3 lugged. I’ll post pictures when I’ve got them complete.

An H&R 20 gauge 18 inch barrel with a duct taped on fore end stock is what stays near my bedside at night along with a handful of shells. I sleep well! I would take a good used single shot 12 or 20ga for $60 over any handgun out there.

Dave: How do we know if we have one of the newer models of single shots that have the “reworked action” you described above? I have an old H&R 20ga which is at least 30 years old, as what I believe to be newer NEF 12 gauge.

Thanks, Dan

[gp911]

Go to the H & R site, www.hr1871.com and read the FAQ. The barrel accessory program (under customer support) is for the newer guns and they list what the appropriate prefixes are, along with all the other good info. I recently got my .410 back with 4 new barrels from 28 to 12 plus a Huntsman setup. I'm dying for some extra time to get out and pattern some of them.


gp911

[Fred Fuller]

Dave,

When I was working at one of Uncle Sam's schools for wayward boys years ago, my guys who were 'working down south' used to bring along pictures to go with their war stories. One set of pictures was of a string of porters, each carrying either a roped-up bundle of single shot shotguns or a case or two of buckshot. They were headed into the interior of Peru to arm Indian villages which were threatened by that uniquely Peruvian guerrilla group, Sendero Luminoso.

SL was a nasty bunch, and I saw ample photographic evidence. One picture that haunts the recesses of my mind was of a little Indio boy and his puppy, both bayonetted to death on the dirt floor of their hootch, with the blood smears of their death throes spread around them. Bayonet wounds on both displayed the distinctive cruciform of Chinese spike bayonets.

It was that sort of thing that was responsible for the caravan of porters my amigos were photographing. The idea behind it was the 'butter knife' or 'Mother Carbine' theory in operation- start with a single shot shotgun, use it to dispense with a SL guerrilero who had an AK or SKS, recover the G's weapon, and pass your single shot shotgun along to someone who was unarmed. Then rinse and repeat. It worked then and there, it can work here and now too if needed.

lpl/nc

[rantingredneck]

The other cool family nostalgia thing about my little .410 is that as my grandfather got up in years, and the last few years he hunted before unfortunately having to give it up due to age and infirmity, he started using that .410 instead of one of his two 12 ga's. It just carried easier for him and was easier on his 70-something shoulders in recoil. I actually watched him roll a rabbit at near 70 yds. with that .410 across a Tennessee pasture a few years before he gave up hunting. No BS, it throws a tight pattern and he knew how to shoot!

I lost him to cancer in 2002, but what I know about guns and hunting I can attribute to his early influence and teaching. I've moved beyond what he tought me as he never really cared much for big game, but he got me going in the right direction and taught me RIGHT from an early age.

I think I will shoot that .410 soon :). I've also got his old Remington 31 in the safe too. That one I try to shoot a few rounds out of dove hunting every year. I can't shoot too many out of it though because it kills on both ends :). Light weight and back then what was a recoil pad?

[Dave Markowitz]

Dave, great post but one correction if I may:

H&R redesigned the action before they went bankrupt and was then later resurrected as NEF and H&R-1871. I have two H&R Toppers made before they went bankrupt. Both have the pushbutton to open the action.

One is a 12 gauge made in the early 80s, when they were experiencing QC issues. The lug on the barrel into which the forearm screw goes sheared off under recoil one day. The forearm is now held on with duct tape. My father had one of these that the same thing happened to.

The second one is a Model 158 with two barrels, .22 Hornet and 20 gauge. I bought this one used a couple years ago.

[Dave McCracken]

DT, I think you have your answer.

GP. awaiting range report.

Lee, those Shining Path %^&*(s were bloody psychos. And a village full of peasants armed with SS shotguns and motivated by needing to protect their families has to be a force worth considering. I know in WWII the Phillipinos used a number of SS shotguns as well as the Palintid.

RR, thanks. We all have mentors and it's good to remember them.

Dave M,thanks, but I've heard it both ways. I do find the new action quite workable, but the lever style gave an indicator of wear.

The Huntsman and the old 16 were lever guns, the 30-30 and Son's 12 button guns.

[sm]

I've always recommended the 20ga, 28ga, and .410 in these SSs

Rule of 96: Weight of Gun to Payload being the reason.

Now I had a old lever opening Savage Stevens in 12 bore.
The 30" full choke barrel was dented by an anvil near the muzzle.
Shortened to 20" with a bead reinstalled and I used it for assisting new shooters, and a "lessons" gun.

Sounds stupid, still I/we could use this gun to show folks how to operate lever opening shotguns, the difference in these and release levers like H&R Toppers/ NEFs, gun fit, correct basics and all that.

Primer only shells to add a little more to the lessons, adding noise.
Really super light target loads, often using popcorn kernels instead of lead pellets.

Everyone knew that gun would kick, and hurt, if heavy loads, or slugs were used.
They also knew they would have to contend with Me, and mine if they put a heavy shell in it, and especially if such a shell was stuck in there to get a laugh from anyone shooting it, especially a lady.

Consequences are severe if you do this with Me and My kind.

Sure I and some others shot slugs, buckshot and all, we were more seasoned and experienced. We also needed some Pattern Board Targets to use in assisting folks.

hehehe
You should see what a 1 1/4 oz load of #12 shot does at 15 steps to a sheet of Butcher Paper with a 30" circle.
"Stepping out the back door" distance and that circle was full of pellets. *grin*

Just how I and some others do things, lots of fun, educational and folks appreciate learning Pattern Boards.

That gun is in the possession of a family member I fired.
He was not "fired" at the time, and I thought he might get a kick out of using it to do repetitions each night to instill correct mounting to face.
*dumb me*.

Still in low light or no light, with a 00 buck load, or even a heavy load of #6, some interesting "flashes" coming from the muzzle end. *grin*

-

.410 is NOT a good choice for a kids first shotgun. Ineffective patterns.
Still, sometimes that is all a kid can do, or inherits.
Parent/ Mentor the young man or young lady and show them on a pattern board.

Kids do not want to be looked down on, and treated like kids.
Kids are not dumb, or stupid.

Do not just stick a "kids" gun in their hands and "lets go rabbit hunting (whatever).
They will see bigger kids, adults using 28, 20, and 12 ga, SXS, O/U, Pumps and Semis and feel small, in the way, and Frumpy.

Do not do this. Kids are our future, and WE are supposed to Pass Forward, and Preserve Freedoms.

-If a kid has been shown the pattern board, learns this .410, and understands, then the kids :
"I understand, I am just not big enough yet. So I know my pattern is not as good as bigger guns. I'll just have to shoot closer, and practice better Woodscraft skills, which is what I should be doing no matter the gun anyway"

-We adults, teenagers, whomever, will only use a single shot .410 too.
Kids see us and understand all about this, as we Parented/ Mentored the kids.

Rabbit hunting , especially in snow, with everyone using a single shot .410, has been a real great time!
We razz, tease, carry on and some great fun memories made.
Kids get bigger and still talk of these, Adults too.

"We look like those Civil War folks in that movie lined up, and there is only one wabbit that is supposed to come out of that stuff"

Kid was correct. Snow over a hedgerow, beagles in that snowbank just a carrying on, 12 folks, kids, teenagers , moms, dads, grandparents, all with a .410 single shot waiting for one wabbit to pop out.
We really must have looked stupid...
Wabbit pops out, near a Mom, kid, and teenager.
No shot for the rest of us.
"Get 'em!" kid hollers out.
Teenage sister misses, mom misses, kid misses.

"I'm just a kid learning mom, gimme a break. Sis was closer, what is her excuse?"
You just stand there, snow coming down and crack up.
Then the Beagles look at you with a "Listen, we did our thing, what is wrong with you folks?".

"Would someone puh-leeze hit a wabbit! Grandpa gave me a new knife and we need a wabbit so he can show me how to use it on a Wabbit".

Talk about pressure...*grin*

Hot chocolate, inside a shed, Grandpa with a grandkid and that Case knife getting used on a wabbit.
One cannot put a dollar value on that.

:)

[sm]

28 gauge

28 gauge is more efficient than it is supposed to be.
Short shot strings are one big reason; more pellets arrive at the same.
This is why the 28 ga hits harder that it is supposed to.

Less Felt Recoil, and quite proven in taking all sorts of game, from Quail, Doves, other Upland Game, Small game such as Rabbit and Squirrels.

Highest Scores on a Skeet Tote Board, are with the 28 gauge.

Guns are easy to tote, especially when totin' more than shooting.
Even shooting a lot, and less totin', these are easier on a person, as they do not fatigue the person, in carrying, holding, and for sure shooting.

Expense of shells always comes up.
While it may be true Skeet Shooters are most known for using 28 ga, and reloading them as they do go through so many - Short Range Trap, 5 Stand, Sporting Clay shooters are not the only other folks reloading these either.

Lots and Lots of folks, discovered too many years ago , how this 28 gauge is a great gauge to have a Reloader For.
Just a MEC single stage is fine.

Quality time with family. From kids, wives, husbands grandparents, aunts, uncles, boyfriend, girlfriend, and Passing Forward.

Making Hulls - Making Shells- Making Hulls- Passing Forward, Making Memories -Repeat.

Single Shot 28 ga guns are great for first guns.
One can get slugs for these, and yes they work just great!
Ballistic Products is just one company that has components available.

Still, what do most folks on the property really contend with?
Stepping down the way to shoot some doves, rabbits, squirrels...
Big Water Moccasin down at the farm pond, where kids and all are/ will be fishing, handled just fine.

That Tri-Step thrower out back, some clays, and Grandparents having a quality time with grandkids.
Boyfriend, Girlfriend shooting these clays from a Thrower , and Cupid shooting arrows, and the folks up on the porch, or looking down the way...with that dumb goopy look they get.

There is that inviting "that boy" acting as you did at that age, interested in your daughter, coming back to the reloading room to instill some "understanding" about girls, and how they differ from "daughters" and all.

One could mention how that daughter learned to shoot a shotgun with a single shot 28 gauge, and she is as good as her momma, and daddy.
<slap his hand if he gets too close to the nice repeating 28 gauge guns, he ain't earned this yet>

"Honey, how sweet, we are going to shoot out back of the house, what a neat date" - daughter says.

That boy looks over his shoulder at daddy , momma on the porch, and mumbles something about "Short shot strings hit harder so I heard, just thought I'd listen to the fella that shared that with me".
;)

[19-3Ben]

Dave,
Thank you so much for posting that. It totally made my day. I love my H&R M48 Topper that I bought in the spring for all of $70.
It has a mirror bore, and I refinished the wood. It's beautiful. I've included a pic from the middle of the refinishing process.
I love the way this thing handles, and even though I did not NEED it, it was just.... so lovely and beautiful in its simplicity. Sometimes I keep it propped against the door of my study because i feel like it almost belongs against a door for protection (even though I have many more "tactical" guns that would arguably serve the purpose better).

I'm really glad that you posted this. Thanks again.

[sm]

20 gauge.

This Single Shot is just that good!

Shells are available at bait shops, gas stations and most everyone has a box of some kind of 20 gauge loadings, even if they do not own a 20 gauge.

Mine is a Youth Model, and kept handy. Factory recoil pad, fixed modified choke, and tosses some of the best patterns and slug groups.
Home use- slugs preferred load.
Mine has taken Deer, Geese, Ducks, Small game and Doves...15 bird limit here and it only took 12 shells to limit out.
Regulation Skeet, and if I do my part, it will run 25/25 as I have numerous times.

Popcorn loads and "ask" the Pigeons to leave a barn...
Rabid raccoon comes around, fell him.

Take a trip, and these Single Shots like road trips, hotel rooms and all too.

These like walking the property, with a dawg, and it does not care if shot or not, just taking in the sights and smells.

New shooters can learn correct basic fundamentals, and do repetitions each day with these.

Some things just "are" - this is one such "are".

[John Rogers]

This year I've been shooting my big brother's old 1970s vintage 20 gauge Topper 158 he had back in high school. I really do like my 12 gauge 870 express but so far I can hit clay targets pretty much as well with the Topper. The small size limbsaver slip-on pad was a perfect fit after removing the 30-year old factory pad that provided no cushion whatsoever. With standard target loads recoil is not an issue. My girlfriend much prefers it to the 870.

What about the newer Topper deluxe with vent rib and threaded choke tube? Are they as good as the old ones?

[Dave McCracken]

Ben, you're welcome. Singles make great project guns also.

Steve,IMO a 28 gauge single is close to perfect for a beginner's shotgun, and has lots of utility later on.

John, I've no input on the new fancy ones, but I see little downside.

[Pistol Toter]

I had two of the little H&R Topper's, can't remember the model numbers as they were different even though they both were .410. I sold one many years ago and gave the other to a son. He and his wife are bleeding heart, guns are ugly liberals! :barf: Anyway he sold it to his little brother, my youngest. Now this youngster, like me, is carrying if he's got his pants on. I have teased him about the little H&R. His words are," I'll never part with that little gun, Dad; you carried it afield for too many years. It's gonna rest in my vault now." Thanks for the stroll down memory lane. P.T.:)

[stan in sc]

Refreshing topic.My first shotgun was a Model 48 "Topper" in 16Gauge made by Harrington&Richardson.I've ALWAYS hunted mainly with a single barrel even while owning semi's and /or pumps.There's just something about them.
At present I own a single barrel 12,a rifled barreled 20 gauge and a wonderful wonderful 22" barrel NEF in 45/70 which is an absolute delight to shoot.
Here's a website where a lot of handi rifle types hang out.
http://www.go2gbo.com/
Stan

[MCgunner]

About the triggers, I HEARD THAT! We had a really good local smith when I screwed up and got my daughter a NEF to start shotgunning with. I say screwed up because in 20 gauge it kicked harder than my Winchester 1400 in 12 gauge and she didn't like it. I had the smith lighten that trigger, though, because she couldn't even SHOOT it the way it was, more like 20 lbs. :rolleyes: She wound up shooting my 1400 a lot and I wound up selling the NEF. Oh, I could see a few uses for it, but I have an old Iver Johnson 16 gauge single if I need one. All in all, though, I have a nice, light little 20 gauge Spartan coach gun I like a whole lot more anyway, but yeah, I'd loan out the 16. LOL!

I'm not a real NEF fan, but they work for those that like 'em I suppose.

[sm]

MCgunner,

You just have not been Matriculated into all this proper is all.

Pay attention here...

I often use a .410 Single Shot, Youth Size, fixed full choke. Receiver and barrel bone stock, factory and all.

Wood stock is a Neon Yellow base coat, with 70's era Tie Dye paint job, that shows under black light.

Fire up some Steppenwolf, Grand Funk Railroad, Uriah Heep, Cream, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Who, Guess Who, Bob Seger, Allman Bros Band, Rolling Stones...Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin ...

Awerbuck uses a Red Gun, I use this.
I borrow this from the lady that owns it, to assist new shooters, piddle, tote, fell game and walking property duty.

Anybody wanna get high! - I ask
"Yeah! Lets fire 'em up and smoke'em since we got 'em". - folks reply from kids to grandparents.

You don't get stuff like this from reading AARP .

:)

[MCgunner]

sm, I gave up shotgun hits a long time ago. :neener::D

I can see why they'd attract a following, sort of the minimalist aproach I supppose. I killed my first geese with that old Iver Johnson. Uncle gave it to me, it's going nowhere, but my safe for sentimental reasons mainly. It's still very tight and shootable even though the NRA says it was discontinued in 1947. It had a broken ejector in it that I had a gunsmith fix when I was a kid, charged me the grand sum of 25 bucks. He actually MACHINED the part! I think he tried to help the kids out cause I know it took him a while on that thing. I sanded and redid the stock on the thing when he gave it to me, even did some wood burning of a goose and a duck on the stock, LOL. It's pretty stupid, but it reminds me of the day. It's amazing how tight that action is. God only knows how many rounds went through it back in the day. I know I put some cases of lead through it duck, but mostly goose hunting before I got into college and bought that Sarasqueta SxS double. It has no markings on it, but "hercules" on the frame. I wrote NRA many years ago about it (15 or 20 years before IBM created the PC, let alone Al Gore creating the internet) and they told me the history, it was a hardware store gun built by Iver Johnson and branded "Hercules".

[sm]

MCgunner,

Minimalist - perhaps.
Dave's OP summed it up really well.

Still for me, and others like me, a single shot is still a very useful tool.
Heck even a .410, as ineffective as they can be with patterns, just do so much property duty , so well.

Even not being fired, they provide a lot of quality safety instructions, safe handling lessons, and correct mounting to face for new folks, and not just kids.

Just old lessons, like WE know the gun is not loaded, we checked, set over "there". Ask a kid about it, bring it over and safety lessons, passed forward, and instilled.

Teenagers, adults too. They may want to get a O/U, or SXS, even if not, same lessons apply to pumps and repeaters.

Just how I am, and how I view and do things.

[plumberroy]

I have about come full circle I started with a 410 h & r single shot went though having pumps and automatics shotguns and rifles and am back to carrying a single shot only multi-shot shotguns I have left is a s&w pump mom bought me 32 years ago and Dads old mossberg bolt action . I have H&R/N.E.F. singles in .410bore,28ga,20ga,16ga,12ga,10ga,20ga rifled,17hmr,30-30 ackley improved and 45-70 My current project is to take the 28ga it is a youth model replace the youth stock with a choate adult synthetic stock and choate storearm and a nylon sling and hi-vis bead for a light weight walkabout gun I have worked out a slug load with a .490 round ball that I can hit a coyote at 50 yards with and shot loads for squirrel, rabbit,dove
Roy

[MCgunner]

My old Iver Johnson has a 30" full choke barrel in 16 gauge, one of the reasons I never take it anywhere. LOL What would be neat is to have it cut down to 20 inches or so and have a polychoke installed, which should add several inches back. Of course, I'd probably spend two hundred having it done...for a gun that might be worth 50 bucks, LOL, but it'd be more useful for me then. At least it's a 16 gauge and I can say I own a 16. :D

A NEF with a short barrel and screw in chokes would do the same thing as moddin' my old IJ and cost me less, LOL! But, ya know, that little Spartan 20" coach gun can do anything for me that a single shot could do and with an extra shot and different choke, so it ain't real high on my priorities. I have always loved side by sides, kinda my favorite shotgun type. But, at 100 bucks I gave for the kids NEF, it ain't like it breaks the bank and, hell, sometimes you ain't got much money and want something new to play with, ya know? I might get another one, think I'll pass on 12 gauge, though, LOL! I might get a 28. I don't have a 28 and I need a 28. I had several .410s, don't need no stinkin' .410, LOL!

[Dave Markowitz]

This thread is a refreshing break from the tacticool gun threads. :D

I like to think of single shots as the modern equivalent of a muzzle loading trade gun. Simple, inexpensive, and heck for stout. A gun who's beauty lies entirely in its usefulness.

[Dirty Bob]

Dave Markowitz said:
I like to think of single shots as the modern equivalent of a muzzle loading trade gun. Simple, inexpensive, and heck for stout. A gun who's beauty lies entirely in its usefulness.
Well said. I like the think of the single shot shotgun as the modern musket. Like the musket in the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century, it can be pressed into service for home defense, homeland security, or hunting. Also like the musket, its capabilities can be improved with careful choice of loads.

Actually, weren't many trade guns just cut-down muskets with some decoration?

Great thread!

Regards,
Dirty Bob

[sm]

I get a bit concerned folks coming up, are not coming up with some of the simple values, and tools of yesterday.
New folks start out full bore, fully equipped with the latest greatest.

They don't know what some correct basics are.
They cannot comprehend simple and basic tools, as they have never been around them.

Deep inside is a yearning, something stirring about the Single Shots, Case Knives, Old Hickory Kitchen knives, Manual Typewriters, Hanging wash on a Clothesline, Cane Pole Fishing, Listening to a old Radio Show in the light of an Oil Lamp...Cast Iron cooware

Coping Mechanism is often Denial, Lashing Out, Bashing and all, to deal with all this.

Still, well for example I and my kind pass forward all this stuff to folks, and not just kids.

Couple, about 27 years old, been married about 2 years and not raise like me and my kind.

Fixed them breakfast food for dinner in cast iron cookware. Oil lamps and listened to Radio Shows, Abbot & Costello "Who's on First", Red Skelton, Jack Benny and Milton Berle.
Had to listen to "Who's on First?" , again, this one brought tears to eyes laughing.

Bed linens, hung out in the Sun and had that smell and feel to them...next morning they kept going on about them linens.

Single shot shotguns, and clays.
Single shot .22 rifles and tin cans.

Case Pocket knives, Old Hickory's and even messed with an old Manual Typewriter, that still gets used.

Young couple was appreciative, sincere, downright goopy about how nice they had been treated.

They grew up with latest greatest, and never had any of this stuff.
They discovered Mom & Pop Hardware Stores and how to do some stuff.
Like getting a small clothes line put in.
Set aside ego and them older neighbors, assisting, glad to do it, and had a great time digging holes, and all.

Single shot shotguns, single shot .22s and one day, a bit ahead on money and all...
Got some Case CV pocket knives.
Old boy showed 'em about whittlin' and how relaxing it is with a cup of coffee or glass of tea out back.

Stress they had, rolled like water off a Duck's back.

Greater appreciation for a lot of things, respect, and gratitude as well resulted too.

Neat couple, doing fine.
We just had to crack up the first time we heard back after the clothes done on the line and birds pooped on the sheets.

"That is why the single shot shotgun was often out by the clothesline, hanging out the wash." We commented.

"Yeah, well maybe so, but I got a SX2 that will teach 'em not to do that too".
She commented.
Husband cracking up, said his wife just madder than all get out, about them sheets.

"Well the single shot is easier to tote with a basket of wet clothes, gotta admit you [us] got a point". she commented.

Sad ain't it?

This couple sure glad all this come to visit, had all it did as part of the visit.

[MCgunner]

Manual Typewriters

sm, that's one you can keep. Without a spell checker, I never could spell krap...:D

[Dave Markowitz]

I like the think of the single shot shotgun as the modern musket. Like the musket in the 18th century and the first half of the 19th century, it can be pressed into service for home defense, homeland security, or hunting. Also like the musket, its capabilities can be improved with careful choice of loads.

Actually, weren't many trade guns just cut-down muskets with some decoration?

Indeed many of them were. But many if not most trade guns were made with the intention of sale or trade to Indians. They were typically lighter and of smaller bore. Most replica trade smoothbores nowadays seem to be in 20 gauge. It's my understanding that most original smoothbore trade guns were around 28 gauge (which would make Steve happy if he finds himself in a time warp).

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks guys, glad you like this.

[sm]

Yeah Rod, about this Time Warp stuff, you do requests ?

:)

[Onmilo]

Original trade guns were commonly produced in 24 guage which is equal to .580 caliber.
This carried over to cartridge guns with single and double barrel versions being offered by Hudson Bay Trading Company up until the 1930s.

After that period .410 bore, 16 guage and 12 guage guns were the most popular offerings in shotguns with .22 hornet, 250-3000 Savage, and .30/30 Winchester being the popular rifle cartriges along with .22 long rifle rimfire.

I recently bought an H&R Tracker .410 bore single shot to keep in my truck for those days when hunting is a better option than going to work.:)

I put a Choate stock and forend on the gun and added a Uncle Mikes carry strap because the factory 'survival' stock was too short for me.
I like the 28 guage but none were available and .410 cartridges are available everywhere in my area.

[Gustav]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane.

The first shotgun I ever fired was a 12 gauge Winchester 37 break open single shot shotgun I was just a young kid going on a sailing trip with my older cousin on his 35 foot sailboat he was an old Yangzte river rat and career Navy guy who always had a story to tell.

The gun was a big long bruiser that kicked like heck it did however put a few ducks in the cooker which beat the heck out of fish and rice day after day.:uhoh:

As a kid I used to see allot of old singles and doubles by the front or back porches also more than a few gas station owners had one in the back.

One of the handiest little shotguns I ever owned was an unknown brand 20 gauge with some of neatest wood I had ever seen it was so light and trim.
I ended up giving it as a present to a good friends wife, she still treasures it.

One of my firearms instructors had an old H & R single shot it looked like it had been through hell and back. A badly split stock wire wrapped and duct taped together with very little bluing left yet it always worked, he named it meat in pot for a good reason.

With a single shot one learns to lead and aim and take the time to get it right a box of shells is enough for allot of shooting.:D

[sm]

Some of the bunch I run with, took note of this thread.

Now it is been raining, storming, raining and temps dropped.

Ladies, got to thinking it made more sense to go out and walk property with single shot .410s with the dawgs, than to clean house and especially mop the floors.

"Kids and dawgs are just going to track up the floors anyway, toss wet shoes and umbrellas and whatever else here and yonder and mess up the house as well..."

Three ladies in this weather, walking the property with dawgs and single shots.

"Did you shoot 'em?" - I asked.

"Yeah, stumps, fallen limbs, paint buckets are in season, we all limited out".

:D

[PTK]

Steve - this thread inspired me to get into loading for my .410 and 28ga. I hope you're happy, my wallet isn't. :D

[Dave McCracken]

Looks like it's Blame Steve Week again.

This thread shows once again that singles are in lots of our memories. And tta's a good thing.

[19-3Ben]

Memories? not for me. At least not yet. Not a memory. Just a current love.

[sm]

PTK wrote:
Steve - this thread inspired me to get into loading for my .410 and 28ga. I hope you're happy, my wallet isn't. :D


I are good ain't I ? :D

What are the rest of you folks gawking at?
PTK done took an action, you gonna just sit there and gawk?

Get up, and take action will ya! There are Old and New Single Shots needing homes, SS in closets and gun safes, staying with parents...
There are SSs needing ammunition, inspected, given attention, and passed forward to kids and the like.

Don't make me sic the dawg on ya, git, go on, git busy!

:D

[chemist308]

You get what you pay for. These are $90 shotguns... That said, my 16 guage Winchester Model 12 in full choke consistently killed groundhogs at greater distance than my NEF 12 guage with full choke... That, and the NEF shotgun is sorely lacking a rail or something to help line up the bead faster.

Still they are neat guns and make an excellent beginner gun.

[Dirty Bob]

For a novice needing a firearm, like a trusted family member or friend, is there a better choice than a single shot or double barrel? A good NEF 20 gauge or 28 gauge -- maybe with some weight in the stock and a slip-on recoil pad -- is about the easiest firearm for a beginner to understand.

As I think sm may agree, no sane person would want to face a determined mom defending her little ones with a loaded 20 ga. single shot in her hands. It's easy to underestimate the resolve and strength of purpose of a mother when her kids are in danger, but anyone who does so is taking their life in their hands.

BTW: thanks to ya'll, I bought my first s/s recently. I don't know the model (it isn't marked with a model number), but it's a Sears 12ga with a 30" modified choke barrel and a lever on the right side of the receiver. It locks up tight as a bank vault and looks to have hardly ever been fired. It's old enough that it has no serial number! Any idea what I've got?

Regards,
Dirty Bob

[sm]

Dirty Bob,

Thanks for the nice reference and post.

Many are aware of what I have done forever, as they have done the same.

Someone needs a means to stay safe.
It may be a single lady, single mom, and money is tight.

Perhaps the boyfriend/husband is abusive, and sold all their guns for dope.
So they need something "now", it does not matter if they have experience or not with firearms at this point, a SS allows for a fast track lesson on use, and it is easy to check condition and make safe.

Maybe tornado, fire, floods or other natural disaster has taken a families guns, or they cannot access them.
SS shotgun SS .22 rifle and a Used Police Trade in Model 10 are simple, effective, proven tools to keep that family safe if loaned out.

I know this first hand, too many times, various situations.

-The stalked college lady and her guns back home.

-The single mom and child, restraining order filed and all moms guns pawned for dope. In fear of her life, when she realizes her guns are gone, it is 10pm and the voice on the phone says "I'm going to get you and good".
Where is she going to get a gun at 10pm? It may not be a good idea, with a child, out at night, as the voice might just waiting outside for this to occur.
Instead, someone comes over, maybe more than one person, and guns are loaned and someone spends the night to help keep watch.

-Tornado comes through. No 911 back in the day, and rural folks cannot find guns, blankets, anything.
Looters know the Big City has all them folks to assist those persons, Easy Pickings down in the rural areas.
Next town faired better, these folks head over to assist these devastated.
Kids, Elderly and such are taken back to adjoining town for safety.
Adults pitch in, loan guns, and stay through the night protecting what is left.
Looters show up...and surprised there is help, and all are armed.

I've BTDT .

Hence the reason sometimes I feel one should not always spend money on latest greatest, instead get out of self, and think simple.
Money burning an hole in the pocket, they really don't "need" anything.
Use that money for a good used SS Shotgun, SS .22 rifle, .38spl Revolver.
One might find they need it themselves, or family member later on.

I've never ever seen someone look down, turn down an offer of one of these guns, and they are accustomed to nicer guns, special guns, all fitted to them, tweaked with accessories and all.

Never. Tornado's are interesting. It was sometime later we found a gun safe, house, like others, nothing but a foundation and chimney left standing.
Safe is gone, but pictures on the mantle, still upright and in place and in order as displayed.

[gp911]

I just bought some ammo for my upcoming range report. This stuff is getting expensive! Suddenly I'm looking at reloaders! I couldn't believe some of the prices, but I haven't bought anything but .410 in so long, and that I stocked up on awhile ago. Now it's the old .410 prices for just about everything, and (a lot) more for the 20ga. sabots!

Just some birdshot for the 16, that plus a target load for the 28, sabots for the 20, some light birdshot and #4 buck for the 12...

Now I gotta get a recoil pad on there and it'll be time to test!

gp911

[CoRoMo]

I got an NEF 12ga in my youth that I've killed many birds with. Still have it too. I found an H&R 30-30 rifle barrel that fits it perfectly, so now I've got a conversion gun!! It will be the first gun my children hunt birds and deer with.

[gp911]

You'd better double check whether your frame is rated for rifle pressures. There's a thread either here or on Graybeard Outdoors' NEF forum about a guy who bought a combo used with a 30-30 barrel on a shotgun-only (SB1) frame. He put the gun in a vice and pulled the trigger with a string, and sure enough kablooie! The action blew open and a shard of metal went flying right about where his face would have been. Rifle frames can take shotgun barrels but shotgun frames cannot be used safely with rifle barrels as they are not rated for rifle pressures.

Just FYI, so nobody gets hurt.

gp911

[CoRoMo]

Good to know. I've shot it many times with no problems, and it is an SB1. Thanks for the heads up.

[gp911]

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums//index.php/topic,80979.0.html

Couldn't find the oops thread where the receiver broke, but this is the one with pics comparing the SB1 & SB2 receivers. Glad to hear you've had no problems.

gp911

[Onmilo]

Here is a quicky pic of my SB-1 'Tamer' .410 with the Choate stock and forend installed.
This is a great little shotgun for squirrel and rabbits.
http://www.fototime.com/2E9DDE3C94C26CC/standard.jpg

[Byron]

Dave , Thank You for your writing. I have a H&R Topper bought in 75.It is a youth straight stock in 20 gauge(modified) and a 22 hornet Barrel. I use this often. Recently the firing pin broke.It now has a new one and is back in action. Byron

[Pax Jordana]

As I think sm may agree, no sane person would want to face a determined mom defending her little ones with a loaded 20 ga. single shot in her hands.

I once read an old, old book about guns in all manner of situations, and I recall the author saying that singles (and, to a lesser degree, doubles) are not as good for HD because you cannot fire a warning shot.

That said, I'm sure any determined woman will have no use for a warning shot :D:evil::eek:

You'd better double check whether your frame is rated for rifle pressures.

NEF/H&R won't fit rifle barrels for shotgun receivers, it says so on the site and their service dept won't do it. Still, there is a degree of interchangeability due to all the guns having a similar action, so my solution is to only disassemble one of them buggers at a time!

I got single-shot stories, I'll post my own in a little - I feel this one is getting a little long-winded, and there's only one guy among us who gets away with writing a doctoral thesis for every thread he contributes to...

(man it must be steve season :rolleyes:)

[tennrob]

There is more to Byron's story about the H&R Topper 20 ga/ .22 Hornet. We have shared ownership of that gun so many times that we can no longer recount or count the times it has changed hands in trades, swaps, and out right purchases!!!! Yes, Byron does own it today, but that doesn't mean that it won't end up in my gun cabinet again!!!!

May they live forever!

[adkpete]

These posts bring back memories of my Dad teaching me to shoot with his model 37 Winchester in .410. I wonder where it is

[honkeoki]

Dave -- another great article. Here's to hoping you get around to writing a book (hint, hint...)

I've often wondered what the purpose of the single-shot really is. I think of a 12-gauge single-shot as our century's version of the Imperial Brown Bess musket. Sure, there are lots of things that are better for any specific application, but very few things that are as good at any application...

Having said that, is my Stevens 311a SXS twice as good?

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks,honkeoki.

The purpose of the single shot shotgun is to provide a simple, durable firearm capable of defense,food and recreation for as little money as possible.

Similar processes have blessed us with the Model T Ford, the VW Beetle, and Leo Fender's superb Telecaster.

[dogngun]

My Uncle Paul-really my grandfather's brother- had a small farm and worked in a factory. He had an old 16 ga H&R single shot , used so much most of the blue was gone. He hunted meat for the table and that old Topper helped him get his family through the Depression. It was his only gun, and he took everything that walked or flew with it. I first saw it in the 1950's, and have loved the little top break shotguns ever since.

Mark

[Dave McCracken]

They're like that, Mark. Lots of us love the singles with little logic but much emotion.

[NewShooter]

Its not a shotgun but you guys just urged me to get out my NEF .22 sportster.

[Dixie Slugs]

Very interesting! Many times nowdays we get all wrapped up around the axle on the new guns.....especialy rifled barrels. If one looks at some of the Slug Shooting Forums, you would have ti think that only the elitist high dollar guns work!....Not so!
At Ole'Dixie, we have a rack full of NEF with all matter of extra barrels! Not one has shot lose yet!
The NEF Ultras in 12 and 20 will group good slug ammo, and many times better, that the fancy high dollar bolt guns!
The NEF Trackers work great with ammo that matches the original full bore Paradox blackpowder loads....730"-730 gr-1050'/" in 12 gauge and .625"-500 gr-1950'/" to 1250'/" in 20 gauge.....compare those in your Ballistc Program to the well know pistol offerings!
The point here is that the everyday meat hunter is buying NEF's as fast as they come off the lines......and where can anyone buy extra barrels as cheap?
Also....If you send your action up to get ab extra barrel....if you ask they will work the trigger over!
Regards, James

[foghornl]

Aw dang it, Dave, and U 2, Steve {just because it is ALWAYS 'Blame it on Steve' (sm) day} I gotta get one of those top-break shotties.

I started out hunting with "Pops" shotgun...Savage/Stevens Mdl 94B 16-Ga..with that really light "tenite" furniture. Didn't weight a heckuva lot more than my Nylon 66 .22LR.

'Twas a serious thumper on both ends...Kinda thinking about that Rossi (IIRC) triple threat combo..20Ga field barrel, 20-Ga slug barrel & .22 barrel. Or maybe just the H&R/NEF single-barrel, and adding rifle barrels as time, money & Mrs. Foggy allow.....

[Hooptie]

I've wanted a good single shot like this for some time, but decided on getting a pump instead.

I would love to pick one of these up, or maybe a Rossi matched set.

[Hooptie]

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/263/products_id/89021

or

http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/387/products_id/80039

[Vicious-Peanut]

The first firearm I ever shot was my Grandfather's H&R single shot .410. That shotgun got me hooked on the wonderful sport/hobby. I still love shooting that little gun whenever I have the chance, and will cherish the gun and the memories I continue to make with it for the rest of my life. :)

[Hooptie]

http://www.hr1871.com/images/zoom_tamer_20g_2.jpg

I think I'm just going to get that...

20 gauge 20" barrel H&R tamer

[PTK]

Since first reading this thread, I now have six (6) more single shot shotguns.


I hate you all.



:D

[Dave McCracken]

It's amazing how much interest this thread has attracted. More than threads on high dollar shotguns, in fact.

I reckon folks have memories of these that help keep things going.

Along with the economics. With a lot of single shots selling even now new for roughly $100, these can be obtained by the financially challenged, the young and those who need a good reliable tool.

[PTK]

And they cure (briefly) I-want-a-new-gun-itis.

[v8stang289]

Since this thread started I remembered that my dad had a couple of youth model 20 gauge NEF shotguns that he purchased for my brothers a few years back, one of which now has a broken striker & lifter assembly. Since the brother with the broken gun is no longer interested in shotgunning(likes rifles more) I decided to ask my dad about it. He said i could have it since it has just been sitting around, so now i have a youth 20 gauge to add the the full size NEF 20 gauge my dad gave me when i turned 9. These things are addictive and fun, and PTK is right, they do temporarily cure I-want-a-new-gun-itis.

-Matt

[coosbaycreep]

The first gun I ever bought was a NEF 12 ga. I got it when I was 15 if I remember right from a pawn shop for $56 and a cd I didn't like. (My dad obviously is the one that completed the transaction for me since I was a minor, but I did the bartering with the jerk who ran the shop myself).

I only had two rounds for it when I first got it, both 00 buckshot. I shot both of them and had a bruise for a week. The first full box of shells I put through it where all shot from the hip because my shoulder was still too tender. It kicked so hard that it cut the inside of my finger on the trigger guard.

After I got a recoil pad I shot the thing constantly. Clays, rabbits, birds, couches, cars, refrigerators, microwaves, water jugs, dirt clods, you name it, I've probably shot it with my 12 ga. Despite the fact it's a single shot, it's still one of the funnest guns I've ever shot. It's also the only gun I'd never consider selling, but that's also due to the fact that I wouldn't get hardly anything out of it since they're so cheap new anyhow. Another reason I'll never sell it is because it would be the easiest gun in the world to turn into a sawed off shotgun. (Not that I would ever do it, but just in case that law is ever repealed or I have to fight off zombies, it's nice to know).

[Onmilo]

Hooptie:
I am still waiting on an answer as to whether H&R will fit up a 20 guage Tamer barrel to my .410 Tamer.
Dirty dogs are going to make me buy another shotgun!:D

[Gord]

Actually had a 12-gauge H&R a couple years back that was bought from a friend. Busted after about forty rounds - the entire action was tweaked. Hammer wouldn't cock back, trigger wouldn't budge. Haven't trusted them since then.

Maybe I should take another look at them...

[jimmyraythomason]

My dad taught my brother and me how to hunt and handle firearms with an old Iver Johnson 12ga single barrel known as "the Hero". That was the only model designation on the gun(actually Iver Johnson's name wasn't on the gun either). The old gun was bought by my greatuncle around 1900-1910. It was blued with a nickle plated receiver and cost (gasp!) $4.25 new. My brother and I refinished it by blueing and had the receiver renickled. Dad almost cried when we "gave" it to him for Father's Day(dad has since passed away) It has been handed down to my brother(I am older but only have girls) to pass on to male descendants. Here is a photo of my brother and one of his sons with a grandson. My brother is holding the old "Hero". Thanks for reminding me of so much!

[PTK]

I just thought I might bring this back to the surface.

Steve, I blame you for my new favorite gun. It's a 32" barreled single shot Pardner 12ga, with recoil pad and simple leather sling. That, along with the bandoleer loaded as pictured (mostly 4, 6, and 8 shot, some 00 buck and two slugs), allows me to wander into the woods happily knowing I can take anything that walks, flies, or crawls.

In addition, it's fairly nice for clays as well, much nicer than a nigh-forgotten Mossberg 500 I used to carry and use.

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/6474/nef1yt2.jpg


It is, by far, my favorite gun at this point. I own many high dollar guns, and I find a simple single shot 12ga that I bought used for $75 to be my favorite.

I have what is coming up on about a thousands rounds (mostly 7 1/2) through it, and I know that it's good for many thousands more. Sometimes, simple is just right.

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I've got 2 of 'em a 20 and a 12.

[goon]

My first one gun was a H&R .410. It is kind of "useless" now and mostly only sees daylight for introducing new shooters or for getting rid of .410 shells that people somtimes give me.
I'm planning to get another in 20 gauge at some point. I think a 20 gauge youth model with a pocket full of buckshot and slugs would make a great gun for just screwing off in the woods. I'm thinking that with a synthetic stock and a survivor forend (mostly because that forend will come off without a screwdriver) it would make an awesome gun to break down and stick in a case behind the seat.
I also learned when I was hunting that these guns are great for getting meat. You don't feel bad about using them and they are light and well balanced. Follow up shots aren't as slow as you might think but I rarely needed one.

[PTK]

Goon,

I recently picked up a NEF in .410 for the reason that most .410s are made as youth guns. The NEF is a full size shotgun, which fits me nicely.

[MCgunner]

XLint writeup! You know, I ain't shot my 16 SS in a while, but it don't kick NEAR as bad as that 20 gauge NEF I bought the kid. It does have a lot more drop at comb, too much, really. Maybe a lot of the recoil goes up instead of back? :D It's got a 30" full barrel and really reaches out there, but it ain't much of a gun for flushing game, rabbits and such. I started my goose hunting life with this old gun. The bead fell off, no biggy, don't need a bead. LOL! I did have the broken ejector replaced and it still works great. Grandpa put a recoil pad on it for me, not a great job of fitting, but I ain't replacing it. The gun will never be changed, not the point of keeping it, really. I pick it up and remember things, days, places, shots, people that I called friends......

[sm]

PTK wrote:
Steve, I blame you for my new favorite gun.

Hell everybody blames me for everything anyway, what is is one more blame?
*grin*


I have what is coming up on about a thousands rounds (mostly 7 1/2) through it, and I know that it's good for many thousands more. Sometimes, simple is just right.

Aw hell, now whaddya up and actually shoot the damn thing nearly a thousand rounds for?

Great Googley-Moogley ... Don't you read the teh Intrawebz?
You ain't supposed to shoot the damn things, one is supposed to wear them out taking 'em apart, putting 'em back together, and seeing if all them fuzzy dice and curb feelers bolt on and off.

<hangs head>

PTK, oh I am going to catch hell for them 1000 rds you have fired in the gun, but I ain't going to catch it alone there bro'.

Personal Responsibility means your butt is going to get gnawed on as well!

*GRIN*

[bofe954]

Anyone have personal experience with the fully rifled barrel NEF's? I have been debating a dedicated slug gun. I wondered if accuracy might be better than a cantilever barrel due to the lack of a receiver. The short length and lower scope would be nice too.

Anyone know group sizes with good sabots?

If you want nostalgia, a single barrel 12 is what taught me about flinch...

Forgot to cock the hammer, pulled the trigger. No bang, just flinch.

[Bud Tugly]

My first shotgun was a 12 gauge H & R and I can vouch for the fact that it was a flinch-o-matic. 'Course I was young and stupid and thought that the more lead in the air the better the chance of hitting something, so I wouldn't have dreampt of using any load lighter than 1 1/4 oz of shot.

Age has brought a bit more wisdom, and I now have both a Rossi and an old Savage/Sevens model 94 in .410 that I can shoot accurately and confidently. Never owned a 28 ga, but I bet that would be about perfect for a light single-shot. I'll have to pick one of them up sometime soon.

There's something about knowing you've only got one shot that sharpens concentration on good shot placement. I know it made me a better hunter, and I suspect it might work for others, as well.

[rugerman07]

I don't know much about the H&R/NEF shotguns, but I bought a new H&R .223 single shot rifle recently and love it. I put a Tasco 6.24 x 40mm scope on it and this rifle is very accurate. I plan to use it for coyote hunting. :D

[cleardiddion]

My first shotgun was a NEF pardner 12ga. Still got it, well I guess I should considering that I only got it about a 2 months ago!
I got it for 82 bucks out the door because it has some cosmetic damage, but who cares about little things like that?

[ArmedBear]

Anyone seen the newest H&R?

They finally did a trap gun. I've thought they should do this for a long time.

http://www.hr1871.com/Firearms/Shotguns/toppertrap.aspx

http://www.hr1871.com/Images/photo_topper_trap_gun.jpg

[Mat, not doormat]

My first gun was an old H&R .410, that my grandpa gave me. And that little sucker is a finger burner when you get to stuffing it quick. For some reason, it heats faster and cools slower than any other smokeless gun I've seen. So I might could see the point of a heat shield on one.

~~~Mat

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks, Mat, but I'd need to see it. As for heat, less metal means it's easier to heat or cool.

[Alice Cooper]

this is my first post on thr,I got here by way of googling about nef shotguns.I too have become a fan of these great little tools.I bought a rusty unloved but seldom shot example at a pawn shop just to try my hand at duracoating.well, I wirebrushed the rust away,knocked all the pins out,airbrushed it in "tango downdark earth (think sand color) and put it back together.I've rarely put it down since.I love this thing! my buddy, on seeing mine, pulled out his old topper he got when he was ten(he's 55 now) it had a broken hammerspring, busted-up forearm,trigger spring missing,and rear stock just rattling around back there. it now has all new springs,is tight as a drum, and also sports the same duracoat finish.this gun has been used/abused for everything from coonhunting to deerhunting over the years,even when we both had browning a5's to chose from.he was mighty happy to get his old buddy back in shape.and I was too.now if someone can point me to a good breakdown case to fit mine in that doesn't cost a mint....

[contender]

Thanks for such an interesting thread as it does bring back memories.

Think I will do a little shopping at the next gun show. For some reason, I suddenly got the wants for a 28 ga single shot.

Not reall a need----just the wants.

[Dave McCracken]

Thanks, guys. Glad you like this, and singles....

[Ed Ames]

...now if someone can point me to a good breakdown case to fit mine in that doesn't cost a mint....

+1

I've been trying to find a good case for mine. Boyt or SKB sells cloth take-down cases in sizes down to 28" barrel length for less than $100 but it seems odd to put a $100 gun in a $100 case.

[plumberroy]

Think I will do a little shopping at the next gun show. For some reason, I suddenly got the wants for a 28 ga single shot.

I love mine about all I ever carry anymore
Roy

[sm]

Flannel lined pants, be they blue jeans, corduory or khaki "work britches" may be used or one can buy this material at the fabric store.

Used britches, or even ones from a Thrift Store work great!

Note for example:
My H&R Youth 20 ga single shot, fixed modified barrel, and factory recoil pad - bone stock is only 36" long, total
Barrel itself about 22" and the rest is full butt stock and receiver.

Again, all bone stock, perfectly legal and just a "youth shotgun".

1. One flannel lined pants in a longer inseam, or if need used two worn ones to make one gun sleeve. Sew on pocket(s) for a pouch.

2. Someone that can sew, can make case for a break down case.

3.I like Sack-Ups.
One long one, cut into, is what we did to get two pcs. Like on a 3 bbl set, cut two, get 4 pc, and all 4pcs of 3 barrel set, had a sleeve before going into gun case.

Sack ups used in the Store bought sleeve, works fine. You have seen the inexpensive ones just a thin cloth type.


Britches flannel lined being used, is a fun thing. Folks can get goopy and creative, the kids do.
Thrift Store had a pair of flannel lined Over-alls that were a huge size ["either a really fat guy, or he and his wife wore these at the same time" .

This tote looks like a drawing kit, or portable easel or something...
Tie-Dye 70's style .
The bib pocket is neat for accessories.

Tuff-Nutt vs Carhart vs Filson vs...
It gets sorta hilarious at times.

These gun cases look like anything but a gun...which is the idea...

"MoOm! Where is the real pup tent, not "that" pup tent, the tent pup tent pup tent thingy ?"

"Sweetie, got hung on the pup tent part did ya?"

[1911 guy]

I had a H&R Topper in 20ga when I was a kid. Great gun, but it would try to kill you with slugs or 3" mag shot loads. I very unwisely sold it to finance a Browning A5. Gonna get another for my son to learn on.

The pushbutton action was in place before NEF bought them, as I bought mine used back when the shotgun, youth hunting license and two boxes of RP #8 cost $43. I've still got the receipt somewhere.

Barrel interchangeability issues: If you buy a shotgun, you may put only shotgun barrels on it. If you buy a rifle, you may put both shotgun and rifle barrels on it. There are two recievers, SB1 and SB2. SB2 has a larger list of available calibers.

[JShirley]

Man...

The first gun I shot was a little Savage .22/.410. But almost all of my shooting, growing up, was done with a Topper, Jr. 20 gauge. That gun was easy to carry, and swung well. I remember telling an older schoolmate in first grade that I owned a 20 gauge, and he disagreed- said it would "knock me on my butt".

It did kick like a mule! We had an 870 and a 500, and I was certain (since they were larger) they would kick harder! Not so much, it turns out. :D

I've been wanting either a Rossi or NEF in .45 Colt or 7.62x39mm for a few years, now...

John

[sm]

.45 Colt to go with a .45 Colt Vaquero would be my wants...

I got a hankering for Single Action - again...

[Gary A]

My firearms journey has wandered since it began but there has been a definite trend to it which has led inexorably to single-action revolvers and shotguns. A friend gave me a Pardner, like-new, 28" fixed modified. It sat around for quite a while before I began to take note of it. Then I shot it. Then I decided to buy an H&R/NEF 12 ga. 24" turkey gun with choke tube. Then I decided to buy the synthetic-stocked, choked-tubed 12 ga from Walmart. Then I found a LNIB 28" Pardner with fixed full choke at a very good price. Now, having built a credit at my favorite store, I am deciding between the Topper Deluxe with 3 1/2 inch chamber (it will likely never see anything more than 2 3/4 inch shells :)) or the Topper Deluxe Classic with 3" chamber and vent rib. I'm leaning toward the Topper Deluxe because it's a bit cheaper, looks more like a "barn gun" single-shot, and I see not much need for a vent rib on these guns and think I prefer to keep them all similar in sight picture, etc. This is amazing. I think I'm hooked on these little guns but am afraid that as I get older I may find I have invested too heavily in 12 ga and should have bought more 20s, LOL. (Really, they're not bad with light loads but heavy loads, sheesh.) I mostly have hunted with pumps and still plan to, but I really want to try the single-shots this coming fall. I am getting so hooked on shotguns but am torn between concentrating on pumps (870 and Win 1300), side-by-sides (couple of Spartans) and these marvelously simple single-shots. Have never developed an interest in semi-auto shotguns and only owned one which I sold. Currently, at least, the single-shots have the most allure for some reason. They take me to a world fast slipping away and the older I get, the more minimalist I become.

You guys have been a big, big help in learning. Especially, Dave McC, SM, Lee Lapin and many others. Thanks.

One thing about shotguns and single-action revolvers: they use up the time I used to spend with firearms that encouraged wasting ammo and range-time. I just don't have the time or money to waste on the other stuff.

[Dave McCracken]

Gary, there's lots to like with the singles.

Enjoy yours.

[Bud Tugly]

I find it relaxing to get out in the woods with a single-shot and a pocket of shells. No serious hunting effort - just rambling along soaking up the feel of the natural world and enjoying the sounds and smells.

If I stumble across something and it ends up in the vest pocket it's a bonus, but it isn't the main reason for being out there. I spent many autumn days like that in my youth, and it brings back fond memories.

Keeping things simple and basic definitely has its attractions at times.

[PTK]

I recently bought a matching pair of 28ga single shots (thanks Steve!) for myself and a very good friend. She outshoots me with everything I hand her. :)

Currently in my safe I have two 12ga, two 28ga, two .410, a 16ga, and a 20ga. I seem to like these little shotguns quite a bit - whenever I see one at $75 or less, I simply buy it. With the price being so low, it makes more sense for me to spend extra money on these rather than on luxuries.