The NEF and H&R Single Shots....

[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]

Thanks for the Memories

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.

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? 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.

 

[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

 

[peacemaker45]

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]

Re: Breakdown case

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]

Had one, gonna buy another.

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.

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.