Any experience with the H&R CR-45LC carbine?

[cluttonfred]

I am very tempted to get an H&R CR-45LC carbine, as I love the old-time look without being a replica of anything in particular. My wife and I have been looking at houses in Vermont, and it would make a great general-purpose farm rifle.

It would be a great toy, especially if, as I have long threatened, I get into reloading. Even without, LRN cowboy loads are pretty cheap and there are some hot 45LC (Buffalo Bore comes to mind) that would make it a potent deer gun if I want to go down that road.

But, I have yet to see a review, good or bad, of this particular rifle, though I have seen reviews of the .38-55 and .45-70 long-barrelled ones. Anyone have any experience owning or shooting one, or anyone able to point me to a magazine review?

Thanks and regards,

Matthew

 

[Big Daddy K]

Neat looking little rifle.

Coming from H&R it's probably pretty good quality.

Hard to mess up a simple break open single shot.

I do like it's looks.

Whats the price on one?

 

[TexAg]

If its cheap enough why not. But I think it would be a little more appealing with an 18" or 16" barrel instead of twenty. I have a 16" and a 24" Marlin and I don't think you gain much velocity after 16" with the .45 and the 16 is way more handy.

 

[dm1333]

Gray Beard Outdoors would be the place to look for info, they have a whole forum devoted to Handi Rifles.

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums//index.php

 

[cluttonfred]

Thanks, all, for the comments and dm1333 for the Gray Beard Outdoors, link.

TexAg, I agree that shorter is better in a carbine (that's the whole point, isn't it) but a quick check of the stats show that a 20" H&R carbine is 34" long, while a 20" Marlin is 37 1/2" long, so the H&R is only 1/2" longer than a 16" barreled carbine.

That said, I wonder why H&R never seems to make anything shorter than a 20" barrel on any of their guns. I would think that the short length (almost 4" shorter than the equivalent lever gun) would be a great selling point for a .30-30 deer rifle, for example.

Personally, I'd love to see light-barrelled 16" carbine in .357 magnum styled like the CR-45LC. I might even have to get the extra barrel fitted if I get one. Professionally cut down to 16" and with some nice Marble sights, that would be great fun.

Cheers all,

Matthew