H&R Handi Rifle: Should I get one?

[fallout mike]

Correct on the extractor

 

[rbernie]

Regardless he went to sight it in for her, and noticed that when shooting it, after each shot the action would pop open and it would shoot the shell out right by your head. This is dangerous, as the shell can hit you in the face very easily. He asked me to look online about it since he doesn't have a computer. When I did, I found this is a very common issue, and the only known solution is to keep the breech face absolutely clean, and absolutely dry with no oil on it.

One of the known issues with break-open guns that use an underlug locking system is the ability for recoil to unlock the action if the parts are worn or not fitted properly. This happens to all guns that use this kind of design - fine O/U shotguns and H&R HandiRifle alike. It is not acceptable for that to happen, and if it happens the gun should be refurbished to fix the problem. OIl can exacerbate the issue and the lugs *should* be kept oil free, but this behavior is likely symptomatic of a mechanical fitment issue that should be fixed under warranty.

But just as most shotgunners don't sneer at their O/Us for this design characteristic, neither should the H&R be discounted out of hand. It is simply the nature of the beast, and is something that can be easily fixed.

 

[TwoEyedJack]

I got a laminated stock heavy barrel .223 for one of my left-handed kids. The accuracy is so-so, around 1.5" with loads it likes. It fails to eject all the time so when we are ground squirrel shooting we have to keep a cleaning rod handy. I tried polishing the chamber with a brass brush wrapped in 0000 steel wool and that helped a little, but after 20 rounds it is sticking again. I wish we would have just gotten him a left handed bolt action and be done with it.

 

[bluetopper]

My 500 S&W Mag Handi-Rifle shoots/groups the best of any other 500 Mag I've ever shot.

 

[BBQLS1]

I have one in .45-70 for Primitive Weapon Season in Mississippi. We used to have to use muzzle loaders for this season. It's a lot easier to deal with than black powder. I've taken deer at 70 yards off hand and have no problem with targets at 100 yards, but I haven't really methodically checked grouping for it. Where I use it, 100 yards is about as long as a shot gets. I have over 100 rounds through it with no issues other than cheap scope mounts.

It's a good little rifle. Would I rather use a Ruger number 1? Sure, if the weather was good, but they aren't legal for our Primitive Weapon Season (must be breach loading, single shot, exposed hammer, and be .35 caliber or greater).

 

[plumberroy]

My 45-70 handi with a cheap simmons scope will put 5 shots toughing if I do my part with hand loads doing 250 fps faster than any factory ammo I have tried (the 300 grain factory stuff says its doing 1810 I have yet to chrony any thing over 1650 fps ) I killed 5 deer with it while I lived in a rifle state. I killed a spike laser ranged a 215 yards. I have killed groundhogs and dogs into live stock and coyote on several ocassions . It puts a large bullet were I point every time I pull the trigger . the only H&R I have had problems with is a old 157 in 30-30 Ackley improved the rechamber was done by hand and the went a few thuosandth to deep. After I figured out how to fire form the brass it shoots cast lead 170 grainer under 3 " doing 1800 fps and 113 lee soup can cast bullets doing 1100 fps in one ragged hole at 40 yards I have killed a ton of squirrels with it I have never messed with jacketed bullet in it because you can't deer hunt with it in this state
My current experiment is a H&R tracker II 20 rifled shotgun It will shoot 4-1/2 in groups with my old eyes and iron sights shooting .625 cast round balls doing 1240 fps makes BIG holes in the target
When I bought the 45-70 handi in 1992 I needed a rifle (lived on a farm and had poutry and livestock) I wanted a ruger #1 so bad years later when I had the means and opportunity to get a #1 I stuck with the handi
Roy

 

[slowr1der]

slowr1der, For 100 bucks more I couldn't get any rifle at Wal Mart. The ones here don't sell any firearms. The closest thing to firearms that they sell is either a flare gun, or bb guns, and they sell the really bad bb guns at that.

Well, then you could go to your local gunshop and have them get you a Stevens 200 for around the same price as the Handi Rifles, and be much better off.

 

[Owen Sparks]

The story I heard is that either they got sued or were afraid of being sued because of someone getting hit in the eye with a piece of ejected brass even though the design is over 100 years old. The lack of this feature makes the new ones even slower to reload as now an extra step is required.

My .45/50 is an older ejector type. I like it so much that I sent it back to the factory and had it fitted for two more barrels, a rifled 12 GA slug barrel and one in .500 S&W. The 12GA ejects but the .500 does not. I contacted the factory thinkig it was defective and they informed me that the design had recently been changed. If you own an ejector model hang on to it. There will not be any more.

 

[Geno]

I like the H&Rs. They take me back in my mind to days-of-old...nostalgia if you will. I had one in .30-30 Win, but gave it as a gift (via The High Road) to a young man, who had no firearms, so he could begin hunting. I really like the break-action design, andy break-action, is as simple as I can put it.

However, I like the T/C's Contender and Encore, more than the H&R. With H&R, I believe that you have to send it to the factory for proper barrel fitting for each new (additional) barrel that you purchase. With T/Cs, any barrel swaps-out equally. I know. I know. Some people hate T/C. By and large, my experience with them has been good.

I did have one Encore Pro Hunter muzzleloader barrel that was pretty bad. The company gave me a new one free. That said, 100% of all T/Cs centerfires are guaranteed to fire 1" at 100 yards, and have a lifetime warranty, even if you purchased it used. If you get a bad T/C don't gripe, send it make and they'll make it right.

But, are H&Rs nice? You darned-right they are.

Geno

 

[BigMag]

It might be cool in 500S&W, do they have one in 460?

 

[Mauser lover]

Geno, slight problem with the T/Cs, they are over 800 bucks!!!
I might as well get myself a Kimber! Okay not quite, but close.

BigMag, I don't see any in .460 S&W Mag. They do in .45-70 though

 

[igousigloo]

Not unless you want one!

 

[Mauser lover]

Want a Kimber? Yeah I want a Kimber, but I also want an M2, a Galil ARM a S&W 66, 29 and 686 plus, an M&P .357 eight shot revolver (might have to substitute a Taurus for that one), a Springfield M1A, a mil-surplus BAR, a Les Baer 1911, a Les Baer AR-15 etc......... I also want to find the winning lottery ticket on the ground somewhere so I can actually buy all of them...... Doesn't mean that I ever will get one, or anything on that list, but I can dream, right?

 

[trapper500]

Handi Rifle

I got my Handi Rifle last Wed & we shot it 16 times & i love it my wife shot it twice & my girl who has never shot no gun bigger that a 22 rifle shot it i can't harfly wait till my scope arrives & my rings i ordered are on backorder JUST MY LUCK

 

[Mauser lover]

So, did your girl like that huge round? And when are you going to post a video of you shooting that thing for us? (I have been watching your other threads). Just remember, patience is a virtue that requires practice

 

[A Person]

My .223 Handi Rifle shoots EXCELLENT for me even up to 200 to 250 yards, woulden't be afraid to take it up to 300. For yall that say it's innacurate ,maybe it's the shooter that shoots bad, not the gun (MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA). Just put a decent scope on it, buy decent ammo, line it up, and you've got a high quality, durable, accurate, inexpensive rifle.

 

[RangerHAAF]

Mine was in 308 and I was not impressed with it. Would not shoot that great and had ejection problems.

I agree. I've bought one or two on a whim and was not impressed with them.

 

[grendelbane]

My Handi is a .500 S&W. It performs well, I can't tell you about how it groups, as I have had too much fun shooting at non-paper targets. (OK, it must shoot tighter than 3", as I am able to hit water filled beer cans with open sights).

It is lots of fun, though kind of rough on the shoulder. I am well satisfied with mine.

 

[duelist1954]

Here is a video of the Handi-Rifle in action

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fHZbSpmnA4

 

[Clark]

I worked up overloads in a 45/70 until the brass failed.
They are really strong actions.

I have built the front end of a break action. Now I need to build a rear.

 

[Mauser lover]

Clark, might I ask a dumb question? What in the world is THAT!!??!?!?!?!?

Please, don't tell me that that was a Handi-rifle?

duelist, I am glad that the Handi-Rifle is good enough for at least some kind of hunting.

 

[lefteyedom]

The handi's are hit or miss... Get a good one and you have a dandy "truck gun" get a slopping one and you have a wall hanger.

I have had two in 45/70 and they were fine, I still have a 12 gauge Slugester, 10 gauge barrel with a rifle 12 gauge hole in it. Great Deer Stand gun for shotgun only areas, at 11 pounds it is not a stalking weapon.

While not a "handi-rifle I have built a few short but, legal HR 20 and 12 gauge truck shotguns over the years. Stone-chip paint and 5 shot slipon holder for the stock, barque grill paint and simple high-vis sights for the barrel, for less than $100.00 they are all weather guns when and where they are needed.

 

[Clark]

Mauser lover
Clark,.. What in the world is THAT!!?..

That is Steven 10 ga break action lower and an upper I made from 1010 steel and 1 1/4" water pipe. Inside there are bushings for holding different pistol barrels.

It is a test set up for super hot pistol loads, so I don't hit the chronograph.

That is a Tokarev barrel and Tokarev barrel bushing that is inside the water pipe in the pic.

 

[Mauser lover]

soooo, you can put a bunch of different pistol barrels in it? Do you have to change anything for different lengths of chambers on the pistol barrels? Or does it just change lengths of bushings.

 

[dprice3844444]

http://www.shootersforum.com/single-shot-rifles/67440-h-r-barrels.html


http://www.hr1871.com/Support/accessoryProgram.asp

http://www.a2zoutdoors.com/h&r_accessories.htm