H&R Sportsman 9 shot?

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Fishslayer

Fishslayer

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What can you tell me about the H&R Sportsman 6" top break .22 9 shot revolver? I have a chance to buy one at $350. Finish is very good, not even much of a turn line.

Lockup is not really tight but I have read this is the usual.

I like having something a bit different and have been looking for a .22 revolver for practice. So far I haven't been able to turn up anything bad...
 
I would look a little longer and harder

They can be found cheaper. Good plinkers, but don't look for precision. I know, I have one. My favorite funshop had a couple in the low $200 range last time I was there. Of course some things are relevent to location.
 
Thanks for that. I thought the price was kinda high but most of the posts I could find were from before that guy from Kenya drove prices through the roof.:fire:

It's been there awhile and I don't really know how much that shop likes to haggle.
 
H&R 999, huh.... Well, I'm not a fan, but I have only owned one. Bought it new, shot it a lot since it was my first handgun and in 22 rimfire. It filled a need at the time. I think the price ($350) is a bit high, but you have to decide that for yourself. $300 is probably a fair price these days but I would prefer something a bit less if I were buying one.

I loved the top break design and the nine-shot cylinder capacity at the time. I didn't like that fact that it had poor timing, a wide cylinder gap, and the sights worked loose all the time when I shot it. So, I always had a screw driver with me. I gave up adjusting the "adjustable" sights. It was a why bother situation. I got burnt many times with hot gun powder and possibly lead shavings when shooting it. I thought all revolvers did those things until I shot some S&W and Colt revolvers. Not worth owning the H&R after I shot better revolvers. I dresser drawed it for about 10 years and then finally sold it since I had no desire to shoot it. Had a number of good 22 revolvers by the time I sold the H&R.

The double action trigger is heavy. The single action trigger is heavy also, but okay. I shot mine mostly single action except plinking.

I would not buy another one even for $200. I would put that money toward a good quality revolver such as a Smith Model 17 or 18. Even the Smith Model 63 is a much better revolver to shoot. That is one I would like to own.
 
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I would not buy another one even for $200. I would put that money toward a good quality revolver such as a Smith Model 17 or 18. Even the Smith Model 63 is a much better revolver to shoot. That is one I would like to own.
Click to expand...

hehe.... I'd like a S&W .22 as well. A shop I frequent even has a few.

From $980 to $2400....:eek:

Well yeah... they ARE collector quality...;)
 
It's hard in today's economic climate to justify spending say $550-$600 on a good used Model 17 Smith. It is even harder to justify spending $900-$1000 or sometimes more on a good clean Colt Diamondback. The 4" Diamondback 22 replaced my H&R 999 Sportsman. Trust me, I know how it is and I have severely restricted my gun buying due to economic conditions.
 
Well I'm going against the grain. I own a 1954 model Sportsman, traded for it used ,had to do a little a little work on it. The revolver was in time double action but had some issues with the cylinder binding single action, that was solved by replacing a bent pin that lets the bolt drop.Then it had a light strike problem, the previous owner shot a lot of shorts through it and it needed a good cleaning with 0000 to clean the chambers and I also chamfered the chamber mouths. Also had to lock tite the rear sight ajustment screws, they will shoot loose if you don't.

That being said and done the little revolver is as reliable as the day is long, it locks up tight, never shaves any lead and is way more accurate than I am able to shoot . It is light ,handy, accurate and not to bad a looking revolver. I am looking forward to squirrel season, and it will have a place on my hip.

The other H&R was one of the convertible models 22-22mag, kind of a western look 600 series, and I wish I would have kept that one. It was an onery looking thing with the plow handle grip, and it was double action to boot. Bought it nearly new and never had any issues with that one.

See if the shop will let you test drive the Sporsts man, you may find out it is shooter.
The price can be dickered for, depending how the pistol shoots.

drop WOAD YURT a PM, he is a H&R nut might be able to give you more info.
 
I have 8 Sportsman, ranging from 1939 to 1980, and I love them all .
No they are not competition pieces. They are however all very well built very good shooting, working revolvers!
and if you want to consider my model 777 Ultra Sportsman circa 1939, it is a factory built competition target shooter.
I know a lot of people like to pooh pooh the H&R's. but all I can tell you is that I am very satisfied with all mine!!

If you watch the auctions like I do, the price asked for the piece you speak is probably not much out of line. NIB pieces regularly bring from 4-500, with excellent condition pieces bringing $ 250- 300

Here's a few pics

dscn17522.jpg

cylinder0112.jpg

999au2.jpg

dscn16302.gif
 
My 999 shoots OK and I agree with much of what 22 rimfire stated above...but I won't sell it because I only paid $200 for it and it's the only break action I own.
 
leverlovr,
The model 686 was the last convertible model offered by H&R before the bankruptcy. From 1980 to 1986 5 barrel lengths were available 4.5", 5,5", 7.5", 10" ( starting in 1982 ), and 12 "
Fully adjustable rear sight, and target style, ramp front sight were added to this model.
I have one of every barrel length, and once again, I love them all!
The 3 shorter models all point well, comfortable to shoot off hand. the longer models are too muzzle heavy for me, but, from a rest shoot very well.
All have a heavy double action trigger.
Same as every other H&R I own, just a well built, reasonably priced, good shooting, working gun, that will last forever!

Model 686 4.5" 1980
DSCN16162.jpg

Model 686 5.5" 1980
dscn16172.jpg

Model 686 7.5" 1980
dscn16182.jpg

Model 686 10" 1982
dscn16202.jpg

Model 686 12" 1980
dscn16192.jpg
 
Jim those are some fine looking "Irons" you have there.

I am so happy to hear they are well built as I will be picking my first one up this week hopefully.

If I may, how do you change out the cylinders?
 
H&R cylinder

Levrlovr,
Pretty simple, just push the button on the left side of the frame, right in front of the cylider, pull the pin, and the cylinder will roll right out.
Here are some pics of my other convertibles.

Model 649 5.5" 1980
dscn16232.jpg

Model 649 7.5" 1980
dscn16242.jpg

Model 650 5.5" 1980
dscn16252.jpg

If you would like, I could email you a copy of the original owner's manual.
More of an owner's sheet actually, just a page of instructions on each side.
Just send me your email address, and I would be happy to send one !

[email protected]

Best
Jim
 
I have an old 929 ,..9 shot, .22LR with a 2 1/2? inch barrel. Have no idea how many thousands of rounds I have shot thru it since 73. Have dropped it in a few streams,..out of a boat in a lake,..and even ran over it once with a Ford F-150. It still shoots as good as it ever did,..and it does shoot quite well. Many a rabbit and squirrel have gone to the kettle,..as well as a few quail,..over the years. I still use it now and then,...tho not as often. It still fills a niche......taught two wives and two of my kids how to shoot with it. Expect I'll use it to teach a couple grandsons as well.
 
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