32 Magnum
Member
Gordon,
Your SPORTSMAN is a 3rd Model (with transfer bar ignition/safety system) made in 1978.
I has all the "standard" features for that model. I'm surprised that the SA and DA trigger weights are that high, but I don't have as much experience shooting the "newer" pieces as I do the older 1930's pieces - which typically have about and 8# DA and around 2 - 2 1/2# SA pull. Your description of the fit and finish is typical for the post 1952 Sportsman examples. The accuracy you have achieved is pretty darn good - I've found mine to surpass my S&W M63 with 4" bbl.
Paying less than $300 in today's RETAIL market is a bonus. Most that I see (I do regular pricing checks on all H&R firearms for the "BLUE BOOK" so I stay pretty fresh with the averag pricing) sell closer to or over $400. The "market" has caught the SPORTSMAN bug. A couple weeks ago - an after market Nickel plated SPORTSMAN, with a bit of hyperbole thrown into the description - sold for over $1200. In 2011, several NIB examples from the same time period as your sold between $600 and $1000 - yep, that's not a typo - blew my socks off.
Good luck with your gun - enjoy.
Here's a couple pics of pieces from collection made slightly before and after yours - for comparison or for general info for those who haven't seen one.
Note that the 1972 example was made prior to the Transer bar ignition safety system (1973) and the hammer is a bit different.
Your SPORTSMAN is a 3rd Model (with transfer bar ignition/safety system) made in 1978.
I has all the "standard" features for that model. I'm surprised that the SA and DA trigger weights are that high, but I don't have as much experience shooting the "newer" pieces as I do the older 1930's pieces - which typically have about and 8# DA and around 2 - 2 1/2# SA pull. Your description of the fit and finish is typical for the post 1952 Sportsman examples. The accuracy you have achieved is pretty darn good - I've found mine to surpass my S&W M63 with 4" bbl.
Paying less than $300 in today's RETAIL market is a bonus. Most that I see (I do regular pricing checks on all H&R firearms for the "BLUE BOOK" so I stay pretty fresh with the averag pricing) sell closer to or over $400. The "market" has caught the SPORTSMAN bug. A couple weeks ago - an after market Nickel plated SPORTSMAN, with a bit of hyperbole thrown into the description - sold for over $1200. In 2011, several NIB examples from the same time period as your sold between $600 and $1000 - yep, that's not a typo - blew my socks off.
Good luck with your gun - enjoy.
Here's a couple pics of pieces from collection made slightly before and after yours - for comparison or for general info for those who haven't seen one.
Note that the 1972 example was made prior to the Transer bar ignition safety system (1973) and the hammer is a bit different.