H&R Tamer 20ga.. A few questons

[sbarkowski1]

I came across this little H&R 20 ga today and finally picked it up after wanting one for some time now. I think its a pretty cool little backpacker. Needed something reliable, compact and easy to carry on the ATV and this thing is going to be perfect. I just need to make a few changes and I have a few questions for some of you who have this shotgun.

This is how it looks now..


I'm not to fond of the stock and intend on changing it. It feels a little small.
I plan on changing the stock to one of these "Choate" stocks which I think belongs to someone here on THR..



My question is does anyone know if the Choate butt stock matches the factory forearm that already comes on this gun as far as texture and color?
The factory forearm is fine as far as I'm concerned as long as it will match the Choate butt stock. Save me having to buy both pieces.

Also, the front bead looks like it's screwed in to the barrel. Is it easy to remove without damage? I'd like to change it as well.

Thanks for the input.

 

[spiroxlii]

I have the .410 version of that shotgun, and I agree that the length of pull seemed short at first. I got used to it pretty quickly, even though I've got long arms. I'm not sure how closely the finish on the Choate stock matches the original stock, but the ones I've seen in my local gun shop looked very close.

 

[ThomasT]

I have a Tamer in 20ga and it is my most shot shotgun. Like you I didn't like the funky buttstock. Too short and its awkward to cock with your right thumb. This gun is now my "Boat" gun for snakes and stuff.

I called H&R and just ordered a regular stock for it. I plan on sending it back to H&R and having a 22" 410 barrel fitted. I may get a rifled 20ga barrel also to shoot my new load using a 54cal Lee REAL bullet in an SP20 wad.

Anyway I really like this short, lightweight little beast. I added a nylon sleeve that holds 5 rounds and its a keeper.

 

[sbarkowski1]

I bought the gun because its one of the few offerings from H&R with the nickel finish. I had full intention of the changing the stock. I think it looks cool, if it were a bit bigger I'd keep it the way it is but its just too small. I ordered the butt stock form Brownells ( awesome site btw) Both the Tamer stock and the standard stock I ordered are made by Choate from what I saw so it should be a match to the forearm. Thanks for the input guys. Still need to find a fiber optic front bead, dont know what I'm going to use there yet.

 

[Andrew Wyatt]

look at the choate storearm. It's got a thumbnut for taking the shotgun down without tools.

 

[sbarkowski1]

Just and update. The stock came in and its an exact match to the stock forend on the Tamer. You have to use a stack of washers as spacers if you plan on using the same bolt to attach the new stock because its way too long. Fit isn't quite as good as the Tamer stock but really nothing to complain about. Definately worth doing though, gives the gun a whole new feeling. Much more comfortable and much better line of sight. It also makes cocking the hammer and opening the gun alot easier. The butt stock came with a swivel stud and I added the one on the forearm myself. There is extra material in the forearm for mounting a stud securely. I've ordered a stainless hammer spur and glo-dot II fiber optic front sight for it which should finish it off nicely. The only thing I would like to see improved is a metal trigger guard instead of plastic and screw in chokes. With its size, weight, durability and simplicity this is quickly becoming my favorite hotgun.

 

[chas08]

I like the way that looks. Where did you buy it from? I might do that to mine.

 

[sbarkowski1]

I ordered the stock from www.brownells.com mainly because its the only place I could find that would ship to Canada. But there's alot of other online suppliers with possibly better pricing if you live in the States.

 

[ThomasT]

Your tamer looks my tamer now. I like it. I added an Allens (IIRC) ammo carrier to the buttstock also. Yours looks like a different brand. Do you remember what brand of ammo carrier you have?

The normal buttstock does make it easier to cock and open. When ever Academy gets more of the "Universal" TruGlo sights in stock I will add one to my barrel. I have a couple on other guns already. They are made for the plain round barreled shotguns.

You should be able to get a shorter bolt at a local hardware store. When I ordered the stock for my Tamer they sent the correct bolt with the stock.

 

[sbarkowski1]

Not sure on the shell carrier, the label is gone but its from cabelas and its made of neoprene instead of that elastic material. I don't have the tools to remove the front bead without destroying it so I just ended up getting the one that clips on over top of the barrel. If I knew the thread size I'd rather get one that's smaller and threads into the factory hole.

 

[ThomasT]

Okay thanks. The carrier you have looks more secure than the elastic type I have. I like the clip on front fiber optics. They use the front bead to index with a notch in the front edge of the clip on sight.

I think your front bead is a 3/56 thread. Thats a common shotgun bead size. I guess I am different. I like a big bead thats easy to pick up on quickly.

 

[sbarkowski1]

The carrier is made by Beartooth. I like it because its tapered at one end and being made of neoprene it doesnt slide its way up the stock to the grip like the elastic ones. your not constantly having to readjust it.

 

[Onmilo]

The pictured .410 belongs to me.
I am thinking hard of getting a 20 guage Tamer to go along with it.
I bought the Choate stock and forend and think they are made of a better grade of material than the H&R Factory stuff as I have had the factory plastics crack in very cold weather.
Haven't had that happen with a Choate stock or forend.

 

[sbarkowski1]

I thought the Tamer stock was made by Choate? The factory forearm was an exact match to the Choate butt stock I recieved.

 

[Onmilo]

I thought the Tamer stock was made by Choate?

I don't know, it could be.
It wasn't the Tamer stock that cracked but one of the standard synthetic stocks.
I ditched the Tamer stock real quick after test firing the gun a few times.