H&R Topper single shot 12ga found: safe to shoot?

[spotch]

So my father has a 12 gauge single shot h&r topper break action with a serial number that puts it as dating from 1979 (iirc). Seems to be in good shape... Finish has dulled with maybe a hint of surface rust (stored in q climate controlled closet the entire time) but the trigger pull is still crisp, pivots open smoothly, etc. However, it hasn't been shot in probably a decade or two. So the question is, is it safe to fire? I assume so, but since I don't know much about shotguns I figured i'd ask first. I've heard one too many stories of people finding revolvers in attics and having them blow up on them I guess.

 

[jeepnik]

Best solution is to take it to a gunsmith and have it checked.

 

[JohnBT]

That's good advice.

But that gun is not old, I was almost 30 when it was made. I'd shoot it if it looked right to me with nothing out of place. Now, if it was 1929 instead of 1979 I might tie it to a tire and use a piece of clothesline to pull the trigger from 20 feet away while standing behind a tree. Seriously, it's not a bad idea in any case.

What's a gunsmith going to do, x-ray each and every part?

John

 

[rule303]

As long as the action locks up tight, and the bore is not obstructed, it is almost certainly safe to shoot. It is made from modern steel, and a very strong design. It should have no problem shooting any commercially available ammo of the proper length.

 

[oneounceload]

NOT firing a gun doesn't make it unsafe
and yep, 1979 is NOT that long ago..................at least to most of us!

 

[spotch]

Yeah everything on it seems tight as any lightly used recently made shotgun I've fondled.

 

[USAF_Vet]

I fire my no name 20 gauge from the 30's a few times a week. As long as he didn't dig it up from a shallow pit in the woods, it's probably safe. Better send it to me to test fire just in case.

 

[RPRNY]

H&R receivers of that age were made of ductile iron and are not as strong as the SB1 receivers from post 1987, however, in proper working order, they will handle any modern shotgun load of appropriate gauge.

 

[303tom]

There would be nothing unsafe about shooting that shotgun, I would not be one bit afraid to shoot it, anyway lets see some pictures................

 

[spotch]

I'll get some pictures up asap, actually don't have the gun in hand right now (though did a few days ago, which is how I could check the serial number for age ). Next time I'm back at his house and it's not too crazy I'll take some and post them up.

 

[drsfmd]

in proper working order, they will handle any modern shotgun load of appropriate gauge.

And more importantly, the appropriate length.

 

[Kiln]

Have somebody you don't like shoot it and if it doesn't explode then you're good to go.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

1979? That's not old!
I just don't recommend shooting 3" magnum slugs out of them. Recoil is murder, and might likely knock yer fillings loose..!


Sidenote (do not try this at home!):
My '79 Topper was on loan to a friend of mine for dove season who was a new shooter. When he wasn't looking, I placed a heavy 3" Remington Nitro Mag 1-7/8oz #4 lead turkey load in the chamber. When he he fired the shot, it knocked his sunglasses off his head, and nearly bowled him over. He thought the gun blew up. His shoulder incurred a nice bruise.

 

[303tom]

If it says on the barrel, 3 inch chamber it is likely a very safe shotgun, all of mine are..............

 

[Deltaboy1984]

If is been stored as stated and made after 1950 it is safe to shoot. I still used a 1950's Remmy model 11 in 16 gauge.
Every H&R single shot I have had or shot were built like tanks. And if it is a 3 inch mag one it will for sure jar the fillings a losse.
My Dad got one he bought in 1979 and it just fine and it been in a shop for the past 25 years.

 

[rcmodel]

a friend of mine for dove season who was a new shooter. I placed a heavy 3" Remington Nitro Mag 1-7/8oz #4 lead turkey load in the chamber. His shoulder incurred a nice bruise.

Doing that to a new shooter is cold.
And its certainly not funny.

You likely gave him a flinch it could take years to get over while he is wondering why he misses so much.

rc

 

[Quickdraw Limpsalot]

Doing that to a new shooter is cold.
And its certainly not funny.

You likely gave him a flinch it could take years to get over while he is wondering why he misses so much.

Agreed. Not funny at all, and he'll only have a flinch problem if he ever shoots again AT ALL. I'd like to slap my father-in-law for letting my wife shoot a 12 gauge when she was a kid. She's 30 now and still afraid to shoot even a .22.

 

[Rampant_Colt]

@ quickdraw + rc, Gettin' Punk'd is a rite of passge in my circle of shootin' & fishin' buddies.. we go out and have lots of fun and have lots of stories.. I've got some Federal 3" 2oz turkey loads for the next episode. Lighten up, Francis



Ya gonna post some pics, spotch?

 

[spotch]

Month or so late, but here are the pics. Finally got a chance to go back to dad's house and snapped these while I was there. Nothing artistic, just a couple quick snapshots in poor lighting lol.






Believe it or not this is AFTER a pretty thorough scrubbing with CLP and a cloth.

 

[rcmodel]

That gun is, for all practical purposes, brand new.

Choot it Lizabet! Choot it!!!

rc

 

[tactikel]

My Rem Mod 17 20 ga pump, passed down from my Grandfather, was made in 1921, has better than 2K field loads thru her with never a hiccup. If your barrel is not dented, rusted or obstructed you are certainly GTG.

 

[303tom]

Hell there ain`t nothing wrong with that shotgun, shoot it !

 

[ColtPythonElite]

Shoot it. I still have the one I bought brand new in 1980 for a whopping 40 bucks.

 

[Noah]

I got all y'all beat. I shot a:

3" 1300 FPS 15 Pellet 00BK shell out of

A 1970s Topper

With a 36" Barrel.

Score.

And an arm that tingled for over 5 minutes...