I Want a Top-Break .22 - H&R 925/6 vs Iver 66 Trailsman

[On The Beach]

I've decided to add top-break .22 as an occasional pinker. I've got other .22's, but I think top-breaks are cool so, why not?

Currently trying to decide between H&R 925/926 and an Iver Johnson 66 Trailsman. I did think about trying to find a Webley/Enfield in 22, but looking at recent prices, it's about twice what I wanted to spend.

As between the H&R and the Iver, which one should I go with? If there's another one that you think I should consider please let me know. Thanks!

 

[BigBlue 94]

I have an old H&R Premier top break 22 seven shooter. Its a lot of fun. One thing to watch out for is timing. Top breaks are generally not as sturdy as full framed revolvers so they can be a bit more fragile.

I would take an H&R anything over an Iver any day.

 

[Monac]

I've decided to add top-break .22 as an occasional pinker. I've got other .22's, but I think top-breaks are cool so, why not?

Currently trying to decide between H&R 925/926 and an Iver Johnson 66 Trailsman. I did think about trying to find a Webley/Enfield in 22, but looking at recent prices, it's about twice what I wanted to spend.

As between the H&R and the Iver, which one should I go with? If there's another one that you think I should consider please let me know. Thanks!

I'd get the H&R, based on personal experience. I started out in pistol shooting with an H&R 999, and I've never had trouble with it. (Well, OK, there was the one time I broke the cylinder retainer, but that's because I tried to extract a whole cylinder-full of steel-cased Russian 22 spent ammo at once. That's on me.) I had a second-hand Iver Johnson 66, and the cylinder hand was just shot. The gun looked very nice (as IJ 66's go - the weird appearance kind of appealed to me at the time) but when loaded and firing, it would not rotate the cylinder for beans. Jim K, a long-time gunsmith who posted here (and has since gone to his reward), said that was common with that model. I can't say what he thought about 999's, but I know what I think.

PS - I also think IJ was foolish to make a top-break without automatic extraction. It's a fundamental advantage of the design for most people, and they decided not to offer it. I have to say I think the same thing about the H&R 925/926. May I ask why you prefer that?

 

[doubleh]

Back when these companies were in business both were considered less than top notch firearms. Fairly good but certainly not up with Colt ad S&W and their cost reflected that. I have owned both and consider the H&R to be slightly better than IJ.

 

[NIGHTLORD40K]

H&R, but like 2H said, neither is a terribly durable or accurate design.
I know it doesn't scratch the top-break itch, but IMHO, its smarter money to save up for a clean S&W M17/617 or any of the various Colt .22 wheelguns. I'd even take a Charter Arms Pathfinder or Pocket Target over the top-breaks.
In any event, good luck!

 

[TTv2]

I don't want to add in to the echo chamber here of HR's being good, but not built to last, but I've gotten the sense from experience and from what others have said in that post WW2 H&R revolvers are not as well made or durable as those from pre-war. I believe the 925/926 models came well after the war and that gives me cause for concern, enough that I would really weigh the cost difference between them and a 999 Sportsman, which is a pre-war design.

I've also been thinking about a top break .22 because I want a faster to reload .22 as single actions are getting tiresome with the time they take and the Taurus .22 I want has been unavailable for years. H&R is a brand I like and like a lot because even today so long as you buy the right ones, the value to quality is very high.

I'm sure there are some cosmetically challenged 999 Sportsman out there, who knows maybe you and I will get in a bidding war over one

 

[aaaaa]

I need a top break revolver just because they are different. I passed up a nice H&R .22 top break I think was 9 shot cylinder and in very nice condition. I would see it at the GS every time I went and should have grabbed it but now it is gone!

 

[Frulk]

Thread needs some pics........Bought this about 10-15 years ago from the son of a friend. I've never shot it...not sure if it's ever been shot. Only has a faint turn line.