NEF revolvers?

[SuperMagnum]

I just got back from the gun shop where I fondled a nice little NEF 9 shot .22LR with I think a 4" barrel. It looked like it was in almost new condition, and they only want $149 for it.

I would have bought it, but I didn't even know NEF made revolvers. Are they any good? Is there a reason it's so cheap? It looks like a copy of an H&R type revolver to me - the way the crane looks and works - you pull on the pin to flip the cylinder out.

Any thoughts?

 

[MCgunner]

I don't think they're making 'em anymore unless they just started and I haven't paid attention. They did up until a dozen or so years ago. They were not high quality revolvers, but weren't total junk, either. I mean, I'd rather have a Taurus 94, lets say, as inexpensive .22s go, but they went bang and were decently accurate plinkers.

BTW, NEF is H&R. They still make the single shot shotguns and import a pump and an auto.

I notice on their sight, all they show for handguns is a starter pistol for retriever training.

http://www.hr1871.com/default.asp

 

[wnycollector]

I have a NEF R92 w/ 4" barrel. Yes, they are direct decendents of the 1980's vintage H&R revolvers. NEF no longer makes revolvers. Mine has ~4000 rounds though it with zero problems. Is it as accurate as a Colt OMM, have a DA trigger like an OMM...NOPE! Does it shoot keep all 9 rounds on a "pie plate" sized target at 25 yards...yep! I paid $100 for mine a few years ago and would buy a .32 H&R mag or 22 mag NEF in a heartbeat!

 

[SuperMagnum]

Yes, they are direct decendents of the 1980's vintage H&R revolvers.

Ahh...so would I be correct in assuming that if it's branded as NEF, rather than H&R, it's probably newer than an H&R that looks the same?

This thing really looks almost new, except there's a tad bit of wear on the cylinder where you load the ammo. The bore looked like new...without a flashlight anyway.

It may not be the most refined gun in the world, but would you say they're pretty tough little guns? It looks that way anyway...

 

[xstuntman]

I can track H&R serialization up to '82 and I know that NEF models were made after that.
I've got two H&R .22lr pistols and quality is better than most brand name firearms you can buy today. I'm hoping to stumble on a .32 NEF myself locally. X

 

[woad_yurt]

NEFs are H&Rs renamed. And, yes, they are "pretty tough little guns." I have and have had a bunch of them and have been totally pleased with all of them. $149 for a like-new one is a decent deal.

 

[weregunner]

H&R went out of business in the middle 1980s.

NEF took it's place when the rights and factory was sold. NEF was to have taken over a lot of the H&R models but that didn't happen.

NEF put out models of the old H&R revolvers.
In 1987 NEF was formed to make H&R revolvers independently of H&R and under the NEF logo. In 1991 H&R 1871,Inc. was formed from the residual of the parent company and took over NEF. They produced firearms for both NEF and and under the H&R banner. That is until 1999 when Marlin aquired the assets.

 

[thunder173]

I have an older H&R in .22LR,..a 9 shot 2 1/2 inch version that I have shot thousands of rounds thru plinking at targets,...taught my son & daughter to shoot with it, and now my grandsons,....it has taken a boat load of raccoon, rabbits and squirrel over the years,...popped many a snake with it,..and even took a deer with it once. It has been ran over by a truck,.. dropped in at least a couple of creeks, and once into a lake I had to go diving for it in. It shoots as good or better than my Smith's or Rugers. It just isn't as pretty and refined. If I saw the one you are looking at for that price,...or even a bit more,...it'd already be sold. I'd buy it it. Period. Wish they still made them.

 

[BCRider]

Lots of folks seem to like their old time H&R revolvers. If this one is similar to the old classics there's an excellent chance that you'll end up with a nice plinker.

 

[SuperMagnum]

Well, you guys talked me into it. Now I finally have a .22! Total was $159 out the door, but I can't pick it up until the 13th. I don't think this thing was ever used for more than a brick of ammo, there's a few little rust spots on the backstrap but otherwise it looks almost new.

 

[SuperMagnum]

Before I get this thing home - can I dry fire it? Or do I need snap caps?

 

[wnycollector]

I use snap caps in mine. The trigger pull on mine smoothed out nicely after the first brick or two of .22's. I also took off my grips and hosed out the internals with LOTS of CLP.

 

[thunder173]

I have dry fired mine a few thousand times I'd guess,....it still goes bang on a live round.....

 

[MCgunner]

Dry firing is not good in any rimfire. The firing pin whacks hardened steel, never a good thing.

This thing really looks almost new, except there's a tad bit of wear on the cylinder where you load the ammo. The bore looked like new...without a flashlight anyway.

The bore in a .22 is neigh on impossible to "wear out". I'd be more concerned with the mechanical workings on the gun than the bore. But, the .22 is also a very mild gun, won't cause undue head spacing problems or such as that. So long as timing and such is good on the gun, it should be fine and worth the asking price. As plinkers, these guns work fine. I don't know what sort of accuracy you'd expect from one, probably variable I'm sure. If you need serious accuracy, though, it might be better to find a Ruger Mk 2 used for not much more money.