New England Firearms pardner SB1

[neviander]

Okay, for those of you unfamiliar with this model, it's a single shot, break open, SAO shotgun; the one I've got is a 12 gauge, at least it is now.

I, just tonight, discovered that New England Firearms was bought out by Harrington and Richardson, but it appears that the design of the New England shotgun really hasn't changed.

I want to trade up my 12 ga. barrel for a 20 ga. the 12 ga. barrel is damaged. The H&R site tells me this:

In order to obtain an additional barrel(s), the stock, forend and frame (receiver) must be sent to us so they may be properly hand-fitted to the barrel, to be sure they are correctly head-spaced and proof-tested.

I get all that, but I'd also like to refinish the stock and forend with something a little shinier, the finish on it now is pretty dull and unimpressive. Will my taking off the stock after they've "proof tested" it make a difference? Or should I refinish it before I send it in?

Also, I'm going with the 20 instead of the 12 for recoil reasons. I remember shooting a box of low brass bird shot when I was younger and it left a nicely colored bruise on my shoulder, there's no weight to these things!; plus I may gift it to one of my kids when they get a little older.

Also, what are everyone's thoughts on the now H&R rifles?

 

[Dave McCracken]

Actually, H&R shotguns were around for a few generations before we, or NEF, were. It's the parent company. I learned to shoot on a H&R 16 gauge that my GGF bought my father back in the 20s.

I'd refinish it after getting it back with the new barrel. There may be a need for a new forend to fit the new 20 gauge barrel.

Re 12 vs 20, the 20 gauge NEF/H&R can still tear a new one. Stick to the lighter end of the ammo spectrum.

 

[scrat]

for sure after you get it back. i have two of them one in 12 and one in .410. they are awesome. a few months ago i found the original paperwork for my .410. seems though back then you could send in the gun and they could make a .45colt from it as well. They needed to fit the barrel to the gun. Man i wish i did that. that would be so cool to have a .410 then take off the barrel and shoot. 45 colt

 

[neviander]

Actually, H&R shotguns were around for a few generations before we, or NEF, were.

...oh, good to know. I was wondering about having to swap forends...hrm, I may stick to the 12 ga. after all.

 

[NCsmitty]

I believe the whole story goes like this. H&R bought NEF, then those two companies were bought by Marlin and finally (i think) Remington now owns Marlin. I believe they still operate independently of one another, at least for now.
I personally own a 410 Pardner and a 17HMR Sportster and they are reliable, well built, and affordable.

NCsmitty

 

[gp911]

Go to www.hr1871.com.

Then click on customer support.

Then click on barrel accessory program and read everything. If your gun meets the criteria then you can still send it in for different barrels. Lots of options available...

gp911

 

[joshk-k]

I have one of these with three barrels: a 20 gauge smoothbore, a rifled 20 gauge, and a .30-30! How sweet is that?! And I can just swap them out by unscrewing a single screw, basically. You can get a barrel chambered in essentially any caliber you want for under a hundred bucks! If you're willing to be content with the single-shot limitations of the gun, it's feels like getting a whole other gun for $89 bucks.

I think they're great.

JOsh

 

[B.D. Turner]

I went with the NEF Partner but the pump rather than the single shot (aready had the single shot) I love the partner pump. The NEF in my opinion is much better than the standard Mossy 500.

 

[Blofeld]

The Pardner Pump is entirely underrated. As effective as the Mossberg, and only $200. Completely confident with it as my HD piece.