Frustrated with new handi rifle

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duckman3279

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Ok, so I bought this new handi back at the end of March and just got time to go outside and shoot it a little( been raining and windy almost everyday, 15" of rain). First shot the barrel breaks open from the receiver:mad:. I think maybe I didn't have it latched good so I try it again. Same thing. Happened a half dozen times in a row so it looks like I will be calling H&R to see what to do next. Man I was really looking forward to getting this rifle sighted in, but the opening action kinda makes this hard to do.
 
what caliber out of curiosity is it? If you get too frustrated and it's a 357 or 44 I'll take it from you at a decent price :)
 
I remember that there was a batch of Browning O/U shotguns that had the problem .The locking wedge was machined incorrectly on that batch !
 
First thing, DRY the latch and latch shelf, this is a major factor in pop-opens and a lesser factor in some accuracy problems. If this doesn't solve the problem, visit go2gbo.com and read the FAQ in the NEF forums. So much info there that you can't use it all, and nothing you can't do yourself. If you just gotta send it in, call and have them send you a prepaid shipping label. Goatwhiskers
 
Yep, check out http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php

Click on the H&R / NEF Handi Rifle section. There is a sticky thread towards the top that should help. They call it “pop open”.

I have heard / read that with a dry shelf and latch, sometimes simply opening and latching the action a hundred times or so will “break in” the parts. Keeping the shelf and latch dry improves lock up and actually improves accuracy. My 10 year old .223 Handi popped open here about a month ago. Kind of scared me because it‘s never happened before. It wouldn’t be pleasant to get a face full of hot brass. My problem was not closing the action with a bit of authority. If all else fails send it back to NEF.
 
First thing, DRY the latch and latch shelf, this is a major factor in pop-opens
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Absolutely, the latch and latch shelf must be bone-dry. That's very important in keeping the action from popping open during firing.

Send it back ! Not safe at this point.
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Not necessarily. This is a common attribute in these rifles. I know that my .308, and to a lesser extent, my .30-30 will unexpectedly open if the latch and shelf have any lubricant on them at all.
 
My girlfriend has the exact same rifle for deer hunting and thats never happened, and I've been around 10 or so H&R or NEF single shot-shot guns over the years and never heard of any instance.

Must be something wrong with the latch mechanism.
 
I've owned two of these rifles neither would group consistently, I've used break open rifles in my youth and they were also poor, simply I stay away from two piece stocks and break open actions.

Certainly they can be made to shoot fair with lot of tinkering but all in all not worth the effort other then a farm/ranch truck gun.
 
What a bummer,,,

All I can say is that's the first I've ever heard of that problem.

I own two H&R break-opens,,,
.22 LR and .357 Magnum,,,
Both of mine work fine.

Definitely call H&R,,,
They will make it right,,,
The scope rail on one of mine was scratched,,,
The new one they sent me got here before I had mailed the bad one to them.

Aarond
 
The latch problem is well documented with the Handi Rifle and it is almost always too much oil on the latch and shelf like already suggested. Take the barrel off the action and clean everything really well and that should cure your problem. Accuracy can be hit or miss, I've got a .204 that shoots 2" groups and a .223 that will print sub 1" groups consistantly. However it took a lot of rounds down range, purple loctite, and JB Bore paste to get the .223 to shoot well.
 
I'll Pass on a Handi

My Son has a .243 Handi that his Mother gave him years ago . If you anticapate a situation where a Rifle might be required, it's not the one you want . If the situation can be handled with a Rifle or a Club then it'll do ! It fails to fire a good 10% of the time , Factory or fireformed handloads , makes no difference ! I just recently heard of another supposed remedy for this problem . I don't know if I'm going to mess with it anymore or not , I'd rather not . Don't get me wrong , I like a challenge but you can't shine a **** ! :barf:
 
Ok, so I called one of H&R's repair centers. They told me that the lug was not fully engaging and that I needed to either send it back, or I can mail it to them. They are only 2 hours from me, so I am thinking about just driving it to them. That would be the most convienent for me since I also have family half way to them. I think that before I drive there I am going to make sure the shelf is good and dry to see if that works. Not much time to do either with a 6 month old and working 12hour all the time on swing shift.
 
I think that before I drive there I am going to make sure the shelf is good and dry to see if that works.
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Do this. You'll more than likely save yourself a trip.

BTW, the shelf AND the latch......
 
I had a similar problem with a Rossi after installing a scope. My base was too long by a hair and had to be stoned down flush with the end of the chamber to allow the action to close.

Just a thought!
 
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