H & R 12 Guage Single Shot
- Thread starter Edsal17
- Start date
pabuckslayer08
New member
You can probably measure it, from where the barrel starts and the chamber ends out to the back end. So basically measure from the back of the barrel inside the chamber to where the primer would be at the back. Should be either 2 3/4, 3, or 3.5". Newer ones are 3 inch but check it out to make sure. If you use the wrong size the shell wont sit up in the barrel right and I dont know what will happen if anything but lets not try it
TheKlawMan
Moderator
Edsal,
Do NOT fire any modern ammunitiion in that gun. I inherited one 20 years ago and bought some ammo about 15 years ago. Fortunately, I never tried to fire it as I was sold 2 3/4" Winchester magum double ought buck. Had I fire it may have shot the firing pin back out in my face!
Just becasue the 2 3/4" inchers fit the chamber does NOT mean it is designed for them and especially ones with heavier loads. A gunsmith can measure the chamber and tell you if it is desighed for 2 3/4 or 2 1/2, but I have been advised until mine is checked out not to fire anything more thatn 2 1/2 inch shells AND ONLY ones desighed for older guns.
Here is that thread which is only a few days old. I think someone there suggests shells for older guns.
Do NOT fire any modern ammunitiion in that gun. I inherited one 20 years ago and bought some ammo about 15 years ago. Fortunately, I never tried to fire it as I was sold 2 3/4" Winchester magum double ought buck. Had I fire it may have shot the firing pin back out in my face!
Just becasue the 2 3/4" inchers fit the chamber does NOT mean it is designed for them and especially ones with heavier loads. A gunsmith can measure the chamber and tell you if it is desighed for 2 3/4 or 2 1/2, but I have been advised until mine is checked out not to fire anything more thatn 2 1/2 inch shells AND ONLY ones desighed for older guns.
Here is that thread which is only a few days old. I think someone there suggests shells for older guns.
If it's not marked on the barrel, get a gunsmith to check it. Or, you can check it yourself with a fired hull.
Shotguns are chambered differently than other firearms. A shotgun chamber is long enough for the shell to completely open while in the chamber. The forcing cone is beyond that position, then the bore. At the very end of the barrel is a constriction called the choke.
So, if a fired 2 3/4 shell will chamber easily, then the gun is likely chambered for that shell, but only a gunsmith will be able to tell you with any authority.
Probably not, but then again, if it's an old shotgun... who knows? You might get a KA-Boom, you might not. It's safer to have it checked.
Shotguns are chambered differently than other firearms. A shotgun chamber is long enough for the shell to completely open while in the chamber. The forcing cone is beyond that position, then the bore. At the very end of the barrel is a constriction called the choke.
So, if a fired 2 3/4 shell will chamber easily, then the gun is likely chambered for that shell, but only a gunsmith will be able to tell you with any authority.
Probably not, but then again, if it's an old shotgun... who knows? You might get a KA-Boom, you might not. It's safer to have it checked.
TheKlawMan
Moderator
Pabuckslyer,
It is a quite possibly a 2 1/2" chamber but definitely is not a 3" or more. I cannot get a real good measurement on mine as I don't hve the eqipment, but it the end of the chamber, if I am looking at it correctly, is no more than 2 3/4" from the breech. As I can't get a good straigt measurement, it may only be 2/12.
Besides the size of the shell, don't we also have to consider the pressure generated by modern "magnum" loads versus what the breech and barrel were desighed for?
It is a quite possibly a 2 1/2" chamber but definitely is not a 3" or more. I cannot get a real good measurement on mine as I don't hve the eqipment, but it the end of the chamber, if I am looking at it correctly, is no more than 2 3/4" from the breech. As I can't get a good straigt measurement, it may only be 2/12.
Besides the size of the shell, don't we also have to consider the pressure generated by modern "magnum" loads versus what the breech and barrel were desighed for?
TheKlawMan
Moderator
PawPaw is correct. I forgot that the chamber has to be longer than the shell in order for the the fired shell to open up. If yours is as old as mine, and it is the large frame model, it is desighed for a 2 1/2" shell. Regardless, it would be smart to have a smith check it out.
The FIRST H&R shotgun chambered for 2 3/4" cartridges was the upgraded Model 1908 - Variation 2 - which was introduced in 1921 or '22. Up to that date/year - all the older H&Rs were chambered for 2 1/2" 12 ga.
This variation will have a "long", slim fore stock. The 1st picture is a 1st Variation. The second picture is a later variation with 2 3/4" chamber.
This variation will have a "long", slim fore stock. The 1st picture is a 1st Variation. The second picture is a later variation with 2 3/4" chamber.
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TheKlawMan
Moderator
Mine is a little older, serial #36616. Instead of the snap on fore end, it has a screw to attach it and it also has the barrel pin with a hinged thumb piece. The width of the frame indicates to me that it is what is called a large frame Model 1900.
I read some other posts by 32 Magnum and have heard he is the go to guy on H&Rs.
32 Magnum. If you see this, do you know if in order to replace my firing pin spring I have to remove both the trigger and trigger guard, which are held by a small drift pin, and then remove a larger drift pin that retains the hammer. The later ones had firing pin screws inserted from the top of the reciever. Mine is inserted on the bottom of what I call the breech block. While the trigger pin was easy to drift out, the hammer pin doesn't want to budge. I am wondering if it was peened over to prevent the pin from coming loose.
Do you have any advice as to how to remove the triigger drift pin. I imagine I could try heating the reciever or drilling out the center of the pin while being careful not to enlarge the pin hole on that side of the reciever. Of course before screwing the pin up beyond use I would get one from NUMRICH.
The hammer pin for my large frame is still available for a wopping $1.75 from Numrich. Here is a link to the parts schematic. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=8079
I read some other posts by 32 Magnum and have heard he is the go to guy on H&Rs.
32 Magnum. If you see this, do you know if in order to replace my firing pin spring I have to remove both the trigger and trigger guard, which are held by a small drift pin, and then remove a larger drift pin that retains the hammer. The later ones had firing pin screws inserted from the top of the reciever. Mine is inserted on the bottom of what I call the breech block. While the trigger pin was easy to drift out, the hammer pin doesn't want to budge. I am wondering if it was peened over to prevent the pin from coming loose.
Do you have any advice as to how to remove the triigger drift pin. I imagine I could try heating the reciever or drilling out the center of the pin while being careful not to enlarge the pin hole on that side of the reciever. Of course before screwing the pin up beyond use I would get one from NUMRICH.
The hammer pin for my large frame is still available for a wopping $1.75 from Numrich. Here is a link to the parts schematic. http://www.gunpartscorp.com/catalog/Products.aspx?catid=8079
As it turns out, I was at my son's house today and he has come into possession of an old Model 12 WInchester in 20 gauge. We took it down and measured the chamber. It's chambered for 2 1/2 inch shells.
So, on coming home, I did an internet search, and found some.
It's called Gamebore Ammunition and it's available in various shot sizes in 12 and 20 gauge. I may have to order a case for my son's 20 gauge.
So, on coming home, I did an internet search, and found some.
It's called Gamebore Ammunition and it's available in various shot sizes in 12 and 20 gauge. I may have to order a case for my son's 20 gauge.
TheKlawMan
Moderator
Edsal, Per oneounceload's suggestion on what I might try in my Model 1911 "look at Polywad or RST for low pressure "vintager" loads". The proglem with mine has to do with the firing pin not retracting into the breech block after taking as shot due to a broken firing pin spring. Is yours ok as far as that goes?
Klawman,
Sorry for delay in responding - HOLIDAY stuff intervened. Also, thanks for the nice words - I try my best to help out with H&R stuff, to the limit of my knowledge - which is limited pretty much to the outsides. Looking at my examples of the Model 1900 - I don't see an easy way to remove the firing pin. There has to be a pin or screw somewhere that will release the spring mounted firing pin, but where that is, I can't determine.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Let us know how you make out - I'll make sure to file any info you provide - hopefully can help someone in the future.
Sorry for delay in responding - HOLIDAY stuff intervened. Also, thanks for the nice words - I try my best to help out with H&R stuff, to the limit of my knowledge - which is limited pretty much to the outsides. Looking at my examples of the Model 1900 - I don't see an easy way to remove the firing pin. There has to be a pin or screw somewhere that will release the spring mounted firing pin, but where that is, I can't determine.
Sorry I can't be of more help. Let us know how you make out - I'll make sure to file any info you provide - hopefully can help someone in the future.
TheKlawMan
Moderator
Thanks 32 Magnum. I would post what I got from Numrich but it may be a copyright violation (not the free schematic). It provides that on some models the pin is internal and accessed by removing the tgrigger guard.
The trigger and trigger guard is easily removed bt tapping out a drift pin. Still, while I can see the head of the firing pin screw and I can get the blade of a screwdriver on it, I have been unable to get it to budge but I am being careful not to round off the slot for a common screwdriver blade.
I am going to try penetrting oil and modifying a basic screwdriver shank and then try to remove it. (This would be a cinch if it was on top of the breech.)
The better method might be to remove the hammer, which I attempted, as it impinges on access to the firing pin screw. What I thought is another drift pin, and it is clearly shown in the picture you provided, doesn't want to budge. I wonder if it isn't jusst pressed into place but if the ends are peened over. I have only tried tapping it out with a drift pin and it is possible it comes out with something like a gear puller.
Looking again at your picture, there is a difference between it and mine. They both have a barrel pin with hinged toggle that folds down into a recess cut in the side of the receiver. However, mine is circular while yours is more of a rectangle with rounded corners.
As for getting back to me quickly, don't be silly. I am asking you for help and expect you have other things to do with the holidays.
Thanks.
The trigger and trigger guard is easily removed bt tapping out a drift pin. Still, while I can see the head of the firing pin screw and I can get the blade of a screwdriver on it, I have been unable to get it to budge but I am being careful not to round off the slot for a common screwdriver blade.
I am going to try penetrting oil and modifying a basic screwdriver shank and then try to remove it. (This would be a cinch if it was on top of the breech.)
The better method might be to remove the hammer, which I attempted, as it impinges on access to the firing pin screw. What I thought is another drift pin, and it is clearly shown in the picture you provided, doesn't want to budge. I wonder if it isn't jusst pressed into place but if the ends are peened over. I have only tried tapping it out with a drift pin and it is possible it comes out with something like a gear puller.
Looking again at your picture, there is a difference between it and mine. They both have a barrel pin with hinged toggle that folds down into a recess cut in the side of the receiver. However, mine is circular while yours is more of a rectangle with rounded corners.
As for getting back to me quickly, don't be silly. I am asking you for help and expect you have other things to do with the holidays.
Thanks.