Harrington & Richardson 999: Hot Auction

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Drakejake

New member
Auction Arms had a like new H & R model 999 Sportsman, top-break, nine shot revolver. I though I was going to get it, but a couple of other bidders came on strong at the end, drove the price way up, and took it away from me. But I will keep on looking for this quaint revolver. This is a cheap firearm which cost $100 or less when it was new, but it has gotten a couple of favorable mentions in the gun press and seems to be acquiring collector interest.

Drakejake
 
I have one, which I believe to be of early '60's vintage. It is an extremely accurate and well made revolver. There are only two handguns which I use routinely to shoot targets at 50 yards - an S&W 686 6" and the H&R 999. I've never really felt the need to have another .22 handgun. There are plenty of them out there, so don't get too crazy with the auctions. If I wanted another one, I'd keep my eye on private sales; there are alot of these guns in sock drawers and nightstands, wrapped in silicone rags, just waiting to be born again.
vanfunk
 
I have a 999 and its a good gun. I have thousands of rounds through it and it looks like new. It has always been under rated. It is a quality gun and it is very attractive. Mine has a case hardened finish.
 
With the 999, you had to get lucky. While it was top of the line for H&R, they seldom seemed to be able to drill all the cylinder holes pointing in the same direction. When they did luck out and get it right, the guns were good shooters in spite of a so-so SA trigger pull and a pretty bad DA.

Jim
 
I have a love hate w/ My H&R;

Dang thing is flat out THE best shooter I have ever encountered. It is also the ugliest handgun I have. I’ve shot several dime sized 9 shot groups w/ mine at 25 YARDS with Green Tag! Mine is a very old Sportsman with an 8-9 oz single action trigger. I think it is the precursor of the 999. It is only single action, has a front sight that is adjustable for elevation, and has HUGE checkered stocks. I wish I liked its looks better, guess pretty is as pretty does.
 
There's good guns, pretty guns, good n pretty guns, ugly guns, bad guns.

But no ugly good guns. A good gun just is. Pretty or not.

Sam
 
Hi, 10mmman,

The 199 Sportsman and Super Sportsman were a different ball game, along with the USRA single shot. But at the time they were made, H&R was competitive with about anyone on quality, if not on design. But as things got tight after WWII, quality suffered and they tried to cut corners. While some of the changes (use of wire and coil springs, for example) improved the product, worn machinery took its toll on quality and accuracy.

Jim
 
I'm glad I located this thread. I was looking for a place to get info on my H&R 949 when I found this forum.

My mother bought the gun for my dad some thirty years ago and I always loved that gun. He passed away in 1989 and I inherited his gun collection including the 949.

Although the 949's may not be a very popular gun, or even a very well made gun, mine shoots very well and has a pretty good trigger. Could be better but not really necessary.

Does anyone here own a 949 or know much about them? I would like to know more about this piece.


thanks,
double_tap

(Oops...had to change my original post from 929 to 949. Too many models numbers to keep up with.)
 
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Always thought that one of these would be fun. About five years ago saw one on a table at a show with a $65 price tag on it. For some reason I passed and kept walking. Got about 30 feet before I realized the mistake I had made. Too late.
 
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