Is it safe to buy a Handi-Rifle?

S

Shooter2675

New member
I've been wanting a .45-70 rifle but can't justify spending $650 on a Marlin M1895. I have been looking at the H&R Handi rifle, but am worried that if anything goes wrong with it, I will be out of luck because H&R is discontinuing the Handi-Rifle (or so I have heard). Anyone have any thoughts on the Handi Rifle and if it would be safe to buy, as I do not want to have a gun that has no warranty service?

John
 
Theres a cult-like following over on greybeard outdoors. A plethora of info.

I'd say theyre safe purchases. Not much goes wrong with them. They're pretty basic and theres tons around.
 
Ok, that's good to here. But I am a little worried about H&R discontinuing them. If my gun has a problem, even if it is unlikely, what would I do?

John
 
A factory rep told me last Fall that parts would be available for the Handis for a while, and the H&R brand is not entirely gone, so you should be OK.

Best to pick up a few spare parts for the gun, if you get one, just to be safe.
Denis
 
+1

Make sure you get a spare crossbolt (? I think it's called, the one that holds the gun together). Those tend to break on break action firearms, can't really think of anything else. A spare hammer maybe. Maybe a spare forend but that might be a stretch. Maybe someone can add some more suggestions.
 
If there is a "safety" issue...don't buy! What is your purpose for buying such a rifle?...protection, ownership, etc.? That should drive your purchase, but for a good reason other than "having something cheap."
 
I work as a gunsmith..we see them occasionally. Usual problem is a breakage of the latching mechanism (the teeth fall off and you cannot OPEN it...or the sear or sear surface on the hammer shears off. I HAVE had one in with a transfer bar that broke.

for spares, I'd basically get one complete set of guts to include the PLASTIC (:( )trigger guard, additional to that, 2 latches, a hammer, 2 transfer bars and a trigger.

Should set you up for several lifetimes.

YMMV
 
Ok, that's good to here. But I am a little worried about H&R discontinuing them. If my gun has a problem, even if it is unlikely, what would I do?
Click to expand...
Repair it yourself, or take it to a gunsmith.


A factory rep told me last Fall that parts would be available for the Handis for a while, and the H&R brand is not entirely gone, so you should be OK.
Click to expand...
That may be situational, if at all true now.
I have read several reports of H&R already turning away warranty claims, with either, "We no longer have the parts" or "We no longer offer repair services." ...Followed by, "You should contact a qualified gunsmith and check with Gunpartscorp.com or 24hourcampfire.com for the necessary repair parts."

"Marlin" has been doing the same for the X7s, for several months, now.
 
Anything & everything can change overnight, I'm just passing on what the rep's saying for right now. :)
Denis
 
Just for clarification:

H&R has long been dead. The successor company is/was NEF (new england firearms) They were acquired by Remington and as of 27 Feb 15, were shut down.

If you have a Handi, it will last a long long time. But parts are no longer available from NEF and Gunparts(Numrich) is selling out quick. There is no more warranty service, unless you get very lucky and they start answering their phone or returning emails.

On the bright side, there are many died in the wool Handi bots that will keep their guns running for a long time. The prices are going up on both complete rifles and spare barrels.
 
H&R has long been dead. The successor company is/was NEF (new england firearms) They were acquired by Remington and as of 27 Feb 15, were shut down.
Click to expand...
If you want to get technical, Harrington and Richardson 1871 was the last official name of the company, with New England Firearms and Harrington and Richardson Manufacturing under that pseudo-umbrella (NEF being stamped on fewer and fewer products, over the years). H&R 1871 was owned by Marlin, and Marlin was acquired by Freedom Group under the guise of a Remington purchase.


Tracking H&R's history is about like trying to figure out who used to own Maserati. (The answer is, "just about everybody.")
 
March 3:

"The single-shot rifles and shotguns are discontinued. The Pardner Pump and Excell Auto, which are imported, will continue on. We have no plans at all to stop making those under the H&R brand."

Direct from Ilion, latest word I have.
Denis
 
Checked again this morning-
They'll still be doing repairs, parts still available.

"Yes, we are doing repairs, etc. We would not strand the customer like that."

How long, nobody can say. :)
Denis
 
So, will they be introducing a new rifle line in place if this? Like a bolt action? I thought a good deal of their sales came from the Handi-Rifles.
 
The only thing that really fails is the transfer bar and it's not really a weak part. I've heard of guys making their own transfer bar from hand tools so it should be a snap for gunsmith.

Install a set of Wolf springs and order a spare set then get a spare transfer bar and odds are you'll never need the spares but it's nice to know they're there if you need them.

BTW, the .45-70 Handi is considered the pick of the litter...

Tony
 
Mo,
All I'm getting re plans is that they couldn't make a profit on the breaktops any longer & were dropping those, the two imports I mentioned are continuing.
I don't know if they have any thoughts of doing anything else with the brand.

Frankensonofpeder,
You are entirely welcome. :)


Geeze,
I could not get my .45-70 Handi to shoot lead worth a flying hoot, sold it. :)

I've requested a couple firing pins, couple extractors, couple transfer bars, couple latch levers, a hammer & a trigger.
Just to have on hand for my Sportster .22.
Nice little gun, want to keep it going for a few years.
Denis
 
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