Author Topic: Handi Overall (Read 1271 times)

dw06 · « **on:** January 23, 2009, 03:33:35 PM »

Ok guys, you see the post good or bad all the time about the Handi rifle. So question is how do you feel overall about the Handi rifle, good or bad? Me, I'm down to two both in 223, one standard and one bull barrel. Very pleased with both, but I do some tricks like the o-ring in forend, and few others. Overall I'm very happy with mine, and on down the road would like to add a 30-30 and maybe a 7-08. I think they are hard to beat for the $$, and if you do get a bad one you can get rid of it and get another one without losing an arm & leg.
So come on, tell us your experience with the Handi rifle good or bad.

SM Bob · « **Reply #1 on:** January 23, 2009, 05:27:20 PM »

+1 DW06!
Most nice commercial hunting rifles are way out of my league, price
wise. $700? $900? $1200? I'm sorry, but I refuse to pay that for a
rifle. That's not even counting the scope! I don't know about you,
but if I ever payed $1000 for a rifle, chances are a $120 scope won't
get it done. You are most likely looking at putting a nice $400-
$500 Leupold or something similar on that bad boy, not counting
the mounts and rings. I'm not saying a H&R is just as good as a
high end rifle costing that much or more. I am saying for that price
I could have several H&R's in different calibers with some decent glass
on each one of them and I'll have more fun shooting them than I would
that expensive high end rifle that I would have 2+2 heart attacks if
it ever so much as got a scratch in the stock! With minimal tinkering
the H&R can most of the time shoot well enough to satisfy my needs
and then some. Plus I'll still have money left over for things like dies,
bullets, brass, scopes, rings, and other components. I for one enjoy
working on them. I know some nay sayers out there criticize the
"audacity"

that you might have to even have to lift a finger (I.E.
spending $5 or less, on a tube of RTV and $1 on a roll of masking tape for
bedding the forend that takes less than 30 minutes work, not counting
overnight drying of the RTV. And $10 on a stone to do your own trigger
job that takes far less than an hour to do from start to finish to get a $250
single shot rifle with a $120 scope to shoot .375" 3 shot rapid fire groups
at 100 yards off of the bench.

The fact is these "nay sayers" are just
jealous. The guys here on this forum are a outstanding group that will always
go out of their way to help you with just about any problem you might
encounter with your H&R. The ultimate support group!

It's not always
about how much $ you spend. It's about how much fun and satisfaction
you get for the $ you do spend, in my opinion. There is nothing more
satisfying than to out shoot someone at the range who has out spent you
3 to 1 on their Remchesterbyuger with a "Professionally" installed high dollar
scope up against your "poor little H&R."

" Sorry for being long winded,
but that's how I feel about my Handi's.

Robert

Spanky · « **Reply #2 on:** January 23, 2009, 05:48:51 PM »

You'll look long and hard to find an off the shelf rifle that'll outshoot a 30-30 Handi.

Spanky

revbc · « **Reply #3 on:** January 23, 2009, 06:02:15 PM »

I agree with Robert. I could own maybe one real fancy rifle and do have a *avage and a *ncore stainless, (don't think they qualify as fancy though). However my Handi's (plural) are the most fun, also have a bull barrel 308 that will shoot the socks off a lot of rifles. They just shoot good, sometimes with a little tweaking, but that is what makes them fun.

My 2 cents.

Bobby

trotterlg · « **Reply #4 on:** January 23, 2009, 07:40:54 PM »

I think they have a long ways to go to get them to be an "out of the box shooter" like a Savage or Stevens will be. They are cheap and fun to play with, I have a few, but when I need to shoot a rifle that will always put the bullet where I aim it I go with the Savage. I mostly think of these as "hobby" guns that you play with to get them them to work like you think they should, some do and some don't, but people seem to like to try, and go to great lengths to make it happen. They are fun and cheap, there are millions of them out there in Pawn Shops, you may even find one that is really great, but then it is all just a great adventure to see what you can get your Handi to do. They do fill a nitch market along with the Rossi's, which do not seem to have the following, but their prices are much cheaper, and it they had a barrel program I think they would kick butt. I'll keep working with my Handi's in search of the perfect single shot rifle. Larry

gendoc · « **Reply #5 on:** January 24, 2009, 01:15:33 AM »

my wife asked me one time..(how come you always hunt with them single shots, when you have all them other high dollar bolts and semi autos?)
my answer was--- hey!!! as long as they fill the freezer, what difference does it make.
then she said..(then sell them others cause your running out of storage room)
then my answer was-- why don't you buy me a 48 gun fire safe and you can use the 24 gun safe for your stuff...
WELL, I DON'T NEED TO TELL Y'ALL WHAT SHE TOLD ME I COULD DO WITH MYSELF

so far i've had very good luck with all my handi's and like previous said-- there fun and enjoyable shooters
i think i'll keep'um.
oh-yeah!! BTW-- I GOT A HANDI WIFE FOR SALE!!!

GOOD DAY ALL!!!!

Badnews Bob · « **Reply #6 on:** January 24, 2009, 01:36:53 AM »

I have more than a couple and the reasons, For the dollars spent they are the most fun firearms I own. Period. They all shoot well enuff to put meat in the freezer and I like tinkering with them. Although the .357s and the .45-70 didn't need any tinkering, They just are shooters.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #7 on:** January 24, 2009, 01:38:16 AM »

What SM Bob said cept "3 shot rapid fire groups " did you really say that about a Handi.

Kurt

JamesIII · « **Reply #8 on:** January 24, 2009, 02:32:06 AM »

Why a Handi, because I enjoy shooting! If it was not for H&R or Rossi type companies I would only be able to afford one or two high priced firearms. With my Handi's I can enjoy shooting many different calibers that would otherwise be out of my reach. I am not a high volume shooter and will certainly never wear out a firearm, I also do not shoot competitvely, just for fun and hunting. That is what the break open single shot was designed for. JamesIII

SM Bob · « **Reply #9 on:** January 24, 2009, 02:57:32 AM »

Quote from: PHATINJUN on January 24, 2009, 01:38:16 AM

What SM Bob said cept "3 shot rapid fire groups " did you really say that about a Handi. Kurt

By that I mean as fast as I could load, aim, and squeeze off each round.
None of this let it cool for 5 minutes in between shots stuff.

Robert

double R · « **Reply #10 on:** January 24, 2009, 03:05:22 AM »

I own two handi's would not get rid of either one.Gave my kids my boltguns.I think they are fun to shoot.They put meat in the freezer every year.What more could a man ask for.

Big Blue · « **Reply #11 on:** January 24, 2009, 03:36:13 AM »

The biggest advantage in my mind that the Handi had over most other rifles was the low cost. When Savage released their Stevens 200 line, it could be had for about the same price as a Handi, but it was in my experience a much more accurate rifle, out of the box. H+R/NEF made many improvements after Marlin bought them. Better triggers, better quality control, more choices with stocks and calibers, but all these improvements and options cost money and drove up the price of the Handi to the point where we now see Ultra Varmints Hunters selling for better than $350. While I think many of the newer model Handi rifles are both beautiful and desirable, I think their real niche still lies with the basic Handi rifle at entry level prices.
I like to tinker with guns and the Handi, for the most part, needs a bit of tinkering to make it the best it can be. That is one attraction for me in a Handi rifle. I have also always liked to hunt with a single shot rifle and most other single shot rifles are still easily double the price of a Handi. The shorter overall length of a Handi compared to the same barrel length bolt action is also a big plus for me.
Right now I'm in the process of building a Handi on a receiver that I bought for $15. I had to change many internal parts and refinish the receiver. I'll have to send for a barrel and would like to get a nice laminate stock, so by time I'm done I'll probably have put about to $300 into the rifle, but I'll have the satisfaction of having built it the way I wanted it and the enjoyment of tinkering with it.
Don

wreckhog · « **Reply #12 on:** January 24, 2009, 04:20:28 AM »

I like accurate rifles that "takedown" and fit into small packages. $1k+ AR15's in a varmint configuration fit that mold. I am trying to see if Handis do too. They are cheaper initially, but once you add $400 of scope and rings, it is not as big a difference as one would hope.....lol I actually find them more difficult to work on than AR's, but not by much. I'd like to get one in .22LR and see how it does at 100yards+. That and an Ultra Comp would keep me busy for a while.

coop2564 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 24, 2009, 04:31:25 AM »

I've got 2 one a SL 243 will barely hit a barn, the other 308 with a lot of work is shooting very well. Neither shot worth a darn out of the box!

gendoc · « **Reply #14 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:31:17 AM »

Quote from: SM Bob on January 24, 2009, 02:57:32 AM

Quote from: PHATINJUN on January 24, 2009, 01:38:16 AM
What SM Bob said cept "3 shot rapid fire groups " did you really say that about a Handi. Kurt

By that I mean as fast as I could load, aim, and squeeze off each round.
None of this let cool for 5 minutes in between shots stuff.

Robert

AIN'T THAT THE TRUTH

Guy Pike · « **Reply #15 on:** January 24, 2009, 06:52:00 AM »

gendoc, Pm me with details on the wife for sale, Guy

gendoc · « **Reply #16 on:** January 24, 2009, 07:18:48 AM »

i ain't got to pm ya----what kinda handi stuff you got to trade

petemi · « **Reply #17 on:** January 24, 2009, 10:17:16 AM »

I agree with Badnewsbob. The .357 and .45-70 are my best shooters. The .45-70 was bought "like new used" and the ejector barrel was traded with Rex666 for an extractor barrel. It shot superbly before and after the barrel swap. The .357 was pieced together and has been a tack driver from the git go. I haven't tweaked either one. The two rifles are like good bird dogs........they seem to just want to do their job. I know it's not a centerfire, but my .17HMR is in the same league. Yesterday I shot the head off a pigeon at 125 yards and dusted the one behind it.

It seems finding the right ammo is a big factor. For example, my .357 shoots 158 gr. SJSPs superbly, but I had fliers with 125 gr. ammo. The .45-70 started out eating Hornady 325 gr. Leverevolutions and I never had reason to change her diet.

I don't shoot the "06, 7mm-08 and .22-250 enough to sort out the best ammo for them, but as soon as the snow gets out of here around July or August, I will!

Pete

handipardner · « **Reply #18 on:** January 24, 2009, 02:10:08 PM »

handi in action

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/One+Shot%252C+One+Stag?packedargs=pagenum%3D1

sooter · « **Reply #19 on:** January 24, 2009, 03:49:47 PM »

Quote from: Spanky on January 23, 2009, 05:48:51 PM

You'll look long and hard to find an off the shelf rifle that'll outshoot a 30-30 Handi.

Spanky

I agree with Spanky 1000%

hawken54 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 25, 2009, 01:45:04 PM »

i am new to the world of handi rifles. the first one i bought was a 22 hornet, because i had always wanted a rifle of this caliber but could not afford the price of most rifles so chambered. already have had a ball shooting it iron sighted and at 50 yards shoots almost exactly to point of aim with factory remington 45 grain hollow points. i love this little rounds lack of blast so i can shoot it out back of the house with out causing alot of grief from neighbors. then the handi bug bit and after reading all the great posts on this site i have since added a 45/70 and now i'm seriously in love with the handi rifles, just shot the 45/70 this weekend and with the 325 grain leverevolution rounds shot 1.5 inch group at 50 yards cant wait to hunt with this gun. i think for the price you cant beat the handi rifles. my next project will be putting a peep on the 45/70. thanks Donnie

burntmuch · « **Reply #21 on:** January 25, 2009, 04:27:39 PM »

I just thinned my handis back a bit. All Ive got left are 357 max & 45-70. Soon to have a 12 guage tracker They both shoot great easy to reload for . & they carry great in the woods.

JerryKo · « **Reply #22 on:** January 26, 2009, 06:51:49 AM »

Quote from: handipardner on January 24, 2009, 02:10:08 PM

handi in action

http://www.gunsandammomag.com/cs/Satellite/IMO_GA/Story_C/One+Shot%252C+One+Stag?packedargs=pagenum%3D1

"Mine was a Synthetic variation featuring blued steel and a black polymer stock with a 22-inch barrel and an overall length of 38 inches. There are no iron sights; the rifle comes equipped with a scope-mounting rail." Quoted from Gunsandammo article.

Must have substituted photos in his article because they are of a blued and wood Handi.

Jerry

Sensai · « **Reply #23 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:18:24 AM »

They're just plain fun!!! I enjoy working on/tinkering with them almost as much as shooting them. I'll try a little home brewed gunsmithing on my handi rifles that I wouldn't even consider doing on my high $ bolt guns. If I do something wrong, it'll make me soooo depressed that I'll have to go buy another one, just to make myself feel better.

Gary

Swampman · « **Reply #24 on:** January 26, 2009, 08:49:38 AM »

All of mine have been good shooters & have given no trouble.