Greetings, new member but former guest who just acquired an older H&R with two barrels.
I had been intrigued by the little gun for some time and am not new to switch barrels, I shoot Dan Wesson revolvers (for which I have a total of 12 different barrels), I shoot a .400 Corbon and .45 ACP out of a Ruger P90 and have a Keltec P11 with the P40 conversion and .357 Sig barrrel. Even have the .30 Luger barrel for the 9mm Ruger P89.
I also shoot and reload for a S&W Model 500 in 500 S&W and was interested in acquiring a rifle in the same caliber for range fun, since I already have the mold, sizer, gas checks, dies and such I figured it to be an easier addition than moving to a new caliber in the NEF.
So, a few days ago, I spotted an H&R in a pawn shop sitting all by itself with a 30-30 barrel on it. Slight freckling, pristine bore, rear sight spring broken so the fold over sight just kinda flopped around, pallet wood stock and forend that looked like a poor grade of 2x4 that was dipped in a cherry stain and had a couple of gouges but overall it looked as if it would clean up well. And, the tag had a note that it came with a 20 gauge barrel (slightly more freckled with rust but bright shiny bore and no pits) and, the best partis, it was priced at $139.00. Total out the door was just under $150.00 for the combo.
Marked on the side is " Model 058 Harrington and Richardson, Inc. Gardner, Mass. Made in USA US Patent No 3988848 Ser No AZ51249X" which tells me it was one of the last of the cast iron frames and was made in 1985. Twenty minutes with some RemOil and 0000 steel wool lightly scrubbing cleaned off the surface rust leaving it looking like new, the case hardened frame looks NIB as well. I found a Lyman flip sight that was identical to the broken one and replaced it and ran a 1/4-28 bolt down the stud to clean up the threads where the screw had been cross threaded.
Even though I'm not going to be able to switch to any high pressure barrels, I'm pleased with it for the price. I took it out to the range and checked it for function, the 30-30 was grouping around 1-1/2" at 50 yards while the 20 gage kept a coke can rolling out to about 40 yards. I really liked the ease of handling, the short, light carry weight and the overall ease of shouldering. Trigger was'nt a match grade but certainly acceptable and a good crisp let off so, all in all, I consider this one to be a keeper so far.
As a newbie to the Handi Rifle game though, I do have some questions. They are:
1. The 30-30 barrel is drilled and tapped for a scope mount (3 holes over the chamber area) which I presume is factory. Are all NEF/H&R scope bases the same contour or will I need to hunt and try until I find one? Alternately, does anyone make aperture rear sight or fiber optic sights that fit factory dovetail or the scope mount holes?
2. What is the difference between the Model 058 and the Model 158? Was one a shotgun and one a rifle like the SB1 & SB2 ? Is there any issues with a rifle with a shotgun barrel or a shotgun with a rifle barrel other than the cast iron frame and pressure issues of larger caliber barrels ?
3. I read in the Forum that there were .410 barrels and .22 Jet barrels as well as the 20 gauge and 30-30 barrels that I have. Are there any other barrels that are associated with the Model 058 that I could look for with a reasonable chance that I will be able to fit them at home without a lot of trouble?
I think I did well with this little rifle and have probably caught that HandiHaulic bug you guys keep talking about................................
Appreciate responses and help,
Dan R
