NEF .243 handi rifle - breaches open when fired

[wc1231]

Hey, I bought a NEF handi-rifle for my youngest son. I saw it and thought it looked cool and was agreat idea for him to hunt with. I fired it this weekend and as soon as it fired, it breached open. I extracted the casing and fired it again, it breached open again just as soon as it fired. I was very disappointed. Ser number indicates it is a year 2002 model. anyone had this issue?? thanks

[peternap]

Best guess is that you had oil on the latch or shelf. There is some information about this in the Faq's and a recent thread about popping open.

Clean the latch and barrel shelf. Make sure they are completely dry with NO oil. I expect the problem will go away.

[Cottonwood]

You know Peternap, the guy that sold me my 7mm-08 happen to say to keep that area oiled up.  Now I knew this was wrong from reading the FAQ's, as well as being a previous owner of several H&R Handi Rifles before.

[wc1231]

great advice - I appreciate the help. I talked to NEF/HR tech at the manufacturer and he indicated it may be "The Barrel catch or Transfer Bar" didnt see those on the parts list (ha). I will clean the gun real good again and see if that helps - will shoot it tonight. thanks

[quickdtoo]

Welcome!!!! Read the Pop Open Medicine thread in the FAQs, most of the time pop opens are caused by the shooter, but the barrel could also have been fitted poorly at the factory, or it may not have been fitted at all, are the last 3 digits of the frame serial number engraved on the left side of the underlug? If the numbers don't match, someone has swapped barrels on it, if that's the case, you can fit it yourself using the barrel fitting info in the FAQs. 

Tim