Single shot shoulda...

[maxcactus]

With the bankruptcy & dissolution of the Big Green Monster (Remington) and the acquisition of Marlin by Ruger, has anyone heard of what is to become of H & R 1871/NEF single shot rifles? I have one in . 308 Win that is great fun and has a fantastic trigger. I procrastinated purchasing additional barrels when that program was available and looking at their website now, it appears that it hasn't been updated in a LONG time (they're showing a 2014 catalog available). Other info on their site is similarly outdated and scant. I know Marlin purchased H & R before Remington acquired Marlin so... it's a little murky trying to figure out where things stand. Do you think we'll ever see these affordable single shots again?


Does anyone have any experience with the Henry single shot rifles? Opinions?

TIA,
Max

[Encore64]

I've played with them quite a bit and they're excellent.

Just spoke with Jack Huntington a few minutes ago. I sent my Henry 30-30 barrel to him for rechambering to Ackley Improved.

Don't think you'd every regret adding these rifles.

[bradshaw]

Wouldn’t be a bad idea for the Harrington & Richardson tip-open single-shot shotgun to reappear. My understanding from Bill Ruger, Jr., H&R asked Ruger to cast frames. Ruger strengthened the late-1800’s design to take rifle cartridge pressure. I would not try this stunt on an earlier H&R tip-open.
David Bradshaw

[jeffh]

I believe it was in late 2012, when Remington shut the door on the Handi-Rifles and sold off or junked the machinery. They left the site up for a long time, as if they were still selling those rifles, but they are long gone. This was posted on Go2GBO in the H&R Centerfire Rifles subforum and Remington's H&R gunsmith told me as much himself. "Brian" was his name and he was a kind and generous fella who helped me out a few times - even searched and dug old, obsolete parts out of old, forgotten drawers and then wouldn't charge me for them.

Anyone interested in Handi Rifles at all might do well to check out that subforum. The fella who moderates it is incredibly knowledgeable about them and those who post (at least used to) contribute greatly in that knowledge too. Tim, the moderator, should write a book on them.

If you go there, check out the FAQs first. It's chock-full of great information and is a HUGE help in framing a question the FAQs may not answer. I've fitted barrel (most of which were "too long" to close, and one which was "too short"), done easy and very effective trigger jobs, converted extractor to ejector, converted ejectors from one rim size to another, etc. with a lot of help from that forum.

I was introduced to that site when I bought a .58 cal. Huntsman with a really scary trigger. I posted pictures of the hammer/trigger interface and someone was able to conclude that the trigger had been broken and reground (these are surface-hardened parts) and either he or another fella supplied a replacement. Lots and lots of help and information there.

Mr. Bradshaw, you are only the second person I have ever heard mention that Ruger was involved in the castings. I've always found that pretty impressive that at some point, they had the presence of mind to go to that master of casting for such a lowly and "cheap" gun. They really are great guns and those I've had were all very accurate.

[maxcactus]

Jeff, your response was extremely helpful, albeit disappointing. It looks as if I've got a lot of reading to do, but hopefully I'll be able to find a few barrels and get them properly fitted to my frame. Sincerely appreciate your help.

Max

[blacktailslayer]

I've got a .223 version and it is also very accurate. It is finicky with ammo, it either pierces primers or gives too light of a strike and they do not fire. The last time we had it out it didn't like to eject the empty case and I had to dig them out with a brass scraper I have in my range kit. I'll have to look up the forum and see what I can learn, thanks for telling us about the forum!


Don D.

[COR]

The rifle I have was actually one of the “Ultra” rifles and chambered in .270, this is my one and only .270. This is a gun that was a gift in 2003 from my mother. It meant a lot to me for her to buy that as she is not at all gun savvy. She knew I liked Single action revolvers and well, she said this was juat like it...to make a long story shorter, it shoots great and is a very handy 22” barrel that is actually shorter than my 45/70 guide gun. The action IS a “single action” and its an easy trigger to get to a light crisp break, mine is a but light at 2.5 but its crisp. Only downside has been with reloads you cannot go real hot without a range rod, the barrel will take it but the ejector struggles. This was mostly when my loads we 60plus grains of 4831 (under a 140 Fail safe)type powders when the ejector struggled. Accuracy is as good as any factory gun in a really slick and “Handi” budget package.... I did not know about the production until seeing this.

[x101airborne]

I have several I bought back in the late 90's and early 00's when they brought about 150 bucks used around here. I even bought a "Buffalo Classic" for 250 bucks back in the day. Hornady Leverevolution ammo educated me as to why it was sold cheap. You are going to feel a little pressure.

My favorite is a 7mm-08 with a cheap Simmons scope. Shoots MOA with Remington 140 Cor-lok bullets. A great companion for coyotes and hogs while riding fences on the ranch.

[needsmostuff]

Kind of like Dan Wessons in that you may be spinning your wheels trying to find and fit spare barrels .
Cheaper and easier to find whole guns .
But you had better hurry up as they are disappearing rapidly and being hoarded.
Henry LOOKS like a nice gun on the computer but I never see one available anywhere ?

[maxcactus]

These responses are helpful, but really making me feel stupid for not taking advantage of the barrel accessory program while it existed. I paid $150 for my H&R 20 years ago. Additional rifle barrels were @ $150 then and shotgun barrels under $100. I wish I'd purchased & had fitted a half dozen.

[scotth]

i had a 22 hornet and a 357 mag fitted later i reamed the 357 mag to a max. i sure miss the good old days.

[bamagreg]

I sold my H&R “Ultra” in 25-06 a few days ago. Lock-up was a little loose but it shot great.