Picked up a beautiful laminate H&R Handi-rifle in .22wmr yesterday. I don't have a scope set up on it yet, and I mostly snagged it for the extra receiver to build off of. Simple, sturdy, reliable, cheap, and available in a ton of calibers, I'm sold on these firearms. My collection of guns has become really simplified in the past two years, and the Handis are part of the reason. Finding extra barrels for these rifles is easy online, and for the most part, the newer ones let you plug-and-play the barrel swaps. There is a wealth of info at the
Graybeard Forums and a very decent classified section. I do wish there were more aftermarket accessories made for these. Understandably, the pool of people looking to modify a $200 gun is probably pretty shallow. You could very quickly exceed the value of the firearm with upgrades!
The price on Handi-rifles has risen in the past year. The prevailing theory is that the inexpensive bolt action rifles, such as the Ruger American, are going to push break action, single shot rifles further into obscurity. I could maybe see this being the case, but as long as this action design has been around, I am pretty sure it will endure. The H&R is a rifle made for specific types of shooter - beginners, tinkerers, and surprisingly I am not the only person who is simply a fan of their traditional and straightforward style. I've owned bolt rifles, semi-auto rifles, lever actions rifles, and certainly enough tactical style firearms. Lever actions and H&Rs are the only ones I've really cared to own more than one of at a time.
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| A new caliber for me too - .22WMR |
My other Handi is the one that went with me on my recent first hunt. It started as a heavy barrel .223. I traded the .223 barrel for a 30/30 barrel with a great set of aperture sights on it, and also immediately purchased a 20ga barrel. The stock was the traditional style and made with a wood of indeterminate origin. To be able to get on the shotgun bead sight, I had to cut down the Monte Carlo style cheekpiece and also converted the pistol grip to a straight grip. The refinishing job I did on the stock was adequate, if a bit amateur, but it lets the shooter use the sights to actually aim - a definite plus for any gun!
Nice guns! I really like H&R for the same reasons. I had a .30-06/20ga combo back when I lived in the states. Really solid gun.
ReplyDeleteI also had a Rossi .22LR/12 ga. Lower fit and finish quality, but still a decent gun.
The simplicity and reliability of these guns really appeals to me!
BTW, I like the new look to the blog. :)
I looked at the Rossi's too because that "Trifecta" they make is a pretty appealing setup. Good to know you liked yours. I'll probably make that my son's first gun since it comes with a .22 too. That's my one complaint so far with the H&Rs - that you can't swap the barrels for a .22lr.
ReplyDeleteHow are the firearms law in Finland? Pretty open in regard to long guns?
A Rossi is a perfect starter gun for kids. Simple, durable etc. Plus, not expensive at all. And as you mentioned, it's nice that there's a .22 option.
DeleteIf you are a Finnish citizen (which I am not), it's relative easy to get guns. You have to have a "valid reason" to get one. If you don't hunt, sport shoot or can't verify that you need it for self defense, you can just join a local "gun club", which is very easy and cheap to do. That's the quickest and easiest way. Not being a citizen, I can't own guns, but I have friends and in-laws who have guns for various purposes, and there are no laws against me shooting other people's guns. :)