Author Topic: Old NEF revolver? (Read 1073 times)

kevthebassman · « **on:** March 25, 2008, 12:50:06 PM »

I was mulling about the gun store today when I ran across an older double action revolver in .32 H&R. I took a closer look and saw that it was a 5 shot NEF. Has anyone had any experience with these? It is in good condition and priced for $210. Is that about right?

I was thinking it would be a good gun for a friend of mine to keep in her apartment and car for self defense and the price is in her range.

MSP Ret · « **Reply #1 on:** March 25, 2008, 01:26:55 PM »

personally I think they are for collectors only and as far as a personal defense weapons they are junk. You should be able to get something much better for the money. Years ago some SOB sold my kid sister one for "defense" when she was traveling across country by herself. He told her it was a fine American made weapon and just as good a a S&W or Colt and cheaper. I wish to this day I could get my hands on him and I would show him just what it was good for. Well that's my opinion for what it's worth. I was given a big brown paper bag full of old H&R's, American Bulldogs and such. Many of them shoot though and on a good day they are good for paperweights..<><....

canon6 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 25, 2008, 01:34:47 PM »

What MSP Ret said, they are at best marginal for anything, and ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR SELF DEFENSE,for around the same price you should be able to get a much better piece. just my 2c Doug

kevthebassman · « **Reply #3 on:** March 25, 2008, 01:37:49 PM »

Dem's strong words! This one seemed to function perfectly but lawdy you sure seem like a man who has formed an opinion.

What other brands/models would you suggest? I'll do a gunbroker search and see what I can turn up in a similar price range. This girl is a student so funds are an issue, and I think we're sticking to revolvers because she has trouble with the slide on most pistols.

Foggy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 25, 2008, 02:31:27 PM »

S&W model 10 4" 38Spl. won't win a beauty contest but will go bang every time and hit where you point it

jm.02 worth
Foggy

canon6 · « **Reply #5 on:** March 25, 2008, 02:41:24 PM »

Take a look at cdnninvestments.com they often have used S&W's for reasonable prices. Doug

kevthebassman · « **Reply #6 on:** March 25, 2008, 02:45:15 PM »

Quote from: canon6 on March 25, 2008, 02:41:24 PM

Take a look at cdnninvestments.com they often have used S&W's for reasonable prices. Doug

It doesn't look like they've got them at the moment. I'll keep that in mind though. A S&W will be out of her price range unless it's used.

trotterlg · « **Reply #7 on:** March 25, 2008, 03:54:48 PM »

I think if I needed a gun that would work first time after laying around under the car seat for a year or so I would go with one of the two shot derringers. They are reliable and fairly cheap. Guess you could even go with a .410 which could really ruin someones day. Larry

kevthebassman · « **Reply #8 on:** March 25, 2008, 04:18:13 PM »

We saw some of those, but didn't think to take a closer look.... maybe something to think about.

Doublebass73 · « **Reply #9 on:** March 25, 2008, 04:36:08 PM »

Another vote for the model 10 S&W. They can be had for the same price as that NEF.

Cookiemann · « **Reply #10 on:** March 25, 2008, 04:46:08 PM »

My friend at work has 2 H&R/NEF 22's. They are over 30years old and see regular action. The never have failed to fire and shoot eveything he feeds them. From what I have seen, the price is in line with what they are goin for. I have never owned or fired one, just passin along what I know. Those whom I have know that have own them have like them, but none of them have owned the 32H&R mag.

cookie

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #11 on:** March 25, 2008, 06:23:02 PM »

What's the model # I got 2 model 73 NEF's 32H&Rmags I like them alot both of mine will put all 5 in 4"circle at 25yrds.Not sure of your PD needs but I'm comfortable with mine and have had no fail tofire's or timing problems. I'd offer $175 and work from there. Kurt

trotterlg · « **Reply #12 on:** March 25, 2008, 07:27:49 PM »

If your friend ever really needs it the shot will not be more than 3 feet. Larry

rex6666 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 26, 2008, 06:05:08 AM »

I have no experience with a 32mag, but think for my personal defense i need something that
makes a bigger and deeper hole than any 32 pistol i ever saw, of course i kinda like myself
and don't want any false security. You know like Peter Capstick says if it is dangerous
put big holes in it, and lots of them.

coyotejoe · « **Reply #14 on:** March 26, 2008, 07:32:31 AM »

I've owned a couple of H&R revolvers and worked on a few for others. The first handgun I ever fired was my dad's old 9 shot .22 by H&R and I would not like to trust my life to one. My dad's gun was kept clean and oiled in the kitchen cabinet and would work "mostly" but sometimes the trigger would stick to the rear and had to be pushed forward with a finger tip. I've seen several others which had the same "hang-up". Realiblity is the absolute number one consideration in a defensive weapon, accuracy and power don't amount to much if the durn thing won't work when needed. I'd take a Charter Arms over an H&R and I don't think much of them either.
The "Comanche" revolvers are made in Argentina, I think. They retail new for about $200 in .38 or .357 and from what I've seen they are not too bad. I had an "Armscore" which is a copy of the Colt Police Positive .38 and it also should retail under $200 and I had no problems with mine.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #15 on:** March 26, 2008, 08:00:28 AM »

I think some confuse the old break tops with some of the newer guns as i said mine have had no problems with at least 1000 rounds thru them but then I've also never had a problem with my terrible piece of junk worst hand gun ever made 357 Rossi. I think if you look the gun over well and make sure the timing is correct when you get it most are ok do some bad ones get thru yes but it's only bad if you bring it home with ya. I also think one part of personel protection is being completely aware of what is going on around you at all times and most people don't pay enough attention to that.If you don't do that it don't matter how well a gun shoots or how big a hole it makes it's already to late. Kurt

jdwolf · « **Reply #16 on:** March 26, 2008, 11:11:53 AM »

H&R/NEF revolvers are Hit-N-Miss. I've had several over the years. Some were pretty good plinkers, some were junk. I wouldn't stake my life on one.

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #17 on:** March 26, 2008, 01:23:29 PM »

I guess I'm just different in 1 junk always keeps me away from having several of anything. Kurt

kevthebassman · « **Reply #18 on:** March 26, 2008, 01:52:33 PM »

Quote from: PHATINJUN on March 25, 2008, 06:23:02 PM

What's the model # I got 2 model 73 NEF's 32H&Rmags I like them alot both of mine will put all 5 in 4"circle at 25yrds.Not sure of your PD needs but I'm comfortable with mine and have had no fail tofire's or timing problems. I'd offer $175 and work from there. Kurt

I couldn't say. It wasn't a break top though.

Like I said, I looked it over fairly well and was ready to give it the thumb's up for purchase, but decided to ask around first. It functioned perfectly, as far as I could tell.

Quote from: rex6666 on March 26, 2008, 06:05:08 AM

I have no experience with a 32mag, but think for my personal defense i need something that
makes a bigger and deeper hole than any 32 pistol i ever saw, of course i kinda like myself
and don't want any false security. You know like Peter Capstick says if it is dangerous
put big holes in it, and lots of them.

I definitely hear you. The problem is that this is a rather skinny lady who is a novice shooter and normally lives 200 miles away to boot. I'm not sure how she'd react to the recoil of a .38 without working her way into it with a teacher.

canon6 · « **Reply #19 on:** March 27, 2008, 03:31:08 AM »

Phatinjun, hit it on the head .When I posted a solid NO, I had based that on the "Old NEF" and I immediately envisioned the old top break revolver's.If it is a sold frame in 32 H&R, I was wrong, they are more than acceptable,

Doug

kevthebassman · « **Reply #20 on:** March 27, 2008, 07:35:05 AM »

More than acceptable.... meaning go snatch it up?

canon6 · « **Reply #21 on:** March 27, 2008, 09:06:05 AM »

IMHO yes it could be the best for the application for your friend Doug

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #22 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:05:09 PM »

If you don't have one and can find a copy of the latest American Rifleman check out the article on the .327 mag. Not for the 327 as that is gonna be pretty pricey but for the info on the 32 H&Rmag a couple of feet difference in power from the 38 and no where near the difference that you would think from the 357 mag. You can see why some justify the 32 mag as personnel defense . Hell the cops used 32's for yrs. Kurt

kevthebassman · « **Reply #23 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:09:20 PM »

Quote from: canon6 on March 27, 2008, 09:06:05 AM

IMHO yes it could be the best for the application for your friend Doug

Alright, thanks. I'll see if it's still there.

Quote from: PHATINJUN on March 27, 2008, 01:05:09 PM

If you don't have one and can find a copy of the latest American Rifleman check out the article on the .327 mag. Not for the 327 as that is gonna be pretty pricey but for the info on the 32 H&Rmag a couple of feet difference in power from the 38 and no where near the difference that you would think from the 357 mag. You can see why some justify the 32 mag as personnel defense . Hell the cops used 32's for yrs. Kurt

I think that for this particular application it will suffice. In an ideal situation I would like to get her shooting a .38, but this isn't an ideal situation.

Federal sells solids and hollowpoints for the .32 H&R mag. Which do you think would be preferable?

canon6 · « **Reply #24 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:24:36 PM »

I have fired both, IMHO, six of one half dozen of the other.I am not sure that you will get really good expansion with the hp so I would go for the soft point and go for penetration.Everything in hand gun ammo is a trade off, good luck Doug

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #25 on:** March 27, 2008, 01:47:48 PM »

Let me read the article again I believe the best PD was 85gr federal? hydrashock .it was like 40 ft # difference below 115gr 38+P Kurt

PHATINJUN · « **Reply #26 on:** March 28, 2008, 06:04:44 AM »

Here is a little info to mull over
Vel@15' Energy ft. lb penetration into gel recoil velocity ft. lbs/sec.
.327
Fed Hydra Shok
85gr 1313 325 14.5" 10.2
.38SPL +P 868 222 12" 9.3
Speer Gold dot
125gr GD-HP
.38 SPL 880 189 8.9
110gr H-S Fed PD

.32 H&R Mag 955 172 15" 7.0
Federal Hy-Shok
85gr HS JHP

If you look at the penetration I believe the 38 shows the false sense of security Kurt

kevthebassman · « **Reply #27 on:** March 28, 2008, 12:40:57 PM »

That's pretty much inline with what I thought it would be. Thanks for the info.