Weighing the Options: New Rifle or New Barrel?

[Big Blue]

Looking at the new prices on the Barrel Accessory Program, it now costs about $155 to have the average rifle barrel fitted to your frame. $96 for the barrel, $25 for the labor charge and $19 for shipping and handling. You can also add the cost of shipping the receiver and stock to H&R which I'll estimate to be about $15.
The cost of the average Handi-Rifle at Bud's is $255 delivered to your FFL. My FFL charges an additional $25 for the transfer and background check, so it brings the total cost of the new Handi-Rifle up to $280 or just $125 more than just the barrel will cost you.
I really don't like to swap barrels once I get one shooting on the money, but obviously I could have almost two more caliber choices for the price of one new rifle.
So weighing the cost difference, what's your opinion? Are you better off buying a new Handi-Rifle complete, or sending for a barrel to be fitted?
Don
 

[dpe.ahoy]

I have had a total of 5 barrels fitted, but no more.  From now on I will only buy complete guns or buy from someone here.  Just doing my part for the economy of my fellow Handiholics.  DP

[PowPow]

I would swap barrels a lot and experienced a change in POI and groupings.
Each barrel had a dedicated scope. Thought it was just cheap guns and cheap scopes.
When I stopped changing barrels a lot, POI and groupings became consistent.

Now one barrel (30-06) stays on for the duration of deer season, and another barrel (223) goes on for the remainder of the year for coyotes, crows and paper.

If I needed to have the two calibers available often, I would get another receiver.

[Lon371]

 Better question might be. Do you want to wait until production starts back up and they get your barrel made(if they dont discontinue it) Do you trust them with your rifle? Or would it be better to buy on here and fit it yourself? I like the later of the 2 choices. But if the funds are there, another reciever is always handy(less swapping)so another gun would be in order.

just my 2 pennies

Lonny

[quickdtoo]

I would swap barrels a lot and experienced a change in POI and groupings.
Each barrel had a dedicated scope. Thought it was just cheap guns and cheap scopes.
When I stopped changing barrels a lot, POI and groupings became consistent.

I used to swap barrels and NEVER had a problem with POI changes or repeatable accuracy, but I've always used a torque sensing screwdriver to install the forend screw, that one factor will affect POI and accuracy on any H&R after reinstalling the forend, if you can't get it the same each time, it's going to change unless the forend is bedded which helps eliminate the issue. 

TIm

[PowPow]

So a torque sensing screwdriver will save me a couple of hours at the range. Don't tell my wife.

[quickdtoo]

A man can never have too many tools or guns!! 

Tim

[blacksan]

For me dedicated rifles are the way to go even though I am also a Encore owner which hurts the wallet a lot more then Handi's. 

[dwalk]

I'm of the belief that the best way to go about is is to have the barrel(s) fitted...work the bugs out of it/them and leave them status quo with a dedicated scope for each one.

i have no more than three calibers to a receiver...

[gcrank1]

I think that for me, from now on the whole rifle is the way to go, too. I dont mind checking for -0- after swapping barrels 'cause I like to shoot, but the 'grab it and go' regardless of caliber just suits my eclectic character better.
Besides, that way they can wear different clothes and have their own personality.

[Big Blue]

I think that for me, from now on the whole rifle is the way to go, too.

I agree. When I want to use a gun I don't want to have to change the barrels and check zero first. While I've been very tempted by barrels seen here on the classifieds and in the barrel accessory program, I'll try my best to wait 'til I can afford to buy the whole rifle. I do however have an orphaned receiver that has no stock or barrel so I'm keeping my eyes open for a barrel for that.
Don

[PHATINJUN]

I get the feeling your choice will be made for you by what you are able to find. Have you looked latley for bbl's or complete guns? Kurt

[Big Blue]

I get the feeling your choice will be made for you by what you are able to find. Have you looked latley for bbl's or complete guns? Kurt

It is amazing that in this time of high nationwide unemployment that more aren't being put to work to manufacture a made in the USA product that is selling.
Don

[ulav8r]

Having 2 barrels for one receiver makes a lot of sense if one is a 30/30 and the other is a 20 gauge.  Then you just need a handi case to carry them in.  That will cover everything from birds and squirrels to moose if used properly.

[Mac11700]

I would swap barrels a lot and experienced a change in POI and groupings.
Each barrel had a dedicated scope. Thought it was just cheap guns and cheap scopes.
When I stopped changing barrels a lot, POI and groupings became consistent.

I used to swap barrels and NEVER had a problem with POI changes or repeatable accuracy, but I've always used a torque sensing screwdriver to install the forend screw, that one factor will affect POI and accuracy on any H&R after reinstalling the forend, if you can't get it the same each time, it's going to change unless the forend is bedded which helps eliminate the issue. 

TIm

Same here..To me the best one can do for accuracy on a multiple barrel frame is to have seperate forearms for each and each forearm fully RTV bedded. RTV'ng them is cheap and easy and best of all if you sell the barrel at some point removing the bedding is painless.. The lock up will reamin the same on each barrel swap and there won't be an issue with it being out of zero.

I'll be having a 30-30 barrel and 280 barrel on 1 frame in a few days..and this is what I plan on doing for them.

Mac

[spikehorn]

The only reason I buy a bbl is to make a complete gun

[wreckhog]

Lot of discontinued Handis. If you want a Hornet or .45LC in 2011, and you can find a used barrel, but not a gun, what would you do?

[Swampman]

I only have complete guns.

[Rustyinfla]

   If I were to find just a barrel in a caliber that I really wanted I would go ahead and get it, but other than that I just buy complete guns.