H&R 999

[cruiser00]

I have an H&R 999 that works good except for a couple of problems. The barrel latch on the top of the revolver works loose after firing a couple of rounds and has to be pushed back into place each time. The second problem is that the cylinder comes off the shaft when extracting empty rounds. I push it back on the shaft, turn it, and it locks back into position. I'm sure these problems are due to a couple of worn parts. Has anybody ever had these problems and which parts need to be replaced?

[336SC]

Bought mine new in 1978.  Same deal on mine about cylinder coming off shaft when ejecting empties.  Mine has done that since brand new.  Trigger pull is so horrible, even in single action mode that I have hardly fired it.  Maybe 150 rounds tops.  Mine still looks as new cause of not being able to shoot it accurately.
336SC

[blaze]

CruiserOO: I owned an H&R 999 many years ago.  My first handgun in the mid 50's.  The gun was used but locked up very tight and was very accurate. However, I had the same problem you're having with the cylinder coming off when the action was openned to extract the fired cases.  The problem was the cylinder catch was worn. Check yours.  I think a replacement can be had cheeply from Numrich Gun Parts Corp. for less than $5.00.  The 999 was probably the best made/accurate revolver that H&R ever made.   Your barrel catch (or parts thereof) might also need replacing and are also available from Humrich.  Hope this helps and enjoy your 999.

[cruiser00]

Thanks for the information blaze. I'll try those things and post back with my results. I really like the older guns like this one. Sometimes they just need a little fixin' up.

[tobster]

This won't help but I once read a review that stated those have been popular for a hundred years and the problem is they are still using the original machinery to make them. Kinda got a chuckle out of that.

[1911crazy]

I purchased a 999 and did not check to see if the cylinder number matched the serial number. I didn't have my eye glasses with me.  She was shaving lead at the range when we shot it.  I ordered a new lever that locks up the cylinder in place and with a little fitting i have the cylinder bore and barrel bore lined up for all the holes now.  I did move the knotches in the cylinder a tad just two of them needed work. I got my parts from www.e-gunparts.com . These are really nice 22cal revolvers i just got to be more picky on what i'm buying and wear my eye glasses.  I did change the plastic trigger spring guide to the steel one too.

[1911crazy]

This won't help but I once read a review that stated those have been popular for a hundred years and the problem is they are still using the original machinery to make them. Kinda got a chuckle out of that.

The older castiron those 100yo machines are made from is better than the castiron were using today.  Years ago the castiron castings were aged outdoors in the rain/weather for up to a year.  Today they put additives in the new castirion to age it quicker.  Once the older castings were machined and the machine beds were leveled they stayed that way even to today when we rebuilt them.  The newer castiron of today i could make the machine beds bend like pretzels.

[44 Man]

I have owned one of those wonderful revolvers for about 25 years.  It would be the last gun I would ever sell!  I love it!  It is very accurate and it has neither of the problems you folks have had.  If I let it sit for 6 months without shooting it, often the trigger will not return forward.  A couple drops of oil on the trigger pivot returns the gun to proper functioning.  It has a very smooth trigger pull on single and double action.  Mine has the 6" barrel and I passed up a 4" barreled one shortly after I bought mine.  I didn't think I needed another but I have kicked myself ever since then for not getting it.  Hope you can get your working properly, the cylinder latch sounds like a spring problem, can't offer any idea for the latch/rear sight.  Enjoy. 44 Man
 
 

[gcrank1]

Regarding the latch rising I submit that the frame at the latch lugs needs some 'tweaking'. If the lugs are rounded off the latch wont lock down or if the latch itself has 'worn out' it cant latch into the lugs. Soft parts or somebody 'flippin' it closed can do that or aggravate it. The basic mechanical function of the parts is pretty straightforward, the latch cant lock if the locking parts are angled toward release.

[1911crazy]

You can still get some great buys on these older 22cal revolvers and some are still in new condition depending on where we live.  I find a lot of still NIB hndguns in the used case. If any gun doesn't function i enjoy working on it to make it right.  Ditto on the ww.e-gunparts.com for gun parts.