Im looking to buy my first single-shot. I wanted to try a new caliber and was dead set on a NEF in .204 (22" Bull) after holding one at the local sporting goods store, but to tell you the truth after reading some of the posts on the problems with the Handi, I'm a little more cautious. Are the QC problems so bad that if the store has 3 in stock, I should look at all 3 new-in-box rifles, disassemble them, shake them, check for wiggle/gaps and decide that way? It sounds like Im buying a used car. :wink:
Im certainly not against the NEF by any means, but Id rather have a positive first experience than a bad one. I want my money to go toward a purchase that is going to be a good (on par with Rem/Ruger/Savage) shooter out of the box so I can have fun concentrating on perfecting the load, not trying to get the gun to shoot straight. I was drawn to the TC/NEF style because of the ease to change barrels. A $20 rebate and $100 additional barrels is attractive!
So
how has the performance of new small caliber Handis (.22H, .223, .204, .243) been for you? Problems? Praises? (anyone seen a .220 Swift Handi?)
Is the Handi any better/worse than the dedicated rifles from Spartan (now Rem formerly Braztech) or Rossi? The prices are about the same. What about the quality?
Is it true that a single dry-fire of the NEF will ruin accuracy? Is this a feature of all single-shot rifles?
Too many Questions? Did I forget one? :wink:
